Herefordshire Half-Term Happenings
Fun activities for kids, teens and grown-ups
Seeking a little half-term inspiration? From superbly spooky Halloween-themed venues to adventure days and crafts workshops, there’s plenty for families with kids of all ages across the county. And we’ve thrown in a few bits for grown-ups to enjoy too.
Ralph Court Gardens
Nobody does ‘spooky season’ quite like Ralph Court. Throughout October, up until 3 November, you will meet witches and gremlins as you explore the house and gardens. From 24 October to 2 November, the spookiness is ramped up even further: get a proper fright at the Haunted House, watch the graveyard light up and even join in on some ‘interactive, creepy farmyard fun’ with a three-night run of their family-friendly theatre production. And don’t miss the Halloween-themed grub in the Restaurant.
Herefordshire Family Festival
Making, doing, listening and watching… there’s simply loads to get stuck into at Herefordshire’s Family Festival, hosted by The Courtyard on Wednesday 30 October. For the little ones there’s dressing up and face painting plus a play world and a circus family rave. Older kids can flex their creative muscles with jewellery making, sewing, and biscuit decorating. And there’s a superb selection of performances and shows for everyone to enjoy.
Ceramic Festival Hereford
Get your hands dirty with a session behind the wheel during Ceramic Festival Hereford. Held over two locations across the city, from 1 to 3 November, the festival has a fabulous selection of workshops and demonstrations for you to try and watch - including some from finalists of The Great Pottery Throwdown. Have a nosy around the makers’ market, perhaps bagging some unique Christmas gifts while you’re there.
Locked & Accused at Centre for Movement
After a proper scare? Older teens (16+) can try 2Faced Dance Company’s first ever escape room experience, down in the old basement of Hereford Gaol. Blindfolded, cuffed and then locked in a real prison cell, you’ve got 90 minutes to secure your escape. Expect challenges, puzzles, and live actors doing their thing. Ready to clear your name?
Learn to Forage at Drovers Rest
Take a trip on the wild side with a family foraging experience. Head to Drovers Rest Farm, nestled in the foothills of the Black Mountains, and spend an afternoon with Wild Food UK. They’ll teach you the ins-and-outs of foraging, including the Foraging Code and how to safely identify the different species of edible and poisonous plants and mushrooms all around us. Spaces available on Sundays 13 and 27 October, and Friday 8 November.
Half Term Fun at Drovers Rest with a Spooktacular Halloween Herefordshire Feast
As well as their regular farm visits, the owners are inviting visitors to eat, drink, dress up and be scary at their Halloween Herefordshire Feast on 2 November in the heated barn. On what promises to be a haunting night of Halloween fun, look out for skeletons and skulls, a witch or two and zombies. Fun games and activities, including a Halloween movie, will keep the family entertained too. £45 for adults. £25 for kids.
The farm is also offering their regular guided animal safaris, wild campfire experiences and DIY farm trails during half term (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays).
A Spooktacular Halloween Feast in Herefordshire » Drovers Rest
Oaker Wood Holiday Club and Teen Adventure Day
There’s masses for kids to sink their teeth into at Oaker Wood Leisure over half term, with activity days running from Tuesday 29 to Thursday 31 October. The days are split into age groups, with three holiday club days for 7-11s and a separate Teen Adventure Day on Wednesday 30. Expect activities like Gladiator Challenge, Capture the Flag, high ropes and den building, as well as a falconry display.
Pumpkin Picking
Near Ledbury, there’s not one, but two fabulous options if you’d like to go for a family pumpkin picking afternoon. Visit the Farm Patch, Little Marcle, from 26 October to 1 November, to choose from all sorts of weird and wonderful pumpkin and gourd varieties, followed by a homemade pizza. Over at Pumpkin Pete’s, Stretton Grandison, once you;ve chosen your pumpkins, you can make the most of their entertainment, including food stalls, ‘spooktacular ponies’, face painting, and even a chocolate shop. Open 26 to Wednesday 30 October.
The Night Maze
Over at the Pumpkin Patch, Marden, there’s more than just pumpkins to pick. Running Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 October, plus every night during 24 October to 31 October, the Night Maze is a traditional maize maze with a few spooky surprises lying in wait. Book ahead for groups of 4 to 8, aged 10 and above. Under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult.
