Hold onto your hats, people, here comes the bumper Muddy half-term guide to what’s on in Oxon and Bucks over the next week – the most replete, heavily researched digital tome on the planet! Use my clickable events planner to organise your time day-to-day, or use my lists below as a steer on pre-bookable courses for young kids to teens, all week events, National Trust favourites and Halloween specials.
Courses for little ones
Kids from 6-8 and 9-12 can Put on a Play in a Week with the fantastic Creation Theatre at d’Overbroeks in Oxford (£170 a week with discount available), starting 24 October, promising a Shakespeare theme with a Halloween twist. If a whole week of thesping is too much, how about a 3 drama course and performance of Aladdin with Perform in Beaconsfield for kids 4-7 from Mon 24 – Weds 26?
For the sports mad, there are rugby camps with Oxford Harlequins for U7s to U12s, London Irish in Henley for 6-14 year olds, and London Irish in Windsor for 6-16 year olds. Arsenal Soccer Schools are holding an October Half Term soccer school in Berkhamsted from 24-28 Oct, while watersports fans can try a beginner’s watersports course at Bray Lake in Maidenhead, where kids can learn to sale, windsful and paddle to RYA and BCU qualifications. Longridge runs brilliant Holiday Activity Days every day through the half term for kids 8+, and Willen Lake in Milton Keynes offers sheltered waters in which to learn kayaking and canoeing during half term week.
More you say?!
OK, how about Lego Holiday Camps, run in London during the hols? Camps are typicaly for one week and run for 2-3 hour a day, including Vikings Camp (5-11 years) and “Halloween” LEGO Camp for 8-11 years creating stop motion animation that kids can take home with them.
PRE-BOOKABLE COURSES FOR OLDER KIDS
Jazz hands at the ready for a 3 day CATS-themed musical theatre course at Milton Keynes Theatre for kids 12-16, or alternatively stage combat workshop 13-16s at Creation Theatre in Oxford. At The Stables in MK, there’s a half term workshop in jazz improvisation for kids 12-17, and there’s also an introduction to music recording and production for teens 13-17
COOL STUFF THAT’S ON ALL WEEK———————————————————————-
The Haunted Castle, Halloween at Warwick Castle, Fri 22 – Mon 31 Oct
With wondrous witches, Horrible Histories and the return of the spectacular Fire Joust, Warwick Castle is the place to be spooked this Halloween!
From 22nd October to 31st October The Haunted Castle promises fearful levels of fun for all ages during the day and then, after dark, the fright factor is cranked high as the Castle remains open until 9pm.
Brick or Treat, Legoland Windsor, Mon 17 – Sun 30 Oct
Brick or Treat – a week of special Halloween-themed events at Legoland.
Fright Nights at Thorpe Park, Fri 21 – Mon 31 Oct
For older children only!
All aboard! NEW FOR 2016, take your turn to walk the Island’s deserted railroad, in the newest live action scare maze to join the FRIGHT NIGHTS line-up, PLATFORM 15. Depart on a one way ticket and trek along the overgrown railway line, the last known route of the vanished locomotive – the notorious Sleeper Express. Don’t lose your tracks and risk disturbing the haunted souls that were once aboard, where you may just experience the same chilling fate. Can you outrun what lies at the end of the line or will your journey terminate here, at PLATFORM 15?
Live action horror mazes return alongside thrilling rides in the dark including THE SWARM, the UK’s first winged rollercoaster, SAW – The Ride’s 100ft ‘beyond vertical’ drop and Stealth, one of Europe’s fastest and tallest rollercoasters.
10am – 10pm, FRIGHT NIGHTS attractions open from 3pm
Fright Nights attractions are an intense experience, so they are not recommended for anyone under the age of 13.
