Photo: Peter Jeffery, CC BY-SA 2.0A perfect autumn weekend in Kent
Autumn is when Kent earns its keep. The pinetum at Bedgebury turns, pumpkin fields open on the Hoo Peninsula and near Maidstone, the castles run their half-term trails and the bonfire season gets going.
This is a loose plan rather than a timetable, built around the October half term weekends. Kent's council half term is 26 to 30 October, though some schools break earlier. Pick one thing from each section and you have a full weekend without too much driving.
If your weekend falls in early November, swap the Halloween trails for fireworks: Tonbridge on 1 November and Edenbridge's bonfire on 7 November.
Saturday morning: colour and pumpkins
Start early, while the car parks and fields are quiet.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury is Forestry England's National Pinetum, a world-leading collection of over 12,000 specimen trees set among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald near Goudhurst. Wander the pinetum on foot, cycle or mountain bike the forest trails, or let children tackle the play trail. With a cafe at the visitor centre, it can easily fill a day.
Why it's here: Over 12,000 specimen trees among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald, open from 8am, with a café at the visitor centre.
Image: Forestry EnglandRoom on the Broom trail with Halloween cauldrons at Bedgebury
Bedgebury's Room on the Broom trail gains a Halloween twist in October, with cauldrons to find and a crossword to solve for a sticker. It is an easy, low-cost outing in the pinetum while the autumn colour is at its best.
Why it's here: Halloween cauldrons to find on the Room on the Broom trail through October, an easy, low-cost add-on while the autumn colour is at its best.
Image: Pumpkin MoonPumpkin Moon pick your own pumpkins
Pumpkin Moon grows more than 100 varieties of pumpkin, squash and gourd across two Kent farms, near Maidstone and at Rainham. Grab a wheelbarrow, wander the field and pick your own.
Why it's here: More than 100 varieties of pumpkin, squash and gourd to pick by wheelbarrow, open every day from 21 to 31 October, with family entry from £10.
Image: PYO PumpkinsPYO Pumpkins at Beluncle Farm
A home-grown pumpkin patch on the Hoo Peninsula, with carving pumpkins, eating squash and decorative corn to pick straight from the field. Tickets are sold per car, which keeps costs down for bigger families.
Why it's here: A home-grown pumpkin patch on the Hoo Peninsula, sold per car from £10, which keeps costs down for bigger families. Booking is essential.
Saturday afternoon: a castle with a half-term twist
Three castles and manors with half-term trails for families.
Image: Hever CastleHalloween half-term at Hever Castle
Hever turns its grounds over to a mad scientist theme for half-term, with a trail, a science show and a goggles craft. Most of it is included in the normal admission, which makes it an easy family day out in West Kent.
Why it's here: A mad scientist trail, science show and goggles craft, mostly included in normal admission, daily from 17 October to 1 November.
Image: Leeds CastleHorrible Histories Halloween at Leeds Castle
Horrible Histories takes over the castle grounds for half-term with ghostly queens, potion making and a costume party in the maze. It is designed to be more funny than frightening, so it works well for mixed ages.
Why it's here: Ghostly queens, potion making and a costume party in the maze, more funny than frightening, so it suits mixed ages.
Photo: DimiTalen, CC0Halloween at Penshurst Place
Penshurst's Beware the Bad Apple trail sends families round the grounds hunting for odd potion ingredients. Crafts in the Old Coach House and panto-style storytelling fill out a half-term visit.
Why it's here: The Beware the Bad Apple trail, crafts in the Old Coach House and panto-style storytelling from 26 to 31 October.
Evenings: steam and sparks
Pick the one that matches your dates.
Image: Kent and East Sussex RailwayFright Night on the Kent and East Sussex Railway
An evening steam train runs from Tenterden through the dark countryside to Northiam, where drummers, a fire eater and a fireworks display wait at the station. Free Halloween activities and hot food at Tenterden make it a full evening out.
Why it's here: An evening steam train from Tenterden to Northiam on 30 and 31 October, with drummers, a fire eater and fireworks at the station. Most popular with ages 6 to 11.
Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0Tonbridge Round Table charity fireworks
Tonbridge Round Table's annual charity display has a Halloween theme this year, with a show choreographed to music by Phoenix Fireworks. Proceeds go to local charities.
Why it's here: A Halloween-themed charity display at the Racecourse Sports Ground on Sunday 1 November, display at 6.30pm, with advance adult tickets at £11.
Image: Edenbridge Bonfire SocietyEdenbridge Bonfire
Kent's best-known bonfire night starts with a torch-lit carnival procession through Edenbridge and finishes with a big fireworks display at the Recreation Ground. The society builds two giant effigies each year, and they are the talking point of the night.
Why it's here: A torch-lit carnival procession and two giant effigies on Saturday 7 November, with the procession at 6.30pm and fireworks at 8.30pm.
Sunday: out to the coast
Swap the Weald for sea air.
Image: English HeritageHalloween half-term at Dover Castle
English Heritage hosts a Great Pumpkin Party at Dover Castle for half-term, with storytelling, games and a themed trail across the site. It is included in normal entry, so you can combine it with the tunnels and the Great Tower.
Why it's here: A Great Pumpkin Party with storytelling, games and a trail, daily from 24 October to 1 November and included in normal entry, so you can do the tunnels too.
Image: Betteshanger Country ParkHalloween Trail and Pumpkin Patch at Betteshanger Park
Betteshanger Park's spooky woodland trail returns for Halloween, with surprises along the route for young monsters and their grown-ups. Over half term the trail is joined by a pumpkin patch where every child picks a small pumpkin to take home. On Saturday 24 October a Halloween dog show joins the fun.
Why it's here: A woodland trail and pumpkin patch from 24 October to 1 November, £15 per child including a small pumpkin and entry for two adults.
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a sandy cove between Margate and Broadstairs, framed by white chalk cliffs and dramatic chalk stacks. Explore the rock pools and hunt for fossils, and at low tide walk round to Kingsgate Bay. There is a kiosk on the beach and seasonal lifeguards in summer.
Why it's here: Chalk cliffs, rock pools and fossil hunting, free at all times. The summer dog ban only runs from 1 May to 30 September.
Questions people ask
When is October half term in Kent in 2026?
Kent and Sussex council half term runs from 26 to 30 October 2026, though some schools break on different dates, so check with yours.
What is on in Kent over October half term 2026?
Highlights include Horrible Histories Halloween at Leeds Castle, the mad scientist trail at Hever, Penshurst's Beware the Bad Apple trail, the Spellbound Express and Fright Night on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, and pick your own pumpkins at Pumpkin Moon and Beluncle Farm.
Where can I pick pumpkins in Kent?
Pumpkin Moon near Maidstone and at Rainham, Beluncle Farm on the Hoo Peninsula, and the pumpkin patch at Betteshanger Park from 24 October to 1 November.