# October Half Term in Northumberland 2026: What's On and What's Shut

*Nine days, one clock change, a castle that's already shut and more pumpkins than anyone needs. Here's what's actually on in Northumberland, day by day and area by area.*

By Dan Fitzpatrick, Bairns & Beaches. Updated Tuesday 29 September 2026. Canonical: https://bairnsandbeaches.co.uk/guides/october-half-term-in-northumberland.html

**The short answer:** October half term in Northumberland runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 (schools close Friday 23 October and reopen Monday 2 November), the same week as Newcastle and North Tyneside. Alnwick Castle is closed by then, but Bamburgh Castle, Belsay Hall, Seaton Delaval Hall, Wallington and the Ford and Etal Scarycrow Trail all run half-term events. The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, and after that the sun sets before 5pm.

Checked 29 September 2026. Dates and prices change, so the organiser's link is the one to trust.

October half term in Northumberland runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, and it's an odd week to plan. Half the county is carving pumpkins, the other half is putting the shutters up for winter, Alnwick Castle has already closed, and the clocks go back on the first Sunday. Don't let that put you off. Bamburgh, Belsay, Seaton Delaval and Wallington all run Halloween events, the first seal pups should be turning up on the Farnes, and a teatime sunset means stargazing before bed.

We holiday up here a lot with our two, who are six and seven, so this leans towards primary-age bairns and parents who'd like a hot drink at some point.

## October half term Northumberland 2026: the dates

- Northumberland council schools close Friday 23 October and reopen Monday 2 November, so the break is Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.
- North Tyneside is identical.
- Newcastle's community schools are off Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, the same week.
- Academies, church and foundation schools can set their own dates, so check your school's website before booking anything non-refundable.

So Tyneside and Northumberland are off together, and both Saturdays will be heaving at the big places. If you can do Tuesday to Thursday, do.

## What's shut or finishing in October half term

- Alnwick Castle is closed. Its Plan Your Visit page says the season ends 20 October, its FAQ says 22 October; either way it's shut before schools break up. The only half-term event is a grown-ups' book talk with the historian Dan Jones on 27 October (£14). No broomstick training, sorry.
- Chillingham Castle's last day is 1 November, then it's shut until Easter 2027 (Historic Houses listing). The Wild Cattle Park's Hallowe'en Special is already sold out.
- Heatherslaw Light Railway also stops after Sunday 1 November.
- Aydon Castle is closed for winter until 2027, and Kielder Castle is closed for renovation (the trails and car park are open).
- Housesteads Roman Fort is open, but its visitor centre is closed; there's a coffee cart and toilets.
- No Farne Islands landings (Inner Farne is April to September), so it's boat trips round the islands.
- Lindisfarne Castle's 2026 closing date wasn't published anywhere we could read (as a guide only, a Holy Island guesthouse says its 2024 season ended on 31 October), so check the National Trust page first.
- From Monday 2 November, The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei drop to Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm.

> Alnwick Castle shutting just before half term is the county's version of the ice cream van pulling away as you reach the front of the queue.

## The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October

The clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 25 October (GOV.UK). By our own sums for Alnwick, sunset is about 5.45pm on the Saturday, 4.43pm on the Sunday and about 4.29pm on Halloween, properly dark by ten past five. Our calculation, not an official almanac, but close enough.

Most places stop letting people in around 4pm anyway (Bamburgh's last entry, Belsay's Halloween fun, The Alnwick Garden's closing time), so do the outdoor bit in the morning and pack a torch for any beach walk after half three. The extra hour in bed is a lovely theory no six-year-old has heard of. The upside is stargazing at teatime, with the kids still in bed at a sensible hour.

## Halloween and pumpkin events in half term

### Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens (Belsay)

English Heritage's Halloween half term runs 24 October to 1 November, 10am to 4pm daily: interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail, a selfie spot and a daily fancy dress competition with prizes, so pack the costume. Included with admission.

My pick for mixed ages: flat garden paths for the buggy and a ruined castle for anyone who needs to run it off.

