October half-term in Deal: pumpkins, scarecrows and a castle garden

Kent's schools break up on Friday 23 October for the October half-term, which runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. If you are bringing children to Deal, or looking for ways to keep them busy at home, here is what's on in and around the town.

Pumpkins and a woodland trail at Betteshanger

Betteshanger Country Park, just north of Deal on the site of the old colliery, is the centre of Halloween in the area. Its woodland Halloween Trail runs on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, then returns with a pumpkin patch from 24 October to 1 November, which covers the whole of half-term. On the pumpkin patch days every child can choose a small pumpkin to take home.

At the time of writing, tickets for the trail on 17 and 18 October were £12.50 per child, including entry for two adults. From 24 October to 1 November they were £15 per child, again including two adults and a small pumpkin. Extra adults were £4. It's worth booking ahead on the park's website.

On Friday 30 October, from 10am to 2pm, there is a free Halloween party at the park, with a disco, crafts and a fancy dress competition, none of which cost anything. Games such as Pumpkin Shy and Splat the Rat are £1 each, face painting is from £5, and no ticket is needed.

Dog owners are looked after too. Pupkin Patch on Saturday 24 October is a day for dogs and their owners: one ticket covers a dog and up to two people, with entry to the Halloween woodland trail and a pumpkin.

Scarecrows at Walmer Castle

A little over a mile south of Deal Castle, Walmer Castle has a Scarecrow Trail in its gardens from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November, during opening hours. In half-term week there are craft sessions too, from 11am to 2pm: making a mini scarecrow on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 October, and creating your own mask on Wednesday 28 October. The gardens also have a play trail through the woods.

One thing to know before you go: the castle's interior is closed while English Heritage prepares for a major conservation project, so you can't go inside at the moment. The eight acres of award-winning gardens, the tearoom, the cafe, the shop and the second-hand bookshop are all open daily, and ticket prices are 30% lower while the interior is shut. The work is supported by a £3.08 million grant from the government's Museum Estate and Development Fund, towards vital repairs to the castle roof as part of a project costing more than £5.5 million.

Deal Castle and the Timeball Tower

Deal Castle, Henry VIII's rose-shaped fort on the seafront, is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.15pm, according to English Heritage. The two castles are about 1.3 miles (2 km) apart, and the flat walk between them along the seafront is a good family outing. You can read more in our guide to the two castles.

Plan your walk along the front for one o'clock if you can. The ball on the Timeball Tower still drops at 1pm every day, and children tend to love watching it fall.

Films and shows at The Astor

If the weather turns, The Astor in Deal has family-friendly options. On Sunday 25 October, the weekend before half-term, the Deal Film Festival shows the Halloween family film Grow (PG), with Halloween activities from 10am and the film at 10.45am. On Thursday 29 October there is Dracula the Panto, a spoof of the vampire story in pantomime style. See everything on at The Astor.

Eating out and wet-weather plans

After a busy day, our guide to the best-reviewed places to eat and drink in Deal has everything from a proper pub to a pizza shop. For more to do, see what's on in Deal, which lists events through to Christmas.

Before you go

Times, prices and booking arrangements can change, so check each venue's own website before you set off, especially for the trails, which need booking in advance.