Here comes half-term and Halloween - we’ve rounded up a selection of the best activities available to ensure an action-packed week.

October 21-29
Spooky stories and crafts at Goodrich Castle
Little horrors are in for a spooktacular visit with a feast of frighteningly good crafting fun on offer, as well as terrifying tales from Goodrich’s gruesome past - about the Irish chieftain imprisoned in the castle dungeon, and the story of two lovers who tried to escape across the River Wye during the Civil War.
Younger visitors are invited to wear their best Halloween fancy dress for a chance to win a prize each day at 3pm.

October 21 to November 5, 10am to 4pm
National Trust in Herefordshire
Follow the gruesome Georgian trail at Berrington Hall to find out about the gory traditions and scary stories of the 19th century.
At Croft Castle on October 28 and 29, children can carve their own pumpkin, enjoy some spooky crafts, take part in a broomstick agility course, hear ghost stories in the church and track down Glendower the dragon in his lair on a spooky trail around the grounds. Runs until Sunday 5 November
At Brockhampton, children can grab their ‘50 things to do’ adventure scrapbooks and complete their autumnal activities on an outdoor trail, running daily throughout the holiday, with a broomstick making workshop on October 24 and magical wizarding workshops and practical outdoor activities on October 25
See if you can track down Wendy the Witch at The Weir Garden on their half-term trail, running daily from 10.30am to 4pm. And on October 25 you can carve your own pumpkin.
On Friday, October 27, listen to spooky stories around the campfire from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. 
Details at nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/herefordshire 


October 21, 10am to 4pm
Leominster Apple Fair at The Priory Church 

This year’s fair in Leominster Priory Church will feature a variety of stalls , and there will also be apple pressing (bring your apples to be pressed), and apple identification and advice from the Marcher Apple Network.
The focal point of the event will be the central display of more than 100 varieties of apples. 


October 21
Free seed gathering event at Moccas Park 

Natural England are hosting a free family event to collect seeds from the remarkable ancient trees of Moccas Park National Nature Reserve (NNR).
This is a rare opportunity to visit and explore this iconic site which is usually closed to the public. Booking is essential via Robert.silverwood@naturalengland.org.uk or call 07500 991835 


October 21 to October 29
Family Spooky Fun in the Cellars, Creepy Crawlies and Craft Workshop at Hampton Court Castle

Do you have the nerve to go past the ‘Beware of the Bats’ sign and down the steps to see what lies beneath our MediEvil Castle where scary cobwebs and screaming ghouls await? 


October 21, 10am to 12.30pm
Free family fun morning at Kington Library

A morning of family and children’s events. The entries for a short story competition will be on display, there will be a fun word search and story-making activity based on the popular children’s book The Stick Man. There will also be book mark-making activities and story/rhyme sessions. Free entry.


October 25
The Enormous Turnip Sessions at Eastnor Pottery

11.30am to 1pm: 4-8years
2pm to 3.30pm: 9-12years.
Sessions include either a go on the potter’s wheel or work with coloured slips. Or visit to make pottery as a family. Sessions at 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm Tuesday to Saturday. Call 01531 633886 to book.

October 24, 25 and 26
Hereford College of Arts taster sessions

Free ‘Life at HCA’ mornings present a guided tour of the Folly Lane campus, including workshops and study spaces. Pupils will then join taster sessions in either Performing Arts, or Art and Design. 
Life at HCA taster sessions will run on October 24 for Year 11 pupils, October 25 for Year 9, and October 26 for Year 8.To book, email schools@hca.ac.uk or call 01432 273 359. 


October 25
Courtyard Family Festival

Back for a third year, there will be fun-packed activities throughout the week to complement a magic-themed day of fun on Wednesday, October 25, when The Courtyard will become a wizard-filled castle full of magic and mystery with activities in the foyer all day, including a Fetch Theatre workshop and performance.
Details: courtyard.org.uk


October 27
Milkshake Live! with The Magic Story Book at The Courtyard

New live show featuring all the Milkshake! favourites including Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam. Monkey and two Milkshake! presenters will also feature in this all singing, all dancing, musical journey through the world’s favourite fairy tales.
Milkshake! Live will be at The Courtyard on Friday, October 27 at 12 noon and 3.30pm. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk


Throughout half-term
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust at Queenswood
Join the WildPlay team for autumn themed activities: whittling, games and campfire treats. Adventure Club is designed for children aged 7 to 14: book for a long day: 9am to 4pm or a short day: 10am to 3pm. For full details of this and all Wildplay sessions during half term, visit herefordshirewt.org. Booking essential for Adventure Club. Other sessions are free.

Manic Ceramics
Create your own unique piece of painted pottery in the light spacious St Martin’s Street studio open Monday to Saturday during school holidays,10am-5pm (last session starts 4pm). 


Saturday, October 28
Soup and steam night at the Waterworks Museum

The museum will be opening in steam at night for the first time in over 20 years as part of the national ‘Museums At Night’ programme 2017. See the Museum’s steam engines operating as you have never seen them before, activities for children and music from The Ledbury Singers. 
The museum will be open from 5pm to 9pm. Steam engines will be operating from 6pm.

Herefordshire Raceway
Kids with a need for speed will enjoy this 600m outdoor go karting track, located near Weobley. Drivers are welcome on an arrive and drive basis.
For further details or to book, call 01544 318334


October 24, 25 and 26 
Oakerwood Leisure
Holiday Club
October 24 and 26
Teen activities - October 25

Holiday club offers a full day of adventurous activities for seven to 12-year-olds including Quick Jump; Den Making and Camp Fire and a Gladiator Challenge; Zip Wire; Monkey Climbing and Pistol Shooting
Teen activities on October 26 are Paintball and High Ropes, with the option of a half-day of High Ropes from 9.30am to 12 noon. For further details of all activities and to book, visit oakerwoodleisure.co.uk


October 23 to 28
Halloween Half Term
Newbridge Farm Park

Owl display and autumn crafts join the play barn and pony and tractor rides.
newbridgefarmpark.com