- Price: Included with admission; 15% off online; English Heritage members free
- Parking: About 115 spaces 200m from the entrance; free for members, charged for others
- Buggy access: Flat garden paths; stairs inside the hall and castle
- Check first: Prices show once you pick a date on the booking page
- Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/belsay-hall-halloween-2026/

### Bamburgh Castle (Bamburgh)

Open daily 10am to 5pm, last entry 4pm. Gory Stories runs on 24, 25, 30 and 31 October at 11.15am and 2.15pm in the Keep Hall (the castle warns some tales are quite gruesome; pre-book, and there are steps). Drop-in clay Halloween crafts run 11am to 3pm on 24, 25 and 31 October and 1 November, and The Doctor Will See You Now shows off grisly old medical kit on 26 and 29 October.

- Price: Adult £19.95, child 5 to 16 £10, family (2+3) £58.50, under 5s free
- Parking: On-site car park £6 a day, card or contactless only
- Buggy access: No pushchairs in the State Rooms; hip seats to borrow
- Check first: Dogs on short leads in the grounds only. Closed 9 to 13 November
- Website: https://www.bamburghcastle.com/whats-on/

### The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei (Alnwick)

With the castle shut, this is Alnwick's half term, open daily 10am to 4pm. The Pumpkin Garden (scavenger hunt, harvest games) is free with Garden entry, and Spookydorei Days at Lilidorei has a Spooky or Not so Spooky trail. Spookydorei Nights (23 to 31 October, 5pm to 9pm, book ahead) is for 11 to 15 year olds.

A Garden-only adult ticket gets up to four children in free, so if pumpkins will do, skip Lilidorei and save a packet.

- Price: Garden only: adult £17.90 online, up to 4 children free. With Lilidorei: adult £20.30, child 3 to 16 £16.65
- Parking: Pay car park; charge not on the prices page
- Buggy access: Not stated; ask when booking
- Check first: Tickets are non-refundable
- Website: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/whats-on/

### Seaton Delaval Hall: Tales from the Shadows (Seaton Sluice)

The Basement and Stables become a trail of ghostly legends, witches and spiders, with dressing-up on the West Wing stage, 24 October to 1 November, 11am to 4.30pm. Free with admission, no booking, and much of it is indoors, which makes it a good bet near the coast if it pours.

- Price: Adult £15, child 5 to 17 £7.50, family (2+3) £37.50; NT members free
- Parking: Free car park
- Toilets: Not stated on the National Trust page
- Check first: The hall isn't open every day outside events
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall/events/2de770f7-05e5-40ae-8bbb-81ae7dbade12

### The Famous Scarycrow Trail (Ford and Etal)

Homemade scarecrows go up around Ford, Etal and Heatherslaw from 26 October to 1 November. Free; the map and score sheet cost a donation to a local charity, from the village shops or as a download the week before. Most of it is walkable, though a few scarecrows need the car. Go in daylight and let the kids do the scoring.

- Price: Free; donation for the map
- Parking: Free in Etal, Heatherslaw and Ford, with disabled spaces in all three
- Buggy access: The organiser says buggy and wheelchair accessible
- Check first: Dogs welcome
- Website: https://www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/events/the-famous-scarycrow-trail-2026/

### Heatherslaw Light Railway (Heatherslaw)

The narrow-gauge line along the River Till runs daily until Sunday 1 November. Trains leave Heatherslaw at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, and Etal at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4pm. Buy tickets on the day at Heatherslaw. With the scarecrows out, the last week is the best one.

- Price: Return: adult £12.50, child 2 to 16 £6, family of four £34; dogs free
- Parking: Free at Heatherslaw and Etal
- Buggy access: Not stated; ask at the ticket office
- Check first: Last day of 2026 is 1 November
- Website: https://www.heatherslawlightrailway.co.uk/

### Wallington (Cambo)

Little Leaf Collectors (24 October to 1 November, 10am to 5pm) hands children a wheelbarrow and rake to help clear the courtyard, crafts run in the yurt by the Adventure Playground from 27 to 29 October (11am to 3pm), and there's a Creatures of the Night story trail in the West Woods. All included with admission. The leaf raking is, and I say this with love, free child labour that the child enjoys.

