Enjoy the magic of autumn as a family with a whole host of adventures and activities at National Trust places near you. From ghoulish tricks to nature’s treats, the conservation charity is offering heaps of fun for all the family this October half term.
Escape into the great outdoors together on an autumnal walk to collect a rainbow of fallen leaves. Embark on a nature trail to discover wildlife, as well as the weird and wonderful fungi that’s emerged. Challenge friends and family members to seasonal fun and games during autumn days out at National Trust places.
There are plenty of Halloween-themed activities and events to help celebrate the spookier side of the season too. From pumpkin displays to creepy crafts, spooky story-telling sessions and frightfully entertaining Halloween trails, there’s plenty of fun for everyone.
Here’s the top pick of exciting events and activities in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to keep the whole family entertained this October half term.
CLUMBER PARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
From Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November, discover mysterious creatures, folklore, storytelling and adventures for curious minds.
Young explorers can become a Guardian of the Forest, following a trail through the park to solve riddles and cyphers, uncovering stories of bats, crows, the Lady of the Lake and the legendary Black Beast along the way. Gather everything needed for a protection spell and complete the challenge to earn Guardian status. Trail sheets cost £3.
For those feeling brave, the Stranger Folk app takes families on an adventure inspired by British folklore, where they’ll encounter goblins, bogarts and traditional customs including worm charming and wassailing. The free app should be downloaded before visiting and works without Wi-Fi or mobile signal once installed.
Inside the Old Parsonage, Storytelling sessions will transport children into a world of dragons, princesses, dinosaurs, myths and legends. Three 45-minute sessions will run each day, with tickets costing £5 per child, including one accompanying adult. Booking required through the website.
Full details at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
THE WORKHOUSE & INFIRMARY, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
The Workhouse & Infirmary will be open every day from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November, giving visitors the chance to explore the historic buildings and grounds and uncover the stories of those who once lived and worked here.
There’s plenty happening throughout the holidays, including a seasonal Family Trailto enjoy as you explore the site.
On Saturday 17 October, get creative with a Floral Pumpkin workshop with Side Farm Flowers. Choose a homegrown pumpkin and transform it using dried flowers, foliage and other natural materials. Drop-in sessions run from 10.30 – 15.00, with pumpkin decorating from £4.
The annual Bramley Apple Day takes place on Saturday 24 October, alongside Southwell’s famous Bramley Apple Festival. Visitors can try the longest apple peel challenge, hear performances from the Pauper Choir and join tours of the kitchen garden and historic buildings. The event is free, with no booking required.
Tales from The Workhouse brings the past to life with costumed characters sharing stories of daily life and sharing activities including slate writing, washing and oakum picking. Sessions take place at 11.30, 12.30 and 14.00 on Mondays and Saturdays and are included in normal admission.
Plan a visit at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/theworkhouse
BELTON ESTATE, LINCOLNSHIRE
Running from now until Sunday 1 November, families can take part in The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ trail at Belton, presented by the award-winning creator of interactive theatrical events, Bakehouse Factory. Visitors can join in with one of nature’s greatest transformations as they become the world’s most famous caterpillar from Eric Carle’s best-selling book.
Enhanced by illustrated trail markers, giant food posts, activities and games, children can learn about days of the week, counting and the lifecycle of a butterfly, all within the beautiful setting of Belton. Wriggle along the trail in the Italian garden to spot juicy fruits, tasty snacks and uncover hands-on activities, before emerging as a beautiful butterfly.
Also during half term, free family crafts will be on offer on Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October, making leaf bunting and colourful prints of fungi. A brand-new trail across the parkland has just opened too, all about the amazing moths and butterflies found around the estate. Plus, the return of the Stranger Folk app is bringing spooky interactive fun with phyisical play prompts to enjoy while exploring together. And finally, Belton’s mystery guide is back, offering the chance for visitors to work together, putting on their detective caps to solve The Puzzling Case of the Missing Plum Cakes, with riddles to unfurl while walking through the stunning gardens.
More information at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton
GRANTHAM HOUSE, LINCOLNSHIRE
Families are invited to get out into nature this half term at Grantham House where some of the abundant wildlife found in the gardens is being celebrated. A woodpecker trail will lead visitors around the grounds and they can return to the tearoom and bookshop to enjoy themed hands-on activities and a woodland textures rubbing station too. Plus, children can go for a hunt through the house and gardens, trying to complete a special spotters’ trail. Entry to Grantham House is free for everyone throughout the year.
More information at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/grantham-house
WOOLSTHORPE MANOR, LINCOLNSHIRE
Half term will mark the last week of opening for Woolsthorpe Manor this year and the home of Isaac Newton is bursting with fun activities for families to enjoy. Children of all ages, even grown-up ones, can get hands-on with some of Newton’s most famous experiments in the science centre! Families can test refraction and reflection by getting distorted in massive mirrors and try to grab a holographic apple. Plus, there are experiments all about Newton’s famous discovery of gravity too and you can discover how it keeps a planet in orbit or an object on the ground.
Woolsthorpe’s orchard, starring the actual apple tree which inspired his theory, is a perfect place for some autumnal relaxation in nature too. Families can pick a peaceful spot to cloud gaze and use the fascinating sundial to tell the time.
More information at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe
GUNBY ESTATE, HALL AND GARDENS, LINCOLNSHIRE
Families can flap into fun this half-term with Gunby’s exciting Bat Trail. Young explorers aged between 3 and 11 are all invited to join the Battle of the Bats from 17 October to 12 November, discovering some of Britain’s most amazing bats while tackling six fun activities around the estate. Trail sheets cost £2 and offer more fun when returning home, as children can cut cards out of them to play Battle of the Bats top cards with family and friends.
For Halloween weekend, on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, things will take an even spookier turn at Gunby with the Halloween Haunted Hall, decked with devilish decorations and frightful fun, opening its doors.
Throughout October, visitors can also get involved with The Big Draw, collecting free sketching bags from Visitor Welcome in the car park and contributing to a giant collaborative drawing board in the garden.
More information at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gunbyhall
TATTERSHALL CASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE
Tours and trails will invite visitors to uncover spooky tales and mesmerising mysteries this half term at Tattershall Castle. The Mystery of the Medieval Mice Trail costs £2.50 per trail sheet and follows six brave mice who live deep within the castle walls, holding secret roles in the kingdom. Each of their doors hides a spooky challenge revealing clues to solve the final code and unlock a prize.
On Saturdays throughout October at 11.30am and 1.30pm, visitors can step into the shadows of the castle on a spine-tingling family tour. Tattershall’s Ghostly Tales and Tower Secrets sees ‘Will the peasant’ guide participants through centuries of history, mystery and ghostly tales, exploring the castle’s ancient rooms and winding staircases and hearing stories that once occurred within the medieval walls.
More information at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tattershall
Image credit – National Trust Images Chris Lacey
Posted on 05 October 2026
