It may feel as though the children have only just returned to school after the summer holidays, but half term is already just around the corner. If you’re looking for things to do in Cambridge this October half term, there’s plenty to tempt families into a few days away.

Cambridge is particularly special in October. The leaves are turning along the River Cam, the colleges look beautiful in the softer autumn light, and there’s just enough of a chill in the air to make returning to a warm, luxurious hotel at the end of the day feel all the more inviting.

Of course, while the grown ups might appreciate the autumn colours and crisp October air, the children will have a rather more pressing question: where’s the fun? So if you are planning a family break in Cambridge this October half term, here are some of the places and experiences we would put at the top of your list.

The Milton Maze Pumpkin Patch

Embrace the colours and traditions of Autumn with a visit to The Milton Maze Pumpkin Patch, a charming seasonal family attraction just outside Cambridge. It’s an ideal countryside outing for families looking to make the most of spooky season.

Wander through the pumpkin patch and choose your favourite pumpkins to take home, with plenty of opportunities for colourful Autumn photographs along the way. With its relaxed outdoor setting and unmistakably Autumnal atmosphere visitors can also enjoy the maze and a selection of family friendly activities. Honestly your children will not want to go home, so wrap up warm, pull on your wellies and enjoy this quintessential seasonal experience.

Meet the Animals at the Museum of Zoology

For a brilliant rainy day option, make your way to the University Museum of Zoology on Downing Street. This is one of those Cambridge museums that children tend to love from the moment they walk through the door (might be something to do with the 21 metre long fin whale suspended from the ceiling just as you enter). Its collections span the animal kingdom, with everything from tiny insects to enormous skeletons.

There is plenty here to fascinate adults too, making it an excellent choice when you are trying to find an activity that works for different generations.

Top Tip - General admission is free, so it is easy to drop in for an hour or two before heading elsewhere in the city. Its perfectly paired with the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences which is the other side of the road.

Discover Dinosaurs, Fossils and Millions of Years of History

Another of our favourite free things to do in Cambridge with children is the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.

Tucked away within the University of Cambridge, the museum is home to an extraordinary collection of fossils, rocks and minerals covering hundreds of millions of years of Earth's history. Young dinosaur enthusiasts should be very happy here, but it is equally good for curious older children who enjoy discovering how our planet has changed over time. With colouring stations and comfortable spots to sit and read this is a charming way to spend some quiet time with your aspiring paleontologists.

Just like Museum of Zoology it is central enough to combine with lunch, shopping or another museum afterwards, making it an easy addition to a relaxed half-term day in Cambridge.

Space Safari Drone Light Show

Add a little magic to October half term with the spectacular Space Safari Drone Light Show, taking place at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday 24 October 2026. As darkness falls, hundreds of synchronised drones will illuminate the night sky, creating breathtaking animations accompanied by music, immersive sound and cinematic storytelling narrated by BAFTA award winning presenter Michaela Strachan.

The experience offers much more than the main aerial display. Arrive early to enjoy an afternoon and evening of live music and entertainment, fairground rides, face painting and tempting street food stalls, before the drone show begins.

Warm Up with a Knoops Hot Chocolate

When the October chill begins to bite, there’s only one sensible response: hot chocolate. Take a break from your Cambridge half-term adventures and make a beeline for Knoops on Green Street, where choosing your perfect cup of cocoa is taken very seriously indeed.

Chocolate lovers can pick their preferred cocoa percentage before having it expertly crafted into a silky smooth drink, from creamy and comforting for little ones to deliciously dark and decadent for the grown ups. Add a sprinkle of spice or a cloud of marshmallows for an extra Autumnal treat, then wrap your hands around your cup and prepare to feel suitably smug. It’s the perfect pit stop between exploring Cambridge’s cobbled streets, museums and shops, particularly when little legs are beginning to tire.

Stranger Folk at Wimpole Estate

Step into a world of folklore and old magic with Stranger Folk at Wimpole Estate, an atmospheric Halloween adventure set amid the beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. The experience invites families to explore the historic estate with the help of the Stranger Folk app. Guided by the mysterious Crone, visitors must seek out the cracks where strange characters from British folklore are slipping into our world and help close the gaps between the two realms. It’s an imaginative alternative to traditional Halloween scares, combining storytelling, technology and the great outdoors.