- Price: Adult £22, child 5 to 17 £11, family (2+3) £55; members free
- Parking: Included in the ticket
- Toilets: Not listed on the pages we read
- Check first: House 11.30am to 3.30pm; grounds and café 10am to 5pm
- Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/events

### Northumberlandia: Halloween Pumpkin Trail (Cramlington)

The Wildlife Trust hides 12 pumpkins in the woods, 26 October to 1 November, 10am to 3pm, with a café treat at the end. Ages 3 to 10; book through the Trust and the map comes by email. On 31 October Jim Grant tells Mystical Halloween Stories in the woods at 11am and 1pm (ages 6 and up). Cheap, short and muddy, so wear boots.

- Price: £3 per child for each
- Parking: Not stated on the event page (NE23 8AU)
- Toilets: Not stated; the trail starts outside the café
- Check first: Book on 0191 284 6884
- Website: https://www.nwt.org.uk/events/2026-10-26-halloween-pumpkin-trail

### Whitehouse Farm Centre: Halloween Spooktacular (Morpeth)

Daily 23 to 31 October: an indoor pumpkin patch with a free pumpkin per full-paying child, shows, storytelling, animals and soft play. The priciest thing here, but much of it is indoors, which on a wet Tuesday is worth money.

- Price: Online: child £18.50, adult £16.95, family of four £64.95; more on the door
- Parking: Not stated on the event page
- Toilets: Not stated on the event page
- Check first: Times weren't listed when we checked
- Website: https://whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/events/halloween-spooktacular-2026/

### Brocksbushes Pumpkin Experience (Corbridge)

Pick your own from the field, daily until Saturday 31 October, with a carving tent (kits extra) and food vans. Online booking only, non-refundable. Wednesday 28 October is a Woof Wednesday, so the dog can come on a lead.

- Price: £3.50 per person aged 3 and over, or £12 for a family of up to five
- Parking: Free on site
- Buggy access: Not stated; it's a field in late October, so wellies
- Check first: Ends 31 October
- Website: https://www.brocksbushes.co.uk/pages/pumpkins

### Aln Valley Railway: Halloween weekend (Alnwick)

Steam trains from Lionheart Station on 31 October and 1 November, with a bat trail to follow. Departures 11am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm and 3pm.

- Price: Return: adult £12.50, child £6, family £33
- Parking: Not stated on the tickets page
- Buggy access: Not stated
- Check first: Only these two days in half term
- Website: https://alnvalleyrailway.co.uk/tickets/

### Hexham Spook Night (Hexham)

Rides and competitions on Beaumont Street, Saturday 31 October, 2pm to 9pm. That morning there's a free Spook Night poster workshop at the Moot Hall, 11am to 1pm.

- Price: Not stated by the council
- Parking: Not stated; Hexham has a railway station
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: Watch for road closure notices
- Website: https://www.hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/council_events/spook-night/

### Blyth Halloween Fun and parade (Blyth)

Free drop-in crafts at the Market Pavilion (NE24 1BW), 27 to 31 October, 10am to 4pm, building a giant spooky creation through the week, plus a costumed parade in the Marketplace on Friday 30 October at 3pm.

- Price: Free
- Parking: Not stated
- Buggy access: Not stated; it's an indoor market hall
- Check first: Drop in, no booking listed
- Website: https://www.blythtowncouncil.gov.uk/blyth-town-event/blyth-halloween-fun

### Blyth Halloween Fireworks (Blyth)

Saturday 31 October at Mermaid Car Park by the beach (NE24 3PL), 4pm to 9pm: a low-noise display at 6pm for little ones and anyone who hates bangs, then the traditional one at 7.30pm. Free. Two displays is a very good idea and more places should pinch it.

