Now that the kids are back at school, the October half-term will soon be upon us. You may be thinking about how to entertain your family during the break.
Fortunately, with so many exciting destinations to explore, you and your children or grandchildren will be spoilt for choice.
Read on to discover 10 family-friendly days out for you to enjoy in and around south Wales and Bristol.
- Welsh Museums Festival
The Welsh Museums Festival returns this year with more free events than ever before. From Saturday 22 October to Sunday 6 November, get stuck into a huge range of fantastic activities at museums across Wales.
There are riddles, crafts, and dragons to amuse your children, as well as an Instagram photo competition to keep the teenagers busy. But the activities aren’t solely for the younger generation; there are also lectures, behind-the-scenes talks, and conservation sessions to keep the adults entertained.
2. Aerospace Bristol
Aerospace Bristol celebrates Bristol’s aviation achievements and explores the history behind air travel. There’s loads to discover, as the museum tells the story of how the earliest days of powered flight became today’s cutting-edge technology.
During the half-term they are running special tours of Concorde to mark the 20th anniversary of its final flight. With fun activities, a Red Arrow simulator, and a show projected onto the outside of the last of the supersonic passenger jets built, it’s the perfect time to visit.
3. Outdoor cinema nights at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot
Situated in 1,000 acres of gorgeous parklands, Margam Country Park boasts natural beauty, a Grade I-listed mansion, and the best deer herd in Wales. Most importantly, they also have lots of fun activities to keep the kids entertained!
Children under 10 can be enchanted in the fairytale village, filled with fairytale-themed miniature houses, or explore the adventure castle. For the animal lovers in your group, the farm trail is the perfect place to meet some furry friends. “Meet the farmer” sessions provide the perfect opportunity to learn more about the animals.
4. Pumpkin picking, Bonvilston
Although there are plenty of farms that allow you to choose your own pumpkins during October, Vale Pick Your Own is one of the best in south Wales.
Have a pumpkin spiced latte or a ghoulish treat at their café before venturing out into the field to select the perfect pumpkin from more than 20 varieties. They have daytime and twilight pumpkin-picking sessions, allowing you to visit while the farm is lit up with beautiful fairy lights.
With photo opportunities and a spectacular maize maze, picking your own pumpkin is the perfect spooky day out.
5. Plantasia Tropical Zoo, Swansea
Step into an indoor rainforest this half-term and explore the amazing wildlife that thrives in tropical conditions. Split into two distinct zones – tropical and arid – Plantasia Tropical Zoo blends science and nature to create an unforgettable experience.
As well as the zoo’s daily activities, you can also visit their special Wicked Wednesday’s Wonderland event. Embark on a nocturnal adventure past the snake enclosures and down the spider trail guided by Wednesday and Enid, conquering spooky challenges along the way.
6. Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol
Brunel’s SS Great Britain tells the story of one of Britain’s greatest engineers and one of the most important ships in maritime history. With two museums and a carefully restored Victorian ship, there’s plenty for you to explore at Bristol’s top visitor attraction.
There are lots of talks and tours taking place every day, as well as a packed schedule of seasonal activities. Thrill seekers can even experience what it was like to be a crew member of the famous ship by climbing the rigging 25 metres off the ground.
7. Bristol Aquarium
Dive into the wonderful underwater world of Bristol Aquarium this autumn. Located in the heart of the city, the aquarium boasts more than 40 displays and thousands of fish for you to discover.
If you’re avoiding the gloomy October weather, Bristol Aquarium is a fantastic way to entertain your family indoors. As the UK’s only aquarium with a botanical house filled with exotic plants and daily talks, they have activities and exhibitions to suit everyone’s taste.
8. Spooky days out at Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire
There are loads of family-friendly Halloween activities taking place at Carew Castle this half-term.
If you’re interested in hunting down some ghosts in one of the most haunted buildings in Wales, you can take part in Carew Castle’s ghost hunt. It runs from 21 October to 5 November, and you can win spooky prizes for finding all the ghosts.
They are also running a ghost tour on the 30 and 31 October. The creepy tour involves a torchlit excursion around the castle where you can hear the scary stories from the castle’s mysterious history.
9. Halloween At Fonmon 2023 Night Scare Trail, Fonmon Castle
Fonmon Castle hosts a spectacular Halloween event this half-term. When you visit the castle, you can be entertained by their very own magician, talk a stroll through the “skeleton gardens”, and peruse some spooky merchandise in the themed shops.
But be warned – some of the activities are scarier than others and may not all be suitable for the less adventurous members of your group.
10. Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson
Step back in time and experience life in the 17th century at Llancaiach Fawr Manor this half-term. The manor has featured on a number of popular TV shows about ghosts and offers regular ghost hunting tours suitable for 12 – 16-year-olds.
On 1 November, younger children can take part in a Harry Potter-style potions workshop for Halloween.
Get in touch
If you’re finding the prospect of planning your finances scarier than a Halloween ghost hunt, we can help. Email us at info@bee-sure.co.uk, submit a contact form on our website, or call us on 0333 305 6692.