Surrey is gearing up for a two-week half term, and with the extra days to fill, we’ve rounded up the some fun things to do across the county. Whether you’re after spooky thrills at a teen-favourite Fright Night, an off-road 4×4 adventure, a woodland trail or a night of fireworks, there’s something for every member of the family:

For Young Families: Fireworks, Pumpkins & Trails

Caterham Valley’s Pumpkin Patch Trail, 30^th and 31^st October

Caterham Valley’s free Halloween Trail is back! There have been some mysterious stirrings in the pumpkin patch. Scarecrow Sam needs his little helpers to follow the trail and unscramble the secret message hidden in the pumpkins around Caterham Valley. There’s a reward for every helper and a chance to win some magical prizes! Visit the welcome desk in the Church Walk Shopping Centre on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October from 10am to 3pm to take part in this fantastic free trail. Special guests, face painting and pick a pumpkin along the way! Visit their website for the full details.

Image source: Caterham Valley

Pumpkin Festival at Tulley’s Farm

There is fun for adults and children alike this year at Tulleys Farm as some of our favourites return for another year of carnage! For the younger ones, there is the Pumpkin Festival. A perfect opportunity to get the more adorable photos of your children in the Pumpkin Patch, plus hot chocolate, street theatre & musicians, and even a Carousel ride. Book your Pumpkin Festival experience here.

For a wholesome nighttime experience at Tulleys, the Pumpkin Nights Festival boasts street food experiences, handcrafted cocktails and two live music stages. There is a woodland walk which is brought to life with lighting, holograms and water features. Fun for all the family! Book your tickets to Pumpkin Nights Festival here.

Pumpkin picking at Priory Farm

Take a tractor adventure to Priory Farm’s iconic pumpkin patch. Hop on the Tractor and Trailer for a fang-tastic journey across the farm as you make your way to the Pumpkin Field.

Keep your eyes peeled as you journey through the farm – you never know what surprises are waiting around the next corner! Spot suspicious shrubs with giant googly eyes, spooky bats hidden amongst the trees and booby-trapped Mud Monsters causing messy mayhem along the way.

At the Pumpkin Field, you’ll find pumpkins, gourds and squashes in every shape and size alongside the Hay Bale Maze, where twists and turns lead to hidden surprises and a secret slide for brave explorers!

It costs £9.00 per ticket and is free for under 1’s. Find out more here.

Godstone Farm Mini Fireworks Festival, 24^th & 25^th October

There’s something special happening at Godstone Farm this October! Discover a sensory-friendly event with low bang fireworks and laser displays, alongside some spectacular entertainment from fire-acts to amazing stilt walkers, a dazzling juggler, LED butterfly actors and a kids’ disco. Tickets also include after-hours access to the adventure playground and soft-play barn. And when you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s plenty of festival-style food options on offer! Tickets will get snapped up quickly, find out more here.

Haunting Heritage Fun: Critters, Potions & Dens

Trails and Ghost Hunts across the National Trust

The National Trust is running a variety of autumn and Halloween-themed events across their properties this half term. Activities vary by location, but highlights include stolen pumpkins at Polesden Lacey, a Ghost Hunt Halloween Adventure in Petworth and enjoying the autumn colours at Winkworth Arboretum and Emmetts Garden. Visit the National Trust website for more information about what’s on at your local property.

Ghoulish garden Halloween fun at RHS Wisley, 17^th October to 1^st November

Get up close with snakes, snails and spiders as part of Zoolab’s ethical animal encounters experience and learn all about the magical ingredients needed for a witch’s brew. Join the spooky plants trail for an interactive walk around Wisley’s scariest species and most poisonous plants, and learn about the spooky folklore behind them. Plant your very own herbs to take home, perfect for magic potions or delicious dishes. Visit their website for the full details of all half term events and ticket prices.

Den Building at Gatton Park, 19^th October

Get the kids outside for some den building at Gatton Park. Suitable for 6years+, this is a great activity to do with friends. At £8.50 per child, book your spot here.

Creepy Critters at Denbies Wine Estate, 28^th and 29^th October

If you need an excuse to pop by Denbies Wine Shop, take the little ones along to their Creepy Critters Halloween Workshop taking place on Wednesday 28^th and Thursday 29^th October. Meet the likes of Snakes, Spiders and Snails in this Creepy Critters show run by Zoolab. They will be giving everyone the chance to face their fears and meet the animals they don’t like, up close! They will be focussing on all the fun gruesome facts about Venoms, Poisons, Fangs, Claws, Webs, Slime and Poo in this not so spooky Halloween animal encounter. Tickets cost £9 per child and adults accompanying a child are free of charge. Each session lasts 40 minutes and can be booked via their website.

Halloween at Hampton Court Palace, 24^th October to 1^st November

A spook-tacular family adventure full of ghostly fun and fascinating history. Wander the notoriously haunted palace of King Henry VIII and enjoy atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects and magical spells as you explore this incredible historic building. Hampton Court Gardens have also been transformed into a bewitching autumnal trail for younger explorers, and brave visitors can join the spooky storyteller for ghost stories in the King’s Guard Chamber throughout the day.