- Price: Free
- Parking: None: the car park closes from 4pm. Use public transport, not verges
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: Watch the council page for extra transport
- Website: https://www.blythtowncouncil.gov.uk/blyth-town-event/blyth-halloween-fireworks-event

## Kielder, stargazing and the seal pups

### Kielder Observatory (Kielder)

Bad news first: all four half-term Space Kids sessions (24, 26, 28 and 31 October), the teatime ones for 6 to 12 year olds, showed sold out when we checked, and the grown-up evenings were nearly gone. Sessions go ahead in cloud. For next year: it can sell out three months ahead.

- Price: Space Kids: adult £25, under 16 £15, family of four £72. Evenings from £39
- Parking: Free during events; the forest track opens about 30 minutes before
- Toilets: Two composting toilets, one accessible
- Check first: Non-refundable. Bring layers and a red torch
- Website: https://kielderobservatory.org/our-events

### Room on the Broom trail, Kielder Castle (Kielder)

A 1.5-mile gravel trail from Kielder Castle, fine for pushchairs apart from one short steep bit. Through October there are Halloween cauldrons to find, with clues and a crossword for a sticker. October only, so aim for the first half of half term, and bring a flask: the castle is shut.

- Price: Trail pack £4; Halloween sheet £1.50 or free with a pack
- Parking: Forestry England car park: up to 1 hour £2.50, all day £6.50
- Buggy access: Gravel, fine for pushchairs, one short steep section
- Check first: Castle café and information point closed for renovation
- Website: https://www.forestryengland.uk/kielder-forest/room-on-the-broom

### Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory (Wark)

Nearer Tyneside than Kielder, with kids' sessions on the calendar: Stargazing for Kids on 24 October (7pm) and 30 October (6.30pm), which moves indoors if it's cloudy, and Ready-Set-Rocket on 31 October (6.30pm), building and launching water rockets (bring an empty fizzy drink bottle). Ages 6 and up.

- Price: Adult £22.50, concession £19.50, family of four £55.50
- Parking: At the hotel, on the B6320 12 miles north of Hexham
- Toilets: Hotel toilets, open to observatory guests
- Check first: Advance booking essential
- Website: https://www.battlesteads.com/observatory

### Billy Shiel's grey seal cruise (Seahouses)

Billy Shiel's says pups are on view from late October until January, and the National Trust counts around 3,000 born on the Farnes each autumn. So half term is the start, not the peak: you might spot a few white pups among the adults. The 90-minute cruise sails all year, weather permitting, with no landing. Dogs welcome.

- Price: Adult £22; child fares for ages 5 to 15
- Parking: Not included; use the village car parks
- Toilets: Public toilets next to the main car park in Seahouses
- Check first: Check in at the harbour office (NE68 7RN) 30 minutes before. Rough seas cancel trips
- Website: https://www.farne-islands.com/trips/grey-seal-cruise-trip/

### Serenity grey seals and seabirds cruise (Seahouses)

The same 1.5-hour loop, daily all year except Christmas Day, with the Grace Darling story on the way. Well-behaved dogs welcome.

- Price: Adult £22, child 15 and under £17, under 5s free
- Parking: Not stated
- Toilets: Public toilets next to the main car park in Seahouses
- Check first: Arrive 30 minutes early for your boarding pass
- Website: https://farneislandstours.co.uk/farne-islands-sail-around/

### Lindisfarne Goose Festival (Holy Island)

Pale-bellied brent geese fly in from Svalbard every autumn; Lindisfarne is their only regular wintering site in Britain. The reserve's Goose Festival runs 26 to 31 October, with sunrise events at Budle Bay and family activities. Free, but times weren't out when we checked.

If anything is on Holy Island itself: the causeway floods twice a day, so check the council's safe crossing times before you set off.

- Price: Free, donations welcome
- Parking: Depends on the venue; Holy Island's village car park is pay and display
- Buggy access: Not stated
- Check first: Programme still to come; guided walks need booking
- Website: https://lifewader.co.uk/events

## Museums, workshops and rainy-day backups

Boulmer on the coast averages about 72mm of rain in October (Met Office 1991 to 2020 averages), so you'll use at least one of these.