Hallowtide at Brockhampton
You might feel pretty clued-up on modern-day Halloween celebrations, but how much do you know about the old-school Hallowtide? Head to National Trust Brockhampton to walk through the Tudor-style manor house and learn more about this medieval tradition. The house will be beautifully decorated with foraged, autumnal decorations, as well as interactive displays and seasonal recipe ideas for you to take home and try. Children can keep an eye out for spooky spirits lurking in nooks and crannies, and everyone’s welcome to enter the pumpkin carving competition.
Horrorford
If you love dressing up, then Hereford Zombie Trail is simply the best excuse possible to pull together your finest costume and join in the fêted Zombie Crawl Parade. Held on Saturday 26 October, it’s a day of truly bonkers fun for everyone. As well as the Zombie Crawl, you can enter the fancy dress competition (with prizes!), make the most of some free face painting, and enjoy Scary Snacks meal deals across the city too.
Halloween at Goodrich Castle
Visit English Heritage Goodrich Castle between 2 October and 3 November, and become a witch finder for the day! Ever wondered what the telltale signs of a witch are? Now’s your chance to find out. Through tests, trials and experiments, you’ll put suspected witches to the tests and find out who’s hiding a magical secret. There’s also a Halloween Quest for little visitors to embark on, following clues to find something exciting at the end.
Black and White House Museum
See Hereford’s Black and White House Museum in a whole new light as it shapeshifts into The Spooky House, from 26 October. Don your finest costumes to pop along for a taste of eerie mystery on the Witches’ Trail, following clues from around the museum to discover hidden witches (suitable for all ages). If a story’s more your thing, drop into one of the Spooky Tales sessions for some good, old-fashioned ghost stories, told by Hereford College of Arts students. Entry is free for under 16s and students, and £3.50 admits entry to both sessions for adults - no booking necessary.
Broomsticks and Detectives at Croft Castle
Got a competitive streak? Head over to Croft Castle and challenge each other to an agility course... on broomsticks. Once you've crowned the group's airborne champion (or simply worn yourselves out!), put on your detective hats and go a'hunting for ghosts on the Paranormal Investigator Trail, exploring acres of ancient woodland along the way. Free for National Trust members and family tickets for £37.50 (adult admission £15 / child admission £7.50).
Broomstick agility course | National Trust and Paranormal Investigator Trail | National Trust
Hideous Histories Trails – four self-guided adventures
Herefordshire might seem like a place of picture-perfect idyll, but behind our county's pretty black and white houses and orchards, you’ll discover centuries of bloody deeds, ghastly ghosts and fearsome folklore. Download one of our free, self-guided Hideous Histories Trails, and spend a day exploring ruined castles and spooky caves at your own pace. Wrap up warm, lace your boots tight and get ready for your next quest!
Bewitched at Eastnor Castle
Behind its mighty turrets and great stone walls, Eastnor Castle has a chilling secret or two to discover. From Sunday 27 to Thursday 31 October, pass beyond the castle's creaky doors and see what lies in wait! Spend an hour uncovering mysteries in the Creepy Castle before hunting for witches in the wooded grounds. If you've still got steam to let off, round off your visit with a lap of the junior assault course, or test your mettle in the knights' maze. £14 for adults and £8 for kids.
Newton Court Pumpkin Hunt
Set your eyes on the prize with a day’s pumpkin hunting at Newton Court Cider. Track down the hidden letters on each pumpkin as you weave in and out of the apple trees, with the promise of a prize at the end for successful orchard detectives. While you’re there, learn all about the little bugs, beasties and creepy crawlies who live in the orchards, too. Running from 26 October to 3 November, 9am to 4.30pm (except for the Sundays, when it’s open until 3.30pm).
Steam Day at the Waterworks Museum
Pop into one of the steam days at Hereford’s Waterworks Museum, and travel back in time to the golden age of locomotion. Take in the sights, sounds and smoky smells of a bygone era as you view the country’s largest collection of vintage pumps and engines - many of which are the last working examples of their type. Chat to the brilliant volunteers, who make this all possible, while you’re there. The next steam day is on Saturday 26 October.
