CULTURE VULTURES

The Elm Fairy © The Estate of Cicely Mary Barker, 1940

Flower Fairies™: The Magical World of Cicely Mary Barker
■ Watts Gallery Artists’ Village, Compton ■ Tues 22 Oct – 27 April 2025
Step into the enchanting world of Cicely Mary Barker, the creator of the much-loved Flower Fairies, in this playful, family-friendly exhibition this October half term. Celebrating the life of an extraordinary artist, author and illustrator, the exhibition explores Cicely’s journey as an artist – from her childhood sketches to postcard designs and the illustrated books she created later in life. The exhibition is included in general admission.

Halloween Storytelling
■ West Horsley Place, West Horsley ■ Mon 28 Oct
Join storyteller extraordinaire Olivia Armstrong on a magical tour of the secret corridors and enchanted corners of the manor house. As as seasonal stories celebrating all things magical, children will also play games and make a witch’s potion.

STAGE & SCREEN

Not yet seen *Dear Evan Hansen*? This is your chance. It’s at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking this October half term.

The Bubble Show
■ Farnham Maltings ■ Sat 26 Oct
The Bubble show is one of playful splendour, with a series of experiments and demonstrations including smoke bubbles and square bubbles to test the boundaries of science (literally!). For ages 3-12, tickets cost £12, with family discounts available.

Villains Unleashed
■ Esher Theatre ■ Mon 28 – Tue 29 Oct
Follow a group of all your favourite antagonists this October half term, as they strive to regain their powers by holding a devilish Halloween party. There will be song and dance, as well as a spooky costume dress code. Tickets cost £16 per person.

Dear Evan Hansen
■ New Victoria Theatre, Woking ■ Tue 29 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
The West End sensation following Evan Hansen’s high school struggles and a spiralling lie that gets all too out of hand. The musical deals with heavy topics so do check trigger warnings! Tickets are available from £47 and is advised for ages 12 and above.

The Baddies
■ Rose Theatre, Kingston ■ Tue 29 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Based on the beloved Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler child’s book, the Baddie’s come face to face with a courageous young girl, and their whole world is turned around. Suitable for ages 3+, showing take place across the day. Standard tickets cost £15.

Princess Live!
■ Leatherhead Theatre ■ Wed 30 Oct
Who said princesses can’t have fun! Bored of royal duties, the ladies have come together to form a pop group. Singing musical and mainstream musical that’ll have the whole family singing along. Tickets cost £12.

DAYS OUT

Crockford Bridge Farm Pumpkin Festival — The Pumpkin Festival at Crockford Bridge Farm is an immersive experience inspired by The Wizard of Oz.

Pumpkin Festival
■ Crockford Bridge Farm, Addlestone ■ Fri 25 Oct – Fri 1 Nov
Have some gourd old fun at this week-long pumpkin festival which has evolved over the past 25+ years from a small ‘creepy teepee’ telling their homegrown pumpkins to an immersive wonderland experience with performers, entertainers and imaginative pumpkin installations. This year’s festival is inspired by The Wizard of Oz, and you can expect a fusion of theatre, traditional fairground games and rides, activities and pumpkins galore. There will also be ice cream, hot chocolate and street food vendors. Tickets are £14.50 (+booking fee) per person for timed sessions throughout the day (9.30am-noon; 12.30pm-3pm; 3.30pm-6pm).

Enchanted Claremont
■ Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher ■ Sat 19 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Discover the mystery of the Wondering Witch and her band of followers around Claremont with their spooky trail. The trail cost £3 to take part in, fancy dress is welcome!

Half term family fun
■ Brooklands Museum ■ Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Brooklands half term activities are jam-packed with aviation-related fun and games. The new Airventure Playground is open in the Aircraft Park, and there’s also drop-in craft workshops, face painting, a themed trail, an F1 Simulator and vintage bus ride across the grounds. The activities are included in admission.

October half term
■ Watts Gallery, Compton ■ Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
With free entry for under 16s, Watt’s half term calendar is a mustn’t miss, with drawing and sculpting workshops, as well as the brand new Cicely Mary Barker exhibition to check out. Visit the site to see details about different activities.

Witches and Wizards Week
■ Bocketts Farm, near Leatherhead ■ Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Enjoy a spooktacular family day out at Bocketts Farm for Wizards and Witches Week. Watch Science and Slime Shows, visit the Reptile Roadshow, complete the Spooky Stamp Trail, and get creative in the Creepy Craft Corner. Plus, explore the Pumpkin Village for the perfect pumpkin photo! Daily activities include tractor rides, small animal encounter sessions, pig racing and pony rides. There’s also plenty of farm animals to visit, and acres of indoor and outdoor play.