October Half-Term Holiday Programme and Free Tours all week at The Living Rainforest, Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct
Explore the rainforest, and discover its wonders for yourself. Look out for free roaming lizards, birds and butterflies – you never know where they will appear next! Plus … monkeys, an armadillo, toucans, and much more. See some of the world’s most popular food plants – bananas, coffee, cocoa, ginger, vanilla … – and plants that give us life-enhancing medicines, cosmetics and building materials.
nr. Newbury, Berks
Bill Spectre’s Ghost Tours, Oxford
Join Bill Spectre on his award winning fun and entertaining ghost trail of Oxford. Named by TripAdvisor as one of 10 top ghost tours in the World. On Fridays and Saturday nights, Bill is to be seen in costume as a victorian undertaker in his black top hat, leading his intrepid audience through the streets in a never ending quest to reveal the darker side of the city. His entertainment based tour, Illustrated with props and illusions will present you with a night to remember for all eternity! Bill also offers private bookings in Oxford and Burford, dinner events and two classic victorian ghost stories in the venue of your choice. Please contact Bill or visit his website for further details.
Along with reviews in the local and national press, Bill’s ghost trail has been recommended and featured on: Holiday Heaven or Hell Channel 5 TV, Holiday Heaven on Earth with Len Goodman ITV, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Lonely Planet.
ghosttrail.org
Ghost Fest returns to Oxford Castle Unlocked
Scare yourself silly as the castle transforms into Oxford’s only scare attraction, brave the castle overnight to complete a ghost hunt, enjoy a Spooky Tour, or dress to impress the ghosts and ghouls hidden behind our prison cell doors at our ever popular Trick or Treating afternoons! Ghost Fest is back!
Rest assured: with so many ghosts, you’ll never be braving it alone! Will you dare to join us?
Have a Hell-Fire Halloween, Hellfire Caves, Mon 24 – Mon 31 Oct
There’s no time like Halloween to see the Hell-Fire Caves at their spooky best . . . We transform the Caves with a macabre selection of props, lighting and creepy music, not to mention a number of ravaged souls who prowl the passageways.
Dare to try to survive these terrifying tunnels, all whilst being stalked at every turn by savage creatures, wicked witches, ghouls and ghosts!!!
Come dressed to thrill – it’s a SCREAM! Our underground tunnels come to life…Will you?
Halloween Fun – During Halloween week join us daily in the courtyard at the Hell-Fire Caves for lots of free Halloween fun …Spooky games, colouring competitions, fancy dress competitions and more, all hosted by our friendly spooks. Face Painting is also available for a small charge. There is no charge for the fun and games or access to the courtyard and delightful cafe, but normal entry prices apply if you want to enter the Caves.
Daily Fancy Dress Competition
Halloween games and face painting
Special Witches Workshops – An hour of fun including potion making, werewolf banishing, broomstick races and a tour of the Hell-Fire Caves by our friendly wizard. Recommended for ages 4-10.
Fright Nights – It’s the witching hour when the Hell-Fire Caves come alive and the Hell-Fire horrors take over.…Our ghastly ghouls have been waiting for you all year! Be prepared to be scared silly. An experience not for the faint-hearted (Suitable for ages 10 and over, under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult). Hell-Fire Fright Nights are screamingly good fun but visitors are advised that its scary content may make it unsuitable for anyone of a nervous disposition or under 8. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Halloween at Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton, Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct
We have a family friendly Halloween event this year, from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October, 10am to 6pm (with illuminations on every evening from dusk) with free games and activities for younger children.
Freaky Funfest at Mead Open Farm,
From 22 until 31 October, there’s loads of Halloween fun to be had until 6pm daily!
With six ghoulish family attractions, including the NEW “Shed of Dread”, Halloween will be back, bigger and better than ever before, at Mead Open Farm! Treat the kids to a great Halloween day out this October Half Term!
Choose your Halloween Fear Factor!
Choose little boos for toddlers (Fear Factor Low) or bigger thrills for older children (Fear Factors Medium or High) – there is a tricky treat for everyone!
NEW – dare you enter “The Shed of Dread”?
NEW – Hunt through the House of Hounds!
NEW – Creep through the Haunted Hotel – but look out! Who is creeping up on YOU?!
NEW – If you’re brave enough, try the terrifying twists and turns of Topper’s Twister!
