Fang-tastic family fun awaits in Herefordshire…
Herefordshire Family Festival – Magical Myths & Legends
25 October – 2 November
Every year The Courtyard hosts this family festival of events throughout the October half term week, and this year is the 10th anniversary! Every day offers something new, with the theme being Myths & Legends.
Badge making, interactive storytelling, movies, little play sessions, biscuit making, silent disco and a Magical Myths & Legends parade! courtyard.org.uk
Dracula – The Panto!
Scary stories can be silly! This hilarious fang-tastic spoof of the Dracula story is performed in glorious Panto style. Big laughs, big songs and even bigger teeth! For one night only, Tuesday 28th October from 7pm. Suitable for ages 8 plus. Booking essential. courtyard.org.uk
Fun Filled Fiendish FREEBIES
Hereford Cathedral has two free drop-in sessions during half term week. Build super structures, create crazy constructions and make new friends at Cathedral Lego Club. 3.40pm – 5pm Tues 28 October. Enjoy a relaxing lunch time play date focused on creativity and crafts. Perfect for pre-schoolers and early years.
Messy Church. Thursday 30 October. 12-3pm, with food served at 12.30pm.
Trick or Treat Trail Horrorford Halloween runs from the 25th – 31st October and is a free event of sweet treats and scary story time. Suitable for all the family from 10am – 3.30pm each day. Visit herefordcitylife.co.uk for more info on where to collect your bags and trail info.
Secrets, surprises and puzzles at The Old House Museum. Can you and your team unravel the mystery and break the curse? 28-30 October Free with Old House admission. herefordshire.gov.uk/events/1446/night-at-the-old-house-museum-trapped-in-time
Wickedly wild workshops
Get hands-on with clay
If you have a creative messy monster in your house then the one day clay modelling workshop at Eastnor Pottery is perfect! This immersive and imaginative session is suitable for ages 4-15 years. Creations will be glazed and fired by the studio, ready to collect at a later date. Tuesday 28 October £40pp eastnorpottery.co.uk
Is it cake?
For little beastly bakers, Sorrel & Sage (at Trumpet Corner) are running Halloween Cupcake workshops on Friday 31 November. These small intimate groups are split into age ranges, with 5-8 years having the morning session from 10.30am – 12pm, and ages 8-11 years at 1pm – 2.30pm.
Places are limited. £35 per child to include soft drinks. All ingredients and materials supplied. Parents do not need to stay. Sorrelandsage.square.site
Sweet fangs
Choccotastic workshops throughout the half term week are small family friendly introductions into the creative world of chocolate making. While your creations set you can enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate. £25 per person. Limited availability. 28th and 31st October, morning and afternoon sessions. choccotastic.com
Broomstick workshop
Children accompanied with an adult are welcome to join. Make your own witches broom from traditionally coppiced birch and hazel. Learn how to select, bundle, bind and trim twigs and attach a handle to make a perfectly functional broom ( and have fun pretending to fly!) £30 per person, see website for details. warehouse701.co.uk
Calling all little goblins for a Monster Party!
Spooky disco, party games, face painting and plenty of shenanigans at this afternoon party at Dunfield House. Saturday 1 Nov 4-6.30pm.
