Perfect places to keep the kids busy this October half term

Most children across Warrington will start their school break today, Friday, ready to enjoy the last week of the month away from the classroom.

What activities and events are on offer for youngsters to keep them occupied and entertained this half term?

From pumpkins to pirates, and safaris to science festivals, there promises to be something for families with children of all ages.

Here is our round up of activities taking place in Warrington this half term or just a short drive, train or bus journey from the town.

When is October half term 2022?

The October half-term holidays differ across the UK with most English schools taking a break between October 24 to October 28.

In Wales, the half term mostly runs from October 31 to November 4, while in Scotland, schools generally are off between October 11 and October 18.

These holidays can vary so it’s worth checking your school’s website for their term and holiday dates.

CHILD-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot

There’s a whole host of Halloween fun at Knowsley Safari Park this half term and it all starts tomorrow, Saturday, October 22.

Families can enjoy a spooktacular safari trail, which is included in the admission price each day during the school holidays.

Ghoulish actors will be spellbinding visitors on the foot safari with fun facts and riddles between 11am and 4.30pm.

If youngsters follow the spooktacular safari trail map they will be rewarded with a special Halloween gift.

Tickets for the safari park start at £48 for a family of four and must be purchased in advance online at knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk

Walton Hall and Gardens, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton

Mysterious sightings have been reported at Walton Hall and Gardens and an expert team of paranormal scientists are on their way.

The supernatural expedition, taking place every hour on Saturday, October 29, will include immersive storytelling and magic as well as dancing and games.

Visit Doctor Shockerberg as he attempts his latest experiment with hysterically horrid results and see if you can help the kooky witch, Hecate Hex, concoct a batty bewitching brew.

Throw some seriously spooky shapes at the devilish disco dance class with the wonderful werewolf, Wulfric, and make friends with ghostly bride Lady Celeste as she searches the grounds for her groom.

Viktor Van Kamp, who puts the ‘vamp’ in vampire, has a side-splitting cabaret show that promises to be dead funny!

Time slots to be booked every hour, from 9.30am to 3.30pm by visiting waltonhallgardens.co.uk/events/sneaky-spooks

Tatton Hall, Tatton Park, Knutsford

There’s a wizards’ gathering at Tatton Park Old Hall tomorrow, Saturday, October 22, where you’re invited to try and defeat the evil sorcerer Dimitri, who has been banished from the village.

Listen carefully to the characters as they share magical secrets and then adventure into the unknown.

With spellcasting and advanced broomstick lessons for every young wizard, there promises to be some magical times at Tatton Hall.

Pumpkin picking is open on the farm at Tatton Park from tomorrow, October 22 until Sunday, October 30.

You’ll need to get your hands dirty as you choose your pumpkin from the fields and all pumpkins must be prepaid.

More information and tickets are available by visiting tattonpark.org.uk

Norton Priory, Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn

Spooky stories will fill the night air each evening during half term.

The events, which will take place between 6pm and 8pm Monday until Friday, include a craft activity, potion making and an animal handling session as well as a story walk.

This is suitable for children aged five and above.

The House of Wonders Witch’s Cottage Workshop will take place this Sunday, October 23 between 10am and 4pm where students can build and decorate their own miniature dolls house from a kit.

For more information about events and tickets visit nortonpriory.org

Gulliver’s World Resort and Theme Park, Shackleton Close, Old Hall, Warrington

Gulliver’s World is hosting a festival-style Halloween this year that’s bursting with colour, costumes and music.

Fright fiesta is nine days of fabulous family activities, frights and theme park fun and will run every day until October 30.

Showcase your fancy dress costume in the spine-tingling street parade or delve deep into the theme part and discover some spooktacular rides.

More information is available by visiting gulliversworldresort.co.uk/fright-fiesta

Harry Potter 'A Forbidden Forest Experience' (Image: Canva)

A Forbidden Forest Experience, Arley Hall and Gardens, near Appleton Thorn

Have your wands at the ready as the wizarding world has arrived at Arley Hall and Gardens.

