AUTUMN half term is just a matter of days away which makes it the perfect time to start planning a day out.
Come rain or shine, there are endless options when you’re looking for fun things to do in half term.
Here are the best places to go for a day trip within an hour's drive of Basingstoke.
Finkley Down Farm
From £12.95 per person
Here children of all ages can play in the massive indoor play barn or head outside to the Little Farmers Driving School. Throughout the day there are animal handling and feeding activities for children to get involved in. Meerkat Mansion is the latest addition making a Farm-Tastic day out.
This half term you can also get involved in spooky fun from Monster Hunts, Halloween Fancy Dress Competition and Goat Racing.
Thorpe Park
From £42 per person
Fearseekers! Your darkest nightmares are about to re-awaken…
— THORPE PARK Resort (@THORPEPARK) October 9, 2020
The veil shielding us from the realm of FEAR is wavering and soon horrific creatures will spew forth to take over the Island 🐺🧛👻
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Let the FEARSTIVAL begin!https://t.co/JePEVGpfVH #ThorpePark pic.twitter.com/WiSDQjtBgr
Here you can take on the UK’s fastest coaster Stealth, swerve through near-misses on the UK’s only winged rollercoaster THE SWARM and plunge the 100ft ‘beyond vertical’ drop of the movie themed coaster SAW-The Ride as you take on some of Europe’s most thrilling coasters.
For the older children (recommended 13+) you can also take them to Fright Nights or drive in Halloween films.
Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World
Family of four from £139.00
🕸 HAPPY HALLOWEEN TICKETS ON SALE NOW!🕸
— Paultons Theme Park (@PaultonsPark) September 3, 2020
Discover amazing decorations including Grandpa Pig’s ‘World’s Biggest Pumpkin’ and Mr Skinny Legs the spider!
🐷 Peppa & George will be appearing in their Halloween costumes too! 🎃
BOOK NOW > https://t.co/C7VTNdaCfm pic.twitter.com/it8gN7gk3Z
You will find all things Halloween here this half term with Peppa and George’s spooky makeover, The Legend of Paultons Manor – All singing and dancing extravaganza and Ghoulish fun with Pickles the Pumpkin.
With over 70 exciting rides and attractions it is guaranteed to be a fun family day out.
Pumpkin picking
A great choice for those on a tight budget, with free parking and endless fun you can spend hours searching for the right pumpkin to carve.
- Sunnyfields Farm, Southampton
- Durleighmarsh Farm, Petersfield
- Steve Harris Pick-Your-Own, Titchfield
- Pumpkin Picking Patch, Fordingbridge
Legoland
From £39 per person
Has your little one chosen their costume for Brick or Treat?
— LEGOLAND Windsor (@LEGOLANDWindsor) October 9, 2020
We'll be picking out favourite photo shared on Facebook each day of the event, to win a spooktacular prize bundle! Look out for more details! https://t.co/XIpVHwisnx pic.twitter.com/Evgd9dXcIs
Where else can you learn to drive, pilot a balloon and dive deep under the sea to learn more about the creatures of the ocean.
You can also soar through the treetops to escape fearsome dragons, ride the thrilling rapids with a Viking fleet or take a seat on a DUPLO brick dinosaur.
You can take part in the Brick or Treat trail and collect a bag of goodies or hop on the Haunted House Monster Party ride.
Marwell Wildlife
Family of four from £68.35
Autumn is a beautiful time to get outdoors and admire the changing colours of Marwell’s stunning parkland while learning more about our hundreds of endangered and exotic species.
With hundreds of animas, four adventure playgrounds and daily talks and animal feeds it will keep all the family entertained
Amur tigers and snow leopards are particularly active when it is cooler so half term is a great time to go to catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals.
New Forest Wildlife Park
Family of four from £38.00
Many Thanks to The New Forest Wildlife Park for allowing our Animal Rescue Advisors to visit and learn about all your Animals. pic.twitter.com/0NUlQND3Z1
— HFRS Animal Rescue (@HFRSanimal) March 16, 2020
Many of the animals here are on the IUCN endangered species Red List and the park helps to breed and conserve them for the future.
You will be able to see a range of animals including European bison, Grey Wolf, Red-Necked Wallaby and Lynx.
Located among the trees and in sight of the park’s wildlife, Go Wild! has a zip wire, log jumble, ‘birds’ nests’ climbing ropes, swings, spider nets and more.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Family of four from £50.50
Great day out @HawkConservancy yesterday pic.twitter.com/3fGHXT5gaF
— Tim Smithers 🍊 (@chipginga) October 11, 2020
Step into the mystical woodland and enter the amazing world of owls this October half term.
With tales of folklore and traditions, spooky decorations and ghoulish goings on, you can join in to celebrating these wonderful night hunters in a special flying display.
Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium
From £10.80 per person
Our annual pass holders were given an exclusive first look at our new visitor experience this weekend. Here's what some of them had to say!
— Winchester Science Centre (@WinSciCentre) October 12, 2020
Don't forget you can still grab tickets for our public launch weekend now 👇 https://t.co/2OWJsoAxct pic.twitter.com/gzbyROm8Pl
An exciting family destination, Winchester Science Centre is the South of England's interactive science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK.
They provide exciting, hands-on science experiences to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of great scientists.
With two floors of fascinating, interactive science exhibits, stunning South Downs National Park surroundings and a vibrant events programme, the Science Centre makes for a brilliant action-packed family day out whatever the weather.
Gruesome Garden Trail at Exbury Gardens
Adults £10.00, children £4.00
Marie-Louise always takes the most stunning photos of the gardens 😍. https://t.co/DfqXx4JZK7
— Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway (@exburygardens) October 4, 2020
The voodoo of Halloween has turned the Rock Garden into a spooky graveyard this half term.
Walk through cobweb arches, see monsters emerging from the ground and ghosts on zipwires.
You can also help Wisteria the witch find some of her favourite things that have gone missing in the Gruesome garden trail.
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