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Spooky trails, autumn leaf kicking, cosy pubs, and pumpkin picking. Here are our top picks of what’s on and things to do in Hampshire this October.
Brave the Halloween Spooktacular at Paultons Park
Have the BEST. DAY. EVER spooky style at the Halloween Spooktacular at Paultons Park from 9 October to 2 November 2026.
There will be heaps of fa-boo-lous photo opportunities amongst the Halloween decorations, spooky shows, and the chance to brave the rides in the dark with late night openings on 17, 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29 October 2026.
Steam into autumn at The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala from 2 to 4 October 2026 is a seasonal celebration of all things locomotive with the chance to enjoy unlimited rides behind a range of visiting and home-fleet trains running on an enhanced timetable along the scenic 10-mile line. Hop off at the Watercress Line’s heritage stations to get up close to some of the locomotives and enjoy talks and exhibits.
Later in the month, from 29 to 31 October 2026, kids can meet the Halloween Witches of Watercress Woods and there’s a Halloween Horror Train for over 18s.
Glow with the forest flow at Go Ape
Glow with the flow this autumn, the Go Ape Sundown Adventures are back, bringing the next level of forest fun in the evenings after dark on selected dates and times from 16 October to 8 November 2026.
Experience the usual Go Ape thrills taken up a level as you climb through the canopy on a high ropes course lit with glowing lights and illuminated trees at Go Ape Southampton, Moors Valley, and Alice Holt.
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Step into autumn at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
As the gardens turn golden, October is a fabulous time of year to visit Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, and children will love exploring the garden in their wellies and following the Autumn Family Spotter Trail from 12 September to 30 November 2026.
The Gardens’ autumn colour also provides a spectacular backdrop for the Hillier Gardens 10k run on 11 October 2026.
Plus, there’s a Halloween Friendly Frights Family Trail from 3 October to 1 November 2026, and an Autumn Colour Walk on 17 October 2026.
Partake or spectate at the Great South Run
The iconic 10-mile Great South Run returns to Portsmouth on 18 October 2026, taking runners past some of Portsmouth's best scenery, including the Spinnaker Tower, Southsea Seafront and through Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
There are also several other races taking part across the weekend for all ages and abilities, plus plenty of cheering opportunities for spectators to join the fun.
Have some frightfully good fun at Fort Nelson
The underground tunnels and secret chambers of Fort Nelson are a fantastic place to explore in the autumn and there will be plenty of free October half term fun happening at the historic Victorian fort from 24 October to 1 November 2026. Children can enjoy a free 'Creepy Codebreaker' museum trail, plus lots of have-a-go Halloween activities every day.
Find your pick of the pumpkin patch
Find your perfect pick this autumn, as October heralds crops of pumpkins ready to be hauled into wheelbarrows and taken home to be carved or cooked from pumpkin patches in Hampshire.
Have an adventurous Halloween with New Forest Activities
To wear out your little (and big) monsters in the great outdoors, New Forest Activities has you covered this October with Spooky Halloween River Tours from 25 October to 1 November 2026, Halloween Archery Pumpkin Shooting from 24 to 31 October 2026, BattleZone: Apocalypse Laser Tag from 24 October to 1 November 2026, and a Canoe Halloween Treasure Hunt from 24 October to 1 November 2026.
Go wild for autumn at Marwell Zoo
Embrace a Wild Autumn at Marwell from 24 October to 1 November 2026, as the zoo takes on seasonal twist with an autumn maze, pumpkin patch with seasonal games, magical storytelling, and photo opportunities with friendly scarecrows throughout the zoo. Plus, there’s all the usual animals to see and learn about, with talks and feeds from Marwell’s knowledgeable keepers.
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Step into a world of strange science at Milestones Museum
Something seriously gruesome will be conjured up with The Strange Science of Jekyll & Hyde at Milestones Museum from 24 October to 1 November 2026. A cast of curious characters await around the museum, including scientists with extraordinary ideas and demonstrations.
Race into autumn at Beaulieu
Getting October off to a racing start, Run Beaulieu 2026 takes place on 4 October 2026, with runners taking on the estate's private and picturesque off-road trails for charity in 10k, 5k and a 3k kids’ route.
Later in the month, there’s plenty of fun to be had during October Half Term at Beaulieu from 24 October to 1 November 2026 with a brand-new trail uncovering fascinating folklore and spooky stories in Palace House.
October is also the last chance to see the Disney and Pixar Cars 20th anniversary display at Beaulieu, featuring Lightning McQueen and friends, on until 1 November 2026.