Visit their website for full details and ticket prices.

Plagues and Potions at Weald and Downland Living Museum, 24^th October to 1^st November

Be transported back to the past at the Weald & Downland Living Museum for their half term activities. In addition to the Plagues and Potions Challenge, where families must gather ingredients for a protective potion which have been scattered around the site, there are a number of other activities on offer, ranging from crafts to storytelling and games. Find more information on their website.

Crafts & pumpkin carving at the Bluebell Railway, 28^th October to 1^st November

Children aged 3-15 travel for £1 with a fare paying adult at the Bluebell Railway this half term. During the day, they have crafts, a carved pumpkin competition and a chance to show off your costumes. To book and for more details, see their website.

‘The Selfish Giant’ Production at Guildford Cathedral, 29^th October at 11am and 2pm

If you have not stepped into Guildford Cathedral before, it’s well worth a visit. Over the half term holiday they have invited Riding Lights Theatre Company down from Yorkshire to perform ‘The Selfish Giant’. This heart warming family show is bursting with live music, puppetry, and interactive storytelling, this enchanting production brings Oscar Wilde’s beloved tale to life as a lonely giant discovers the true meaning of friendship, kindness, and sharing. It’s a joyful, imaginative experience that will leave audiences smiling long after the final scene. It’s a half-term treat that will entertain children and adults alike! Tickets prices are from £3 (child) and £8 (adult). To book, visit their website.

For the adventurous: 4x4s, SUP & Bushcraft

Half Term camps at Aqua Sports, 19^th to 30^th October

Get the kids on the water one last time before winter arrives! The water is warmest in autumn, and following a record-breaking summer, it’s more inviting than ever.

Make the most of it with Aqua Sports October Half Term Activity Camp, running for two weeks from 19th October through to 30^th October.

Designed for kids aged 8-13, this half-day camp suits all experience levels and introduces your child to a range of on-and off-the-water activities, from windsurfing and sailing to SUP and more.

Book onto one of Aqua Sports’ sessions here.

Drive in the woods with Surrey 4×4 Tours

A big-ticket treat for a special occasion! Anyone aged 13 and over can learn to drive with Surrey 4×4 Tours in one of their off-road vehicles.

This half-day experience in Farnham Surrey, gives you the chance to test yourself on their fun obstacles for a memorable family day out.

Suitable for anyone over the age of 13 (no driving license is required) teenagers are welcome – as long as you can reach the pedals they will get you driving!

• Driver instruction in basic 4×4 driving in their private woods
• Guided drive around the woodland course
• Teamwork obstacle course with scores for the best drive
• Groups of between 4 and 6 people for this half day experience
• No previous experience required
• Age limit 13 and above.

Half day experience: £300 incl VAT per group. Find out more here.

Bushcraft

If driving isn’t your thing – Surrey 4×4 Tours also have an adventure-focused bushcraft experience to get involved with.

Spend half a day with the bushcraft expert at the Farnham site and learn some survival and woodland skills, that include starting a campfire and shooting airsoft guns.

Using his specialist skills and knowledge from army training, Mitch will share his vast survival knowledge peppered with some captivating storytelling.

• Groups of between 4 and 6 people for this half day experience
• Age limit 13 and above

Half day experience: £180 per group.

For the older ones: Fright nights galore!

25 Years of Fright Night at Thorpe Park, 15^th October to 1^st November

Fright Night is back and this year it’s bigger and scarier than ever! Celebrating 25 years, this award-winning theme park scare event is introducing new experiences alongside returning favourites. The scare attractions are recommended for those 13 years and above, and tickets start at £39pp. Book here.

Bluebell Railway Ghost Train, 22^nd October to 1^st November

If you’re searching for a much spookier experience, the Bluebell Railway are running a unique Ghost Train experience in the evenings, designed for families with older children and adults. They’re expecting this to book up fast, so check their website for availability and to book tickets.

Shocktober Fest at Tulley’s, 3^rd October to 1^st November

Shocktober Fest isn’t one to miss. From Saturday 3^rd October through to Sunday 1^st November, a multitude of scare rides and experiences are on offer. If you want to make a weekend of it, why not opt for the scream and stay package which includes all the attractions, street theatre and live music stages. Book your experience here.

Venturing further afield?

A break on Britain’s waterways with Union Wharf

If you feel like stepping outside of Surrey for a few days and switching off the Wi-Fi for some quality family time, Union Wharf Narrowboats have a few dates left in the last two weeks of October for long weekends or short breaks exploring Britain’s waterways.

Based in the historic town of Market Harborough, there is plenty to do and explore locally even before you set off on the water. Their fully equipped holiday boats offer a charming way to explore the East Midlands’ canals at your own pace. Each of the holiday boats have separate bedroom areas, double or single beds to suit your party, one or two bathrooms, a full kitchenette and a cosy living area. Our holiday boats are perfect for romantic escapes, family adventures, or group getaways. It’s ok if you have never been boating before. Full training is provided, so no experience is required, and they never charge for fuel.

To check availability for your short break visit, visit their website.