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October Half Term & Halloween 2026: Family Days Out Near Roydon Marina Village
Crunchy leaves, pumpkin patches, ghost trains and dinosaurs after dark - autumn is a brilliant time for a family break in Essex and Hertfordshire.
If you're looking for things to do during October half term 2026, Roydon Marina Village makes a great base for an autumn getaway. Set beside a peaceful 32-acre lake in Lee Valley Regional Park, our holiday lodges give you somewhere relaxing to return to after a busy day exploring - while some of the best Halloween events, pumpkin patches and family attractions in Essex and Hertfordshire are within easy driving distance.
From gentle Halloween fun for little ones to steam-powered ghost trains and an evening surrounded by dinosaurs, here are some of our favourite family days out near Roydon Marina Village this October.
Dinos After Dark and Pumpkin Valley at Hertfordshire Zoo
What happens when the sun goes down and the dinosaurs wake up?
Dinos After Dark returns to Hertfordshire Zoo for October half term, transforming its dinosaur attraction into an atmospheric nighttime adventure featuring more than 40 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Families can follow the dinosaur walk after dark, with entertainment including UV Halloween drummers, a silent disco, face painting, glitter tattoos and dinosaur meet-and-greets. There's also an end-of-show finale to round off the evening.
Dinos After Dark takes place on the 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th and 31st of October, and 1st November and is separate from your entry ticket.
You can also celebrate the magic of autumn with the Pumpkin Valley, exclusively from Friday 23rd October to Sunday 1st November 2026. Included with your day ticket, Pumpkin Valley transforms part of the zoo into a colourful autumn wonderland with plenty of picture-perfect moments for the whole family. Stop by the Pumpkin Shack where you can choose and purchase your very own pumpkin.
It's a particularly handy half-term adventure when staying at Roydon Marina Village, with Hertfordshire Zoo only around a 20-minute drive away.
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Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park Halloween Festival
Fancy spending the day surrounded by witches, wizards, spooky characters and farmyard animals?
The Halloween Festival at Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park is packed with family-friendly Halloween activities.
Children can dress in their favourite costume and explore the decorated farm, watch live Halloween shows, meet spooky characters and enjoy the adventure play areas and giant bouncy pillow.
There are farmyard and exotic animals to discover too, while full-paying children receive their very own pumpkin from the patch to take home!
The Halloween Festival runs from 24th October to 1st November 2026. With plenty to fill a whole day and a journey of only around 15-20 minutes from Roydon Marina Village, this is one of the easiest October half-term family days out near Roydon.
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Halloween Special at Audley End Enchanted Railway
For Halloween magic without too many scares, head north to Audley End Enchanted Railway.
Created especially with younger families in mind, its Halloween Special combines a train ride through autumn woodland with playful Halloween characters and interactive activities.
Climb aboard the train and journey through the trees before meeting the Pumpkin Queen and her magical friends.
Children can get involved with potion-themed crafts and an interactive Halloween stage show, before exploring Little Acorn Village and the Adventure Playground.
There's also a Pumpkin Village where families can choose a pumpkin, take seasonal photographs and add extras such as mini golf and marshmallow toasting.
The Halloween Special starts the weekend before half term, on the 17th and 18th October, then continues from 24th October to 1st November 2026.
With golden leaves, woodland surroundings and plenty of gentle Halloween fun, it's a lovely choice for a crisp autumn day out just 35-45 minutes from Roydon Marina Village by car.
Plan Your Visit
Fright Week at Epping Ongar Railway
All aboard the ghost train!
Epping Ongar Railway is getting a spooky makeover for its Fright Week Halloween services, combining heritage steam trains with ghosts, ghouls, magic and plenty of Halloween mischief.
Families can travel to 'North Weird', hunt for ghosts haunting the station and graveyard, then climb aboard a full-size steam-hauled ghost train - although passengers should keep an eye out for some unexpected characters along the way!
The adventure also includes a mysterious show from the Manic Magician. An inclusive vintage bus connection is available from Epping Underground Station as part of the experience.
Just a 25-minute drive from Roydon Marina Village, Epping Ongar Railway's Fright Week takes place on the 24th, 25th, 29th, 30th and 31st October 2026.
This one has a slightly scarier flavour than some of the activities on our list, so families with very young children may want to check the event information before booking.
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Farmer Scott's Pumpkin Patch, Brentwood
No autumn family getaway is complete without choosing a pumpkin.
Farmer Scott's Pumpkin Patch in the Essex countryside combines traditional pumpkin picking with seasonal activities, food and plenty of opportunities for those all-important autumn family photographs.
