If you’re visiting our caravan and camping park during the school holidays this autumn, be sure to get out and about during your stay. There are plenty of October half term events taking place across Dorset, providing endless fun for all the family.
Participating in these fun-filled activities will give you the opportunity to experience some of the region’s best loved attractions. Make memories to cherish as you explore castle’s, nature reserves, farms and more!
Here we list our top pick of October half term events in Dorset. All are within easy reach of our Holiday Park in Swanage.
Aquarium to Ascarium
Weymouth Sea Life, Weymouth
9th – 31st October 2021
Immerse yourself into the world of witchcraft at Weymouth Sea Life Centre’s Ascarium event. Over the course of October, the award-winning attraction will be transformed into a Spooktacular venue, offering fun-filled Halloween games and activities for all the family to enjoy.
During your visit you can follow an interactive trail around the aquarium to find the sea witch’s missing potion ingredients. Search high and low in the different exhibits before entering the witch’s lair. Once there, the witch will cast a spell on a treasure chest to reveal a special prize to take home.
There is plenty to see and do in addition to the Halloween trail. Weymouth Sea Life is home to more than 1,000 creatures, including sharks, turtles, seals, rays, penguins and fish. There are 11 themed zones and extensive outdoor play facilities, including the Caribbean Cove climbing frame and Castaway Bay splash zone and pool. There are a number of food outlets to treat yourself to something tasty to eat and drink.
Tickets: From £19
Meet Trendy Tudors
Corfe Castle, Corfe
23rd – 31st October 2021

Photo credit: Pario Gallico
Corfe Castle is situated just 10 minutes’ drive from our family friendly holiday park. The historic ruins are perched high on the hilltop, affording visitors spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
There is always plenty to see and do at this popular National Trust attraction and October half term is no exception. This autumn they will be inviting visitors to embark on the ‘Trendy Tudor Trail’ and learn more about this interesting period of history.
During your visit you’ll meet Mistress Gabrielle, the kitchen maid and Thomas, the master carver as they prepare a grand feast. Through talks and interactive displays, you’ll find out about the various dishes that would have been served and learn Tudor table manners! While exploring the historic ruins you’ll get to see traditional clothing and even learn a Tudor dance!
Tickets: Free to National Trust members. Standard admission prices apply for non-members. Tickets from £5.50
Halloween at Adventure Wonderland
Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch
23rd – 31st October 2021
Children will love a trip to Adventure Wonderland during an autumn break in Dorset. Bournemouth’s premier family attraction always goes the extra mile for Halloween, hosting plenty of spooktacular events over the course of October Half term. The activities are all age appropriate and perfect for little witches and wizards!
We highly recommend taking on the ‘Enchanted’ maze during your day trip. As you make your way around the hedges, you’ll meet fairy tale characters, including Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin. The ‘Little Monsters’ stage show is also a real hit with younger members of the family. They can sing and dance to their hearts content while listening to some of the best Halloween tunes!
Other attractions include indoor soft play, crazy golf and a range of children’s rides.
Tickets: From £16.99
Halloween at Farmer Palmers
Farmer Palmers, Wareham
25th – 30th October 2021
Spend time in the great outdoors this autumn with a day out at Farmer Palmers. Get back to nature as you make your way around the farmyard, meeting some of the attraction’s friendly residents. You’ll get to see donkeys, goats, sheep, alpaca, ponies, pigs and more during your visit. If you’re lucky you’ll even get to hand feed deer and learn more about the animals from the Falmer Palmer’s team!
Once you’ve seen the animals, you can take some time to try out the other activities on offer. These include pedal tractors, bouncy castles, go carts, a soft play area and the World of Dinosaur Roar Trail.
In addition to the standard activities there’s plenty of Halloween themed fun to be had. Enjoy the extremely popular ‘Soak-a-Spook’ tractor trailer ride, where you’ll use water pistols to shoot giggly ghouls! Many of the team will be dressed up and some of the site will have been given a fang-tastic makeover!
Tickets: From £12
Pick Your Own Pumpkins
Lenctenbury Farm, Corfe
16th October until pumpkins run out
There are more than 2,500 pumpkins waiting to be picked at Lenctenbury Farm this October half term. Enjoy a stress-free day out, as you walk around the patch and choose the perfect pumpkin to carve. There are pumpkins of all shapes and sizes available, including minis and XXXL.
In the barn shop you’ll find picked pumpkins and decorative and eating squash. The farm is situated between Wareham and Corfe Castle, opposite the Halfway Inn where you can enjoy a tasty meal after the festivities.
Please note, dogs are not permitted.
Tickets: entry is free. You only pay for the pumpkins you pick and take home. Pumpkins start at £1 and capped at £12 per pumpkin.
Nothe of the Living Dead
Nothe Fort, Weymouth
25th & 26th October 2021
The Nothe of the Living Dead is returning for 2021 and not to be missed if you’re feeling daring this Halloween. The immersive, live-action event takes place at one of the UK’s most haunted attractions and see’s participants navigate through a network of underground tunnels to escape a zombie apocalypse. Along the way you’ll need to complete a number of challenges to collect survival kit needed to access the rescue teams. Keep your wits about you as ‘flesh-eating’ zombies are hidden along the route.
The extremely popular event is restricted to over 16’s and under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors should be aware that some activities are fast paced and scary and anyone suffering from epilepsy, claustrophobia, heart, neck or back conditions should not attend. A licensed bar will be open from 7pm to 11pm both evenings.
Tickets: from £20
Half Term Fun at Swanage Pier
Swanage Pier, Swanage
23rd – 31st October 2021
There is lots of fun to be had at Swanage Pier this October half term, including a Halloween trail, mask making, crabbing and a science event. Children will love these family-friendly events, all set in a stunning location, overlooking the bay.
The science spectacular is seaside themed and gives little ones the chance to try a number of fun experiments. Learn about different zones of the sea, look at an ocean in a bottle and for an extra fee, make your own jellyfish slime to take home.
Tickets: there is a small charge for some events and adult admission to the pier applies. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day.
Halloween Children’s Trail
Durlston Country Park, Swanage
22nd – 31st October 2021
Durlston Country Park is one of our favourite family friendly attractions to enjoy during a holiday in Swanage. The team of rangers put on a host of nature themed events and activities throughout the year, with plenty to keep everyone entertained.
This October there are a range of activities to be enjoyed, including the Halloween children’s trail, which runs from 22nd October to 31st October. Other events include an ‘introduction to orienteering’ and ‘children’s nature and woodland art work shop’. The full calendar of events can be seen on the Durlston website.
Tickets: entry to Durlston is free. There is a nominal fee for some events including, with activities from £3
Ulwelll Holiday Park is the perfect base for an October half term holiday in Swanage. Our family friendly holiday park is perfectly situated for a fun-filled autumn break, with plenty of popular attractions nearby. When you’re not out exploring all that Dorset has to offer, our caravan and camping park has much to offer visitors of all ages, including an indoor swimming pool, children’s play area and bar and restaurant.
Search availability and book online or call reception to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable team.