Half-term Events in Dorset

So, it’s the October half term and you may be wondering how you’re going to keep the kids entertained!

Well don’t worry, whether you are local resident or are staying in Dorset on a break, there’s lots to do throughout the half term holidays. If you're looking for things to do in Dorset we have found lots of Dorset events to keep you entertained. Our Resort family has children of different ages, here are some of the things we plan to enjoy during the school holidays; perhaps you will too. If you are looking for lots of half-term events to put in your diary, see below.

Half-term Events

13 Sep 2025 to 14 Sep 2025

South West Model Show

Tank Museum, Wareham, Dorset

See and buy models surrounded by the best collection of tanks in the world! This year’s Autumn Model Show will be bigger than ever – with traders, exhibitors, live modelling demonstrations alongside the real thing, plus sci-fi and more. Model planes, ships, sci-fi, trains and, of course, tanks of all types and sizes will be available to see, make and purchase. Annual passes are valid ...

03 Oct 2025 to 04 Nov 2025

Halloween Hunt at Moors Valley

New Forest, Dorset

A mischievous character has cast a spooky spell over Moors Valley and the rangers need your help to stop it. Your mission is to: Solve riddles to find hidden pumpkin shapes Discover clues from Sir Croaksalot the toad Use the clues to uncover who caused the mischief and help save Moors Valley Are you ready to solve the mystery and break the spell? Halloween Hunt pack ...

04 Oct 2025 to 02 Nov 2025

Ascarium at the Sea Life

Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park, Weymouth, Dorset

Help our Sea Witch and Warlock look after their ocean home and fellow sea creatures by completing magical challenges throughout the aquarium. Will you be brave enough to step up and help complete 'spook-splash-tic' challenges and fill in your activity sheet as you go? Meet the Sea Witch or Warlock (October half term only) Enjoy cool photo opportunities Fun activity trail and challenges ...

23 Oct 2025 to 02 Nov 2025

Halloween at Moors Valley

New Forest, Dorset

Your spookiest adventure under the stars awaits… Step into the shadows this Halloween as the spectacular illuminated trail returns to Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. Don’t miss out… This year it’s even more thrilling with brand-new installations that will turn the forest into a spine-tingling, spooky setting. Book now to secure the time and date you want to visit.

24 October 2025

Lewey's Trick or Treat Party

Poole, Dorset

Head to Lemur Landings on Friday 24th October for their Spooky Themed Family Fun Party Session, with a DJ and Disco for fun and games Get Up and Groove. All the usual play and climbing fun will be included. An extra long session, fun and games with Get Up & Groove, and all included in the normal admission. Excited to Dress Up? Turn up in your favorite HALLOWEEN COSTUME! (Please note: No ...

25 Oct 2025 to 26 Oct 2025

Autumn Colours Weekend

Sherborne Castle, Sherborne, Dorset

Autumn Colours Special Weekend - Reduced price entry to the gardens. Brush away the cobwebs and enjoy a bracing walk around acres of magnificent garden surrounding the lake. Relax and marvel at the glorious colours of autumn reflected in the lake. Dogs are welcome on short leads. Children's Autumn Pumpkin Trail Join our family fun trail in the garden. Follow the trail discovering ...

25 Oct 2025 to 02 Nov 2025

Children's Autumn Pumpkin Trail

Sherborne Castle, Sherborne, Dorset

Join our family fun trail in the garden. Follow the trail discovering pumpkins. Solve clues along the way. PRIZES AVAILABLE FROM THE VISITOR ENTRANCE FANCY DRESS IS VERY MUCH WELCOME Fab Half term fun! Open 10am • Last admission 4pm • Closes 5pm.

25 Oct 2025 to 02 Nov 2025

Halloween Ghost Trains

Swanage, Dorset

Brand new for this October half term, Swanage Railway transforms into a world of Halloween magic. Step aboard our Ghost Train for a fun-filled journey of gentle chills, big smiles, and unforgettable memories - perfect for the whole family. What to Expect Family-friendly spooky fun - theatrical, magical, and full of surprises. Board our beautifully decorated heritage steam train at ...

25 Oct 2025 to 02 Nov 2025

OCTOBER HALF TERM: WOMEN IN WARFARE

Tank Museum, Wareham, Dorset

Half Term fun for the whole family to enjoy! Kids’ activities, interactive exhibitions, soft play, and more. The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life. Experience the biggest day out in history with 100 years of history, 300 tanks, kids activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. This October Half Term, we’re celebrating Women in Warfare. Enjoy ...

