Top 10 things to do in October half-term

Discover exciting events and places to visit in Suffolk with the kids during the half-term holidays. Things are getting a little spooky and there's quite a bit of witch craft going on in preparation for halloween but it all promises to be fun, and definitely not scary!

For those wanting to escape the witches and wizards, you can head to the forests for some serious bike riding or get up close for a snuggle and ride on a camel.

One thing is for sure, there's no time for the kids to be bored in Suffolk during these holidays!

Enjoy some spooky fun at Kentwell Hall's Halloween Family Festival (c) Paul Sillence

1. Africa Alive!

Meet the meercats, lions, giraffes, hunting dogs and many more animals from the African continent at a day out at Africa Alive! One of their new arrivals earlier in the year was the Red River Hogs, who obviously love Harry Potter as they have named their new enclosure “Hog Snorts”.

You can enjoy a ZOOpernatural half-term between Saturday 19th - Sunday 27th October where things are turning magical! There’ll be spooky storytelling…and a wizarding school, alongside frightful face painting, pumpkin carving and Halloween-themed crafts, as well as all the animals to see.

2. Framlingham Castle

The Castle is hosting some creepy guests over the half-term including snakes and spiders to add to their wicked witch themed activities that are taking place. Get into your Halloween fancy dress and have a bewitchingly brilliant day.

The magnificent Framlingham Castle, was once home to some of the most formidable names of Tudor England and it was here that Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. If you are feeling brave, you can take a walk around the magnificent wall walk to see for miles around the Suffolk countryside.

Framlingham Castle

3. Biking at Brandon Country Park

Pack a picnic, put the bikes on the rack and head off to Brandon Country Park to get some fresh air and let the kids pedal like crazy! Follow the Poachers Trail, an 8.5 mile all off road waymarked trail which will take you through forest and parkland. There is a short cut if you need it! Alternatively, there are beautiful forest walks to take, with some just a mile long.

Cycling in Thetford Forest ©VisitEngland

Enjoy some fresh air at Brandon

4. Southwold Pier

A trip to Southwold Pier is a must for anyone visiting this favourite town on the Suffolk Coast. You will find the usual pier amusements alongside some hilariously funny and quirky machines, water clocks and wall of mirrors.

The Pier is great for rainy days too and has a choice of cafes and restaurants to recharge little ones’ batteries.

Sunrise over Southwold Pier in Suffolk (c) Martin Pettitt

Enjoy some wacky fun on The Pier

5. Abbeygate Cinema

The kids will love a day out in the historic town of Bury St Edmunds and with an added trip to the cinema makes for a big treat.

Abbeygate Cinema is in the centre of the town and is a real gem. There is a regular showing of family films on Saturdays at 10.30 for which tickets are just £2 each. There's also weekly Toddler Time and Parent & Baby screenings too. The cinema shows the latest mainstream films, along with a range of arthouse and independent productions, ensuring a wide variety to appeal to everyone.

Have a trip to the cinema

6. oasis camel park

Set in the Suffolk countryside, a trip to Oasis Camel Park is like no other. It’s the only park in the UK where you can touch and see camels close-up, along with awesome llamas, donkeys, goats and meerkats. And what else is great about this attraction, I hear you say? Things are free once you’re in! From riding a train and cuddling a pet, to hanging out with the extraordinary camel – the kids will love a day out here this autumn.

Open daily until Sunday 27th October.

Get up close to the camels at Oasis Camel Park

7. Ed Sheerhan: Made in Suffolk Exhibition at Christchurch Mansion

Ed Sheerhan, the world-famous Suffolk 'boy' has an exhibition in Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich.

The exibition is open for nine-months until 3rd May 2020 and features portraits by renowned artist Colin Davidson and photography by Mark Surridge. You will be able to view Ed's personal items portraying the journey from his school life in Suffolk through to international stardom. The exhibition is free to go to, but you will need to book a ticket - www.made-in-suffolk.co.uk.

Make it a day out in Ipswich and go to Ipswich Museum too, where the great woolly mammoth can be found along with a Victorian Natural History Gallery. Here you can see the world through Victorian eyes and take a trip around a global zoo.

Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Exhibition is at Christchurch Mansion in the centre of Ipswich

8. Easton Farm Park

Go on an adventure at Easton Farm Park near Woodbridge. Whatever the weather decides to do you will have a fun time, so pack your waterproofs just in case!

During the holidays between 19th - 27th October, the Farm Park will be Halloween themed. The children will love seeing all the animals, playing in the adventure playground and eploring along the spooky Trail. There will also be the chance to make a wand or broomstick and enter the creepy quiz to win a prize!

Inside there's a heated play area and cafe for a cup of something warm if it's cold outside.

9. Halloween Family Festival at Kentwell Hall

This October Half-Term, between Sat 19 October to Sun 27 October, it's time to get your halloween wellies on (only if it's wet) and join in one of the most fun children’s events of the year, it's the Halloween Family Festival!

Pack up your little goblins and head to Kentwell Hall to enter the magical world of Halloween through the "Hallowsgate". You will be able to eplore 7 activity zones across the Kentwell Estate. When you visit the festival it will be a magical, quaranteed not scary, autumn day full of quests and challenges.

Making magic potions at Kentwell Hall

10. National Heritage Centre for Horse Racing and Sporting Art

The National Heritage Centre for Horse Racing and British Sporting Art brings to life centuries of history through interactive galleries; a chance to meet celebrated retired racehorses in the Rothschild Yard (who love a pat and a cuddle!); watch daily demonstrations of retired horses in the Peter O’Sullevan Arena and spot some of the finest sporting art in the world (Stubbs and Munnings are just two of the 'greats').

Children simply love to ‘have a go’ on the racehorse simulator – and who knows, you may have a jockey in the making! Family trails are available from reception, so you can make the most of your visit.

National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art, Newmarket

The children willl love having a go on the racehorse simulator at the National Heritage Centre for Horse Racing and Sporting Art.

WHAT ELSE?

Discover other parts of Suffolk by exploring more experiences, attractions and things to do in the county.

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