Enjoy autumn half-term with the National Trust

Promotional blog provided by National Trust

It’s all about getting outside to experience the beautiful season of autumn at local National Trust places this half-term. From civil war reenactments to harvest heroes, there’s plenty going on to keep the whole family entertained.

Storm the castle with your family at Nunnington Hall near Helmsley

This half-term dive back 380 years in history to the time of the English Civil War, when roundhead soldiers lived at Nunnington Hall. Train up to become a soldier with family games such as archery and hobby-horse races, or become a spy for the royalist side by cracking the secret message in a codebreaker trail.

Inside the house, children can enjoy playing with the shadow puppet theatre and the civil war themed crafts available.

Then, for one weekend only on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November, join re-enactment society The Sealed Knot as they turn Nunnington Hall’s grounds into an English Civil War encampment.

Families can try on armour, chat to costumed reenactors and watch showstopping musket drills happening throughout the day. Experience history at its most immersive, in this unmissable weekend!

Plan your visit

Discover Powerful Pumpkins and Positive Pears at Beningbrough

Looking for the perfect autumn adventure for your family? Head to Beningbrough for a week filled with mini adventures, creative crafts, and leaf-crunching fun.

Join the Harvest Heroes trail in the walled garden and search for eight hidden superheroes like Powerful Pumpkin, Super Sprout, and Positive Pear. Use your spotter sheet to track them down, collect secret letters, and rearrange them to reveal the mystery harvest word. This free trail runs every day from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November.

For little artists, there are autumnal craft activities, where kids can create vibrant collages inspired by the harvest and the Mary Delany exhibition, currently on display inside the hall. You can even make your own floral origami to contribute to the exhibition or take home as a special keepsake – a fun, creative challenge for all ages.

Don’t forget to stop by the colourful harvest display in the stables courtyard, featuring quirky pumpkins and squashes grown in Beningbrough’s gardens. It’s the perfect spot for a family photo—make sure you’re looking "gourd" while capturing some seasonal memories!

If the kids need to burn off some energy, the wilderness play area is packed with adventure, including den building, big slides, and the ever-popular clamber stack. And for a nature-inspired activity, drop by the American Garden on Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 October for hands-on fun.

A day out at Beningbrough is packed with activities that will make this half-term one to remember.

Plan your visit

Experience autumn colour and floodlights at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Enjoy an autumn walk around Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal near Ripon at this most colourful time of year. Explore the abbey ruins then grab a pumpkin spiced latte and head towards the water garden to see the reds, yellows and golds of the trees. Continue into the deer park to see and hear one of nature’s autumn spectacles as the stags compete for status in the deer rut; roaring and clashing their antlers.

During half-term, take on the challenge to find the most magical seasonal item you can. A shiny stone, a twisty twig or a golden leaf, then head back to Swanley Grange to discover what magical powers it might have!

Fountains Abbey will be lit up once again this autumn as Fountains by Floodlight continues every Friday and Saturday night until 2 November. Enjoy an after-dark adventure with the whole family, see the abbey aglow with brilliant white light, hear the choirs in the cellarium and experience the abbey like never before. Hide in the shadows or dance in the light, join a guided tour around the abbey to learn more. Grab a tasty snack from the street food market in Mill Yard and pop into the shop before you leave to grab some gifts to take home.

Fountains by Floodlight is free to National Trust members, but must be pre-booked.

Plan your visit

Normal admission applies to all National Trust places, with free entry for National Trust members and children under five. Events and activities run from Saturday 26 October until Sunday 3 November. Activities and events are included in admission, but some must be pre-booked in advance.

Images: © National Trust Images