The nights are drawing in, and school is out (again). Let Muddy guide you through the family fun to be had in Northants this October.

The Secrets of Stanwick Quest, Stanwick Lakes, 11am – 5pm October 2017

This half term, all you have to do is find the Secret Stanwick Quest packs in the Shop of Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre, or the Refreshment Kiosk to start your adventure to some of the secret locations of Stanwick Lakes! Follow the clues to find hidden areas and earn the title of Stanwick Explorer! Get the booklet stamped along the way, collect all 4 stamps and win a prize! The Secret Stanwick Quest packs are available for £1.50.

Hunsbury Hill Country Park + Northants Ironstone Railway Trust

Heading to the South West side of the county, but only a couple of miles from Northampton Town centre, is a brilliant walk across the site of an Iron Age fort. I just love this walk, with it’s nooks crannies and secluded paths, and the pooch loves to roam as we try and keep pace. And whilst you’re taking the fresh air in, and perhaps visiting somewhere new, you may also want to take in the Northampton Ironstone railway trust, who operate a 1.5 mile heritage railway line. Rides are available on occasion via all means of vehicles including a converted brake can. Well its a bit different isn’t it? Like what we are ; )

Wicksteed Park – STILL Open throughout October 2017

Autumn still means FUN for us all in Northamptonshire. Wicksteed Park is open for only a few more weeks and will also be opening more than 20 attractions every weekend during October and each day during half term week (Mon Oct 23 – Friday Oct 28). Fun things to do include this year’s new experiences, Tree Top Walk and Meerkat Burrows. What’s more, you can enjoy a day of inclusive* activities from as little as £9 for senior citizens, £10 for adults/mini-me’s and £12 for children. This is also your last chance to use up your 2016 ride tickets, so don’t miss out! *Note this does not include RUSH or Wickys Factory.

Canons Ashby – Apple Harvest Weekend, 10am – 4pm, Sat 30 Sep – Sun 1 Oct

This is the final weekend of Canon Ashby’s Harvest Celebrations aka Apple Weekend! You can get involved and help with the apple harvest, press some fresh juice and join the taste testing. Then join in some crafts and games and peruse the traditional crafts. Take this opportunity to see the house and church dressed for harvest for the last time until next ha. Booking Not Needed. This an extremely family friendly event. Dogs on leads welcome. Free Event but Normal Admission Charges Apply. Please visit the Coach House first to begin your day.

Hunt for Pumpkins at Canons Ashby, 10am – 3pm, Sat 7 – Tues 31 Oct

Explore the grounds at Canons Ashby whilst seeking out pumpkins and solving the clues! Afterwards, pick up a spooky shortbread ghost or warm up with some soup in the tea room.

Why the Whales Came, Castle Theatre, 6pm, Mon 16 Oct

Multi-award-winning performer and storyteller Danyah Miller vividly brings to life another enchanting tale by Michael Morpurgo. Children Gracie and Daniel have been forbidden to go near the mysterious and seemingly dangerous Birdman. But messages and clues intrigue them and, after being lost at sea in the fog and stranded on his tiny island, they begin to unravel the Birdman’s secrets, the villagers’ fears and superstitions and learn why the whales came to the island. Age Guideline: Family Show, not suitable for under 7‘s but for everyone else who loves stories. Tickets £11 (£9 Under 16s), Family Ticket: £36 for 4

Spooky Creatures quiz, Fermyn Woods, 10.30am – 4pm, Sat 21 – Tue 31 Oct

Pick up a quiz trail sheet from the Skylark Café, £2, and follow the red route to solve the clues.

The Canterville Ghost, Abington Park Museum, 2.30pm Sat 21 October

Ghosts in Abington? I’ve see a few Zombies knocking around Wellingborough Road, but Ghosts? Abington museum gets into the spirit of All Hallows with a spine chilling adaptation of Oscar Wildes classic gothic-horror novel “Dracula”. This particular version is a dramatic reading from Graham Padden in the character of Jonathan Harker. For those aged over 18 there’ll be a bar on the evening so you might want to sort out who’ll be driving the broomstick home as witching hour draws closer. Only suitable for adults and children over the age of 10. Adults £10, children aged 10+ £8

Wharf Distillery ’Apple Day’ Artisan Market, 10am – 4pm Sat 21 Oct

Come and join team Wharf Distillery at their regular artisan market at Wakefield Country Courtyard. Local businesses will be showcasing their food, drink and crafts – some new and some familiar. Hot street food will be available alongside a real ale and cider bar to keep your energy up! FREE Entry, FREE Parking

Wharf Distillery, Wakefield Country Courtyard, Potterspury, Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12 7QX

It’s just under 60 miles away from Northampton, it’s an architectural wonder and this autumn it’s jam packed full of fun and frolics for the family. Well worth a Muddy good day trip and don’t forget the Castle is a great place to spend some time even if you are not attending an event. You can wander through stunning, intact rooms with displays that tell the story of this unique site from Saxon beginnings right through to Victorian times. So it’s educational too!!! Tick.

Half-term haunting at Tamworth Castle, 11.30am-4.00pm, Mon 23 to Fri 27 Oct

Bring the family to enjoy the ghostly goings-on at the Castle. You’ll encounter a series of spooky characters and activities as you tour the Castle. Complete the challenges set by the horrible hags, and try not to lose your body parts as you meet Master Slaughter! Have you got the courage to complete the tour?

