The Best Family Days Out in Oxfordshire This October Half Term 2026
October half term is one of the best times of year to explore Oxfordshire with the family. The leaves are changing colour, pumpkin patches are opening their gates, and attractions across the county are getting into the Halloween spirit.
Whether your children love spooky adventures, want to pick their own pumpkin, or simply enjoy animals, science and outdoor adventures, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
Here are some of the best family-friendly things to do in Oxfordshire during the October 2026 half term, including dates, times and what to expect.
🎃 Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Rectory Farm
📍 Rectory Farm, Stanton St John, Oxford
📅 Dates: 3–4, 10–11, 17–18 and 24–31 October 2026
⏰ Time: 9am–5pm
🎟️ Booking: Required
No October family bucket list would be complete without pumpkin picking, and Rectory Farm is a fantastic place to start.
Children can head into the pumpkin fields and choose their very own pumpkin to take home. But there is much more to the experience than pumpkins. Families can enjoy tractor and trailer rides, mini ride-on vehicles, a mini sweetcorn maze, interactive games, story time, live music and plenty of photo opportunities.
There is also entertainment from Bertie Slippers at various times throughout the day, with face painting available for an additional charge.
If you want the classic autumn family photograph of children running through a pumpkin patch, this is one to put high on the list.
Tip: Your pumpkin is purchased separately from the admission ticket, so remember to allow a little extra for your chosen pumpkin.
🏰 Halloween at Blenheim Palace
📍 Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
📅 Dates: 22 October–1 November 2026
⏰ Evening event — timed entry
For families looking for a bigger Halloween experience, Halloween at Blenheim Palace is one of the highlights of the Oxfordshire calendar.
The palace grounds are transformed after dark with an atmospheric Halloween trail featuring spooky scenes, theatrical entertainment and spectacular lighting. Expect creepy characters, mysterious settings and plenty of Halloween surprises along the route.
The experience includes themed areas such as a Spider's Lair, Pirate's Wreck, Vampire Hunters and Catacombs.
It is a great choice for older children who enjoy being scared, although some parts may be too frightening for very young children.
Important: This is a separate evening event and requires its own ticket.
🧙 Haunted Half Term at Blenheim Palace
📍 Blenheim Palace
📅 24 October–1 November 2026
⏰ 10am–4:30pm
If the evening Halloween trail sounds a little too scary, Blenheim also has a daytime Haunted Half Term aimed more towards families.
Children can discover creepy-crawlies during ZooLab sessions, listen to witchy stories and have a go at circus workshops. There are plenty of activities to keep children entertained without needing to wait until darkness falls.
This is a particularly good option for families with younger children who want some Halloween fun without a full-on scary experience.
🐴 Halloween Fun at Fairytale Farm
📍 Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton
📅 24 October–1 November 2026
⏰ 10am–5pm
Fairytale Farm's Scarily Ever After event is a lovely choice for younger children.
The Halloween theme is based around fairy tales rather than horror. Children can follow a Hansel & Gretel trail, search for pumpkins, meet Ginger the Witch and complete a Spellbook Passport.
There is also face painting for an additional charge and the opportunity to explore the farm's other attractions.
For families who want Halloween fun but don't want anything too frightening, this is a great alternative to the scarier evening events.
✨ Fairytale Farm Illuminated Evenings
📍 Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton
📅 23 October–15 November 2026
⏰ After dark
Why not stay a little later?
Fairytale Farm is also hosting Illuminated Evenings, when the attraction is transformed after dark with colourful lights and illuminated displays.
During half term, the evening event runs from 24 October to 1 November, making it possible to combine a daytime visit with an evening of lights and autumn atmosphere.
This is a good option for families who want something magical rather than frightening.
🎃 Halloween at Millets Farm
📍 Millets Farm, near Abingdon
📅 October 2026
Millets Farm is another excellent option if you want to combine pumpkin picking with a full family day out.