The trail is recommended for children aged seven and over and runs from 3–31 October. The event itself is free, although normal admission charges to Wimpole Estate apply.

Top Tip - For the best experience, download the app before arriving, as mobile signal at Wimpole can be limited.

Ministry of Science at Cambridge Corn Exchange

Bring science spectacularly to life this October half term with Ministry of Science, an explosive family show arriving at Cambridge Corn Exchange direct from London’s West End on Tuesday 27 October 2026.

Combining education with plenty of theatrical excitement, the show explores the scientists, engineers and inventors who have helped shape our modern world. Expect an energetic afternoon filled with extraordinary live experiments, including 20-foot liquid nitrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self built hovercraft.

With its playful approach to science and impressive demonstrations, Ministry of Science is an entertaining choice for curious young minds, and their accompanying grown ups, during a family stay in Cambridge.

Halloween Afternoon Tea at Parker’s Tavern

For a frightfully good addition to your October half-term plans, take a seat at Parker’s Tavern for a Halloween Afternoon Tea with a deliciously mischievous twist. Set within the elegant surroundings of University Arms, overlooking Cambridge’s historic Parker’s Piece, it’s a rather spook-tacular way to spend an afternoon.

Expect a little trick and plenty of treat as our quintessential British afternoon tea is given a playful Halloween makeover. Tuck into delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a hauntingly beautiful selection of seasonal patisserie, accompanied by a choice of fine teas, no potions required.

With a few ghoulish surprises and devilishly delicious details along the way, it’s an afternoon designed to enchant little monsters and grown-up ghosts alike. So gather your favourite coven, settle in and prepare for an afternoon tea that’s elegant, indulgent and just the right amount of wicked.

See Cambridge from the River Cam

You really cannot come to Cambridge without going punting at least once. It is also wonderfully easy with children. There are no tired legs to contend with, everyone gets a good view and the stories told by the guides tend to bring the history of Cambridge to life far better than a textbook ever could.

A chauffeured punt along the River Cam is perhaps the loveliest way to see some of the city’s most famous sights. Settle beneath a blanket while your guide does the hard work and watch Cambridge drift past, historic college buildings, beautiful bridges and the celebrated Backs.

In autumn, it becomes even prettier as the trees along the river turn shades of amber, russet and gold.

Top tip - Book ahead for October half term, particularly if you would like a private punt, and opt for late morning or early afternoon when the autumn day has had a little time to warm up.

Whether you’re joining us for a single night or settling in for a longer half-term escape, October is a particularly beautiful time to experience Cambridge.

Our advice is simple: choose one thing you’d really like to do each day, then leave a little room for spontaneity. Cambridge is a city that rewards those who wander, and often the most memorable family moments are found between the planned attractions – along cobbled streets, beside the river or over an impromptu hot chocolate.

At University Arms, the best of Cambridge is waiting just beyond the door. Explore the city at your own pace, before returning with rosy cheeks, stories to share and the promise of a little luxury at the end of it all.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the best things to do in Cambridge during October half term?

Cambridge has plenty for families to enjoy during October half term, from museums and punting on the River Cam to pumpkin picking and special Halloween events. Highlights for October 2026 include Stranger Folk at Wimpole Estate, the Space Safari Drone Light Show at Newmarket Racecourse and Ministry of Science at Cambridge Corn Exchange. Families can also explore the Museum of Zoology and Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, both of which offer free general admission.

2. What can you do with kids in Cambridge when it rains?

Cambridge has some excellent indoor family attractions for rainy autumn days. The University Museum of Zoology and Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences are particularly good choices for children and are conveniently located close to one another in the city centre. You could also catch a family show at Cambridge Corn Exchange or warm up with hot chocolate before exploring more of Cambridge’s shops and museums.

3. Are there Halloween events for children in Cambridge in October 2026?

Yes. Cambridge and the surrounding area have several family-friendly Halloween and autumn events taking place in October 2026. Families can visit the Milton Maze Pumpkin Patch, experience Stranger Folk at Wimpole Estate or enjoy Halloween Afternoon Tea at Parker’s Tavern. There are options for younger children as well as older children looking for something a little more atmospheric.