26 Oct 2025 to 30 Oct 2025

Autumn Fun

Lulworth Castle & Park, Lulworth, Dorset

This autumn half term holiday Sunday 26th to Thursday 30th October, enjoy a host of fun and a charming day out at Lulworth Castle & Park – Dorset’s finest castle. Seek out the pumpkins and find the funny bones on the autumn trails as you explore the Park. Practice your sporting skills with the themed pitch’n’putt and traditional lawn games. Get crafty at the activity table and complete your ...

26 Oct 2025 to 31 Oct 2025

Magic at Mapperton - Halloween Trail

Mapperton House and Gardens, Beaminster, Dorset

Join us this half term for a spellbinding Halloween trail through the Mapperton Gardens. Children will receive a mini activity booklet at the start and follow a mapped route through the gardens, discovering decorative Halloween scenes. Each display hides a letter to collect and unscramble into a spooky word. From witchy washing lines and golden pumpkins to giant spiderwebs and spooky ...

27 Oct 2025 to 31 Oct 2025

Halloween at Farmer Palmers

Farmer Palmer's, Poole, Dorset

Monday 27th October – Friday 31st October 2025 Join us this October half term at the award-winning Farmer Palmer’s farm park, for a wicked week of fun! With so many activities you’ll be sure to have a ‘fang-tastic’ time! Jump on our Soak-a-spook Tractor Trailer ride, explore the spooky Maize Maze, dance away at ‘Snotbags Disco’, join in our Halloween Hunt, and so much more! Running from ...

27 Oct 2025 to 31 Oct 2025

Tudor Week - Living History at Athelhampton

Athelhampton House & Gardens, Dorchester, Dorset

Step back in time to 1580, and meet the Martyn family of Athelhampton, as our living history specialists take on the characters of the 16th-century Martyn family of Athelhampton Hall All levels of society from gentlefolk to servants will be around the house and gardens to talk with and learn from. Activities throughout the day range from trying Tudor food, dancing, and clothing; to writing ...

27 Oct 2025 to 02 Nov 2025

Halloween Quiz at Wimborne Model Town

Wimborne Model Town, Wimborne, Dorset

As well as our famous quiz there'll be lots of spooky fun to be had during this half term! Come and join us, fancy dress will be welcome.

29 October 2025

Halloween Phaser Night

Poole, Dorset

Radio Alert... It's another Lunar Landings meteoric event... The Asteriod Trunkesar will pass closer to the earth than any of our satelites.. We believe this is a desparate plan to mask an alien invasion... can you help Captain Lewey Hoops stop them? Join the crew aboard the SS Clash Landings for an exciting evening of phaser tag! Whether you come alone or bring your friends it's sure to ...

31 October 2025

Halloween Fun at Monkey World!

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre, Wareham, Dorset

Halloween at Monkey World! FREE entry for children in FULL Halloween fancy dress on 31st October 2025. Free fancy dress competition with prizes, as well as the fun activities for children. Select the Fancy dress option when booking online, on the 31st October only! Have a spook-tacular Halloween at Monkey World! Monkey World provides sanctuary to over 230 rescued and endangered primates of ...

Fossil Hunting – Will you be the next person to find a Sea Rex? Who knows you may just discover the next big thing! Do be aware of the tide times, stay away from unstable cliffs and always follow the fossiling code of conduct. Lyme Regis beach, Charmouth and Kimmeridge are all great spots and perfect for exploring over the half-term holiday. 

Bike Rides – get the kids active with a shorter ride for little legs or something a bit more adventurous for older children: take a look at some great cycling routes here. 

Head for Heights – at 191 metres (627 ft), where is the highest point on the south coast of Great Britain? Yes you guessed right, it’s Golden Cap, and on a good day it is visible for tens of miles along the coastline. Why not challenge your family to see who can get to the top first? Remember to take care and not to get too close to the cliff edge, keeping any dogs on a lead.

Sculptures – the family will enjoy seeking out the creations carved out of stone at the Tout Quarry Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve on the isle of Portland, it’s also a great place to take some lovely family photos – picture perfect!