The Wizard of OZ, Lighthouse Theatre, 2pm and 6pm, Mon 23 Oct

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the whole family. TICKETS: Full: £14 Concessions: £12 Family of 4: £48

The Wizard of OZ, Royal & Derngate , 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Mon 24 – 28 Oct

We’re off to see The Wizard! Again. This time he’s in Northampton.

Following their previous success with Sister Act and Grease, Northampton Musical Theatre Company return with a magical adaptation of the colourful classic The Wizard Of Oz. The yellow brick road arrives in October half-term with the RSC version featuring all the magical songs from the 1939 Judy Garland movie, including Over The Rainbow, Munchkinland (Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead), If I Only Had A Brain, We’re Off To See The Wizard and more. This year, there will also be a Wednesday matinee – where you are all invited to dress up in your favourite Ozian outfit.SPECIAL OFFER: BUY ONE ADULT TICKET AND TAKE A CHILD HALF PRICE (Wednesday Matinee Only).

X-Plorer Orienteering, Brixworth Country Park 11am – 3pm Wed 25 Oct

Take part in this unique orienteering adventure. A family activity for all ages; help each other find the clues and complete the course. Certificate and gift for all children taking part. £1 per child.

Spooky Treats and midnight feast for Primary school children, Bay Tree Cottage 10am – 12pm, Fri 27 Oct

Children will love this hands-on workshop learning how to make spooky treats and midnight feasts run by Jenny Dicks. Your little monsters will learn how to create ghastly Halloween cupcakes, horrible witches fingers and creepy cookies and spooky strawberry ghosts! They will leave laden with treats for you to give to any brave ‘Trick or Treaters’ or to enjoy in their own special Halloween midnight feats! Cost: £20 for 1 parent & 1 child, £5 for an extra child. (If you would like to bring more than one child, please book a place for you and one child then add a note in the comments box to tell us how many additional children you would like to bring … maximum of 3 children per adult. Payment for the additional children will be collected at the workshop)

Canons Ashby – Spooky Stories: creative writing workshop, 10.30am – 12pm (times vary), Thu 26 – Fri 27 Oct

Let your imagination run wild writing Spooky Stories with us this Halloween. This event will encourage your children’s creativity and help them come up tales to thrill everyone this October. Then they can display their scary stories for the public to read over Halloween weekend, or take them home to scare their siblings. Aimed at children aged 8-12 years old, this will take place in a couple of atmospheric locations at Canons Ashby, and use the buildings and stories as inspiration. Booking Essential. Phone: 03442491895. A National Trust Event – Start times vary. Check website for details. Normal Admission Charges Apply. Accompanied by one participating adult. Head to the Coach House who will be able to direct you as needed. Check website for latest information.

Michael Morpurgo’s King Arthur, Corby Cube, 1 & 4pm, Sat 28 Oct

Not the first time Mr Morpugo’s work is cropping up in Northants this half term. Here is a thrilling tale of magic, heroism, love and betrayal, adapted from the novel Arthur: High King Of Britain, by Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse and Private Peaceful. A drowning boy is rescued by a mysterious figure claiming to be Arthur Pendragon. As the old man tells his stories, he is transported back to the heady days of Camelot, the Round Table, Merlin, Excalibur, Lancelot and Guinevere. Join the award-winning Story Pocket Theatre as they tell exciting stories of chivalry, battles and the search for the Holy Grail, in a fast-moving family adventure packed with physical theatre and outstanding storytelling. Tickets £14.50

Children’s Halloween Evening at Tamworth Castle, 5 -8.30pm Sat 28 Oct

As half-term week ends, enjoy a fun evening hosted by the Friends of Tamworth Castle charity. Bring all the family, get dressed up in your spookiest costume and enjoy the ghostly goings on around the Castle. This is a very popular event, so please book your time slot in advance.

Halloween Party @ The Red Lion, 6.30 – 11pm, Sat 29 Oct

Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog. Gin? Vodka? Great Ale? Wahoo. The annual ghost hunt at one of Northants favourite and welcoming local hostelries is on. All Adults and children welcome but it’s best to book a time slot if you want to take part in the family event (there are limited slots and the village ghosts get very restless need to return to there past lives (or the bar).

Awesome Animation, The Roald Dahl Museum, 12.00pm, 1.30pm and 3.00pm, Sat 7 Oct

Join animator Adam Childs and make your own moving masterpiece. What new adventures will you take Matilda on? Maybe she’ll meet up with Willy Wonka?! Work together as a family to make the extraordinary happen! Cost: £3 per participant. Price does not include Museum entry which you will also need to book to take part in the workshop. Age: suitable for 5+ years only. Under 8s will need to be accompanied by an adult (no more than two non-participating adults will be allowed in the room per group).

Booking: you can book Museum entry and workshops online up until 4.30pm the day before (subject to availability). Workshop options will appear after selecting your Museum admission. Alternatively, you can call 01494 892192 Tues to Fri 10am to 4.30pm, Sat and Sun 11am to 4.30pm. Please leave a message if you can’t get through.