Activity breaks: Top ideas for a supercharged October half-term

New Park Manor, Hampshire

Nestled in the depths of the New Forest, this luxury manor offers different activities every day through half-term, including craft sessions – from Halloween masks to pumpkin carving – in the Den, and a daily storytime with milk and cookies for younger ones.

Persimmon

Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

Even without the activities, Augill Castle is a kids’ dream of a place to stay; a proper turreted castle that could be straight out of a classic storybook, without a hint of stuffiness or formality.

De Vere Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire

Set on the tranquil shores of one of the 180 lakes that make up the Cotswold Water Park, this stay is ideally placed for enjoying an active few days on the water.

This vast resort moves up a gear in school holidays, and the October half-term is no exception with pre-bookable activities including pumpkin-carving, lantern-making and indoor games such as air hockey, table football and pool.

Celtic Manor, Newport