October Half Term With The National Trust

At Muddy Boots, we provide children with outdoor adventures every day, whatever the weather! That’s why, this Autumn, we’re encouraging families to get outdoors and find their own adventure with their little ones. Whether you’re just looking for your next family day out, or are on the hunt for some festive activities to celebrate this season, We’ve got you covered. And, if you’ve got your National Trust membership, you can visit any of these fantastic locations (and more) this Autumn for free!

Orienteering at Wentworth Castle

Can you navigate your way through the Gardens and Parkland? Running throughout Autumn and Winter, Wentworth Castle Gardens have teamed up with South Yorkshire Orienteers, providing you and your littles ones with a taster orienteering experience. With 4 different routes to choose from, this orienteering experience is perfect for all the family - dogs too. No experience is needed for the activity, all you need is a pencil and a sense of adventure! Buy the map for your chosen route on arrival, and the team will run through what you have to do so you can get started.

Wildlings Family Trail and Mask Making at Wentworth Castle

For some more family friendly fun at Wentworth Castle Gardens, bring our your inner Wildling, inspired by fungi, folklore and magic…

Journey through the Gardens following an enchanted trail, spot hidden symbols and magical creatures, and learn all about fungi folklore! Extend your adventure even further by joining the mask-making drop in sessions. Inspired by what you find on the trail, children (and adults) can design Wildings masks in the conservatory building between 11am and 3pm. What will you discover?

Half Term at Beningbrough

Beningbrough are unveiling a new code-breaker challenge, perfect for slightly older children at Muddy Boots to get their creative minds going. Explore the walled garden hunting down symbols to break the code and make some Autumnal themed words. The code breaker challenge runs throughout the end of October. For some added fun, visit on Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th for drop in craft sessions where your little ones can get creative with natural resources. These activities also take place during the end of their Harvest celebration; see Beningbrough’s fantastic harvest displays, and even join one of their tasting sessions for a different kind of adventure!

Live Wild: Family Days Out at Hardcastle Crags

On Sunday 26th October, join in on lots of outdoor activities lead by National Trust facilitators. From cooking on a fire and exploring the wilderness, to making natural art and sharing stories, there really is something for all the family! While the Live Wild days are ticketed events (£25 for a parent & child, and £10 for each additional participant) they are a fantastic way to bring the Muddy Boots lifestyle beyond the nursery, and learn about natural practices you could even try at home! A day out at Hardcastle Crags is already an amazing free adventure with your National Trust Membership; if you have the option to add this activity into your day it’s definitely something any child at Muddy Boots would enjoy.

Ghosts in the Garden at Treasurers House

The Yorkshire Ghosts are back and better than ever! Treasurer’s House is taking part in the festivities again this year, after a great success in 2024, bringing new ghoulish structures into their gardens. While exploring the site for all it has to offer, keep an eye out for the ghosts, even get up close to them if you’re feeling brave enough! Some of the structures are easy to spot, and some a little harder to hunt down, coming alive at night where you can really see their ghastly figure shine. Day or night, your little ones will be amazed, and searching for the ghosts makes a great mini adventure. You can find Ghosts across the city of York from 19th September to 5th November, but some spaces like Treasurers House have specific opening times for viewing. Find out the Treasurer’s house visit days here, and don’t forget to pick up your city wide map from the Visitor Information Centre on Parliament Street! Find out more about the full Ghosts in the Gardens event with York Bid.

Find Out More

For more information on events held throughout Autumn and Winter, visit the National Trust Website.

To find out more about the amazing National Trust Locations across Yorkshire, and how you can visit for free with a gifted family membership, visit our website