As the nights draw in and a mosaic of colour appears across Wales, National Trust Cymru has a whole host of events and activities planned to keep your little explorers entertained. From ghoulish tricks to nature’s treats, get ready to enjoy heaps of family fun this October half term.
Wherever you’re spending your October half term, there are plenty of activities to choose from:
In North Wales, discover more about the creatures who make the estate at Chirk Castle their home on a self-led nature trail, or explore autumn colour with a game of nature bingo at Plas Newydd House and Garden.
In Mid Wales, enjoy a Halloween adventure in the garden at Llanerchaeron as you work to escape the clutches of Mari Berllan Biter, a witch of local legends, or hunt high and low along the terraces at Powis Caste and Garden for dozens of carved Halloween pumpkins.
In South Wales, look for signs of hedgehogs at Dyffryn Garden before making your own spikey friend to take home, or spark your creativity by joining a pumpkin carving workshop at Tredegar House.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your wellies, wrap up warm and enjoy everything the season has to offer. What’s more, every visit to one of these special places helps the National Trust Cymru care for them for future generations to enjoy.
You no longer need to book to visit many of our places, however opening times vary, so head to the website to plan your visit.
North Wales
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
With 80 acres of dazzling autumn colour, Bodnant Garden is the perfect place to let your little explorers run wild this half term. Jump across stepping-stones to play pooh sticks in the Dell, build a den or visit the willow worm at the Far End, and explore the little Play Park with zig-zag walkways, a mini suspension bridge, and rope walks.
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
As autumn sweeps across the landscape, step into nature and discover Chirk Castle’s historic estate with its veteran trees and quiet bird hides – it’s the ideal spot to tick off some ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 and 3/4’ activities. If that’s not enough, let off steam as you explore the two play areas, or discover more about the creatures who make the parkland their home on a self-led nature trail.
Erddig, Wrexham
Make family memories together as you try your hand at campfire cooking, enjoy some spooky storytelling, or follow the self-led Welsh folklore trail around the garden. If your little explorers still have energy to spare, then fly on the rope swing, climb over obstacles and balance across beams in Wolf’s Den, Erddig’s natural play area.
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
Visit the dramatic Penrhyn Castle where you’ll find lots to keep the whole family entertained. Explore the Victorian Kitchens where the contents of the cupboards will reveal more about the castle’s worldwide connections, and on 30-31 October, visit the Dung Tower and listen to some Stinky Stories. Outside, explore the extensive garden and estate and discover more about its historic trees on a self-led family trail.
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
Whether it’s kicking through leaves, learning about nature, or searching for Red Squirrels, there are plenty of family activities happening at Plas Newydd this half term. Venture into the garden and explore autumn colour with a nature bingo guide, join one of the daily Red Squirrel walks, or hunt for willow animals on the hibernation trail.
MID WALES
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
From the 27-31 October, follow a magical hare on a family Halloween adventure through the garden. Can you and your little adventurers escape the clutches of Mari Berllan Biter by making a protective charm from the ingredients you find along the way? To find out more about Mari Berllan Biter, the local witch of Llanerchaeron, join the spooky storytelling session on 27 October, 11.30am-12noon.
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool
Dust off those wellies, wrap up warm, and see how many family fun activities you can complete at Powis this half term. Hunt high and low along the terraces on the Halloween Pumpkin Trail, explore the sights, sounds, and smells of the season on the Sensory Autumn Trail, or learn fascinating facts on the Fun Fungi Trail through the woodland.
SOUTH WALES
Colby Woodland Gardens, Pembrokeshire
Colby is the perfect place to run wild and tick off some of your ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities so get ready to build dens, create some wild art, and discover what’s hiding in a pond. If that’s not enough, follow the ‘I Am a Seed’ self-led exhibition to find out more about the historic trees that grow in this fascinating place.
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
Follow the autumn trail through Dinefwr’s estate this half term and learn more about nature as you collect leaves, make bark rubbings and lots more. Inside, try shadow theatre or enjoy the Shadow Box Branches installation as you explore beautifully decorated rooms, full of autumnal atmosphere.
Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
Follow the Autumn All Around family trail at Dyffryn and use each of your senses to explore autumn. There’s more than just bright autumn colour to see – hear the crunch of leaves, smell the rain on damp ground, touch the bark of the trees and learn about the seasonal foods you can eat at home. During half term, celebrate the humble hedgehog by making your own spikey friend and see if you can spot the signs of real-life hedgehogs as you explore the garden.
Tredegar House, Newport
Discover the parkland in a different way this autumn by following the free, self-led, autumn sensory trail. Feel the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet, smell the crisp autumn air and listen to the birds as they gather to fly south for winter. Why not complete some ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾’ activities along the way? If that’s not enough, spark your creativity at a pumpkin carving workshop in the Riding School (29-31 October). Spooky or smiley, frightening or silly – what will you carve?
