1 October 2024
Forestry England’s ultimate list of low-cost, fun activities to do this autumn half-term
For getting out and about with the kids, the seasons don’t get much better than autumn. From conker collecting to jumping in leaf piles, there are so many brilliant, low-cost autumnal activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Whether you're looking to celebrate The Gruffalo on his birthday or enjoy a family-friendly walk through the autumn leaves, Forestry England has plenty of activities to keep all ages entertained this half-term. Best of all, many of the activities are free, so you can have a fun-filled day without breaking the bank!
Gruffalo sculpture trail, various forests
Set off on a memorable day out and venture into the deep dark wood with your family to find the Gruffalo character and his friends from Julia Donaldson’s classic story. Each sculpture has been hand-carved and placed in different positions. Can you find them all?
Your little ones will love meeting Mouse, Owl, Fox, Snake and Squirrel as well as the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo's child!
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Gruffalo’s 25 birthday trail, various forests
Celebrate the beloved Gruffalo's 25th birthday this autumn with a big party trail in the forest! Families can work together to find missing party items while enjoying fun games along the trail and learning how plants and animals care for each other. This trail is a delightful and educational experience for Gruffalo fans of all ages.
Cost: £4 per Gruffalo trail pack plus parking charges. Free parking for members.
Halloween trail, Forestry England Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Hampshire
This autumn, a thrilling new Halloween attraction will open at Forestry England Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. From 25 October to 3 November, visitors can explore a spooky illuminated trail filled with eerie surprises. Starting at dusk, the path winds through the forest, revealing haunted secrets through lights, animations, and live actors. Highlights include a hidden cemetery haunted by a ghostly undertaker, along with encounters with wicked witches, highwaymen, giant spiders, and watchful tree demons.
Cost: Tickets are £12 for adults at off-peak times or £16 at on-peak times, £8 or £12 for children (age 3-16), and £37 or £53 for a family of four.
Autumn Family Trail, Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum, The National Arboretum, Gloucestershire
Running throughout half-term, the autumn family trail at Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum explores how trees are cared for, protected, and conserved, including how they cope with climate change. Visitors can join in fun, wildlife detective activities, play a mini "Tree Trumps" game along the trail, and extend the fun at home by downloading Forestry England's full Tree Trumps card game. Participants are also encouraged to make a pledge to protect trees for the future in a special notebook located on the trail.
Cost: The trail is free, entry costs to Westonbirt Arboretum will apply. These are £16 for adults at off-peak times or £19 at on-peak times. £4 for children (aged 5-18) both peak and off-peak and £1 for visitors on universal or pension credit.
Stomp through leaves, various forests
In autumn deciduous trees lose their leaves, leaving a carpet of red, yellow and orange leaves spread across the forest. On your family walk, try gathering as many fallen leaves as you can, and have a competition to see who can build the tallest pile. Or just take the opportunity to roll, jump and play in them!
Remember to bring a picnic. It might not be as warm as the summer, but autumn can be the perfect time for a picturesque family lunch. Wrap up warm, dust off your picnic blanket and pack all your favourites into your picnic basket, you could even try including something warm, like soup in a flask!
Here is Forestry England’s ultimate guide of autumn walks to enjoy.
Cost: Free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Pumpkin patch, Forestry England Wendover Woods , Buckinghamshire
This half-term, pick your perfect pumpkin from Forestry England Wendover Woods where you'll find a wide variety of pumpkins and squash in all shapes and sizes to buy. For just £1 extra, you can decorate your pumpkin right there in the woods! Plus, don’t miss the chance to guess the weight of their largest pumpkin for a chance to WIN a free day out.
Cost: Free, pumpkin and parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Hocus Pocus Family Fun Day, High Lodge, Forestry England Thetford Forest, Suffolk
Head to Forestry England High Lodge, Thetford Forest for a spooktacular Halloween-themed day of family fun on Thursday, 31st October! The day will be filled with exciting activities, including a Scarecrow trail, pumpkin carving, a magician, and a circus play workshop. Don't miss the Go Ape Sundown Sessions and Halloween-themed archery—both highly popular, so booking is advised! Explore craft stalls and feel free to come dressed in your best Halloween costume. With entertainment throughout the day and prizes to be won, it's the perfect way to enjoy the half-term break!
Cost: Entrance free, parking and activity charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Pumpkin spotters trail, Forestry England Dalby Forest, Yorkshire
A sneaky witch has cast a mysterious spell on Forestry England Dalby Forest this October half-term and the forest protectors need your help to reverse it! Grab a scroll from them in the visitor centre before heading into the play area. Find letters on the enchanted pumpkins to form a secret code. Visit the forest protectors again, giving them the magic word to break the spell and win a prize.
Cost: Activity free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Reconnect with nature on a wellbeing trail, various forests
Autumn is a fantastic time to look, listen and reflect on the things all around you. Did you know that simply taking time to be mindful can be good for children's health and happiness?
During half-term, spend some quality time away from screens with your family and connect with nature on one of Forestry England’s wellbeing trails.
In addition to the wellbeing trails, families can also give forest bathing a go. Simply find a quiet spot where your kids feel safe and relaxed and start practicing the art of forest bathing with Forestry England’s downloadable activity sheets.
Cost: Entrance free, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Spook-O spooky night time trail, Forestry England Whinlatter, Cumbria
West Cumberland Orienteering Club is excited to bring back Spook-O for 2024! This fun, family-friendly event features an easy-to-follow trail through the forest. Don’t forget to bring a good torch – you never know what spooky surprises might be waiting around the corner! Fancy dress is encouraged, so come along and get into the Halloween spirit!
Cost: £3 per person, parking charges may apply. Free parking for members.
Notes to Editor
- Images are available here. Please credit Forestry England/Crown copyright.
- Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 285 million visits in 2023/24. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
- create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests
- increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests
- plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.