£8 children, £2 adults. All proceeds to Dunfield Charity. Limited availability. Book now. 01544 230563 or email: info@dunfieldhouse.org.uk
GHOULISH for GROWN UPS
Halloween fun isn’t just for kids. The ghost hunt at Clearwell Caves is for adults only and takes you 100ft below ground. Steeped in 4,500 years of activity and history, it is the perfect place for phenomena. One night only, 18 October 7pm, £49 per person. clearwellcaves.com
A great evening of entertainment, kitchen bbq and full bar at Gwatkin Red Cow Bonfire. Halloween fancy dress is optional but prizes to be had. Best dressed Guy competition. Plenty of Gwatkin mulled cider on offer! Free entry. 31 October 6.30-10.30pm gwatkinredcow.co.uk
Have a carvin’ good time in BOO-tiful surroundings
October is all about pumpkin picking and carving out the scariest or funniest creations. It’s an art form like no other! Turn your picking into a playful day out at Pumpkin Pete’s. Half term week is full of activities, starting with a weekend of animal encounters, followed by four days of crafts. Face painting and refreshments. Lots of photo opportunities! pumpkinpetes.co.uk
How about picking up a perfect pumpkin under the magic of nightfall? The lantern lit spooky trail at Townsend Farm is open from 6-9pm and offers a uniquely atmospheric evening. The entry price includes a pumpkin of your picking! townsendfarmevents.co.uk
Visit the SMALL BREEDS FARM by night for their spooky Halloween Fest. This is a rare opportunity to explore the farm after dark. Enjoy a BIG SCARY WALK, scavenger hunt, spooky treats, pizza and a free pumpkin! 25 October 6-9pm. Limited to just 100 tickets. Booking is essential! owlcentre.com
Spooky kooky skeletons
Bone chilling digging for young archaeologists on The Skeleton Search at The Weir Gardens. 25-31 October. Trails £3 to include a prize, normal admission applies. nationaltrust.co.uk/the-weir-garden
Haunted Houses & Creepy Castles
Are you brave enough to search for ghosts at one of the most haunted houses in the area? This half term visit Croft Castle and follow the trail in search of ghoulish inhabitants. Trails are £3 to include a prize. Normal admission rates apply. nationaltrust.org.uk/croft-castle-parkland
Mystical moths, woodland wonders and the majesty of Autumn are all on display in abundance at Brockhampton. The half term Moth Trail offers interactive activities, creative challenges and educational displays. Trails are £3 and include a prize. Normal admission rates apply. nationaltrust.org.uk/brockhampton
Plenty of jolly Autumnal joy can be had at Ludlow Castle. Follow the pumpkin trail and join in with pumpkin themed games and activities designed to bring a smile to little faces. 25th October – 2nd November. Admission rates apply. ludlowcastle.com
Ancient folklore meets modern fear at Hay Castle. Folk Horror Stories by Daniel Morden is an evening of superstition, ritual, cult and curse. Daniel is a Welsh storyteller who has performed all over the world, in schools and theatres. 31 October, 7.30pm. £12.50 book online haycastletrust.org
Half term hijinks for Pre-teen and teens
Unleash your inner Viking!
For those of you with older “little ones”, challenging family fun awaits at The Viking Games & Battlelands thevikinggames.co.uk.
Suitable for ages 8 years plus, the Nordic Games offers a bit of friendly competition to pit your skills against each other using strategy and precision. An hour session enables you to try all four traditional Nordic games (Molkky, Kubb, Bullrings and Stige) £10pp. Teenagers can go all out against friends, siblings and parents in The Viking Experience. Three hours to battle it out across the Nordic games, axe throwing and archery. Who will excel at all three and win the title of Viking Legend? From age 14 plus. £45pp.
Laser clays (thevikinggames.co.uk)
Suitable for age 11 plus, laser clay shooting offers the excitement of the sport but without the need for live ammunition, making it far more accessible for youngsters. Blending traditional skills with modern technology, it guarantees a memorable experience for all the family. One hour session £20pp or combine with an hour of archery £40pp.
Parent free zone
Pack them off to camp!
Half Term Holiday Club at Oaker Wood Leisure is for 7-11 year olds and no parents are allowed! Perfect for confident children who love to challenge themselves. Club days are 28, 30 and 31 October and must be pre booked. Each day has a different theme with different activities. The 31st will have a Halloween theme including pumpkin carving, pizza making, escape & evasion. oakerwoodleisure.co.uk
Oaker wood also runs Teen Adventure Days, specifically designed for 11-16 year olds. These high energy and team focused days are ideal for teenagers to let loose. Morning sessions enjoy thrill seeking high ropes and the afternoon is all about paint balling in teams. Book either session or the full day. Wednesday 29 October.
Out with a BANG!
For a totally fabulous night of whizz, pop, crackle and bang, head to Hereford’s biggest fireworks and light display at Hereford Racecourse on Saturday 1st November.
Wrap up warm and enjoy two hours of live music and entertainment, fairground rides and plenty of food and drink choices. Gather friends and family to witness this dazzling light show. It is sure to be a night to remember, and will also raise funds for St Michael’s Hospice. Free Parking and Free Shuttle Buses from Hereford. See full details on hereford-racecourse.co.uk/whats-on/st-michaels-hospice-hereford-fireworks-2025
Find lots more regional firework events and Halloween and Half Term activities on our huge What’s On guide at eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk/whats-on-in-herefordshire/
