Create lasting memories this October half term with the National Trust in Herefordshire
Start planning your October half term with the National Trust in Herefordshire; Berrington Hall, Brockhampton Estate, Croft Castle and The Weir Garden have lots of spooktacular activities to keep your little ones entertained all holiday.
Families can discover more about the grisly truths behind crime and punishment during the eighteenth-century on an outdoor trail at Berrington Hall, near Leominster. Visitors can also don their sleuth hats and take on the role of detective as they take part in a murder mystery around the grounds. Both activities are running every day throughout half term. Families can spend some time in the autumnal orchard and relax in the fanciful sculptural pavilion in the walled garden, designed by internationally renowned artists, Heather and Ivan Morison.
On route to Bromyard, families can delve into the history of Halloween and all things spooky on an outdoor trail at Brockhampton Estate. Little witches and wizards can also get creative with broomstick making on Tuesday 30 October from 11am to 4pm. Families can make their own traditional broomsticks from natural materials and then challenge their friends and family to a race around the grounds. The orchards at Brockhampton are laden with fruit at harvest time and visitors can choose some freshly picked apples to take home until the end of October.
On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October, families can don their scariest fancy dress and dust off their broomsticks for a Halloween Spooktacular weekend at Croft Castle, near Leominster. Children can carve their own pumpkin, enjoy some spooky crafts, devour a toffee apple in the tea-room, make their own wand, take part in a broomstick agility course, hear ghost stories in the castle and cast incantations around the gardens on an outdoor trail. The Willow the Witch trail is running every day throughout the holiday. Little explorers can also tick off lots of their ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ in the natural play area; play conkers, climb trees, catch falling leaves and go bird watching this autumn.
Wendy the witch has been up to her usual mischief at The Weir Garden, near Hereford; families can work together to track her down on their half term trail, running daily from 10.30am to 4pm. Visitors can even get creative on Wednesday 31 October with pumpkin carving in the glasshouse.
More details about Berrington Hall, Brockhampton Estate, Croft Castle and The Weir Garden can be found by visiting: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/herefordshire