### Woodhorn Museum (Ashington)

Open daily in Northumberland school holidays, and under 18s go free. The big draw is the Arborialis Luminarium, a giant walk-in inflatable of glowing tree shapes, 24 to 29 October, 10am to 4pm. Shoes off, booking essential (tickets weren't on sale yet when we checked). Also a pumpkin trail to 1 November, birds of prey on 31 October and a quiet Sound Down Sunday morning on 25 October.

- Price: Adults need an annual pass (£11, concessions £10); under 18s free
- Parking: Not stated on the pages we read
- Buggy access: The Luminarium is fully wheelchair accessible
- Check first: One adult per four under-16s in the Luminarium
- Website: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/arborialis-luminarium-by-architects-of-air

### Hexham Old Gaol (Hexham)

Open daily in the school holidays, 10am to 4pm. Until 1 November there's a Skull Trail round the galleries (find them all, get a sweet) and a drop-in Make a Groaning Ghost craft, both included and children free. A jail museum with a skull hunt in Halloween week. It sells itself.

- Price: Adults pay admission; under 18s free
- Parking: Not stated; Hexham has a railway station
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: 0191 277 2422
- Website: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/hexhamoldgaol/whats-on/hexham-skull-trail

### Roman Army Museum (Greenhead)

Bare Bones (24 October to 1 November) is a Halloween-flavoured look at the Vindolanda Trust's animal bones. On 31 October and 1 November it's National Lottery Players Weekend: show a lottery ticket, paper or on your phone, and you get into here and Vindolanda free. The cheapest Roman day you'll ever have.

- Price: Not shown on the page; one Saver ticket covers both Trust sites
- Parking: Not stated
- Buggy access: Not stated
- Check first: Open 9.30am to 5pm; 016977 47485. No dogs
- Website: https://romanarmymuseum.com/

### Vindolanda: Fleece to Fabric (Bardon Mill)

From 24 to 28 October you can card wool, spin yarn and weave on a small loom to take home, inspired by the Roman textiles found here. Included with admission, and the £2 Archaeology Detectives pack gives restless ones a job round the fort.

- Price: Included with admission; detective pack £2
- Parking: Not stated
- Buggy access: Not stated
- Check first: Open 9.30am to 5pm. No dogs
- Website: https://www.vindolanda.com/events/fleece-to-fabric-the-textiles-of-vindolanda

### The Sill: bat crafts (Once Brewed)

Monday Mini Makes on 26 October (10am and 2pm, ages 3 and up) makes pom-pom bats, and Wild Wednesday on 28 October (10.30am and 1pm, ages 5 to 11) has a ranger helping children build a bat box to take home. Adults free but staying. Book through Ticketsource.

- Price: Not stated on the event pages
- Parking: Not stated
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: Winter hours not published
- Website: https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/whats-on/wild-wednesday-make-a-bat-box/

### Ad Gefrin (Wooler)

Free storytelling with Chris Adriaanse, 30 October to 1 November at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm: the Laidly Worm of Spindleston Heugh, the Henhole fairies and more. Book ahead. Anglo-Saxon Tales and Ancient Legends runs on 27 and 28 October at 11am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

- Price: Northumbrian Tales free; Anglo-Saxon Tales price not shown
- Parking: Not stated
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: Book on the Ad Gefrin ticket site
- Website: https://adgefrin.co.uk/events/story-telling-with-chris-adriaanse-the-northumbrian-tales-2026-10-30

### Alnwick Playhouse (Alnwick)

Gaby Gulliver's Travels, a 45-minute shadow puppet show for ages 5 and up, is on Saturday 24 October at 11am and 1.30pm. CAST's young company does Matilda JR from 28 to 31 October at 1.30pm and 5.30pm, which is a lot for a youth show, though it's their big week.

- Price: Puppets: £10, children £6. Matilda JR: £26, concessions £21, children £16
- Parking: Not stated
- Buggy access: Not stated
- Check first: Book ahead
- Website: https://alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/event/gaby-gullivers-travels/

### Queen's Hall Arts Centre: lantern making (Hexham)

Free 45-minute sessions making lanterns for the Hexham Lantern Parade, Tuesday 27 October at 10am, 11am and 12pm, ages 6 and up.