Throughout October, families can enjoy pumpkin activities alongside the farm's other attractions. During half term there is also Bippo's Halloween Circus from 25–31 October, while Spooktacular Discos take place from 28–30 October.
There are also selected evenings for Pumpkins by Night, featuring pumpkins, lights, entertainment, fairground rides and food.
With plenty happening in one location, Millets is particularly convenient for families with children of different ages.
🎃 Halloween at Tumblestone Hollow
📍 Stonor Park
📅 17 & 18 October | 24 October – 1 November
This October, The Hollow Tales & Trails is coming to Stonor Park with spooky riddles, mysterious tales, hidden ravens, pumpkins and plenty of woodland adventure along the way.
Follow The Hollow Trail through Stonor’s Gardens, discovering seven Halloween worlds and solving riddles to uncover a secret word with a chocolate treat waiting if you crack it. Gather round for The Hollow Tales, with live storytelling three times a day followed by an adventure into the woods towards the Witches Hovel.
🧪 Woodland Pumpkin Trail at Science Oxford
📍 Science Oxford Centre, Headington
📅 24 & 31 October 2026
⏰ Sessions: 10am–12pm, 12:30–2:30pm and 3–5pm
For children who love discovering how things work, Science Oxford offers a Halloween twist on its usual family activities.
The Woodland Pumpkin Trail combines the outdoor woodland area with interactive science activities. Children aged 3+ can explore, investigate and take part in activities while enjoying a seasonal pumpkin-themed trail.
It is a good choice if you want something Halloween-related without the ghosts, monsters and jump scares.
👻 Ghost Fest at Oxford Castle & Prison
📍 Oxford Castle & Prison
📅 23–31 October 2026
Oxford Castle & Prison gets into the Halloween spirit with its annual Ghost Fest.
For younger children, the Potion Making Experience is the option to look out for. It runs from 25–31 October, 10am–2:30pm, and is suggested for children aged 5+.
Children can solve clues, make a drinkable potion, create a magical wand and receive their own spell booklet.
There are also spooky evening tours, but these are aimed at older visitors and are suggested for ages 14+, so they aren't the best choice for younger children.
🦁 A Day at Cotswold Wildlife Park
📍 Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford
⏰ Generally 10am–4pm
Not every day of the October holidays needs to be Halloween-themed.
A trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park is a brilliant way to spend an autumn day, with animals, gardens and plenty of space for children to explore.
The park is particularly good if you have children who love animals but aren't interested in spooky events. Pack waterproofs and sensible shoes and make a day of it.
🔍 Solve a Mystery at The Story Museum
📍 The Story Museum, Oxford
📅 27 October 2026
⏰ 12pm & 2:30pm
👧 Ages 7+
For something completely different, head into Oxford city centre for The Mystery of The Story Museum.
This interactive experience encourages children and adults to work together to investigate clues, examine evidence and solve a mystery.
It is ideal for children who enjoy detective stories and puzzles, and it offers a great indoor option if the October weather isn't playing ball.
🐉 Make a Dragon at The Story Museum
📍 The Story Museum, Oxford
📅 28 October 2026
⏰ 11am
👧 Ages 8+
Creative children can try something a little different during the October holidays with a Dragon Art Workshop.
Children learn about traditional dragon stories before creating their own dragon artwork in a printmaking workshop with illustrator and author Viola Wang.
It's a lovely activity for children who would rather make something than spend the day running around an attraction.
🎭 Little Miss Marple at The Story Museum
📍 The Story Museum, Oxford
📅 30 October 2026
⏰ 11am & 2:30pm
👧 Ages 4+
Younger children can join Little Miss Marple for an interactive mystery involving storytelling, music, drawing and audience participation.
At around 45 minutes, it is also a manageable activity for younger children who may not sit through a long theatre production.
We would love to hear if you have any other recommendations for Halloween fun in the October holidays!
Laura & Carly x