With Halloween coinciding with the autumn half term school holidays for children across Purbeck, there’s plenty of spooky activities planned for the last week of October.
While the school half term dates vary across the UK, children will be off school in Dorset from Monday 27th to Friday 31st October 2025, with Halloween on Friday 31st October 2025.
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Pumpkins are everywhere!
Autumn half term events 2025
Get into the spirit by dressing up as ghosts, ghouls and witches for the events in and around Swanage, although there’s always the beach and the countryside to enjoy whatever the season.
Swanage shops
- Trick or Treat event: Saturday 25th October, 11 am to 3 pm – Dress up and visit any shop in Swanage displaying an orange ribbon and say ‘Trick or Treat’ to receive a Halloween candy, sticker or party favour. Fun and safe event for children
No one wants to miss out on the dressing up!
Swanage Railway
- Halloween Ghost Train: Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November – Step aboard the family friendly Ghost Train for a fun journey of gentle chills, big smiles, and unforgettable memories. Prices: £22 adult, £15 child (under 3s travel free), carers accompanying less abled passengers are permitted to travel free
Swanage Pier
- Halloween Trail: Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November – Wander the Pier and keep your eyes peeled for spooky surprises lurking in unexpected places. Solve the Halloween word puzzle and tackle our themed quiz as you go! Trail Cost: £2 per sheet, Standard adult pier admission applies
- Spooky Season Crafting Fun: Thursday 30th October, 11 am to 3 pm – Unleash your creativity this October half term with our frightfully fun Halloween crafts! Join us for a drop-in session where you can make your own spooky masterpieces—just in time for the most haunted holiday of the year. £3 per child. Trail and crafts for £4 per child
- Children’s History Walk: Thursday 30th October at 10 am – Take a walk along the pier for about 45 minutes, strolling in the footsteps of past generations to learn more about the history, including hearing about pirates, smugglers, sunken treasure, and wrecks. Accompanied children from 5 years. Adult admission to the pier applies
Follow the spooky trail along Swanage Pier
The Mowlem, Swanage
- Shivers and Shadows children’s show: Tuesday 28th October, 2.30 pm – Get ready to shiver, shake, shudder and scream with Squashbox Theatre in the Studio. Tickets £8, under 18 £6, family £24 plus booking fee. Recommended 6 years plus, booking required
- Shivers and Shadows puppet workshop: Tuesday 28th October, 3.30 pm – Post-show shadow-puppet making workshop £4 per child. Recommended 6 years plus, booking required
Swanage Library, High Street
- Ghost tales of Swanage: Wednesday 22nd October, 4 pm to 5 pm – Family friendly spooky tales from Swanage’s ghostly past. Enjoy a hot drink and treat while listening to frightfully good stories inspired by our town. Age 6 to 12, free, no booking required
Cumulus Outdoors, Cobbler’s Lane, Swanage
- Halloween kids club with pumpkin carving and survival skills: Monday 27th October, 9 am to 1 pm – Morning of activities, followed by a spooky two course hot lunch, plus goodies to take home. Halloween costumes and masks encouraged. Age 5 to 16, £18.50 a session, booking required
- Halloween kids club with spooky tunnels and Halloween party: Friday 31st October 9 am to 1 pm – Morning of activities, followed by a spooky two course hot lunch, plus goodies to take home. Halloween costumes and masks encouraged. Age 5 to 16, £18.50 a session, booking required
Halloween outfits for the parkrun participants at Durlston Country Park
Durlston Country Park, Swanage
- Halloween Children’s Trail: Wednesday 22nd to Wednesday 5th November, 10 am to 3 pm – Take a trip around the park to get into the spooky season! Head to the castle reception and collect an activity trail booklet – £3.50 per trail pack, no booking required
- Halloween parkrun – Saturday 25th October at 9 am – Halloween-themed 5k parkrun
- Wild Wednesday: Wednesday 29th October, 11 am to 3 pm – Drop in to the Learning Centre for children’s crafts and activities
- Wild Durlston: Thursday 30th October 2025, 10.30 am to 11.30 am – Children invited to join a ranger in the Learning Centre to learn more about Durlston through games and activities. Some activities may be outdoors or involve crafts, so make sure to dress for mess. £3.50 per child. Advance booking required