Little ones can enjoy the Halloween fun in Creepy Cottage
Join in the fun of daily Ghost Stories
Enjoy special spooky Puppet Shows
Take a spooky Tractor Ride (weather permitting)
Come dressed up in your scariest outfit to enter the daily Fancy Dress Competition.
Win a treat when you find all the clues on the Halloween trail
Carve a scary face on a pumpkin
Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Road, Billington, Near Leighton Buzzard, Beds
The Howl Scream Park, Leighton Buzzard
Tickets for Tulleys The Howl scream park in Leighton Buzzard are NOW ON SALE! The award winning event returns for its second year bigger and better than ever.
The Howl is brought to you from the multi-award winnning team behind the U.K.’s number 1 scream park, Tulleys Shocktober Fest.
Featuring five huge and incredible haunted attractions full of live, terrifying creatures. The Howl is an awesome night out full of fun and screams. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Halloween month and enjoy the superb street theatre, live music and great food, all wrapped up in a friendly festival atmosphere.
Bates Museum of Musical Instruments, Oxford
Family Friendly Events over October half term.
All events free of charge. No advanced booking necessary
24 – 28 October (half term week) 2 – 5 pm
Gallery activities including trails, colouring and word-searches.
Halloween Festival at Longleat, Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct
Ghost Tours, Scarecrow Trail, Ghost Train, Skeleton Maze, Nasty But Nice Shows, Dracula’s Bat Cave, Trick or Treat Trail and spooky face painting.
Dress up in your scariest costume and join us for a host of spell binding activities. Jump aboard the ghoulish ghost train for a chilling tale of days gone by but be warned there might be something waiting for you in the woods. Make sure you don’t go into the maze alone this Halloween, a couple of skeletons have been up to no good.
Don’t miss our Nasty but Nice shows, where you can learn lots of fascinating facts about our creepy crawlies or why not visit Dracula in his very own Bat Cave? And of course Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a treat. See if you can solve our Trick or Treat Trail Sheet for a tasty reward.
To make this a haunted Halloween you’ll never forget why not book onto one of our spooky Ghost Tours. Learning about all our ghostly goings on in Longleat House is not for the faint hearted but join us if you dare.
And don’t forget we’re ending this year’s spooktacular Halloween Festival with a bang and a series of fantastic firework displays (27th – 29th October only).
Halloween Festival at Odds Farm Park, Fri 21 – Mon 31 Oct
Daily from 21-31 October, don’t miss Odds Farm Park’s NEW Halloween Festival! Enjoy super-fun Puppet Shows (4 times daily), listen to creepy Story Time (twice-daily) and get arty by making your very own spooky Arts and Crafts! Plus, enter the twice-daily Fancy Dress Competitions, meet the Halloween entertainers and Carve a Pumpkin* to take home!. *Extra charge is made to cover the cost of the pumpkin.
Matisse Exhibition, River & Rowing Museum, Henley, 15 Oct – 8 Jan 2017
One of the 20th Century’s most influential artists, the work of Henri Matisse (1869 – 1954) is celebrated for its extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour.
Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, features 35 lithographic prints of the famous cut-outs, produced in the last four years of his life, including many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.
This remarkable exhibition is brought to Henley in partnership with London’s iconic Hayward Gallery.
Ice World, Banbury Museum, from Sat 22 October through to 28 January 2017
Wrap up nice and warm as you explore our magical Ice World. What will you make? A polar bear hat, a perky penguin, a pop up ice world, cosy mittens, a super sleigh. Don’t forget your gloves and scarf. Brrr…
10:30am – 12:30pm & 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Waterways Gallery, Banbury Museum
Suitable for: Families with children aged 3+
No need to book, tickets can be purchased from the museum shop 10 minutes before the event begins
Please note – Our family fun activities can be very popular. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by, and remain with, an adult at all times.
Cogges Manor Farm, Come along with your creativity to take part in daily arts and craft sessions throughout half term 10-2.
Cogges is joining in with The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing festival! And, also at Cogges Farm, the exciting Pumpkin Day on Sun 30 Oct is packed full of Halloween fun and activities.
