Things to Do in Kent This October Half Term 2026
October half term is one of the best times of year for a family day out in Kent, with castles, farms, gardens and attractions filling their calendars with Halloween trails, pumpkin picking and seasonal activities.
Kent County Council's main autumn school holiday runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, although individual academies, independent schools and other schools may use slightly different dates.
From mad scientists at Hever Castle and trick or treating at Kent Life to autumn fairgrounds, ghost hunts and late-season fruit picking, here is our guide to the best things to do in Kent this October half term.
For even more spooky inspiration, see our full guide to the best Halloween events in Kent 2026.
1. Halloween Half Term Fun at Hever Castle
Address: Hever Castle, Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
Dates: 17 October to 1 November 2026
Event type: Halloween trail, crafts and live family entertainment
Opening times: Halloween activities from 10.30am
Tickets: Included with normal admission
Booking: Advance admission booking recommended
Best for: One of the best all-round October half-term days out
Why visit: Hever Castle is transforming its grounds into a world of mad scientists for October half term 2026.
Children can follow Hever's Mad Scientists Trail, searching the gardens for unusual experiments and hidden letters before solving the final puzzle and collecting a reward.
There is also a daily craft activity where children can create their own mad scientist goggles, alongside interactive timed shows featuring Dr Frankenstein and a creature brought to life using electricity and a plasma ball.
The Halloween activities coincide with Hever's separate Autumn Colour season, which runs until 1 November. That means you can combine the children's entertainment with some of the castle's best seasonal colour around its gardens and lake.
Visit Kent Guide tip: This is one of the strongest choices if the adults want to enjoy the day as much as the children. Do the Halloween activities first, then walk around the lake and gardens while the autumn colours are at their peak.
Get spooky at Hever Castle this half term
2. Halloween Spooktacular at Kent Life
Address: Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU
Dates: 24 October to 1 November 2026
Event type: Trick or treating, pumpkins and farm activities
Opening times: 10am to 5pm during the Halloween high season
Booking: Online booking recommended
Best for: Trick or treating and traditional family Halloween fun
Why visit: Kent Life's Halloween Spooktacular runs throughout the main half-term period and packs several classic Halloween activities into one farm day out.
Children can go trick or treating through the spooky house, take part in pumpkin carving or painting, explore the Creepy Corner and enjoy farm rides and daily fancy dress competitions. Trick or treating takes place every day during the half-term event.
The wider Kent Life attraction includes farm animals, play areas and historic buildings, so the day is not entirely dependent on Halloween activities.
Kent Life's October calendar identifies 24 to 31 October as its Halloween event period and advises families to reserve tickets online because school-holiday dates can become fully booked.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Book this one sooner rather than later if you specifically want the middle of half-term week. Kent Life is one of the more obvious family choices and school-holiday dates can reach capacity.
3. The Great Pumpkin Party at Dover Castle
Address: Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, Kent CT16 1HU
Dates: Until 1 November 2026
Event type: Halloween games, storytelling and family trail
Half-term opening times: 10am to 4pm from 25 October to 1 November
Tickets: Halloween activities included with normal admission
Booking: Book online in advance to save on admission
Best for: Halloween combined with history and a full castle day out
Why visit: Dover Castle's Halloween programme brings the Great Pumpkin Party to one of Kent's most atmospheric historic attractions.
Families can take part in interactive storytelling, spooky games, seasonal trails, themed selfie locations, disco entertainment and a daily fancy dress competition. The programme is included with normal admission.
There is plenty to explore beyond the seasonal event too, including the Great Tower, wartime tunnels, exhibitions and the castle's siege-themed play area. Dover Castle switches to its shorter 10am to 4pm opening hours from 25 October to 1 November.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Don't treat this as a one-hour Halloween trail. Dover Castle can easily occupy most of the day, so arrive near opening time and use the seasonal activities alongside the main attractions.