Shopping – OK I get it, kids don’t always like shopping, but we mums do and Bridport’s Saturday and Wednesday markets have lots of unique stalls: you’ll find vintage clothing, Dorset art, ceramics, bric-a-brac, wooden walking sticks and, of course, a few kids’ toys. There’s also one of the best independent toy shops in Dorset, on East Street. You should also head to Bridport’s vintage quarter where you will find many interesting shops to explore.

Woods – we all love a trip to the woods, especiallly in the May half-term when everything is popping with colour, a mix of Dorset bluebells and wild garlic. We particularly love Thorncombe Woods, near Dorchester, Moors Valley Country Park, which is located on the Dorset/Hampshire border, and the fabulous New Forest too.  If the kids’ legs get tired start a treasure hunt; we hide chocolate coins as we go along for the kids to spot and enjoy whilst taking in the fresh air.

On the Water – It might not be the summer holidays but the October half term will hopefully bring some good weather, pop on a dry suit on and find your sense of adventure, try kayaking, windsurfing, or paddle boarding. Or perhaps the simple things work for you; like a stroll along the shoreline, an ice-cream (they're still nice in the autumn), or skimming stones. Fresh air is good for the soul, and it doesn’t always mean you have to dip into your pocket! You will also find that many of Dorset's beaches have saunas, so you can certainly warm up and cool down with a sea swim!

Cheeeeeese – not the edible kind (although we do love Dorset cheeses), but photo opportunities. In Dorset you are spoilt for choice with a host of perfect locations to capture the sunrise, sunset or just your children roaming free in the vast open spaces we are blessed with here. Let the children have a go too; they might find a healthy new hobby this half term, or perhaps even become the next David Bailey!

Some of the best spots we like for photos: Kimmeridge, Man O’ War Bay, Corfe Castle, Durdle Door, Golden Cap, The Cobb - Lyme Regis, Portland Bill, Gold Hill - Shaftesbury, Thorncombe Woods and any of Dorset’s beaches!

Attractions – animal adventures, aquariums, interactive museums, steam trains, gorgeous gardens, and kids’ play, we really are spoilt for choice. Local attractions offer you a great day out, and some will have special half-term events on. Take a look at the list below and see what will work for your family, whether it be monkey madness, rides and slides, history highlights or something else, these businesses will welcome your family and keep everyone entertained during the half-term in Dorset. 

Food - Fish and chips, are hard to beat so head to the coast and enjoy them by the seaside.

We hope whatever you and your family plan to do, you have a great week at Halloween and the half-term holidays, below are a list of Dorset attractions and activity providers who would love you to join them over this Dorset half-term break.

Attractions and Activities

Abbotsbury Subtropical GardensAbbotsburyAthelhampton House & GardensDorchesterBeaulieuNew ForestBuckler's HardNew ForestChesil Equestrian CentrePortlandCompton AcresPooleCorfe CastleCorfe CastleDorset Heavy Horse Farm ParkWimborneFarmer Palmer'sPooleHighcliffe CastleChristchurchKeep Military MuseumDorchesterLemur LandingsPooleLiberty's Owl Raptor & Reptile CentreNew ForestLongdown Activity FarmNew ForestLulworth Castle & ParkLulworthMapperton House and GardensBeaminsterMonkey World - Ape Rescue CentreWarehamNew Forest Wildlife ParkNew ForestNothe FortWeymouthOceanariumBournemouthPirate Adventure GolfWeymouthPortland AlpacasPortlandPurbeck Sports CentreWarehamPurbeck BreezerPoolePortland Bill Lighthouse & Visitor CentrePortlandRockReefBournemouthShire Hall Historic Courthouse MuseumDorchesterSplashdown WaterparkPooleSwanage RailwaySwanageTank MuseumWarehamWeymouth Sea Life Adventure ParkWeymouthDorset Museum & Art GalleryDorchesterPortland MuseumPortlandAbbotsbury SwanneryAbbotsburyBrewery SquareDorchesterCastletown D-Day CentrePortlandKingston Maurward House, Gardens & Animal ParkDorchesterSherborne CastleSherborneWimborne Model TownWimborneBadger WatchDorchesterLyme Bay Rib CharterWest BayMoonfleet Adventure Sail TrainingPortlandSandworldWeymouthSticks & BonesWeymouthSymondsbury EstateBridportWeymouth PavilionWeymouth