Green Dragon Eco Farm is holding a Halloween Half Term – 24th to 30th Oct, including
Spider Hunt * Scarecrow building * Web making * Monster pizzas * Bugs & beasties show * Creepy cupcakes
Green Dragon Halloween Event is a family friendly event and will host a variety of themed, educational and fun experiences and activities. The daily schedule will include wizard’s sensory games in the walled garden for the little ones, guided beastly bug hunt in the orchard and story-telling in our creepy crypt. There’ll also be a scary scarecrow making activity under cover.
There will be a self-led spider safari quiz trail every day. Make sure you fill out your details on the quiz sheet so we can enter you into the prize draw for your chance to win!
You will also be able to fossil hunt in our indoor sand pits.
From Mon 24 – Fri 28 Oct, there will be ‘Grace’ the dragon witch of Hogshaw. She flies into our messy play barn on the 23rd to set up her spooky lair. The dragon witch might let you come face to face with all her creepy critters, should you be brave enough to ask!
All our guests are welcome to come in Halloween fancy dress costumes. The best three costumes will be awarded a spot prize each day by the dragon witch or her zombie apprentice – so look out for them both!
Arts and Craft all week at Westonbirt Arboretum where you can experiment with the science behind autumn colour and try some colourful crafts. Daily craft: Leaf Crowns , Monday: Natural dyeing tie dye fabric, Tuesday: Leaf hammering ,Wednesday: Autumn sun catchers, Thursday: Leaf bugs and Friday: Wax paper leaf bunting
National Trust/Stately Homes Half Term and Halloween Events…………………………………………………..
Cliveden: Hallowe’en Wands, Wizards and Witches in the Woods.
Start your witch and wizard training in the woods at Cliveden with Wands, Wizards and Witches in the Woods. Begin by choosing a wooden wand with the power you wish to possess and learn how to cast a spell. Continue on your spellbinding journey into the woods where you must collect natural things with which to brew your potion. Make sure you’re dressed in your best witch and wizard attire.
This is a drop in session and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Ideal for children aged 4-11.
Horrible Halloween at Waddesdon Manor
Half-term’s gone a bit wriggly this year at Waddesdon with our Halloween Ugly Bug trail, horrible Halloween games, pumpkin carving and undercover art and craft activities, so drop in for a frighteningly fun time.
Activities will take place at the Summer House each day from Saturday 22 October to Sunday 30 October (including Monday 24 and Tuesday 25) from 10am-3pm.
Special late night opening on Friday 28 & Saturday 29 October from 10am-6pm. Shops and restaurants will also be open, and our bus service to the car park will run slightly later on these evenings. Normal grounds admission charges apply.
Special activities include – Ugly Bug Trail, Spooky Arts and Crafts activities, Pumpkin Carving and Winnie the Witch’s Halloween Party – Sat 29 & Sun 30 October – Winnie the Witch is one of our best-loved storybook characters, join her at her annual Halloween party and take part in our Horrible Halloween Games. Grab your goody bags and practise some magic
And Don’t Forget – The House will be closed from Sunday 23 October and re-opens on Wednesday 9 November
Hallowe’en at Stowe
Over the October half-term, they’ll be plenty of spooky goings on for your children to enjoy at Stowe Landscape Gardens. From our haunting trail running daily to autumn ’50 Things’, visit us for a fun family day out at Stowe Landscape Gardens
Hallowe’en Happenings at Hughenden
Join us and carve your very own jack-o-lantern at Hughenden Manor.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace, Sun 23 – Sun 30 Oct
As the Autumn season draws in and the nights become longer, we have a delightfully spooky itinerary of events and activities to entertain your little ghouls during October Half Term.
From 2nd-30th October find lots of Halloween tricks and treats for a spooktacular family day out.
Spooky tours will take place inside the Palace on selected dates.
Hop on board the ghost train and be taken through a creepy tunnel to the Pleasure Gardens where a cackle of witchy goings-on are to be found.
Families can lurk around the labyrinth or take the Pumpkin Trail around the Pleasure Gardens to win a Halloween hamper of goodies.
There will also be classic spooky storytelling in the cinema of the Stables Courtyard with ghostly tales perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.
