October half-term adventures with the National Trust in Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire

The Trust says: "Autumn’s beautiful backdrop, its crunchy carpets of leaves and glossy conkers create a natural playground for children.

"For families who love exploring the great outdoors, there’s no shortage of seasonal delights to discover this October half-term.

"At Stowe, Hughenden, Cliveden, Basildon Park, Greys Court and Waddesdon, children’s trails and family walks bring kids closer to nature as they explore acres of parkland, fields and woods.

"Make sure you pick up a ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activity planner when you arrive.

"Autumn is one of the very best times to have an outdoors adventure – make a wild crown from colourful leaves foraged from Hughenden’s beech woods, or master the art of playing

conkers – look for champion conkers under Basildon Park and Cliveden’s chestnut trees.

"Check out the colours reflected in the water at Stowe and see the geese on their annual migration. There are loads of fun challenges that’ll encourage kids to feel safe in our Great

Outdoors."

If you can't get out and about this October, the NT have put together a handy guide of things you can do form the comfort of your home and garden.

Their ‘50 things’ pack shows you how to make simple homes for hedgehogs and bees – something you can do when you visit, or in your own garden. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do.

If you are heading out to a NT property, be sure to download a spotter sheet or two before you visit – they’ll help children identify all sorts of nature, from leaves and woodland creatures, to garden wildlife.

And how-to guides provide lots of inspiration for fun at home, with star-gazing, baking, and bird feeder-making tips. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/family-activities-for-outdoor-adventuresHere are just some of the adventures on offer:

Stowe:

Stowe’s inviting families to pick up conkers from Bell Gate Drive, make a wild crown from the leaves tumbling from the thousands of trees, watch swans, lapwings, ducks and geese

sweeping across the lakes or watch the sunset at the end of the day before the gates close.

Stowe is also collecting pumpkins carved at home and brought to Stowe to display in the temples and monuments in the garden.

Hughenden

Some of the trees at Hughenden have been dressing up for Halloween to trick unsuspecting children. With creatures’ lairs and magical scenes, Hughenden will be celebrating the

season of autumn in their garden trail.

In the walled garden there are apple-inspired scarecrows which have been handmade by volunteers, giving a hint as to the names of just a few of the apple varieties grown in the

orchard.

Cliveden

Cliveden’s woodland play trail is a great way to while away an hour or two in the colourful trees with log stepping stones, rope swings and balance beams.

There are also opportunities to strengthen climbing and den building skills along the way.

Waddesdon

Waddesdon has a terrifying spooky trail to follow down Miss Alice’s Drive to find twelve creatures of the night that are hiding away.

You can also pre-book a pumpkin to carve at the Stables and take home afterwards.