The time has come! October Half Term is just around the corner, so the trusty witches and wizards at Visit Herts are conjuring up some magic and bringing you a week to remember. As ever, we’ve got days out that’ll suit all kinds of families – master the dark arts with your teens or enjoy an overnight getaway with the little ones staying for free. We’re all treats and no tricks, so get stuck in and be sure to check out our Halloween bucket list for even more inspo on how to spend that week off.
Special Events
Half Term fun at Hatfield
21st October – 29th October
A spooky scene is taking over the grounds of our beloved Hatfield Park, with a visit this half term seeing you enter the Haunted Forest. For the brave amongst the group, take the Wicked Woodland Walk – but beware, you may encounter some gruesome creatures! They’ve a killer line-up of events throughout the rest of the week, so which will you choose? Maybe the Gruesome Old Palace Tours, where you’ll be pulled into the gory history of the castle. Or perhaps a Halloween decoration craft session, the perfect chance to unleash that creativity. Looking for something a little less spooky? Well, Barry’s Beehive sessions are the perfect, family-friendly place to learn about those wonderful little creatures, while keeping you entertained in that week off.
St Albans Cathedral Film Week
29th October – 2nd November
Join in on cinematic celebrations as the St Albans Film Festival marks its 10th year, taking over the city’s iconic Cathedral and bringing with it an unmissable line up. Get creative with a session to “Make Your Own Gromit”, sit back and enjoy family-friendly classics such as Night at the Museum and Jonny English, and even a Grease sing-a-long to give you a blast from the past in the form of song! Whatever your cup of tea, have it at the St Albans Cathedral Film Week this year.
Tewinbury Farm
31st October
It’s time for a boo-gie! Halloween magic reveals itself at Tewinbury’s Farmyard this year, with a Kids Halloween Disco. Fun for all ages, now’s the chance to put on your spookiest costume and come down for an afternoon of dancing, games, and tasty treats. From tiny tots to grown up ghouls, you won’t want to miss this one.
Hertfordshire Zoo
October 25th-27th, November 1st-3rd
The iconic Dinos After Dark returns to Hertfordshire Zoo this October, so mark those calendars and prepare for an unforgettable Half Term extravaganza. See the zoo transform into a prehistoric world, where over 40 life-size animatronics dinosaurs come to life! Delight in even more excitement, with UV Halloween Drummers, a lively Silent Disco, a magical UV Puppet Show, crazy face paint and much more!
Days Out
The Snow Centre
It wouldn’t be a week off in Hertfordshire without a visit to the largest indoor ski slope in the UK. The Snow Centre ticks all the boxes – excitement found on their 160m slope, a spot to sit down for a delicious bite to eat at the Lodge Bar & Kitchen, and loads of entertainment (some of which might just come from watching the less balanced members of the family have their go!). If that sounds like the perfect day out to you too, get in early and book your day out.
Laser Quest
Get the whole family involved in this one, as you shoot, duck, and dive into an unforgettable, immersive experience at Laser Quest. With challenges and games galore, pick your adventure and put your skills to the test, whether it be in their sci-fi themed laser course, or one of their many arcade games. Who will be crowned victor? Who will take home the trophy (a.k.a. bragging rights)? That’s for you to find out…so book in your session, and let the games begin!
Body Swing Solution
We’ve got our eye on Body Swing Solution for our next family outing, and you may want to add it to your own half term bucket list, too. No need for prior experience, the team here welcome all abilities and has plenty of options to choose from when you arrive. Play to see who has the longest drive, test skill in aiming for nearest the pin, or give the little ones a day to remember with a game in the “Magic Pond”, where creatures are waiting to be found with every shot.
The XC
The XC is a one-of-a-kind spot (in fact, the only one of its kind in the UK), and you’re soon to see why. Here, they’ve brought together some of our favourite adrenaline fueled activities and rolled them all into one place. Caving, skating, high-roping, and climbing? Yes please! The trained instructors on site are there to guide you along the way as you try a new skill, perfect an old one, or get stuck in with a group activity.
Planet Ice
As the wintry season arrives, it’s time to pop those skates on and take to the ice! And where better to do so than at Planet Ice, where fun for the whole group awaits. With lessons, disco sessions, and on-ice events, you can count on them for some half-term excitement. Plus, with after-school slots, you know where to take the kiddos if they can’t wait to get back in the skates!
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
A real working zoo that’s striving every day to help make a difference to the animals they look after, ZSL Whipsnade will be sure to amaze. With plenty of conservation and rewilding work being done here, everyone from the toddlers to the teens will enjoy a day out among the wildlife. And coming this October is Boo at the Zoo, a special event for the spooky season with an array of events that’ll be absolutely roar-some.
Stay the Night
Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club
We’ve got just the thing to make that week off truly unforgettable, thanks to our friends at Hanbury Manor. If an overnight stay in one of their luxury rooms sounds tempting, then you’re in for a real treat when we tell you that the kids can stay and eat for free! Take some time out from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy ultimate relaxation, drifting peacefully off to sleep, tucking into breakfast together in the morning, and exploring the glorious surrounding area during the day.
The Grove
And for even more overnight adventures this half term, The Grove has plenty to offer – not only do kids stay for free, but you can also enjoy two hours of complimentary childcare…spa treatment anyone? Get stuck into seasonal family fun, with pumpkin-picking and decorating, Halloween parties, crafts, Kids Clubs, and more. Once evening arrives and you’ve filled your bellies with delicious food (that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy!), you can kick back in one of their luxurious rooms and experience ultimate relaxation. Our minds are at ease just thinking about it.