Family-friendly October half term breaks in the UK

October half term, sorted

Date

07 / 09/ 2026

Category

Featured

October half term is one of those weeks that can go either way.

You might get crisp blue skies, crunchy leaves and long afternoons outside. You might also get sideways rain by lunchtime. Either way, it’s a lovely time to get away. The summer crowds have gone, the countryside feels properly autumnal and there’s something especially good about coming back from a chilly walk to a swim, a hot chocolate and somewhere warm to settle in.

So, if you’re thinking about a few days away this October half term, here are five very different ways to spend it.

Fowey Hall:

for families who want Cornwall without the summer rush

Cornwall feels a little different in October. Quieter, slower and somehow more spacious. You can wander down to Readymoney Cove, go crabbing in Fowey, hop on the ferry to Polruan or head to the Eden Project for a bigger day out.

Then, when everyone has had enough fresh air, come back for a swim, a film or an afternoon doing very little at all.

Moonfleet Manor:

for children who like to do everything

Moonfleet is a good one if your children wake up asking, “What are we doing today?”

There’s the Play Barn, swimming, the Four Bears Den and plenty of family activities, while Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast are right outside.

Fossil hunting one day, The Tank Museum the next, then back to the hotel before someone asks for another hot chocolate.

New Park Manor:

for families happiest in wellies

October is a lovely time to be in the New Forest. The leaves are turning, ponies and deer are never far away and pannage season means you may even spot pigs wandering through the forest.

There are seasonal activities back at the hotel too, plus swimming and plenty of easy family days out nearby.

It’s the sort of place where muddy shoes by the door usually mean the day has gone rather well.

The Ickworth:

for big days out without going very far

At The Ickworth, a lot of the adventure is already on the doorstep.

There are 1,800 acres of National Trust parkland to explore, plus seasonal activities, swimming, the cinema and plenty to keep everyone busy indoors too.

And with a Four Bears Den session included for each child, there might even be time for a spa treatment, a quiet coffee or a conversation that lasts longer than three minutes.

Woolley Grange:

for families who don’t want to over-plan

Woolley is particularly good when everyone wants something slightly different.

You can stay close to the hotel, explore the grounds, swim and join the activities, or head out to Bath or Longleat for the day. And if nobody feels like doing very much at all, that works too.

And if it rains?

It’s October. There’s every chance it will, but that doesn’t have to ruin the day.

Across our hotels there are indoor pools, Four Bears Dens, games, crafts and cosy spaces to retreat to, so you’re never entirely relying on the weather behaving itself. Which leaves you free to enjoy the best bits of autumn, the muddy walks, the Halloween excitement, the empty beaches and plenty of hot chocolates.

Just don’t forget the wellies.