October Half Term in Oxfordshire | Your Quick Guide

October half-term in Oxfordshire can be a wonderful destination for the break. Equally, if you live around here, there are so many different things to see and do, meaning that you don’t need to travel far to keep the family entertained. You can discover pumpkin patches, woodland walks and historic streets – the list really goes on.

So, without further ado, here is my quick guide to an October half-term in Oxfordshire 2025, written by a local. Enjoy!

October Half Term in Oxfordshire | Your Quick Guide

1. Explore Oxford

If you are near Oxford, definitely start in this enchanting city. There is seriously so much to do here and I know that my husband and I definitely do not visit enough.

Whilst you have shopping in West View for all the essentials and retail therapy, there are also some great options this year in 2025.

• Take a walking tour of Oxford University and hear some fun stories about the many famous alumni who walked around the colleges. Nearby is the Oxford Museum, who are hosting the Hidden Wonders Hunt this year, perfect for families. Alternatively, if you are feeling brave, why not join them for Ghost Stories at the Museum on the 30th of October?
• On the topic of ghosts and Halloween, Oxford Castle & Prison are once again celebrating the return of Ghost Fest with plenty of different activities running in the week building up to Halloween. There is also an adults evening of Paranormal Investigation, hosted by Barri Ghai. It also includes a two-course meal!
• The Ashmolean Museum is a great day out and focusses on the anthropological discoveries across the world. Nearby is the Pitt Rivers museum, which houses dinosaurs and many other prehistoric specimens. For a smaller museum, why not check out Oxford’s Natural History Museum – this year they are presenting their Incredible Insects exhibition.

Of course, you don’t have to go to Oxford for a particular reason and there is so much to do in this city. For more information, check out my blog post on how to spend one day in Oxford.

2. Go Pumpkin Picking

Nothing says an October half term like pumpkin picking, and Oxfordshire is fantastic for it. There is such a wide array of farms around that you’ll find a suitable place easily. Some of the bigger farms also offer other attractions to entertain the family, such as tractor rides and season treats.

Here are a few of my favourites:

Millets Farm Centre (near Abingdon)

Both my husband and I have fond memories of going to Millets Farm Centre when we were younger, and it just so happens that it is perfect for pumpkin picking. However, that is not all. There are also Pumpkin by Night evenings every night from the 23rd through to the 30th of October. The shops also will be selling a range of different Halloween-themed treats. Oh, and did I mention that there are plenty of alpacas and goats here on the animal walkway?

Rectory Farm (Stanton St John)

Stanton St. John has Rectory Farm, which is another fantastic option for picking pumpkins. Perhaps the main attractions here is the pumpkin tunnel, as well as the tractor rides which show you the best views of the pumpkin patch. I think that this activity is perfect for a sunny, crisp autumnal day.

High Lodge Farm (Culham)

At High Lodge Farm, the Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail begins on weekends from 15 October, then runs daily 24–30 October. There is also a woodland walk, a barrel train ride, as well as rustic wooden games and marshmallow toasting for that nostalgic kick for adults. If you are feeling brave, why not pick your pumpkin by moonlight after dark on selected October evenings.

3. Enjoy Autumn Walks in the Countryside

My favourite thing about living in Oxfordshire is, of course, the countryside and October half-term is perfect for exploring this. End the day with a cosy pub lunch by an open fire and you have my ideal autumn afternoon.

Some of my favourite places to walk are:

• Warburg Nature Reserve – this is just outside Henley-on-Thames and is our go-to. It is just incredible and you see so much wildlife. Definitely a must-see if you haven’t already. Watch out for the potholes on the way in though.
• Wytham Woods – a beautiful spot to walk around amongst the crunchy leaves.
• Harcourt Arboretum – I don’t think that you can find a better spot around to see the colours of autumn.
• Wittenham Clumps – An old Iron Age fort, but with spectacular views over Oxfordshire. This is also just by Dorchester, a really cosy village to explore.

4. Blenheim Palace Half Term Events

Blenheim Palace is a great option for families, though in 2025 it definitely has become a lot more expensive. However, some of the events here are ideal for keeping children entertained. This year, Blenheim are hosting a Halloween Afternoon Tea, followed by an evening (16:00-21:00) Spooky Illuminated Trail.

As well as the new features, the Palace is steeped in history and the gardens house the Marlborough Maze, one of the largest in Europe.