Discover a whole host of treats in the Pleasure Gardens Deli including ice-scream and toffee apples, with pumpkin carving too!
There are plenty of spooky goings-on to enjoy at Blenheim Palace this half term holiday for all the family.
blenheimpalace.com
It’s Conservation in Action Week at Claydon House, near Buckingham. See the conservation team at work as they prepare to put the house to bed and discover more about how the team cleans and cares for the collection.
Spooks and Surprises at Chenies Manor on Weds 26 – Thurs 27 Oct
Chenies Manor, stunning 15h 16th century Manor House, open on Wednesday and Thursdays from 2 until 5pm with homemade teas available. The house is situated in 5 acres of award winning gardens with 2 mazes. For the Wednesday and Thursday of half term week (26th 27th October)we dress the house for halloween with spooky visitors in each room. Guides dress as witches and we have a silent tudor ghost wondering the corridors. Halloween themed faceprinting, tearoom and spooky tours of the house are available.
Two special scary afternoons for children with a specially adapted tour of the house.
Visit the two mazes. Come dressed for spooks if they wish!
Free Face Painting.
Home made teas
Shop
The Pavilion Art Gallery is open during public opening hours of the house and gardens – Wednesdays, Thursdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 2pm to 5pm. There is no additional charge for admission to the Pavilion Gallery.
Mapledurham House Festive Gift Fair, Fri 28 – Sun 30 Oct
Held in heated marquees on the lawns of historic Mapledurham House – the perfect location for the Festive Gift Fair.
The fair will feature:
Splendid gifts for family and the home ~~ original and wonderful crafts ~~ fine foods direct from the producers ~~ festive atmosphere and entertainment ~~ morning coffee, lunches and afternoon teas ~~ Father Christmas ~~ plenty of free parking.
And more…………………………….
Blackout Bletchley, Fri 28 – Sat 29 Oct
(also in the calendar)
19:00 to 21:00
Enjoy an after-hours tour of Bletchley Park this October as part of Museums at Night. Walk in the footsteps of the Codebreakers and experience the atmospheric surroundings at night.
This event is a Fundraising event for Bletchley Park Trust.
Starting with a drink in our Visitor Centre you’ll then be guided around Bletchley Park discovering the once top-secret story of the WW2 Codebreakers. Find out what it was like to work at the park during a blackout and bust some Bletchley Park myths. Don’t forget to bring your torches and wrap up warm.
Ground can be uneven in areas, sensible footwear required.
Places are limited and tickets must be booked in advance.
Waddesdon Manor, closes Sun 23 Oct
claydon – weekends only until end oct
Mapledurham – HOUSE, WATERMILL AND TURBINE
Opening Dates – The house, watermill and turbine for the Easter weekend and then every Sunday through to the end of October.
Creepy Half Term Craft Activities, Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury
All week drop Creepy Half Term Craft Activities at Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury. The theme is Dirty Beasts. Be inspired by Roald Dahl’s Dirty Beasts to create your own creepy creatures to take home.
Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery, Aylesbury
The Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery in Aylesbury (normally only open to schools during term time) has special October Half Term opening hours for the general public: Mon 24 – Sat 29 October:, 10am – 5pm
October Half Term: Board Game Fun, Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, London, Mon 24 – Sun 30 Oct
Enjoy a week of Board Game Fun, celebrating the opening of our new exhibition ‘Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered’.
From a giant board game play where you become a piece yourself to tiny craft and making activities.
Drop-in, All ages – 11.00-16.00
Lots of related workshop events running all week, like the cool-sounding ‘Board Game Collage Workshop’ where you join artist Helen Rousseau for surrealist-inspired fun 3D collage workshop, use unexpected materials like clay, ping pong balls or golf tees to create your own game pieces. In the 14.15 session, for children aged 7+, you will also create a games board.
Two new exhibitions open this week at Christchurch College Picture Gallery: Drawing in Red AND Forgotten Faces: Portraits from our Storeroom, Christchurch College Picture Gallery, Oxford, 26 Oct-Jan 2017
Drawing in Red – Drawing with red chalk was a technique emerging in the early 16th century. With over thirty drawings — from Michelangelo to Bernini — the exhibition will explore the sensuousness of drawing in red.
