October Half Term Activities in Pembrokeshire
Things to do during Half Term in October
To help you keep the little ones entertained during the school holidays, we’ve put together this handy shortlist of October Half Term activities in Pembrokeshire. Pay a visit to one of the region’s most loved family days out or head to one of the Halloween events in the area.
While Pembrokeshire’s natural playground of beaches, coast paths and wide-open spaces are all still on the table, there are some fantastic things to do in Pembrokeshire in October.
Annual October Half Term Activities in Pembrokeshire
Fishguard Cawl Crawl
Foodies will not want to miss this one! The Fishguard and District Round Table is hosting its 16th Annual Cawl Crawl Challenge this October Half Term in Pembrokeshire on Saturday 26th October 2024. A real favourite in the foodie calendar, this incredible event promises to be a day filled with mouth-watering foodie offerings no doubt.
So what is the cawl crawl? Around a dozen or so establishments across Fishguard and Goodwick take part each year by creating their own homemade cawl dishes; a Welsh delicacy which is essentially a meat (often beef) and vegetable stew. Willing taste-testers are then welcomed to “crawl” from one eatery to another, sampling homemade cawls along the way giving each one a score as they go. The cawl with the highest score is then awarded the title of “Best Cawl”, with a Winners Presentation taking place on the same day at 7pm in Cresswell’s Cafe.
The 2024 Fishguard Cawl Crawl runs from 11am to 4pm with entry fees of £4 per adult and £2 per child. A full list of venues participating is yet to be announced, so keep an eye out on the Fishguard & District Round Table Facebook page for more info as it is announced.
Saundersfoot Big Bang Weekend
For things to do in Pembrokeshire in October, the Saundersfoot Big Bang Weekend is a sure-fire hit. This family-friendly Pembrokeshire event in Saundersfoot combines both Halloween and Bonfire Night. Held over three days from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2024, you can expect spooktacular delights and plenty of bonfire magic.
This event is often jam-packed with activities such as a trick or treat trail, a disco, a fancy dress competition and pumpkin carving with plenty of prizes up for grabs. That’s not forgetting the fantastic bonfire activities, a funfair and two firework displays over the water. It’s a truly magical event.
The funfair will be in town from 2pm on Friday with opening times from 12noon on both Saturday and Sunday. The main event takes place on Saturday 26th October with two free fireworks displays, a “Mini Bang” at 6:30pm and a “Big Bang” at 8pm.
The fireworks take place over the harbour in Saundersfoot
Llys Y Fran’s Autumn Food & Drink Fair
Embrace the autumnal season and head to the scenic Llys Y Fran Lake near Narberth for their Autumn Food and Drink Fair where you can pick up a whole selection of delicious local produce and homemade goodies. Tuck into something sweet with cakes and chocolates, sample savoury cheeses and chutneys or find a new tipple with Welsh ciders, gins and rums on offer. This takes place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 26th October.
Make sure whilst you’re there to take a walk or cycle around the lake too, it’s free to enter and is dog-friendly so your pooch won’t miss out on all the fun. There are also water activities to try out and land-based fun like archery, plus there’s a gift shop and cafe to visit too.
Popular October Half Term Attractions in Pembrokeshire
Castell Henllys, near Newport
Nestled in the rolling hills near Newport towards north Pembrokeshire, Castell Henllys offers a fascinating insight into the Iron Age era with replica roundhouses and age-old activities. Open daily from 10am until 5pm, this countryside delight is open from March right through to November meaning the October Half Term may be one of your last chances to visit before it closes for winter. Standard entry costs £8 per adult and £6 per child (4-16 years).
Stroll the autumnal woodlands and wander through the landscape, greeted by costumed characters from the Iron Age. Take the children to the play area before heading into the Visitor Centre, then stop for a spot of lunch at the cafe or picnic areas. This dog friendly attraction in Pembrokeshire hosts quiet mornings every Sunday between 10am and 12noon with special prehistoric “Fun in the Fort” days on the 29th and 30th Oct (additional charges apply). Samhain takes place on 31st between 10am and 4pm with hands-on activities and storytelling, followed by a dark skies evening on 1st Nov between 6pm and 9pm (charges apply for both).
Ramsey Island, near St Davids
Another popular day out in the region that you might want to visit before it closes for the winter season is Ramsey Island off the coast of St Davids. October half term is the perfect time to enjoy holidays in Pembrokeshire as it can be less crowded than the summer holidays and what better time to go wildlife spotting? This time of year sees the end of seal season, where you’ll find young pups bobbing around their beaches, getting used to their human neighbours.
Book a boat trip to land on Ramsey Island with our Concierge Team and discover this incredible RSPB Nature Reserve with its red deer, many bird species and of course the seals and their pups. There’s a delightful 3.5-mile walk around the island where you can better spot the amazing birdlife, including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars, peregrine falcons, choughs and ravens.
Landmarks to Visit in Pembrokeshire
Visit Dobby’s Grave
October days are all about cosy interiors and autumnal vibes, with temperatures cooling outdoors and warming fireplaces inside. If your idea of a dream day is curling up with a good book in front of the roaring flames or enjoying a movie marathon by the woodburner, then this iconic movie location in Pembrokeshire is a must-visit.
Calling all Potterheads, Freshwater West Beach is waiting for you. This beautiful sandy beach was used as a filming location for a few scenes in Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2. The quirky beachside house the trio stay in was built here amongst the dunes but unfortunately for fans, was taken down shortly after.
This is also where Dobby’s death scene was filmed so pay homage to the favourite house elf and pay a visit to this gorgeous grave next time you’re in Wales. You’ll find Dobby’s grave tucked away in the sand dunes overlooking the water and the spot is now covered with decorated pebbles left by fans to commemorate his death.
Picton Castle
Picton Castle and Gardens near Haverfordwest is a top location to enjoy a family-friendly day out during October Half Term with some 60 acres of woodland gardens to explore.
Open all year round, the gardens are open from 10am to 5pm during the Half Term with the Castle open between 1:30pm and 4:30pm. Tickets cost £14.50 per adult and £7 per child (5-15) with free re-entry within 7 days. Dogs on leads are welcomed and guided tours are usually on offer each day at 2pm (additional £5 charge), though free tours are on offer on Mondays at 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
Halloween in Pembrokeshire
If you’re planning on spending October Half Term in West Wales, we recommend checking out some of the excellent family friendly Halloween events in Pembrokeshire. Promising great fun for the whole family, you can go pumpkin picking or get involved in one of the many spooktacular activities on offer. For adults who fancy something a little more spine-chilling, an after-dark ghost hunt might be just the thing.
Spend October Half Term in Pembrokeshire
If you'd like to spend autumn in Wales this year, a half term holiday is a good time to start. As well as fantastic visitor attractions, there are plenty of quiet and beautiful beaches to explore, scenic walks to enjoy and fascinating wildlife to discover. Head to Pembrokeshire for this October half term to discover the magic for yourself and book one of our October Half Term holiday cottages for your accommodation. With a collection of luxury getaways, sea view houses, dog friendly cottages and beachside holiday homes, we guarantee we'll have somewhere just right for you.