- Price: Free
- Parking: Not stated
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: Book a place for each child
- Website: https://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/lantern-making-workshops-1

### Maltings Cinema, Berwick (Berwick-upon-Tweed)

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom shows daily, with a sensory-friendly screening on Friday 30 October at 2pm: lights low, sound down, no trailers, subtitles, and nobody minds wandering.

- Price: Adult £10.50, child £6.50
- Parking: Not stated
- Toilets: Not stated
- Check first: Book the sensory screening ahead
- Website: https://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/whats-on/sensory-friendly-shaun-the-sheep-the-beast-of-mossy-bottom/

## Day-by-day ideas for October half term, by area

- Sat 24 Oct (Bamburgh or Alnwick): Gory Stories at the castle, or the Pumpkin Garden and shadow puppets in Alnwick. Evening: Stargazing for Kids at Battlesteads.
- Sun 25 Oct (coast or south-east): a Seahouses seal cruise if the sea's calm, or Woodhorn's Sound Down Sunday and the Luminarium, or Belsay.
- Mon 26 Oct (far north, or the Wall): the Scarycrow Trail opens, so do Ford and Etal with a Heatherslaw train. By the Wall, pom-pom bats at The Sill.
- Tue 27 Oct (Hexham and Wallington): lantern-making at the Queen's Hall, then the Old Gaol's Skull Trail. Wallington's crafts start.
- Wed 28 Oct (Hadrian's Wall): bat boxes at The Sill, Fleece to Fabric's last day at Vindolanda, then Bare Bones at the Roman Army Museum. Woof Wednesday at Brocksbushes.
- Thu 29 Oct (south-east): the Luminarium's last day at Woodhorn, or Tales from the Shadows at Seaton Delaval. The Doctor is back at Bamburgh.
- Fri 30 Oct: Blyth's parade at 3pm, sensory-friendly Shaun the Sheep in Berwick at 2pm, free tales at Ad Gefrin in Wooler.
- Sat 31 Oct, Halloween (pick one town and commit): Blyth fireworks, Hexham Spook Night or steam trains in Alnwick. Daytime: birds of prey at Woodhorn, free Roman sites with a lottery ticket.
- Sun 1 Nov (last chances): Heatherslaw's final trains, the Scarycrows, Belsay, Seaton Delaval and Chillingham Castle before Easter. Then the school uniform hunt.

## Questions people ask

**When is October half term Northumberland?** Most Northumberland council schools close on Friday 23 October 2026 and reopen on Monday 2 November, so the break is Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November. North Tyneside matches exactly and Newcastle's community schools are off Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. Academies and church schools can differ, so check your school's website.

**What to do in Northumberland in October?** Our top picks: Bamburgh Castle's Gory Stories, Belsay's Halloween trail (24 October to 1 November), the Scarycrow Trail at Ford and Etal with the last Heatherslaw trains, a seal cruise from Seahouses (pups from late October) and a teatime stargazing session at Battlesteads. Pumpkin picking at Brocksbushes near Corbridge runs to 31 October.

**Is Alnwick Castle open in October?** Only until 20 or 22 October 2026: its Plan Your Visit page says the season runs until 20 October and its FAQ says it closes on 22 October. Either way it's shut for Northumberland's October half term, apart from an evening book talk on 27 October.

**Is Alnwick Castle open in November?** No. The 2026 season ends in October and the castle hadn't published a 2027 opening date when we checked. The Alnwick Garden next door is open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm, in early November.

**What's on in Northumberland in October?** October is pumpkins, Halloween and the start of seal pup season. The Alnwick Garden's Pumpkin Garden runs 10 October to 1 November, Seaton Delaval Hall's Tales from the Shadows runs 24 October to 1 November, and Blyth has free Halloween fireworks on 31 October at 6pm and 7.30pm.

