During October half-term in and around Cornwall, National Trust places are hosting an array of family friendly activities. From dressing up in Tudor inspired costumes to beach cleans and learning all about bugs and flowers to a guided art tour, there’s lots to keep the whole family entertained.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this October half-term, please check property website for opening days and times:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/cotehele
Spooky Scarecrows at Cotehele
Daily from Sat 21 Oct – Sun 5 Nov, 10am-4pm
This October half-term, head to Cotehele to see how many spooky scarecrows you can find hiding in the garden. Spot the scarecrows and read their stories from local folklore to solve the mystery. This year, our scarecrows have been made by a number of local community groups.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Celebrating the Harvest at Cotehele Mill
Daily from Sat 21 – Sun 29 Oct, 11am-4pm
Soak in the delights of autumn beneath fluttering bunting and enjoy the seasonal decorations which lead to a harvest table of abundance in the Bakery. Try the tasty treats made by our volunteer bakers, and try your hand at leaf rubbings and leaf crowns at our autumnal craft station.
Price: Free. Booking not required.
Spooky Storytime
Tue 24, Sat 28 & Sun 29 Oct. 10.30 – 11am
Calling all little witches and wizards! This half term come and listen to spooky scarecrow storytime in the Great Hall.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking advisable 0344 249 1895.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/glendurgan-garden
Willow Crowns
Sat 21 – Sun 29 Oct (excluding 23 Oct). 10.30am – 5.00pm
Collect a willow crown from the garden entrance and decorate it with colourful fallen leaves from the garden floor. Head over to our apple shed for some nature-based activities including leaf rubbing and sketching. Learn more about the history of orchards at Glendurgan, take a look at our beehives and you can even try on a beekeeping outfit yourself!
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/lanhydrock
Dormouse half-term trail
Daily from Sat 21 – Tue 31 Oct. 10am – 4pm
This October half-term, head to Lanhydrock to join dormouse and his woodland friends as they search the garden for the perfect autumn party food.
Price: £3 per trail (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Autumn colour at Lanhydrock
Daily throughout Oct. 10.30am – 5pm
As autumn dims the Lanhydrock floral borders, the garden is still alive with pops of colour; scarlet and yellow from Japanese acers, the vivid red of the Persian ironwood and the purple sweet gum tree. Enjoy a peaceful stroll and find a hidden bench for some quiet contemplation.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trelissick
Seasonal activity sheets
Daily Mon 2 – Fri 20, Mon 30 & Tue 31 Oct. 10am – 4.30pm
Get up close with nature this autumn and use the seasonal activity sheets to help you explore the garden.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
October half term autumn trail
Daily Sat 21 to Sun 29 Oct. 10am – 4.30pm
This October half term explore Trelissick and find the autumnal words hidden through the garden. Once you’ve found all the autumn words use them to create your own poem about autumn at Trelissick.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trerice
Archaeological tour of Trerice
Fri 20 Oct. 2.00 – 3.00pm
You can learn about the archaeological and architectural history of Trerice on an hour long guided tour of the gardens. Find out about key features of the property and how they have changed over time, as well as archaeological digs and finds across the whole site.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Halloween half term fun at Trerice
Daily Sat 21 – Sun 29 Oct. 10.30am – 4.30pm
For the whole week of half term, come dressed up in your favourite Halloween costume and explore Trerice! Pass through the witch’s lair at reception, listen to some spooky stories and spot the creepy crawlies around the house. You can conjure up your own potions outside in the garden at two potion stations.
On Monday 23 October there will be a costume day where you can get dressed up in Tudor-inspired costumes made by the volunteer costume group.
On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, you can also take home a pumpkin from Visitor Reception for a small donation.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Apple walk at Trerice
Tue 24 Oct. 2 – 3pm
Join in with a walking tour of the apple trees of Trerice and identify the different, old varieties of apple we have on site with our Head Gardener. Throughout October, our welcome team will also be busy picking apples which will be available to buy for a donation from visitor reception.
Price: £5 (normal admission applied). Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trengwainton-garden
October half-term family fun at Trengwainton
Sun 22 to Thu 26 Oct and Sun 29 Oct. 10am – 5pm
Get welly-ready this October half term with our autumn-themed family activities. Follow the sensory trail and splash and crunch your way around the garden. Collect fallen leaves to make leaf bunting or try printing with them. Play autumn colour spotting and see how many you can tick off; collect fallen apples or guess the weight of the pumpkin.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