Check the official website for this year’s events – it’s always a highlight of the October calendar in Oxfordshire.

5. Visit Cogges Manor Farm (Witney)

Cogges Manor Farm is a historic farmstead and is a real hit with families. Not only are there plenty of farm animals and hand-on activities for them to get stuck into, but there are also orchards and plenty of gardens to explore. The Farm also hosts The Witch’s House this year; not for the faint-hearted but certainly fun for kids.

6. Discover Cotswold Wildlife Park

If you grew up in Oxfordshire, nothing ever beat a weekend or school trip to the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Nestled on the outskirts of Burford, the Park has plenty of animal species ranging from the majestic rhinos on the front lawn, to the eerie bat house!

I think October is perfect for visiting; the weather is nice and cool and the leaves are beautiful. For children, there is also a miniature railway around the park, meaning that little ones won’t need to walk far to see their favourites.

7. Didcot Railway Centre

If your little ones are obsessed with trains, then Oxfordshire is the perfect place for them this October half-term.

The obvious one is of course the Didcot Railway Centre. It features 21 acres of land to explore and different days have different things to do. On Discovery Days, the price is cheaper and you can look around all of the different exhibits. On Steam Days though you can have an unlimited number of journeys on their steam trains. The price is a little more expensive, but worth it!

For more information, check out their calendar.

8. Cosy Up in Oxfordshire’s Villages

Oxfordshire has some of the county’s prettiest villages and you can combine autumnal strolls with a fireside pub lunch.

Some of my favourite places to visit are:

• Burford – I love the high street here; it has plenty of charming shops which perfectly match the countryside vibe. There are some excellent pubs, nearby walks and local attractions. I’ve mentioned the Cotswold Wildlife Park, but another honourable mention must go to Burford Garden Centre. It has to be one of the best in the country. Seriously.
• Woodstock – This is a pretty little village just outside of Blenheim. You’ll find some lovely pubs and cafés here, along with local walks (including around the palace).
• Stonor – The village is just outside of Henley-on-Thames and is rather small. However, it is undeniably beautiful and has some gorgeous walks nearby (such as Warburg). There is also Stonor Park, which is open to the public during October half-term and has a special Halloween Event on in their Tumblestone Hollow. Also to note – nearby in Henley is a Terror on the Thames event on the 1st of November from 11:00 – 16:00. The town will change into a Halloween extravaganza, which is perfect for little ones. The best part – it is free! The Thursday before (30/10) in Henley is also worth noting, with the local Kenton Theatre hosting The Spooktastic Halloween Show.

9. National Trust Events

Lastly, sometimes you can’t beat a National Trust Event during a half-term to keep people entertained. Plus, if you are a member, you can visit as many properties as you like without an extra cost.

For the October half-term this year, these are my favourite options:

Haunted Half-Term at Waddesdon Manor

From 25th of October to 2nd of November

Waddesdon Manor this year gets a spooky makeover and it is perfect for families. There is their very own Skeleton Trail that leads families through the gardens, where prizes can even be won! Inside the house, things again are keeping in the Halloween spirit. The Skull Shack has mysterious boxes to explore and you can watch skeletons at work. For nature lovers, you can even spot tiny local creatures under the microscope.

Trails run daily from 10 am to 4 pm (£3.50 per trail)

October Half Term Events at Basildon Park

From 3rd of October to 19th of December

Basildon Park has to be one of the prettiest houses around and this half-term you can explore their Guided Woodland Walks. These take you through the golden leaves and runs all the way until the week before Christmas.

Over half-term in particular, you can experience the Patterns in Nature Autumn Trail and, for those creatives, even a Wild Art event which takes place between the 27th and 29th of October. I think that this perfectly captures the Autumnal spirit and is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and the creatives.

Bats and Facts at Grey’s Court

From 25th of October to 2nd of November

If your family love nature, the Bats and Facts event during half-term is perfect. Around the estate you can follow the trail to learn more about these amazing creatures that call Grey’s Court their home.

Final Thoughts | October Half Term in Oxfordshire

There is so much to do in Oxfordshire this October half-term and certainly enough to keep the entire family entertained. You have plenty of spooky Halloween-themed experiences, along with the chance to see nature at its most colourful. I hope that this quick guide helped you plan your days to keep the family entertained. If though you have any questions, please reach out. I always love hearing from you.