Halloween half term
■ Hatchlands Park, Guildford ■ Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Hatchlands Halloween Half term agenda consists of a Garden Pumpkin hunt, as well as a Parkland Trail that supplies broomsticks! The house itself will also be host to some spooky installations. Normal admission applies, the activities are open from 12-4pm.

Hobble’ween
■ Hobbledown, Epsom ■ Sun 27 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Dress up in your creepiest costume and join in the scare-tastic fun at Hobbledown! There’s Skibbler School a fun workshop where kids will learn how to become an undercover skibbler. It’s party time at the fancy dress Monster’s Ball plus Hobble’ween storytime.

October half term at Box Hill
■ Box Hill, Tadworth ■ Sun 27 Oct – Sun 3 Nov
Enjoy a walk around Box Hill, with a free trail sheet that leads you to several wooden bats around the park, with some fun bat facts also featured along the way! The trail is included in normal admission.

Halloween Wizards and Witches
■ Gatton Park, Reigate ■ Sun 27 Oct
Take a turn around Gatton Park and follow the Spooky trail set out. There will also be Halloween themed activities dotted about for little ones to take part in (and parents if you are so inclined!). Online booking costs £6 for adults and £3 for children.

Spooky Disco
■ Farnham Maltings ■ Thurs 31 Oct
A Halloween morning filled with fun, complete with games, balloons, and the obligatory spooky costume. Patches the Clown will play host for the little ones for a fabulous 2 hours. Tickets cost £5 and lasts from 10am-12pm. The event is recommended for ages 4-7.

AND NIGHTS OUT

Children at the Low Bang Fireworks at Godstone Farm, in Surrey.

Low Bang Fireworks
■ Godstone Farm, Godstone ■ Sat 26 – Sun 27 Oct
For little ones with little ears, Godstone’s accommodating fireworks night is a perfect family event. With food and drink stalls, as well as pre-show games and dancing and an appearance from Captain Fantastic, a fun packed evening is in store. Tickets are available from £10.50.

Sun-down Adventures at Go Ape
■ Alice Holt Woods, near Farnham ■ Sat 19 Oct – Sun 10 Nov
Offering a new level of forest fun after dark, navigate high ropes and zip lines on a high ropes course lit with colourful lights. One-hour session times are from 4.30pm, with the last session at 6.30pm and there’s a minimum age of 6.

WORKSHOPS & CAMPS

Craft Cafe – Pumpkin Carving
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Fri 25 Oct
Head down to G Live for a free pumpkin carving workshop for the whole family, need I say more. All equipment will be provided, with the session lasting from 10.30am-12pm.

Wild Halloween Camp
■ Painshill, Cobham ■ Mon 28 – Wed 30 Oct
Get the little ones outside and mucking into nature-oriented activities this half term. Days will consist of campfires, den building and Halloween themed games. Children must be between 8-11 years old. The sessions last from 9am-3.30pm and cost £45 per day.

Spooks and Spells
■ Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford ■ Tue 29 Oct
Head down to Yvonne Arnaud for a morning of spooky crafts and activities, including spell-making, drama games and dressing up. The session costs £20 per child and lasts from 10am-12pm. Advised for ages 5-7.

Work in Theatre
■ Richmond Theatre ■ Tue 29 Oct – Fri 1 Nov
For any adolescents with an interest in theatre and the industry, Richmond Theatre’s workshop is a 5 hour tell all on the different roles in theatre. Hear from an expert how positions work together to create a show. For ages 14-20, tickets cost £120 per person.

Halloween Dance Workshop – Beetlejuice
■ G Live, Guildford ■ Wed 30 Oct
Get your Halloween grove on with this Beetlejuice inspired dance workshop, for children ages 7-11. The end of the workshop will hold a small performance for the little ones to show off their moves. The session takes place from 10am-4pm and costs £45.

Mixed Media Workshop
■ Farnham Maltings ■ Wed 30 Oct
For any novice Picassos out there, Farnham Maltings autumn themed craft workshop is sure to help hone those talents. The kids will have access to a range of equipment and media to create their perfect piece. The workshop costs £65 and lasts from 10am-2pm. Recommended for ages 7-16 years.

ACTIVE KIDS

Bisley Shooting Ground near Woking in Surrey.

Bisley Open Day
■ Bisley Shooting Ground, Woking ■ Mon 12 Feb
Fancy a morning of clay shooting for adults and juniors aged 10 and up, at one of the country’s most prestigious shooting venues? Head into the countryside for a morning of clay pigeon shooting under the tuition of the professional instructors at Bisley. Cost is £120 per person which includes breakfast and Elevenses, tuition, the use of a gun, 75 clays and cartridges… and a drink at the bar for the grown-ups. Booking is a must.

Words: Becky Ward

Half term heroes: 30+ things to do with big and little kids

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