Things to do in Kent & Sussex in October Half-Term 2024

As the leaves turn golden and the air crisps up, October brings an abundance of autumnal activities for all the family, making it the perfect time to escape your everyday routine, explore the great outdoors, and indulge in some seasonal fun.

Whether your family is feeling eager for spooky thrills or more tranquil adventures, Kent offers a wealth of activities to keep everyone entertained, many of which extend to the end of the month and through half-term.

Here are our top picks for things to do during a short break in Kent this October, wherever you happen to be visiting.

🍂 Autumn Colour at Hever Castle & Gardens (30th September — 25th October)

Immerse yourself in the stunning autumnal displays at Hever Castle, where the historic grounds come alive with vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold. Pack your walking boots and enjoy the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot as you explore the beautiful landscapes of this former Royal residence, stopping to admire the castle at its romantic best as the Boston Ivy that adorns it turns a vivid shade of red.

🏰 Kent’s Spooky Castles & Gardens – Perfect for Halloween Fun

Kent’s historic castles and expansive gardens and parks provide the ideal setting for Halloween thrills, with several hosting their own unique blend of spooky activities that are great for families.

• Spooktacular Halloween Trail at Reuthe’s – The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks, TN15 OHB (12th – 31st October)

Take part in the Halloween trail at Reuthe’s, completing the trail sheet to receive a special prize. Visitors have two trail options to choose from, depending on group ages – enjoy a gentle route (‘Treat’) aimed towards younger children, or a steeper route (‘Trick’) aimed at older children with a selection of freaky Halloween props. 

• Trick or Treat Trail at Quex Adventure Farm Park, CT7 0BH (26th – 31st October)

The family-friendly Trick or Treat Trail in the Quex Adventure Farm Park outside Canterbury offers fun for all ages, with a pumpkin included in the price of each child’s ticket. Venture through the Spooky Woods and Bewitched Pumpkin Picking Patch, and ride the ‘The Slime Blaster Express’, meeting many creepy characters along the way. Survive their terrible tricks, and you just might be rewarded with a Spooktacular Sweet Treat.

• Halloween at Dover Castle (26th October – 3rd November)

For a ghoulishly good day out this half-term, pay a visit to Dover Castle where you’ll find a variety of themed activities, trails, and shows for the whole family. Here, children and adults alike can look out for and meet many spooky characters including a dragon, grim reaper and comedy castle rat, solve creepy clues, and gather to listen to spooky stories.

• Halloween at Hever Castle (26th October – 3rd November)

Take your little ones on a spooky adventure at Hever Castle, where a Halloween-themed trail and craft sessions await! Amid the spooky pumpkins, families and groups are invited to put their detective skills to the test with a Halloween-themed word puzzle. Don’t be too startled if you come face to face with some of Halloween’s most infamous characters – you might even encounter Dr. Frankenstein himself!

• Halloween at Leeds Castle (26th October – 3rd November)

Head to Leeds Castle for an enchanting Halloween experience, where young adventurers can embark on a thrilling interactive journey as spell seekers, collecting clues to unlock the secrets of Leeds Castle and lift the mysterious curse that looms over the estate.

Children will be armed with a special quest sheet, guiding them through the castle for an experience that will ignite their imagination and leave them spellbound this autumn.

• The Curse of the Clocktower at Scotney Castle, TN3 8JN (26th October – 3rd November)

Time stands still at Scotney Castle this Halloween – until the curse is broken! On this special Halloween trail, aimed at children aged 6+, you’ll have to keep your wits about you as you venture through the gardens to solve a series of riddles. Will your little’uns be the ones to restart the clock and break the curse?