October Half Term Adventures & Autumn Getaways in the UK
Wellies on in the Cotswolds
The Bell at Stow × Cotswold Farm Park
If you’re looking for an autumn break in the Cotswolds, The Bell at Stow makes a rather lovely base. Just a short journey from Cotswold Farm Park, you can swap the pub for the farmyard and spend the day surrounded by welly-friendly, pumpkin-filled fun.
Come October, Cotswold Farm Park’s Pumpkin Patch is back on selected dates throughout the month, with seasonal activities, all-important photo opportunities and, of course, the hunt for your perfect pumpkin.
After a day of pumpkin-picking adventures, head back to Stow-on-the-Wold for a proper pub supper and a comfy bed.
Fresh country air, muddy boots and a pumpkin to take home? Sounds like a pretty perfect half term getaway to us.
Family-Friendly Frights in the New Forest
The Huntsman, Brockenhurst × Paultons Park
Autumn adventures don’t have to be all about muddy boots and brisk walks.
Just a short drive from The Huntsman, Brockenhurst, Paulton’s Park gets a seriously spooky makeover for its Halloween Spooktacular. Running from 9th October to 2nd November 2026, expect pumpkins, friendly frights, spooky shows and all the Halloween magic little ones could wish for, including Peppa and George in their seasonal costumes.
After a day of spooky-season fun, head back to The Huntsman in the heart of the New Forest. With 13 comfy rooms and all that wonderful forest scenery on the doorstep, it’s a rather good place to call it a night.
Looking for family-friendly autumn breaks? This is the one.
Frightfully Good Fun in Bristol
Hort’s Townhouse, Bristol × FEARless
If your idea of an autumn adventure involves less leaf-peeping and more hiding behind your hands, we’ve got just the ticket. Make Hort’s Townhouse your Bristol base and head out to Avon Valley for FEARless, its frightfully fun Halloween experience for brave kids, teens and families. Taking place on selected dates throughout October – it’s not one for the faint-hearted, but it’s certainly one for those who like their Halloween activities in Bristol with a little extra bite (thank you, Count Dracula).
Back in Bristol, Hort’s Townhouse brings things back down to earth with 19 boutique bedrooms, seasonal British food and all the buzz of Bristol Old Town right on the doorstep.
A little good old-fashioned fear. Lots of food. And a very good night’s sleep.
Pumpkin Picking, Pub-Style
Aragon House, Parsons Green & The Griffin Inn, Fletching
For a pumpkin patch near London, Aragon House is about as convenient as it gets. The London Pumpkin Patch pops up right on Parsons Green, literally next door to the pub. Pick your pumpkin, wander through the enchanted woodland and soak up the autumnal atmosphere, before taking a few very easy steps back to Aragon House for seasonal food and a cosy night upstairs. Pumpkin picking without leaving London? We’ll take that.
Or turn October half term into a countryside getaway at The Griffin Inn in Fletching. This wonderfully olde-worlde pub is close to Tulley’s Pumpkin Festival, making it a great base for pumpkin picking in Sussex.
Running on selected dates until 31st October 2026, expect pumpkin fields, Pumpkin Village, seasonal treats, live music and plenty of photo-worthy autumn fun. And for something a little scarier, Tulleys’ famous Shocktober Fest brings the Halloween thrills. Then it’s back to The Griffin for a cosy, candlelit evening and one of its 13 characterful bedrooms.
Pumpkin first, pub afterwards. A perfect October half term, if you ask us,
Pull On Your Walking Boots
The Greyhound, Carshalton & The White Hart, Ford
Some of the best autumn activities in the UK don’t need tickets, queues or a sat-nav destination – they just need a decent pair of walking boots (and perhaps a spot of Dutch courage).
At The Greyhound in Carshalton, you’re right beside the oh-so-pretty Carshalton Ponds, making it a lovely starting point for an autumn walk in Surrey. An especially lovely autumn activity if you’ve got your dog in tow.
Follow the Carshalton Ponds to Morden Hall Park walk, a route that wonderfully winds its way along the River Wandle, through leafy Grove Park and peaceful Wilderness Island before arriving at Morden Hall Park. Expect leaf-strewn paths, riverside rambles and plenty of autumn colour along the way. Then return to The Greyhound for something warming and well-earned. We reckon you’ll have earned a Sunday roast (remember to share your spud with your furry friend).
Or swap the Surrey suburbs for the Cotswold countryside at The White Hart in Ford. With rolling hills, meadows and walking trails right on the doorstep, you can follow the Bybrook and take one of the picture-postcard trails towards Castle Combe. For anyone searching for autumn walks (with or without a dog) in the Cotswolds, these are ones to add to your bucket list.
Autumn Getaways & Fireside Stays
The Pheasant, Hungerford & The Bull, Ditchling
And then there are those autumn days when the best pursuit is… absolutely nothing. Well, not quite nothing.
At The Pheasant, tuck yourself into the snug with a pint, settle in for something hearty from the seasonal menu, and enjoy the immense pleasure of being somewhere that feels a world away from everyday life. With 14 bedrooms and the Berkshire countryside on your doorstep, there’s always the option of venturing out – but nobody will judge you for staying put for a while.
Over in Ditchling, The Bull is another champion of the fireside seat. Though you may need to get there before the locals snap up the best one in the house. This historic 16th-century pub has six cosy country-style bedrooms and a proper pub atmosphere, with a crackling-fire evening, generous Sunday roasts and the South Downs waiting outside whenever you’re ready. If your idea of an autumn getaway is as simply satisfying as good food, a cosy pub, a roaring fire and a comfy bed, you’ve come to the right place.
Roast? Fire? Bed? We can think of worse ways to spend a chilly autumn weekend.