If you’re after a magical experience this half term, then you’re in luck as the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience returns to Arley Hall and Gardens for a second year.

Filled with magical creatures and wizarding wonders from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast films, the 2022 experience promises to be the best yet.

You can expect to come face to face with centaurs, bow to a Hippogriff and can even cast your very own Patronus.

Along the way you can also spot some Hippogriffs, unicorns and Nifflers.

And there are also opportunities for refreshments, including butterbeer, with a village providing themed food and drinks at the end.

Tickets are now available for the experience, which runs until December 4.

For more information, visit hpforbiddenforestexperience.com/cheshire

Catalyst Museum (Image: Catalyst Museum)

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, Mersey Road, Widnes

The Light Fantastic Show at 12 noon and 3pm every day during half term are exciting and interactive events for the whole family.

There are UV lights and fibre optics as well as a plasma ball and glow in the dark objects.

Tickets are available by visiting catalyst.org.uk

Imagine That! Faraday Road, Wavertree Technology Park

Swashbuckling fun is in the diary at Liverpool’s science and discovery centre as pirate-themed activities including snot slime and a spooky science show come to the city.

Pirates Revenge will see little pirates become members of the crew and help solve puzzles leading to missing treasure.

There will be prizes along the way, with one lucky crew member winning the treasure box.

Fun activities will include making and tasting some child-friendly pirate grog and there will be mermaid tail bubbles, pirate bingo and pirate and mermaid crafts.

Pirates will be on deck in the Bright Sparks science area with a new spooky science show and a disgusting puking pumpkin.

They will teach the secrets of their blood bags, lava cauldrons and sea monster snot slime.

Visit imaginethat.org.uk for more information.

Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester

Manchester Science Festival is taking over the museum’s 1830 Warehouse with futuristic fun and inspiring experiences for all ages.

There are hands-on activities, drop-in workshops and immersive experiences where visitors can discover cutting edge technology, look to the future and make mini discoveries.

Book tickets and find out more by visiting scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

Turn The Light On, It’s Dark In Here by Camille Walala (Image: Image: Camille Walala)

The River of Light Trail, Liverpool

The River of Light Trail is illuminating Liverpool's waterfront for 17 nights and will play host to a series of artwork created by local, national and international artists.

River Of Light is the first time that renowned artists Yinka Ilori and Camille Walala have worked in the art medium of light.

The exhibition launches, as Liverpool plays host to the World Gymnastics Championships 2022, inspiring the creative theme for River of Light 2022: ‘Unexpected Twist’.

The 2km walking trail, includes a mix of brand new, world premieres, as well as existing artworks which have never been displayed in the city before.

The full details of all ten pieces, the artists and their locations can be found on the official River of Light website.

River Of Light is being delivered by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team and is supported by Arts Council England.

To get the latest information on River Of Light, which runs until Sunday, November 6, visit www.visitliverpool.com/riveroflight 

 

PUMPKIN PATCHES

October half term obviously coincides with Halloween fun and games so why not pay a visit to one of Warrington perfect pumpkin picking patches?

There are plenty to choose from with most farms offering other activities like face painting and pumpkin carving.

Lymm Pumpkin Patch, Massey Brook Lane, Lymm

There are thousands of pumpkins in seven different varieties at Lymm Pumpkin Patch and

doors will also be open during October half term, which is the last week of the month.

There’s a treasure hunt and a photo competition, featuring pictures of carved pumpkins.

For more details go to lymmpumpkinpatch.net

Grange Farm Lowton, Stone Cross Lane South, Lowton

Pumpkin picking is available daily at Grange Farm Lowton until Monday, October 31.

Tickets are priced at £10 per family of five with tickets for additional members costing £2.50 and these are available to purchase from the farm’s website.

The entertainment – children’s entertainers, a fair and Halloween crafts as well as a haunted bus, a carving barn and a spooky maze - will be on at October half term.

