Looking for some idea’s of places to visit this autumn, from a haunting Halloween day out to creative workshops there is something for everyone. Here is the line-up of what’s going on in Test Valley this October.
Have a Happy Halloween at Paultons Park from 13 October to 31 October which promises to be the friendliest, most frightful fun fest in the UK. Visitors can experience Peppa Pig World's spooky Halloween makeover, Halloween decorations at Tornado Springs, The Legend of Paultons Manor all singing and dancing show, Ghoulish fun with Pickles the
Pumpkin and more, with rides in the dark and late-night opening.
Celebrate Hallowe’en at Cholderton Scare Breeds Farm from 22 to 30 October, 10am to 5.30pm, with a spooky trail to try and find freaky friends down on the farm. There is also the Family Hallowe’en Party on 28 October, 7pm to 11pm, adults £8, children £7, under 2’s free, with the amazing Disco Dion, fancy dress, games, dancing , drinks and food available to buy.
Finkley Down Farm is open all year round, with huge indoor play barn with lots of outdoor fun as well, including the Little Farmers Driving School and lots of activities for children to get involved in. Visit the Meerkat Mansion which is a new addition. The Hallowe’en event runs from 22 to 30 October with walkabout characters, a walk-through Spooky Barn, Hallowe’en discos, a Hallowe’en trail around the farm, fancy dress parade and Face Painting.
The Army Flying Museum invites families to a space adventure – Spectacular Space, so get ready for blast off during October half term. Be star struck by lunar rocks and marvel at meteorites – on loan from the special ‘Borrow the Moon’ box scheme created by the organisation UK Research and Innovation. These genuine samples from space will be available to view alongside astro craft activities between 10.30am and 1.30pm from Monday 24 to Friday 28 October.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust a bird of prey visitor attraction and conservation charity will be hosting Owls by Moonlight, the ever-popular magical evening event that will take place on dates through the Autumn. Step into the wonderful world of owls and watch these mystical birds twist and turn through the night sky. The evening will include two different flying displays in the woodland and Savannah arenas. During the evening, you can explore parts of the grounds to meet some of the other owls in the Trust’s care, and you’ll be given an insight to some of the conservation and research projects that the Trust undertakes with British owls. Adult £35, Child £21, includes hot supper. Plus prepare to be spooked at Owl-O-Ween on 28 October a fabulous family evening, where the awesome owls will star in two wickedly spook-tacular interactive shows!! [Photo credit: Clare Ash]
Head to Whitchurch Silk Mill for Hallowe’en and enjoy some spooky LEGO building fun on 28 October, tickets £6 per child, one free accompanying adult per child. With custom-built models by master builders, The Brick People, and an open build brick area you can create just about anything you want to. Keep your eyes peeled too with a LEGO trail throughout the museum.
At Mottisfont there’s plenty of space for children to run, jump and play, come rain or shine. As late summer blooms give way to autumn splendour in the National Trust property's gardens; trees, including the magnificent Great Plane, transform the grounds with canopies of colour from October onwards. Families can help gather leaves to add to Mottisfont's home-grown compost and take part in other Autumn-themed activities in October half term. From 24 September to 5 November you can find original artworks from the world of Narnia by Pauline Baynes, in her centenary year in Mottisfont’s Art Gallery.
The award-winning Sir Harold Hillier Gardens has a range of art events to offer this October. Explore the gardens in the Autumn and the colour of the trees is a stunning sight continuing through until winter, with all shades of yellow, red and orange. Many trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials continue to flower into the Autumn, and other plants start to form ornamental fruits. Enjoy a family day out in enjoying the beautiful gardens. Or join in an art event listed below:
· Special Effects Make-up Workshop - 8 October 2022 10am to 4pm, £85.50p/p includes lunch and kit for the day - suitable for 18 years+, where you can learn about the wide range of paints, materials and processes used to create amazing visual effects for theatre, film and TV or an imaginative party look.
· Walk, Talk and Draw Workshop – 15 October 10am – 3pm, £30 allowing you to socialise and sketch in a beautiful environment using charcoal, pencil and pen.
· Using your Sketchbook at Home and Abroad - 15 October 10am – 4pm, £65.50 incl lunch, a workshop exploring sketches of scenes at home or on holiday.
· A Sunlit Wave in Watercolours (16 October 10am-4pm) – an art workshop suitable for intermediates, capturing curling waves unravelling on the seashore.
· Our World Imagined Art Exhibition - 4 October to 17 October, free entry to exhibition, from a diverse group of artists who express their feelings about the natural work in many media including watercolour, oil, acrylic, pencil drawings, felted wool.
· Stitched Art - 19 October to 2 November, free entry, a textile display of embroidery, felting, knitting and textile art.
Fishing Breaks are offering a One Day Kids Camp over Autumn half term, based at Nether Wallop Mill. It includes a great day of fly fishing for youngsters with bite-size ecology, catching fish and having fun! The event runs on 24 October for 8 to 11 year olds, 25 October for 12 to 15 years and 26 October for 16 to 17 years, costing £135 per child, there is a 10% discount for siblings or groups. The price includes all fishing charges, a fully qualified instructor, licences and tackle. Groups are limited to no more than 6 children and the participants get to take home the catch! Find out more https://fishingbreaks.co.uk/
Andover High Street and the Chantry Centre will be running a Halloween trail and craft workshops for children on Saturday 29 October from 11am to 3pm. Don’t miss the Halloween Trick or Treat event in the High Street on Monday 31 October from 4.40pm to 6.30pm.
Join in a spooktacular night of family fun and games at Romsey's HallowScream event on Saturday 22 October, with coffins opening at 7pm and it will be back to the graveyard at 10pm. Tickets are £3 per adult and £1 per child (0-16). Find out more information at www.romseycarnival.co.uk
The Lights arts and entertainment centre, Andover has lots to offer in the way of events this Autumn, including theatre, tribute bands, comedy, music and ballet. Visit https://www.thelights.org.uk for more information.
The Plaza in Romsey also has a range of entertainment from tribute bands, theatre and a comedy club, https://www.plazatheatre.com/
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