Autumn Half Term In Cornwall: What’s On In 2024
Are you coming to Cornwall for October half term? There’s plenty for families to do in Cornwall during the holidays and autumn is a simply beautiful time of year in the Cornish countryside.
Here’s what’s on in Cornwall in October half term 2024.
Half Term Halloween Fun in Cornwall
The great news is that in 2024, Halloween falls during the half term holidays. There’s an excellent choice of Halloween-themed family events across Cornwall this October and as always, the Eden Project pulls out all the spooky stops.
The “Halloweden” event is an annual highlight. This year, they’re putting the crawly into creepy with a minibeast-themed week. Explore the fascinating world of minibeasts across the whole site and don’t miss the show from ZooLab. As a real bonus, Eden’s fabulous ice rink will be open over half term this year.
Eden’s sister attraction, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, celebrates Halloween and the half term holidays with a series of traditional and outdoor activities. There’s a spooky trail through the beautiful gardens, corn dolly crafts, and potion and wand-making workshops. Heligan has teamed up with Screech Owl Sanctuary for tales of wings and witchcraft.
The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth repeats its successful Shadows and Silhouettes event from last year, and the fantastic Pirates exhibition is on until January. Just up the road, Pendennis Castle (English Heritage) hosts a week of ghoulish fun among naturally spooky surroundings.
Half Term with the National Trust Cornwall
The National Trust has an abundance of family events over half term and here in Cornwall, we’re lucky to have so many houses and gardens to explore. If you’re not a member already, it’s worth joining to make the most of all the family-friendly attractions in Cornwall.
Highlights for October 2024 include the dragons at Trerice, piskies in Lanhydrock and scarecrows at Cotehele. Try your hand at pressing apples in Godolphin or leafy arts at Trengwainton. There are children’s trails and pumpkin crafts galore, and this being the National Trust, there’ll always be a comfy cafe for a pit stop during your adventures.
Theatre in October Half Term
Wrap up warm and pack your flask: the best shows in Cornwall in October half term take place outdoors. The iconic Minack Theatre is hosting a late-season show for half term, The Tempest in a Teacup. It’s a one-man, family-friendly retelling of the Shakespeare play, performed by local legend, John Brolly.
Don’t stray from the path in Rogue Otherworld’s woodland show, The Dead of Night Dance. Rogue’s immersive performances in Tehidy Woods are like nothing else in Cornwall (or indeed, anywhere) and we can’t wait to see this year’s Halloween production. Theatre, music, dancing and storytelling combine in the evocative woodland setting, where “spirits of all ages” are welcome.
Autumn Outdoor Adventures
Even without dancing forest spirits, Tehidy Woods is the perfect place for an autumn walk. There’s a network of trails, including more accessible paths and dog-friendly routes. The main entry points and car parks are near Pool off the A30 (this entrance has the loos and cafe) and along the coast road past Gwithian. Look out for Cornwall’s cheekiest squirrels and bring safe snacks for the many ducks and geese.
If you love kicking through the leaves, try the large wooded estate at Lanhydrock (National Trust) or the lovely routes through Cardinham Woods (Forestry England). Both are near Bodmin, so if you’ve the time and energy to spare, combine your woodland walk with an invigorating stank (Cornish for “brisk walk”) on the moors, or a trip to the creepiest attraction of them all, Bodmin Jail.
Then of course, there’s the splendid Cornish coast. Some parts of the South West Coast Path can get muddy at this time of year, so check the SWCP website for easy autumn terrain (try the coast near Porthleven or Carbis Bay). If you’re coming on holiday to Cornwall with your dog in October, great timing! Most of the dog restrictions on Cornwall’s beaches will have been lifted by half term, so you can enjoy some invigorating beach walks with your four-pawed family members.
Combine your walk with foraging for a Halloween pumpkin. Splattenridden Farm near St Ives and Trevaskis Farm near Hayle have pick-your-own pumpkin fields: much more fun than popping to the shops!
Book Your Cornwall Holidays for the Autumn Half Term
After all that adventuring, you need a cosy place to relax. At Cornish Escapes, we have a wonderful selection of comfortable and luxurious Cornwall holiday cottages, which are perfect for your autumn family holiday. Choose from Cornish holiday cottages in pretty villages and harbour towns, or find a rural retreat for an autumn escape.