From late September through to November, the countryside, gardens and parks cared for by the National Trust burst into colour. Fiery foliage blazes across landscapes, from the reflection pond at Lyme in Stockport and the riverside woodland of Quarry Bank in Wilmslow, to the fungi-filled forests at Speke Hall in Liverpool.
There’s plenty to see and do for families this half term, from spooky Halloween trails to autumn spotter trails and craft activities. And what’s more, every visit helps to support the National Trust’s work as a charity looking after special places for everyone, for ever.
Liverpool and Lancashire
Speke Hall, Liverpool
Speke Hall is home to all kinds of wildlife and this October you can discover the fascinating life of bats on the Brilliant Bats Trail. On this self-led trail through the autumnal woodland, learn which bat is so small that it can fit inside a matchbox, discover how bats shout and smell some of the bats’ favourite scents.
And that’s not all. Rumours are that a sorceress has moved into Speke Hall and left a mark on some of its rooms. See how she’s redecorated the library, taken one of the bedrooms as her own and turned the kitchen into a spell-making zone.
Plan a visit to Speke Hall here.
Rufford Old Hall, Ormskirk
The annual scarecrow festival returns to Rufford Old Hall in October with scarecrows created by volunteers, local groups and members of the local community. This year’s theme is “Monsters & Legends” so expect to stumble across iconic creatures and legendary heroes in scarecrow form while you explore the gardens and woodland of this Tudor house.
Over in the orchard it’s a bumper year for fruiting trees. Here you can pick your own selection of apples and pears for a small donation which goes towards conservation work to look after Rufford Old Hall.
Plan a visit to Rufford Old Hall here.
Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham
A superb Jacobean historic house set in over 40 acres of woodland, you’ll find fun and adventures for children of all ages at Gawthorpe Hall this autumn. Youngsters are invited to dress up as witches and wizards and head into the Victorian kitchen for Halloween crafts where they can make their own spooky bat to take home and keep. Are you brave enough to listen to the spooky stories while you’re there?
Outside, explore the autumnal gardens to try and find the ghosts, pumpkins, black cats and witches that are hiding on the Halloween Trail.
Plan a visit to Gawthorpe Hall here.
Cheshire and Greater Manchester
Quarry Bank, Wilmslow
There’s a chilling atmosphere in the air at Quarry Bank this half term. Step into the Apprentice House for a spooky tour where you’ll discover where the child workers lived, slept and ate during the 1800s. Head inside the mill where you can follow a Halloween themed family trail – who knows what you’ll find…
As twilight falls, the shadows grow deeper and the hauntings begin at Halloween at Quarry Bank. Wander down flickering paths where demon eyes glow through the fog and giant skeletons loom over twisted trees. Watch a fire show carried out by daring performers, and are you brave enough to venture into the mill…? Suitable for all the family, but beware, as darkness descends, the spookier it gets.
Plan a visit to Quarry Bank here.
Lyme, Stockport
A short walk from Disley train station takes you to a nature explorer’s dream with over 1,400 acres of historic deer park, autumnal woodland and vast moorland. This half term, grab an All Things Autumn trail pack to explore what makes autumn so special at Lyme. Look out for all the colours and weird and wonderful creatures that the season has to offer. Try your hand at autumnal games and creative activities too.
Fans of Jane Austen can dress up in Regency outfits and recreate their favourite scenes from Pride and Prejudice, 30 years on from the BBC’s famous adaptation.
Plan a visit to Lyme here.
Dunham Massey, Altrincham
The flat paths at Dunham Massey are great for pushchairs, balance bikes and wheelchairs – making it the perfect place to bring all the family together for an autumn walk. This half term, you can celebrate art in the natural world and get creative with autumn crafts on a family trail through the gardens and deer park.
Inside, take a journey through the historic house accompanied by Speechly the Pineapple in the From Here to There trail. Grab a Pineapple Passport from the entrance to the house, spot the suitcase stacks and collect a stamp for your passport.
Plan a visit to Dunham Massey here.
Little Moreton Hall, Congleton
Escape into autumn with a wildlife spotter trail at Little Moreton Hall, a wonky Tudor house in Congleton. Adventure around the garden to find all of the autumn colours and discover what Cheshire’s wildlife gets up to over the season.
Inside the hall, see if you can spot the ‘apotropaic marks’ left by the former owners. These burn marks and concentric circles are said to have kept evil spirts from entering the house.
Plan a visit to Little Moreton Hall here.
Hare Hill, Macclesfield
Don’t miss your chance to visit this tranquil wooded garden before it closes for winter at the beginning of November. The walled garden provides the perfect place for smaller children to explore at their own pace. An autumn spotter trail will help the little explorers feel closer to nature.
As autumn swoops over the Cheshire countryside, the trees across Hare Hill’s gardens and parklands provide nature’s firework display, with an orange and auburn infusion of colours to be admired. The acers in particular step into the limelight and really put on a warm and inviting show of colours.
Plan a visit to Hare Hill here.
READ MORE: National Trust welcomes autumn with colour, wildlife and seasonal celebrations