4. Halloween at Leeds Castle
Address: Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
Dates: 17 October to 1 November 2026
Event type: Seasonal family Halloween experience
Tickets: Included with an eligible Leeds Castle admission ticket
Booking: Advance admission booking recommended
Best for: A full day with a castle, maze, playgrounds and Halloween
Why visit: Halloween returns to Leeds Castle throughout the October half-term period, with seasonal activities taking place against the backdrop of the castle and autumn parkland.
Leeds Castle has confirmed the event will run from 17 October to 1 November 2026, although the full 2026 Halloween programme is still being finalised. Admission to the event will be included with the castle ticket.
Even before the full Halloween details are announced, Leeds Castle is a particularly strong half-term option because admission also includes the castle, maze and underground grotto, children's playgrounds, gardens, parkland and bird-of-prey attractions.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Keep an eye on the final Halloween programme as October approaches, but don't overlook the rest of the estate. The maze and grotto are particularly good additions to a seasonal family day out.
Lots to see and do during half term at Leeds Castle
5. Autumn Festival and Half-Term Fairground at Emmetts Garden
Address: Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6BA
Dates: Autumn Festival until 1 November; children's fairground 23 October to 1 November 2026
Event type: Autumn trail, fairground and Halloween crafts
Fairground times: 10am to 4pm
Fairground tickets: £10 wristband; £12 combined with the family trail
Best for: Younger children and autumn colour
Why visit: Emmetts Garden is one of the best choices if you want half-term entertainment without making the entire day about Halloween.
Its 2026 Autumn Festival runs until 1 November, with the Fun-Gus Saves the Forest family activity trail running through the gardens throughout half term.
From 23 October to 1 November, a children's fairground adds carousel rides, swing boats and teacups. The rides are aimed at children aged roughly two to eight.
Halloween craft workshops are added between 29 October and 1 November, including spooky woodcraft and spiderweb activities.
The garden itself is also one of the best autumn-colour destinations in Kent, particularly for Japanese maples and woodland scenery.
Visit Kent Guide tip: This one works particularly well for younger children. Combine the fairground and activity trail with a walk around the garden rather than treating the rides as the entire visit.
6. We're Going on a Ghost Hunt at Chartwell
Address: Chartwell, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS
Dates: Until 1 November 2026
Event type: Gentle Halloween garden and woodland trail
Half-term times: 10am to 3pm from 26 October
Trail price: Free with normal admission
Booking: Trail booking not required
Best for: Children under eight and families wanting something less frightening
Why visit: Chartwell's Halloween trail is deliberately aimed at younger children.
We're Going on a Ghost Hunt takes families through the gardens and woodland surrounding Winston Churchill's former home, with eight seasonal stops featuring games, activities and challenges.
Children look for hidden ghosts as they complete the route before collecting a sticker reward at the end. The trail itself is free once normal admission has been paid.
During the main Kent half-term week from 26 October, the trail runs from 10am to 3pm. The route includes hills, steps and woodland paths, so wet weather can make it challenging for ordinary pushchairs.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Choose Chartwell over the bigger scare attractions if your child is young or doesn't enjoy actors, loud noises or deliberately frightening experiences.
7. Trick or Treat Trail at Quex Adventure Farm Park
Address: Quex Adventure Farm Park, Quex Park, Park Lane, Birchington, Kent CT7 0BH
Dates: Selected October dates - check the current booking calendar
Event type: Trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin picking and farm park
Booking: Advance timed tickets required
Tickets include: Halloween trail, treat, one pumpkin per child, Slime Blaster Express and farm-park access
Best for: A complete Halloween experience in East Kent
Why visit: Quex combines Halloween activities with pumpkin picking and a full farm-park day.
Families follow the Trick or Treat Trail through the Spooky Woods, meeting Halloween characters and collecting treats before visiting the Bewitched Pumpkin Patch.
A child ticket includes one pumpkin, a Halloween treat, a journey on the Slime Blaster Express and access to the wider Quex Adventure Farm Park facilities where available.
The time shown on the ticket is the entry time to the Halloween trail rather than the time you must arrive at Quex, so families with later slots can arrive earlier and use the farm park first.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Arrive well before your trail slot and make a proper day of it. This gives you much better value than turning up immediately before the Halloween experience.