Explore the outdoor patch to find home-grown pumpkins, squash and gourds in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes, or head into the covered Pumpkin Barn if the autumn weather takes a turn.
New additions for 2026 include the Apple Cannon, Shock Chair, personalised Trucker Hat Bar and hair braiding, while the Food Village is serving everything from wood-fired pizza and hot food to coffee, bakes and sweet treats.
The patch is also dog friendly, so even four-legged members of the family can join your autumn adventure.
Just 30-35 minutes by car from Roydon Marina Village, Farmer Scott's Pumpkin Patch events are on every weekend in October and throughout October Half Term.
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Scott's of Southend Pumpkin Patch
A little further afield at 50-60 minutes away by car, make a day out of it and head towards Southend for Southend Scott's Pumpkin Patch, Halloween Afternoon Tea, and Scott's Family Halloween Party!
Scott's Pumpkin Patch runs from 1st-31st October 2026 and includes an outdoor pumpkin patch filled with autumn displays and photo opportunities, as well as a fully covered Pumpkin Barn - particularly useful on those less predictable October days. Families can also tackle the Maize Walk and visit the Highland cow paddock, with additional activities available on selected dates. The pumpkin patch is also dog friendly!
Carefully crafted in-house, the Halloween Afternoon Tea is packed with delicious spooky-themed sweet and savoury treats. With options for adults, children and even a vegan option, there is something for everyone to enjoy. This memorable Halloween Treat is available from 1st to 31st October 2026.
Get ready for a frightfully fun family evening at Scott’s Spooky Halloween Party 2026, taking place across selected dates from 23–30 October! Each 90-minute session is packed with Halloween entertainment, including incredible animal encounters with reptiles, snakes, mammals, birds and bugs from Eden Oasis, family-friendly spooky characters, a children’s disco and games, and an exciting live fire performance.
Families can explore the outdoor Pumpkin Patch, venture through the Maize Maze after dark, visit the fully covered Pumpkin Barn with fantastic Halloween displays and photo opportunities, and even say hello to the adorable Highland cows from their paddock. Come dressed in your spookiest outfits and get ready for an unforgettable Halloween party for the whole family!
Plan Your Visit
Plants Galore Autumn Festival, Roydon
You don't have to travel far at all for this one!
Just down the road from Roydon Marina Village, Plants Galore is hosting an Autumn Festival packed with activities for children.
Meet the garden centre's quirky scarecrows during the family-friendly shows, get creative with pumpkin painting, find your way through the maze and burn off some energy at the daytime disco.
There's also story time, veggie-themed games and mini golf, giving families plenty to keep younger visitors occupied.
Its location just a few minutes from Roydon Marina Village makes this a particularly easy addition to your October half-term itinerary - and means you can be back at your lodge in no time afterwards.
The Autumn Festival at Plants Galore runs all half-term long, from 24th to 31st October from 10am to 4pm.
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Halloween Party at The Boathouse, Roydon Marina Village
After exploring Essex and Hertfordshire, you don't even need to leave Roydon Marina Village to enjoy Halloween itself.
On Saturday 31st October, The Boathouse is hosting its lively Halloween Party, with live music from Franco & Wendy, bringing 60s and 70s hits.
Fancy dress is a must, with prizes for the best costumes, so pack your best Halloween outfit if you're staying with us over the final weekend of October.
Tickets are £5 per person and the party starts at 8pm.
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Make a Family Break of It at Roydon Marina Village
An October half-term break at Roydon Marina Village gives you the freedom to turn your favourite Halloween events into a proper family getaway.
Spend the morning pumpkin picking, head out for an afternoon of autumn adventures or watch dinosaurs come alive after dark - then return to the peaceful surroundings of the marina rather than facing a long journey home.
Our hot tub holiday lodges in Essex are ideal for an autumn escape, giving the family your own comfortable space to relax after a day out. While the children wind down after their adventures, the grown-ups can enjoy a well-earned soak in the hot tub.
The Boathouse Bar & Kitchen is right here at the marina too, making it easy to enjoy something to eat or drink without getting back in the car.
Don't forget to leave a little time to simply enjoy Roydon itself. Surrounded by the Lee Valley countryside, the marina is a lovely place to slow the pace between busy family days out.
Plan Your October Half-Term Getaway in Essex
Whether your perfect autumn break involves pumpkin picking, Halloween events, steam trains, dinosaurs or family days out in the Essex countryside, there's plenty happening around Roydon Marina Village this October.
Stay for a few nights and you won't have to choose just one.
Pick your family's favourite events, pack the Halloween costumes and make Roydon Marina Village your base for an October half term filled with autumn adventures.
Book your stay at Roydon Marina Village and start planning your family October half-term getaway.
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