ACTIVITIES NEAR WILDHIVE
October Half Term
Autumn family stays
Leisurely walks crunching the leaves on country footpaths, vigorous climbs to the highest peaks, cycling along disused railway lines and halloween inspired events throughout the Peak District. Seasonal food, cosy rooms and warming treatments to enjoy with all the family. See our pick of Autumn inspired local activities below.
24th October - 2nd November 2025
Chatsworth House, Gardens & Farmyard
Acres of gardens and natural parkland to explore, which at this time of year beautifully reflect the changing colours of the season. This magnificent stately home is one of the highlights of the county and with 25 rooms and an extensive art collection, there is much to discover inside.
For the children, Chatsworth are hosting autumnal fun and Halloween horrors in the farmyard, including:
- Choose your own pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch (24-31 October)
- Carve and decorate a pumpkin to take home (24-31 October )
- Halloween themed face painting / themed crafts (24th Oct-2nd Nov)
- Fireworks and bonfire with live music, circus acts and enteratiners (Fri 31st Oct, Sat 1st Nov)
- Meet the animals in the Farmyard
Gift shop, café, restaurant. Dogs welcome in the garden and park. Dog friendly seating area at the Carriage House Café
Photo © DPC Photography
1st - 31st October 2025
Haddon Hall - MAGIC, Sorcery & Owls
MAGIC ~ 1st-31st October
Little School of Sorcery ~ 22nd-31st October
Meet the Owls - 25th-26th & 29th-31st October
Children of all ages will find something to captivate and enthral. With broomstick making, spell writing and a changing programme of spooky craft activities in the 17th Century stables, young wizards and witches can make their own magical objects to take home with them.
Then the hall itself awaits… Haddon will be more spellbinding than usual as Haddon host a special autumn exhibition, MAGIC. Telling the story of everyday magic in Elizabethan England, the exhibition will be the perfect mix of fascinating facts and enchanting spectacle, with wonders that will delight adults and children alike. The Little School of Sorcery guests will be able to enjoy each room with a special magical map to help them spot the curious and unusual secrets of Haddon Hall.
Watch out for the beautiful Haddon owls who will be in the banqueting hall on selected dates, plus other magical surprises. And before heading home, families can enjoy some ghoulish delights from Haddon’s restaurant, which will be serving a Halloween-themed menu for the occasion.
Everything is included with your entrance ticket. Fancy dress encouraged.
Adults £28 / Children £10.50 15% discount for guests of Wildhive (order tickets through Reception)
Photo © Haddon Hall
EMBRACE THE SEASON
Autumn Walks in the Peak District
Immerse yourself in nature's palette of greens, oranges, reds, yellows and browns in the beautiful Peak District and county of Derbyshire.
Our team are on hand to share their favourite local walks and guided walks can be also be arranged with prior notice.
Or hop on a complimentary Dutch / Trail bike and cycle the traffic-free Tissington Trail just moments from Callow Hall. Even better, upgrade to an eBike so you can explore further afield.
17th October - 2nd November 2025
Scarefest at Alton Towers
Welcome to the home of Halloween. As the nights get longer, Scarefest beckons. On October’s spookiest dates, tiptoe into Alton Towers Resort for all sorts of tricks and treats as the award-winning Scarefest returns for 2025! Immerse yourself in a spooktacular world of spine-tingling scare attractions, sensational live entertainment for all ages and enough atmosphere across our Resort to provide Halloween for the whole family. Daring guests can face our head-spinning, hair-raising rides and attractions in darkness including the all new Nemesis Reborn plus Wicker Man and The Smiler!
24th October - 2nd November 2025
Spooky Maize Mazes
Spooky fun at local maize mazes with a Halloween theme.
Dove Fields Maize Maze (from 25th October)
- Mini maze will be lit up by lights to help little ones find their way
- Halloween themed SPOOK maze is to be navigated by torchlight for the more adventurous
Open 11am-8pm (last entry 7pm). Wear suitable footwear and bring torches.
Maze52 (from 24th October)
Conquer one, or both, of the mazes, enjoy the outdoor play area and challenge each other to one of the family-favourite games. And, when it’s time to take a break, enjoy the onsite food and drink.
Open 3pm to 9pm (last entry 7.30pm)
Photo © Dove Fields Maize Maze
25th October - 2nd November 2025
Matlock Farm Park
20% discount for all Wildhive guests
This popular Farm for younger children will be hosting some halloween activities including:
- Pumpkin Patch ~ pick your own and create at our carving station or take home
- Spooky Trail in Forbidden Forest
- Witch Wendolyn's Craft Workshops inc. Flying Broomstick and Make a Scarecrow
- Matlock's legendary Headless Horseman will be making an appearance
Also, the usual animal delights of Matlock Farm Park too, including Sheep Racing, Small Animal Petting, Meerkat Talks, Wallaby Encounters & Ferret Racing, as well as daily Pony Rides* for children.
Photo © Matlock Farm Park
HALF TERM EVENTS
National Trust
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
Myths and Legends 25th-31st October
Discover a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, from nature weaving with Minerva and a fun maze, to following the trail of ancient gods and stories hidden throughout the Hall in portraits and collection items.
Calke Abbey
Go a bit batty at Calke this October half term! 18th-31st October ~ 9.30am-5pm
Using your echolocation skills, explore the world of bats. There are ten to discover around the Stableyards and the Pleasure Grounds. Some of them call Calke 'home', others come out especially for Halloween and others are a bit more unusual, like the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox!
Look at how you measure up against a bat, play a game of hide and seek (bat style!) and test your knowledge with some bat facts.
Discover the twists and turns of the Spooky Tunnel, this year a hidden forest with lots of creatures (11.00am-4.30pm)
Pose for a photo, partake in a range of different activities and pick up some fun facts about your favourite Halloween characters.
Photo Sudbury © National Trust Images/James Dobson