Forgotten Faces: Portraits from our Storeroom – It is a myth that museum storerooms are full with treasures, but they often contain many portraits of the unknown, unloved and less fashionable. This display will shed some light on these forgotten faces.
The Veronica Scanner: Live 3D Portraiture – An Exhibition and Live Experiment, Waddesdon, Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct
Coach House Gallery, The Stables, Waddesdon Manor
Throughout October half-term, Waddesdon will present an exhibition and live experiment in 3D portraiture showcasing a bespoke scanner, the latest photogrammetry techniques, digital 3D modelling, robot carving and 3D printing technologies.
Visitors will find the Veronica Scanner displayed alongside sculptures created by the scanner with interpretation tracing the development and possibilities of photography as a tool for sculpture.
During this experiment, visitors will not only be able to watch as members of the public are scanned, processed, printed and carved into three-dimensional portrait busts in real time, but they will also have the opportunity to book a place to have their own digital portrait scan taken. This ultimate snapshot will take just four seconds and visitors will be sent a digital file of their head within a few days. With this data, they can 3D print their busts or rematerialize them in wax, plaster, alabaster, lead glass or even gilded bronze.
Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford
Catch the new Tim Burton movie, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children at Oxford’s Ultimate Picture Palace this week.
Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Chris O’Dowd, Judi Dench, Samuel L Jackson
Half-term Steam Days, Didcot Steam Railway
—————PERFORMANCE
Cats, Milton Keynes Theatre, Mon 24 – Sat 29 Oct
Don’t miss CATS, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s extraordinary record-breaking, smash-hit musical!
Adapted from TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this wonderful blend of fantasy, drama and romance is set on the night that the Jellicle Cats meet for the Jellicle Ball in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse.
With an amazing musical score that includes the timeless Memory, spectacular set designs, stunning costumes and breathtaking choreography, CATS is a magical musical like no other.
atgtickets.com
Sand in the Sandwiches, Oxford Playhouse, Tues 25 – Sat 29 Oct
John Betjeman was one of the nation’s favourite poets. Sand in the Sandwiches celebrates a man famous not only for his lyrical wit and humour, but for his passions, his sense of purpose and his unforgettable poetry. Edward Fox stars in this brand new stage play, bringing Betjeman’s poetry and his vivacious personality to life.
From boyhood, through adolescence, to life as Britain’s Poet Laureate, this show presents a hugely entertaining insight into the world of this much-loved irreverent writer.
Double BAFTA Award-winner Edward Fox is one of this country’s most eminent actors. His distinguished career includes iconic British films such as The Day of the Jackal, A Bridge Too Far and ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’.
This sparkling show is written by the Emmy Award-winning writer Hugh Whitemore, whose celebrated works for the stage and screen include Stevie, Pack of Lies andBreaking the Code. This Oxford Playhouse co-production comes to the Playhouse stage prior to a national tour.
————–STUFF FOR GROWN UPS —————————————————————————————————–
Corporeal Mime – Adult Acting Masterclass, Milton Keynes Theatre, Thurs 27 Oct
Corporeal Mime is a contemporary art form. The aim of the practise is to take the body as a way of expressing internal emotions “making the invisible visible” (Etienne Decroux), this allows the actor to show thought through movement. Explore techniques of the practise, participants will also be taught some Corporeal Mime choreography.
No previous acting experience is necessary, but a willingness to join in and make new friends is a must.
atgtickets.com
King Lear starring Glenda Jackson in title role opens Tues 25 Oct at The Old Vic, London.
A quarter of a century after she gave up acting for politics, double Academy Award-winning legend Glenda Jackson returns to play King Lear in Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, alongside an outstanding company including Fiston Barek, William Chubb,Morfydd Clark, Jane Horrocks, Rhys Ifans, Celia Imrie, Simon Manyonda,Harry Melling, Clifford Rose and Gary Sefton.
oldvictheatre.com