8. Halloween at the Rare Breeds Centre
Address: Rare Breeds Centre, Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent TN26 3RJ
Dates: 24 October to 1 November 2026
Event type: Family Halloween event and farm attraction
Booking: Pre-booking recommended for special events
Best for: Farm animals and a gentler family Halloween day
Why visit: The Rare Breeds Centre has confirmed its annual Halloween event will return throughout the main October half-term period from 24 October to 1 November 2026.
The full programme is still being announced, but the Woodchurch attraction traditionally combines its seasonal Halloween entertainment with its animals and wider farm facilities.
Families can also explore play areas, woodland, Tractor Village and the centre's indoor soft play, giving it useful wet-weather backup if conditions change during the day.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Check the event page again nearer October. The dates are confirmed, but more detailed 2026 Halloween activities are still due to be announced.
9. Spend a Day at Port Lympne Reserve
Address: Aldington Road, Lympne, Hythe, Kent CT21 4LR
Activity type: Wildlife reserve and safari
Opening: Daily during the autumn season
Time needed: Allow around four to five hours
Booking: Online tickets recommended
Best for: A non-Halloween full-day adventure
Why visit: Not every October half-term day out needs to involve ghosts and pumpkins.
Port Lympne is one of Kent's biggest family attractions, with hundreds of animals spread across an extensive reserve near Hythe. Visitors explore much of the park on foot and can also use its safari experience to reach the larger open areas.
The Aspinall Foundation recommends allowing around four to five hours to properly explore Port Lympne, making it a genuine full-day alternative to the county's Halloween events.
The reserve remains open daily during the autumn period, with school holidays among its busier periods.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Wear proper walking shoes. Port Lympne is much larger and hillier than a conventional zoo, so plan your route rather than trying to rush between every enclosure.
10. Go Apple Picking at Brogdale
Address: Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ
Activity type: Late-season pick your own apples and pears
2026 season: Weekends until 1 November 2026
Opening times: 10am to 4pm; last entry 3pm
Booking: Available online
Best for: A quieter seasonal activity away from Halloween attractions
Why visit: October half term arrives near the very end of Brogdale's 2026 pick-your-own season.
The National Fruit Collection runs PYO weekends until Sunday 1 November, giving families one final opportunity to pick unusual apples and pears directly from its orchards.
Hundreds of different fruit varieties grow at Brogdale, including apples that are rarely available in ordinary shops.
Because PYO operates at weekends rather than every weekday, this works particularly well on the weekends immediately before or after the main Monday-to-Friday school holiday.
For more orchard ideas, see our full guide to the best places for apple picking in Kent.
Visit Kent Guide tip: Check the day's fruit availability before travelling. Late October is near the end of the season, so the exact varieties available will depend on what remains ripe in the orchards.
Frequently asked questions
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Kent County Council's standard October half-term holiday runs from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026. Some individual schools may use different dates.
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Some of the strongest confirmed options include Halloween Half Term Fun at Hever Castle, Halloween Spooktacular at Kent Life, Dover Castle's Great Pumpkin Party, Halloween at Leeds Castle, Emmetts Garden's Autumn Festival and Quex Adventure Farm Park's Trick or Treat Trail.
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Kent has pumpkin patches around Maidstone, Dartford, Medway, Goudhurst, Meopham, Ashford, Deal and Romney Marsh. Availability becomes more limited towards Halloween, so advance booking is recommended at farms that use timed tickets.
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Chartwell's Halloween trail is designed specifically for children under eight, while Emmetts Garden has a half-term fairground aimed mainly at children aged two to eight.
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Yes. Families can visit Port Lympne, go apple picking at Brogdale, explore Kent's autumn woodlands or visit castles and family attractions without taking part in their Halloween activities.
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Bedgebury National Pinetum, Emmetts Garden, Hever Castle, Knole Park and Scotney Castle are among Kent's strongest autumn-colour destinations.
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Many of the biggest events recommend advance booking, especially Halloween attractions and pumpkin farms. Some trails do not require separate booking once normal attraction admission has been purchased.