Studland Bay National Trust
- Neurodivergent Nature Walk: Friday 24th October, 10 am to 12 noon – A walk for neurodivergent people to connect and enjoy nature together. Led by ADHD coach Jane Woods and National Trust. Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking required
- Wicked Wildlife Trail: Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November, 10 am to 3 pm - The Wicked Wildlife family trail will take you along the beach as well as through dunes and woodland. Find out fascinating facts about nocturnal animals as you complete the activity stations on your way round and learn about the wildlife we share this special place with. Price: £3.50 per child. Booking not required
- Wicked Wildlife After Dark: Friday 31st October, 5 pm to 6.30 pm, 5.45 pm to 7.15 pm, and 6.30 pm to 8pm – Wicked Wildlife family trail in the evening with freshly made pizza under the stars. Adult £20, children £15. Booking required
Wicked Wildlife After Dark at Studland Bay
Corfe Castle National Trust
- Teddy zipwire: 25th October to 2nd November, 10 am to 4.30 pm – Bring adventurous teddies to zoom down the castle zip wire and inspect the conservation works. Explore the ruins in a spooky family quest and take your picture with the autumnal pumpkin display. Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required
- Secrets of the Shadows family quest: October to November, 10 am to 4.30 pm - Can you help the resident ghost detective, Godwin, with his investigation? A family quest to learn about the people who used to live and work at Corfe Castle. Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required
- A Gory Story of Corfe Castle: 25th, 28th and 31st October, 5 pm to 6.30 pm – A storyteller will transport you to a time when murder plots unfolded, knights roamed, and dungeons held prisoners, all within the walls of Corfe Castle. Price: £10 per adult and £5 per child. Booking required
Corfe Castle library
- Halloween crafts and activities: Tuesday 28th October, 10 am to 12 noon. Age 4 to 11, £2 per child, no booking required
Square and Compass pub, Worth Matravers
- Cider and Sausage Festival: Saturday 1st to Sunday 2nd November, from 11 am – Wide range of ciders, fresh apple juice, sausages and live music
Plenty happening at The Blue Pool
The Blue Pool near Wareham
- Haunted Trail: Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October, 9.30 am to 5 pm (last entry 4pm) – Follow the eerie trail around The Blue Pool and uncover surprises lurking along the way! We’ve packed in even more spooky fun than last year! Our trail is designed for all ages to enjoy together, with no jump scares or sudden frights. Included with general admission
- Pumpkin Carving: Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October 10.30 am to 4 pm – Head to the pumpkin patch beside the Tearooms and carve a Halloween pumpkin! Take your creation home or display it at The Blue Pool for everyone to see. £5 per pumpkin
- Face Painting: Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October, 11 am to 4 pm – Our face painters are ready to transform you into one of a selection of spooky characters. Pick from a range of Halloween-inspired designs – from friendly ghosts and wicked witches to slithering snakes and other creepy creatures. £5 per person
- Bat Box Making: Monday 27th to Friday 31st October drop in between 10.30 am to 2.30 pm. Come and build a bat box. Take it home to hang in your garden, or choose a spot at The Blue Pool. Suitable for ages 5 plus, children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per person
Brownsea Island National Trust
- Mystical Woodland Quest Trail: 25th October to 2nd November, 10 am to 4 pm - A journey where nature and folklore intertwine. Discover magical tales of the oak, birch, and yew. Perfect for young adventurers and families, with storytelling, nature exploration, and fun activities. Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required
- Way of the Wild bushcraft taster sessions: 31st October – 11 am to 12 noon, 1 to 2 pm and 3 to 4 pm Dive into the wild and master survival skills at the birthplace of the scouting movement. Join Joe Peartree, expert bushcraft specialist, for a unique, hands-on experience. £6.50 per person (normal admissions apply). Booking required