**What to do in Northumberland in the rain?** Woodhorn Museum in Ashington is open daily in the school holidays and free for under 18s, and Hexham Old Gaol does a skull trail with children free. Whitehouse Farm Centre near Morpeth has an indoor pumpkin patch and soft play, and Bamburgh Castle's State Rooms are indoors.

## Sources

- Northumberland County Council: school term and holiday dates: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/education-skills/schools/school-term-and-holiday-dates
- North Tyneside Council: school term dates 2026 to 2027: https://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/schools-education-and-childcare/school-term-dates/2026-2027
- Newcastle City Council: community schools term calendar 2026 to 2027: https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Education%20and%20Skills/2026-27%20Community%20School%20Term%20Calendar.pdf
- GOV.UK: when do the clocks change: https://www.gov.uk/when-do-the-clocks-change
- Alnwick Castle: plan your visit: https://www.alnwickcastle.com/plan-your-visit
- Alnwick Castle: FAQs: https://www.alnwickcastle.com/plan-your-visit/visitor-information/faqs
- Alnwick Castle: Dan Jones book talk: https://www.alnwickcastle.com/whats-on/dan-jones-castles-a-fortified-history-of-the-world
- The Alnwick Garden: opening times and prices: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/the-garden/opening-times-and-prices/
- The Alnwick Garden: The Pumpkin Garden: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/events/the-autumn-pumpkin-garden/
- The Alnwick Garden: Spookydorei Days: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/events/spookydorei-days-lilidorei/
- The Alnwick Garden: Spookydorei Nights: https://www.alnwickgarden.com/events/spookydorei-nights/
- Bamburgh Castle: visit us: https://www.bamburghcastle.com/visit-us/
- Bamburgh Castle: Gory Stories: https://www.bamburghcastle.com/events/gory-stories-halloween-at-bamburgh-castle/
- Bamburgh Castle: Halloween crafts for kids: https://www.bamburghcastle.com/events/crafts-for-kids-halloween-at-bamburgh-castle/
- Bamburgh Castle: The Doctor Will See You Now: https://www.bamburghcastle.com/events/the-doctor-will-see-you-now/
- English Heritage: Halloween half term at Belsay: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/belsay-hall-halloween-2026/
- English Heritage: Belsay facilities: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/plan-your-visit/facilities/
- English Heritage: Aydon Castle: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/aydon-castle/
- English Heritage: Housesteads Roman Fort: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall/
- National Trust: Tales from the Shadows at Seaton Delaval Hall: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall/events/2de770f7-05e5-40ae-8bbb-81ae7dbade12
- National Trust: Seaton Delaval Hall: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall
- National Trust: Wallington: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington
- National Trust: Little leaf collectors at Wallington: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/events/2369a40e-f529-4f21-8471-e7daa05566d7
- National Trust: Wallington half term crafts: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/events/2c65a0fa-8299-4ce4-ae1c-24b3e91a9803
- National Trust: Creatures of the night trail at Wallington: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington/events/0ca01423-a5be-43c3-a8d3-c9a270fa43b7
- National Trust: Farne Islands: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/farne-islands
- National Trust: seals on the Farne Islands: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/farne-islands/seals-on-the-farne-islands
- National Trust: Lindisfarne Castle: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/lindisfarne-castle
- Ford and Etal: The Famous Scarycrow Trail 2026: https://www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/events/the-famous-scarycrow-trail-2026/
- Heatherslaw Light Railway: https://www.heatherslawlightrailway.co.uk/
- Historic Houses: Chillingham Castle: https://www.historichouses.org/house/chillingham-castle/visit/
- Chillingham Wild Cattle: Hallowe'en Special: https://chillinghamwildcattle.com/product/halloween-special/
- Northumberland Wildlife Trust: Halloween Pumpkin Trail: https://www.nwt.org.uk/events/2026-10-26-halloween-pumpkin-trail
- Holy Island guesthouse guide: visiting Lindisfarne Castle: https://holy-island.uk/visiting-lindisfarne-castle/
