15 brilliant things to do this half term
Family fun this half term in London, Surrey and beyond
Pictured: Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds
On a sunny autumn day
Our favourite places to explore in autumn include Hampton Court Palace, Painshill Park and West Horsley Place.
Fans of the BBC series Ghosts will be in their element discovering the real-life location West Horsley Place – and its half-term events include crafts in the barn and outdoor spaces.
Hampton Court Palace has an eerie outdoor trail for Halloween.
Painshill Park’s events include a family Tree Walk.
Image 1: Hampton Court Palace (c) Historic Royal Palaces, photo by Richard Lea-Hair
Image 2: West Horsley Place
If it rains
While we’d usually shun away from recommending yet more screen time, we have found virtual reality experiences to be a brilliant day out for the family. Sandbox (Wandsworth, White City and Covent Garden) offers a range of games with full body VR. (ages 8+)
Review: Sandbox VR at Gravity Max Wandsworth
Meanwhile, Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds (in the City) offers VR as part of its incredible immersive experience where you get to follow the tale of Martians landing in London. (ages 8+)
Review – War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience
Frameless in Marble Arch is an imaginative way to bring art to life for a family audience with famous masterpieces from the likes of Monet, Dali, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt projected all around you.
Days out in London – Frameless
Wimbledon Quarter, meanwhile, will be running an exhibition on Disney’s The Lion King, alongside workshops for families.
The Rose Theatre in Kingston will be hosting the Horrible Histories crew who will be showcasing Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians.
War of the Worlds / Frameless / Sandbox VR
Theme park fun
We checked out the Halloween spook fests this half term in London for Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park. Chessington has a great mix of thrills for all ages whereas Fright Nights at Thorpe Park are aimed at those over 13 – the Scare Mazes are full of jump scares and are brilliantly themed – they were a big hit with our 13 and 16-year-old reviewers.
Pumpkin patches and more
Pumpkin patches and more
There’s no shortage of Halloween-themed fun in London and Surrey. Deen City Farm (Colliers Wood) has family events including a spooky ukulele tour of the farm with Ukulele Man! (ages 5 and under).
See our full list here, including pumpkin carving at Morden Hall Park and We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt at Claremont Landscape Garden.
Rogate Pumpkin Patch
Weekends away
Stay in a treehouse
Want to escape half term in London and get out of the city instead? We loved staying at The Fish Hotel in the Cotswolds. Its treehouses are brilliant fun for young families, there are activities on the estate such as falconry, and it is a perfect spot for local walks from the doorstep.
Coastal fun
Leave the car at home and head out by train to South Devon. The Cary Arms has suites and self-catering cottages for families, you’re right on the beach and you can fish from the pier. Torquay is nearby – we loved taking a RIB boat tour along the coast.