Join the Bavarian fun of Oktoberfest
Lederhosen at the ready, raise your stein and say prost to the upbeat oompah sounds with Oktoberfest Southampton at Guildhall Square from 23 to 24 October 2026 and Oktoberfest Portsmouth at Portsmouth Guildhall on 31 October 2026.
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Have a hoot at the Hawk Conservancy Trust
It’s all about the owls during October half term at the Hawk Conservancy Trust with Spooky Owl Week from 24 October to 1 November 2026. Look out for flying displays in the Spooky Owl Show with special effects and spooky storytelling, and solve the riddles of the Giant Pumpkin Trail to claim a Halloween treat.
There will also be nighttime flying to see with Owls by Moonlight on 3, 10, 17 and 24 October 2026, and Owl-O-Ween spooky specials on 29 and 30 October 2026.
Autumn trails and activities with The National Trust
At The Vyne, from 3 October to 8 November 2026, little ones will love Who's in Your Book?, an interactive trail through the magical world of Tom Fletcher's story, and the Stranger Folk Digital Adventure, is perfect for ages 7 to 12.
From 17 October to 1 November 2026, the Pumpkin displays at Hinton Ampner decorate the gardens with golden hues of orange, and there’s Halloween family fun with spooky games and challenges to enjoy.
At Mottisfont, the We're Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure arrives from 3 October to 1 November 2026, with a heartwarming trail for young children based on the bestselling children's books.
Hop aboard the ghost train at Exbury Gardens
Exbury Gardens’ annual ghoulish ghost train has become an infamous event in the New Forest, thrilling visitors with its spooky rides that will be running from 25 to 31 October 2026.
This year’s loathsome locomotive takes on a circus theme and there will also be a haunted circus trail around the gardens, plus creepy crafts, Halloween face painting and pumpkin carving.
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50 things to do this autumn in Hampshire
Fancy an October break? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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Related
Have the BEST. DAY. EVER at Paultons Park this Halloween. This October half term bring the family to the friendliest and most frightful Halloween theme park event in the UK. Back for another year with even more spooky fun to be had! Peppa Pig World and Tornado Springs have had spooky makeovers, and join us for spooktastic new Halloween shows!
The Autumn Steam Gala brings three days of steam‑powered excitement, with unlimited rides behind visiting locomotives and our home fleet running an enhanced timetable along the 10‑mile heritage line. Visitors can explore every station, enjoy Brake Van rides, discover restoration projects, and take in a range of talks and exhibits from 9am to 6pm each day.
Visit the Witches of Watercress Woods this October half-term! An immersive round trip over the hill and into where the witches wait… Your journey begins at Alresford, where the Sweet Sellers greet you with tempting smiles and the promise of goodie bags for every child. But beware, nothing in Watercress Woods is ever quite what it seems.
Visit The Watercress Line for an evening of unexpected scares and frights onboard the train! Climb onboard… if you dare! Something new is stirring on The Watercress Line. Your evening opens at Alresford, where the mysterious Professor of the Spirit World unveils his latest and most dangerous invention: the Séance Train – a moving vessel designed to pierce the veil between worlds.
Sundown Adventures – Get glowing, Go Ape at Night! Looking for unique things to do this autumn in Hampshire? Back by popular demand, Go Ape's Sundown Adventures return this October, offering a new level of forest fun in the evenings after dark. Experience the usual Go Ape thrills taken up a level as you climb through the canopy on a high ropes course lit with glowing lights and illuminated trees.
Sundown Adventures – Get glowing, Go Ape at Night! Looking for unique things to do this autumn on the Hampshire borders? Back by popular demand, Go Ape's Sundown Adventures return this October, offering a new level of forest fun in the evenings after dark.
Sundown Adventures – Get glowing, Go Ape at Night! Looking for unique things to do this autumn on the Hampshire Surrey border? Back by popular demand, Go Ape's Sundown Adventures return this October, offering a new level of forest fun in the evenings after dark.
Self-guided family fun. What can you find in the Garden? Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Run among champions. Race through autumn colour. Join Running Mania for the first‑ever Hillier Gardens 10k, a unique running event set in one of the UK's most beautiful arboretums.
Self-guided family fun and pumpkins and bring cheer to autumn! Join Sir Sludge on our spooktacular family trail and help restore order in the Land of Decay. Solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and meet some delightfully dreadful characters along the way!
We are home to the largest collections of Champion Trees in the British Isles. With over 600 Champion Trees – the tallest, widest or oldest of their species. We will share the fascinating history of our tree collection and some of the best autumn colour on display. The tour will last approx. 11/2 hours finishing with a slice of cake and hot drink.
Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries national collection of artillery and historic cannon – the big guns – and is a great day out for all the family. Step back in time and explore a fully restored Victorian fort with its high ramparts, original fortifications, massive parade ground and underground tunnels, plus a national museum housing over 700 pieces of artillery from across the world and spanning 600 years of history – each with their own story to tell.
New Forest Activities' Spooky Halloween River Tours put a spin on their regular canoeing tours, and you'll be paddling your crafts by moonlight! Plus, there will be spooky tales about the resident ghosts of the river to give you a jump in the night! This adventure is perfect for those looking to mix up their usual Halloween festivities.
We've put a spooky twist on our archery sessions for October, with ghosts, ghouls, zombies and werewolves acting as your new targets. Then it's onto the pumpkin shooting round where your little monsters will get to decorate their pumpkins before watching them go 'splat' as they practice their newfound shooting skills. This one's smashing good fun!
New Forest Activities fan favourite BattleZone just got a whole lot scarier! Paint the battlefield dead as your ghoulsome troops creep up on the enemy, using infra-red technology guns to spook your way to victory. Our ghostly hosts will brief you on the tricks and treats of the battlefield before you head out for two hours of halloween-themed warfare. With mysterious mini-games and screamish scenarios you'll have pumpkin to talk about the whole way home! These supernatural sessions will be taking place at dusk, when you'll be needed for the digital zombie shoot-off!
Treat (not trick) your little swashbucklers to some scarily good fun on the Beaulieu River this Halloween. Navigate the high tides as you head out in our stable Canadian canoes on the hunt for devilishly delicious Halloween treasure along the riverside. Make sure you come adorned in your spookiest Halloween costumes (if you've got it haunt it, right?) and join us for some fiendish fun on the water this October Half Term.
From Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November 2026, enjoy a wild October half term at Marwell Zoo, where autumn adventures, seasonal activities and amazing wildlife come together for a fun-filled family day out. With plenty to discover across the zoo, Wild Autumn is the perfect way to embrace the season and make some special family memories.
Something strange is happening at Milestones this October half term. An extraordinary Science Fair is underway - but it's missing one thing... it needs judges.
Join us in the heart of the New Forest for the Run Beaulieu! Enjoy rare access to Beaulieu Estate's private and picturesque off-road trails while helping to support the valuable work of a local charity.
Step into a world of autumnal magic and treasured memories this October half-term at Beaulieu. Explore the Beaulieu attraction along our brand-new trail as you uncover a fascinating folklore tale, collect enchanting herbs, and make magical potions!
Over the October half term enjoy an autumnal day out in the Hampshire countryside, surrounded by the beauty of nature as the seasons change, and the Hawk Conservancy Trust's beautiful birds swooping and soaring overhead. PLUS spooky added extras for this week only – all included in your ticket price!
Venture out into the night with the beautiful owls at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Experience the mystical owls' graceful, silent flights in and out of the darkness in two enthralling flying displays. Before the flying displays, there will be chance to explore the Trust after-hours to meet some of the other owls in their care, where their knowledgeable Bird Team will give you an insight to some of the conservation and research projects that they undertake to conserve British owls.
Flying display commences 7pm Prepare yourself and your little ones for a wickedly spook-tacular family evening this Halloween. You can enjoy some ghostly storytelling and marvel at our owls as they put on two beautiful flying displays against the backdrop of the Hawk Conservancy Trust's moonlit grounds. Before the first flying display begins, you can take part in a fiendish Halloween Trail around the Trust and explore to see their birds in their homes.
Oh no! Monster and his friends have escaped from their books, and only you can help return them home! In The Vyne's gardens, set off on a fun-filled interactive trail through the magical world of Tom Fletcher's Who's In Your Book? series. Search for your favourite characters, solve playful challenges, and discover how every page can become an unforgettable adventure.
Saturday 3 October – Sunday 8 November, 10am-4pm: Perfect for ages 7-12, this magical new digital adventure played by mobile app is set to haunt The Vyne this autumn. As the spirit and human worlds collide, sneaky goblins, cunning beggars and Stranger Folk are slipping through the crack to stir up trouble. Gather your team, harness the elements and seal the rift before the creatures take hold!
From October 17th take in our plentiful pumpkin displays around the grounds. Spot the archway of gourds, wonder at the pumpkins growing plump in the Walled Garden and take advantage of seasonal photo opportunities with pumpkin displays being created from over 500 fresh pumpkins - spot them all around the grounds.
Double, double, toil and trouble… stir the cauldron and watch it bubble! Head into the spooky corners of Hinton Ampner's gardens and discover a Halloween adventure packed with games and challenges for the whole family.