- Northumberland Wildlife Trust: Mystical Halloween Stories: https://www.nwt.org.uk/events/2026-10-31-mystical-halloween-stories
- Whitehouse Farm Centre: Halloween Spooktacular 2026: https://whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/events/halloween-spooktacular-2026/
- Brocksbushes: pumpkins: https://www.brocksbushes.co.uk/pages/pumpkins
- Aln Valley Railway: tickets: https://alnvalleyrailway.co.uk/tickets/
- Hexham Town Council: Spook Night: https://www.hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk/council_events/spook-night/
- Hexham Old Gaol: Spook Night poster workshop: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/hexhamoldgaol/whats-on/spook-night-poster-workshop
- Blyth Town Council: Blyth Halloween Fun: https://www.blythtowncouncil.gov.uk/blyth-town-event/blyth-halloween-fun
- Blyth Town Council: Blyth Halloween Fireworks: https://www.blythtowncouncil.gov.uk/blyth-town-event/blyth-halloween-fireworks-event
- Kielder Observatory: events calendar: https://kielderobservatory.org/events-calendar?calendarDate=2026-10-27
- Kielder Observatory: FAQs: https://kielderobservatory.org/events/faqs
- Forestry England: Room on the Broom at Kielder: https://www.forestryengland.uk/kielder-forest/room-on-the-broom
- Forestry England: Kielder Castle: https://www.forestryengland.uk/kielder-castle
- Battlesteads Observatory: Stargazing for kids: https://www.battlesteads.com/observatory/events/beginners/stargazing-for-kids/3971
- Battlesteads Observatory: Ready-Set-Rocket for kids: https://www.battlesteads.com/observatory/events/beginners/readysetrocket-for-kids/4102
- Billy Shiel's: grey seal cruise: https://www.farne-islands.com/trips/grey-seal-cruise-trip/
- Serenity Farne Island Tours: sail around: https://farneislandstours.co.uk/farne-islands-sail-around/
- Lindisfarne NNR (Life Wader): events: https://lifewader.co.uk/events
- Natural England: Northumberland's National Nature Reserves: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/northumberlands-national-nature-reserves/northumberlands-national-nature-reserves
- Woodhorn Museum: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn
- Woodhorn: Arborialis Luminarium: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/arborialis-luminarium-by-architects-of-air
- Woodhorn: pumpkin trail: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/pumpkin-trail
- Woodhorn: birds of prey display: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/birds-of-prey-display
- Hexham Old Gaol: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/hexhamoldgaol
- Hexham Old Gaol: Skull Trail: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/hexhamoldgaol/whats-on/hexham-skull-trail
- Hexham Old Gaol: Make a Groaning Ghost: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/hexhamoldgaol/whats-on/make-a-groaning-ghost
- Roman Army Museum: https://romanarmymuseum.com/
- Vindolanda: Fleece to Fabric: https://www.vindolanda.com/events/fleece-to-fabric-the-textiles-of-vindolanda
- Vindolanda: Archaeology Detectives: https://www.vindolanda.com/events/archaeology-detectives
- Northumberland National Park: Wild Wednesday, make a bat box: https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/whats-on/wild-wednesday-make-a-bat-box/
- Northumberland National Park: Monday Mini Makes, bat pom poms: https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/whats-on/monday-mini-makes-bat-pom-poms/
- Ad Gefrin: The Northumbrian Tales: https://adgefrin.co.uk/events/story-telling-with-chris-adriaanse-the-northumbrian-tales-2026-10-30
- Ad Gefrin: Anglo-Saxon Tales and Ancient Legends: https://adgefrin.co.uk/events/anglo-saxon-tales-and-ancient-legends-2026-05-26
- Alnwick Playhouse: Gaby Gulliver's Travels: https://alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/event/gaby-gullivers-travels/
- Alnwick Playhouse: CAST Matilda JR: https://alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/event/cast-matilda/
- Queen's Hall Arts Centre: lantern making workshops: https://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/lantern-making-workshops-1
- The Maltings: sensory friendly Shaun the Sheep: https://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/whats-on/sensory-friendly-shaun-the-sheep-the-beast-of-mossy-bottom/
- Boulmer climate averages (Met Office 1991 to 2020, via Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulmer