October half-term is always a fun one, packed with lots of activities and Halloween scares to be enjoyed, along with autumnal treats at various Cornish attractions. We have put together some of the family activities happening in half-term for those having a child-friendly holidays, Cornwall, at our cottages near Falmouth.
The Eden Project always puts on fantastic Halloween-themed events throughout October half-term and this year is no different. This year, it’s all about Roald Dahl’s terrible villains, to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. You can learn how to spot real witches, tiptoe around giants in the BFG’s magical cave, follow the footsteps of Fantastic Mr Fox to avoid frightening farmers and venture into the house of the Twits, where terrible tricks await. The popular ice rink at Eden is also open daily during half-term, but additional charges apply if you want to go skating.
Pendennis Castle overlooks the River Fal and is hosting a terrifying treat for everyone during half-term. Join a tour in the evening for an after-hours journey through the castle’s creepy past. You will meet storytellers retelling spooky tales, learn about ghostly apparitions and discover the ghoulish goings-on that have happened at Pendennis over the years. Family tours are at 5.30pm and 6.30pm, and you must be five years old or older to take part. Adults-only tours for ages 16 and over begin at 7.30pm. Adult tickets are £16.00, child tickets £7.50 though members of English Heritage receive a discount. There are also daily events from Monday, October 23rd for families.
There is so much happening at Flambards this half-term that the kids may want to spend every day there! On Wednesday, October 25th, you won’t want to miss the Halloween Tricks & Treats Firework Spectacular at 7pm, along with an Olly Murs Tribute for entertainment. Every day there will also be spooky pumpkin trail through the Victorian Village, where you can collect a Penny Dreadful, try a quiz and learn of the gory side to Victorian England. The theme park rides are also open daily, and there will be creepy crawly shows, circus workshops and lots of fun and games.
Pirate’s Quest is hosting a number of terrifying events this half-term, with activities for the whole family. Brave buccaneers are invited to join a piratical walk-through experience, transporting back 300 years. Running every day in half-term, it will be packed full of tricks and treasures, from sinking vessels to witchy villains and more. Families can also dress up and follow the hidden Halloween clues to find some cursed treasure! Teenagers (13 plus) can also enjoy the Twilight Teen Terror Tours at 6pm on Friday, October 27th, with the evening getting scarier as the night goes on. Booking is advised to secure entry to the experiences due to limited availability.
The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth is a family favourite all year round, and particularly in October half-term when they host various activities every day. There is storytelling, crafts, dress up and more. The theme this year is Creepy Cornwall, offering a chance to get creative with ‘Make and Takes’ that explores magical Cornish beasts and legends, running from 12pm each day. There is also Squashbox Theatre on Tuesday 24th October celebrating faery myths of Cornwall, and ‘Thorsday’ on Thursday 26th, where the kids can learn about Vikings in Cornwall. The Awesome Adventurers play zone is also open daily for younger children.
The Little Shop of Horrors is coming to Truro’s Redannick Theatre, presented by Truro Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society. The charming, kooky and hilarious sci-fi horror is great fun for the whole family. The story follows Seymour, an assistant at a flailing florist shop, who becomes an overnight sensation with he discovers a strange and exotic plant, with which he hopes to impress the girl he is in love with. However, the plant grows into a bad-tempered carnivore who has an appetite Seymour can’t satisfy. How far will Seymour go to impress the girl of his dreams? Book in advance to see the show, which starts at 7.30pm.
The magical and mysterious woods of the Lost Gardens of Heligan are the host of a Spooky Folklore Trail in half-term. The trail will take inspiration from the Russian folklore tale of Baba Yaga, and you have to find the creaky old house of Baba Yaga, make your way through a giant spider’s web, and weave through the woods; you are sure to get a fright! There is also storytelling, shadow puppet craft, Halloween crafts and much more! The activities available at Heligan are included with admission to the garden and be sure also to explore the garden in all its autumnal beauty.
The Valley is also hosting some fantastic half-term Halloween events for families staying with us next week. There will be arts and crafts, trick and treating and spooky stories around the bonfire.
THE VALLEY is proud to be the only 5 Star Gold Self Catering holiday village of its size in the whole of Cornwall
