Things to Do October Half Term in Milford on Sea
October in Milford on Sea is another special time of the year. The seas are warmer thanks to the months of summer sunshine, the skies can be still be cloudless and the darker evenings can make your holiday accommodation all that bit more inviting.
And if you are here with your children/grandchildren then check out our top picks of what to do:
Where better to brave Halloween than a 480-year-old castle? Summon your courage this October half-term and head to Hurst Castle for spooktacular family fun, daily from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November!
This fearsome fortress was built by King Henry VIII himself – are you brave enough to descend into the depths of the castle and explore the Maze? Roam through every corner of the castle to crack the clues on our Halloween Trail (with a prize at the end for intrepid sleuths), then get creative with free arts and crafts activities to keep the younger ones happy.
With so much to see, do and explore, Hurst Castle is your must-visit Halloween day out! All activities are included in your castle admission, and the castle is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5.30pm.
Why not start the adventure with a leisurely ferry crossing to the castle? Ferries depart daily from Keyhaven from 10am. Feeling energetic? Walk along the spit for panoramic views across the Solent and blow away the cobwebs!
If you’re looking for a completely different day out for the family over the holidays then why not try Jaunt-E Bikes’ Pedal & Puzzle, a self-guided New Forest e-bike adventure combining outdoor puzzles with coastal and forest trails. Riders solve clues to unlock hidden routes and landmarks, creating an immersive escape-style experience in the landscape. An escape room game on wheels!
The Bridge, Milford on Sea Community Centre
Check out the events happening at The Bridge, our local community centre whilst here and as part of its Sweet 16 birthday celebrations, it will be hosting a ‘Make It’ afternoon and movie screening of the popular children’s movie, UP on Monday 26th October at 1pm.
1pm – Make your own Balloon themed craft
2pm – Screening of UP
Spooky season will soon be upon us, and you won’t want to miss Paultons Park’s Halloween Spooktacular running from 9th October- 2nd November. The park will be decorated with thousands of pumpkins and straw hay bales, transporting families into the fang-tastic season with Tornado Springs and Peppa Pig World included in the spooky fun! New for this year, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will be included in the celebrations with spectacular shows and even more late-night openings so that you can explore the new land in the dark!
During October half term, Exbury’s infamous Ghost Train takes a trip to the circus with a fast-moving show that goes straight for the juggler! From 25th October to 31st October, join the ghost of Ricardo the Ringmaster on a quest to break the curse of the haunted circus, as the steam train is transformed into a pun-fuelled joke-a-motive!
You can also join one of its Creepy Crafts Family Workshops, where you will have the choice of making a spooky garden, or making a cobweb dream catcher! Come along and create a wonderful keepsake to take home.
But that is not all… you are also welcome to join in with a drop-in pumpkin carving sessions, where all carving equipment and clean up is provided!
There is also a Gruesome Garden Trail for you to complete, head to the Rock Garden this Halloween, but beware, the garden is home to ghosts and ghouls, and not to mention the spiders. If you complete the trail sheet you have a chance to win a Friends of Exbury Family membership!
Step into a world of autumnal magic and treasured memories this October half-term at Beaulieu.
From 24th October – 1st November, explore the Beaulieu attraction along our brand-new trail as you uncover a fascinating folklore tale, collect enchanting herbs, and make magical potions! Plus, listen to spooky stories in Palace House and see fantastic displays around the attraction, including Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story inside the National Motor Museum, and last chance to see Disney and Pixar’s Cars 20th anniversary display. There really is something for everyone this October half-term!
There are also plenty of things to do with beautiful coastal walks along Milford’s beachfront or into its very own nature reserves, the Pleasure Grounds or Sturt Pond. Whilst at Sturt Pond, the children could have a go at crabbing from one of the two bridges here, but please remember to use crabbing netting bags (no hooks) to keep our local wildlife safe. Crabbing gear can be purchased from the village and don’t forget the bacon as bait!
Back in the village you won’t be short of plenty of places to eat if you feeling peckish try Delicious on the Green and the Paddle on the Green for a takeaway lunch to enjoy on the village green. Otherwise, there’s Melleford, Ray’s Italian Kitchen or Needles Eye cafe for a sit down lunch.
You can also enjoy lunch or dinner at Smugglers Inn, The Lighthouse, The Beach House, Britannia Thai or The Gun Inn in Keyhaven.