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This October half term (Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November 2019) has loads going on in St Albans! Here we bring you our pick.
Don’t forget to check out our Whats On page for the full list of everything coming up (including all the Halloween Parties for little ones and the full list of this year’s fireworks displays).
1. St Albans Cathedral Apollo Moon Landing Festival
The Cathedral has done absolutely brilliantly this year with a smorgasbord of genuinely cool half term events for kids of all different ages, and most of them are FREE. All week long they have the interactive Space Trail (collect from reception) and an Insta-friendly lunar floor called One Small Step, so you can see how it feels to actually walk on the moon. And they’re both open nice and early from 8:30am: Praise the Lord!
On the 31st October they’ve got a space-themed family art & craft session at 10am called Space Final Frontier which is suitable for 3 year olds all the way up to age 11. That same day at 2pm, they’re bringing in a Doctor Who expert to take you on an interactive ‘journey’ called Doctor Who - A Voyage in Space and Time, where you can meet real-life Daleks. All free!
In the evenings of half term week the cathedral will be taken over with a space-themed light and sound installation called Space Voyage, start times are every 15mins and tickets can be bought here.
2. Haunted Ashridge Trail & Craft
The National Trust estate of Ashridge is absolutely beautiful so this is a great excuse to go and explore it - there’s a Halloween-themed trail through the woods (with lots of running around and den-making opportunities), then back to the visitor centre to make a Halloween craft. Its £3 per kid and no need to book ahead, open 10-4 and the path is suitable for buggies. AND they have hot chocolate in the cafe. More info here.
3. Pick Your Own Pumpkin at the Pop Up Farm
The Pop Up Farm is open every day of half term from 10am til 4pm for pick-your-own pumpkins (double check the website first on the off-chance they’ve sold out). For anyone who went for the sunflowers over the summer, you’ll know that this place really has that country festival vibe - they’ve got a hay bale maze which the kids go crazy for, cooking demos and photo opportunities galore. Free entry, just pay for the pumpkin(s) you choose. More info here.
4. St Albans South Signal Box
On Sunday 27th October, the Signal Box opens its doors and if you have a train fanatic in the house this is a must visit, it's fantastic! You can operate the signals and ring bells, you can watch miniature trains chug along a miniature track and the big fast trains whizz by on the big track. In the garden there are working signals you can operate, old signs, lit oil lamps, telegraph 'pole route' and a garden railway. You can even get a cup of tea. Find it at the end of Ridgemont Road by St Albans City Station. Open 2-5pm and free of charge. More info here.
5. Pumpkin Scooping at Aylett Nurseries
Who doesn’t love a kids activity at a garden centre? On Monday 28th through to Thursday 31st October from 10-4 you can choose a pumpkin, scoop and carve it and pop a tea light inside, ready for Halloween night. You can then have a wander through their amazing Celebration Garden, which is an activity in itself. More info here.
6. St Albans Museum + Gallery
As part of the Science in St Albans exhibition, there will be an inflatable Planetarium dome showing 3 different shows over Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st October: Earth, Sun, Moon (5-7 year olds) Stars and Constellations (8yrs +) and A Tour of The Solar System (8yrs +). Please note the minimum age for attendance is 5, so no little ones permitted. Booking essential, tickets available online in advance here.
For 2-4 year olds, they’ve got Museum Minis which takes place on Tuesday 29th October with sessions at 10am and again at 11.30am. They’ll be a science-themed story and craft activity as well as a museum hunt. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £3 per child. Pay in advance or drop in.
While you’re there, don’t forget to snap a pic of your kids sitting in the Judges Chair in the octagonal courtroom, and go downstairs to the basement and try out the prisoner cells if you haven’t been yet. Have your kids slam the cell door shut on you - it’ll be the scariest thing you experience this Halloween!
Please note that Mum’s guide to St Albans are not paid or affiliated with any of these places, all opinions are my own. Please check websites before you travel.