For more details go to grangefarmlogs.co.uk/events.php

Kenyon Hall Farm, Winwick Lane, Croft

Home-grown pumpkins are ready for picking at Kenyon Hall Farm with thousands to choose from in all shapes, sizes and colours.

The farm has been growing pumpkins for more than 30 years and is Warrington’s original pumpkin patch run by the Bulmer family – Tod and Barbara with sons Simon and James.

This year, the family will be welcoming around 15,000 visitors to their pumpkin festival and there will be homemade treats available from the café including pumpkin soup, pumpkin cake and pumpkin spiced lattes.

Tickets for the festival are priced at £2.50 per person throughout October.

For more details go to kenyonhall.co.uk/pumpkins

The Hayloft, Sandy Lane, Bold Heath

The Hayloft’s pumpkin patch will be open every day in October with twilight opening until 7pm until the end of the month.

There are giant pumpkins, quirky gourds and spooky squashes in all shapes, sizes and colours in the 30-acre grounds.

There’s no need to book – you simply pay for what you pick.

The spooky maze will also be open with tickets priced at £2.50 for children and £3.50 for adults, a miniature railway and tractor rides as well as pick your own sweetcorn.

For more details go to thehayloftcheshire.co.uk/events/pumpkin-picking

Bates Farm, Warrington Road, Croft

Pumpkins will be available at Bates Farm over the next two weekends - October 22 and 23, and October, 29 and 30 between 10am and 4pm.

Bookings must be made in advance and tickets are £2.50 per visitor with under ones being free.

You can enjoy face painting and refreshments as well as farm tours where you’ll meet the cattle, sheep and turkeys.

For more details go to batesfarm.co.uk/pumpkin-patch

Farmer Bertie’s, Warrington Road, Glazebury

There are pink pumpkins available at Farmer Bertie’s this year with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.

This year, there is an indoor pedal tractor area which is suitable for children of all ages and a seated picnic area.

There’s no need to book for pumpkin picking and there is no entrance fee.

The farm will be open for pumpkin picking until Monday, October 31.

For more details go to facebook.com/farmerbertiespumpkins

Partridge Pumpkin Patch, Glaziers Lane, Culcheth

Pumpkin picking season at Partridge Pumpkin Patch is be bigger than ever this year.

Why not leave avoid the mess at home and create your Halloween pumpkin in the dedicated carving tent or enjoyed a pumpkin spiced latte in the lakeside café?

There’s a ‘pumpkin pawty’ for four-legged friends on Sunday, October 30 and pop-up stalls run by Black Sheep Wools – with free crafting sessions – The Liverpool Candle Co and Just Desserts Warrington.

For more details go to partridgelakescafe.co.uk/events/partridge-pumpkin-patch

 

READ MORE:

Perfect places to pick up a pumpkin in Warrington 

 

FOOD DEALS

Some local restaurants are offering fantastic meal deals to families visiting during the half term holiday.

Greene King

Popular Greene King pub and eatery chain is running excellent half-term meal deals for children this month.

The Hungry Horse, Farmhouse Inns and Flaming Grill are offering deals to help parents keep their kids well-fed this half-term school holiday.

You can grab a free child’s breakfast for every adult breakfast purchased at Hungry House venues and Farmhouse Inns is providing two kids’ meals, including their carvery, for just £1 each when accompanied by a paying adult.

Flaming Grill has introduced a family bundle where customers can order two adult and two children’s meals for just £15.

More information and details about how to sign up for the pub chain’s newsletter is available here greeneking.co.uk

Frankie & Benny's

Frankie & Benny's are offering a half term food offer with a twist in their restaurants this October, as parents get to eat for free instead of the kids.

This deal is available in eateries across the region with parents having to bring their child with them to qualify for the offer.

Guests can choose one free adult’s meal for every one child’s set menu paid for, including small eaters, big eaters and kid’s gluten-free. This offer is only redeemable for children under 11.

You’ll need to sign up for the Frankie & Benny’s newsletter here frankieandbennys.com so that you can make the most of the offer at Cheshire Oaks, Liverpool, Manchester Printworks and The Trafford Centre.