Half term in Elmbridge runs 19 to 30 October 2026, two weeks this year. Eleven things on at Painshill, Claremont, Brooklands and Hampton Court, with prices.
October half term in Elmbridge runs from Monday 19 to Friday 30 October 2026. It is two weeks long this year, at Surrey’s community schools and at every local academy and independent school we checked.
With the weekends either side, that is 16 days to fill, from Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November.
The quick answer
- Dates: Monday 19 to Friday 30 October 2026, confirmed by Surrey County Council. Schools return on Monday 2 November
- No booking needed: Claremont Landscape Garden’s squirrel trail, included in admission of £14 for an adult and £7 for a child, with free parking
- Book ahead: Painshill’s children’s sessions run on set dates only and cost £9 a child on top of an adult’s entry
The school-by-school dates, including INSET days, are on our Elmbridge school term dates page.
What’s on, by venue
Painshill, Cobham
Painshill has three sets of bookable children’s sessions for half term. Each costs £9 for a non-member child or £4 for a member’s child, and the child’s garden admission is included. Adults need their own admission ticket or membership. Dogs are not allowed on the sessions.
- Whispers in the Woods. A storytelling tree walk lasting an hour, meeting at the Riverside Gardens. Saturday 17, Wednesday 21 and Saturday 31 October at 10.30am, and Monday 26 October at 2pm
- Woodland Wonders. Tree-themed craft, with collages, clay leaf impressions and tree rubbings given as examples. Monday 19 and Wednesday 28 October at 10.30am
- Woodland Hideouts. Den building from natural materials. Tuesday 20 and Tuesday 27 October at 10.30am
Painshill’s autumn season, Something You Should Hear, is about its trees. An Autumn Activity Book for children is available from 9 October for a small donation on arrival.
Half term falls outside Painshill’s off-peak dates, so general prices apply: £12.50 for an adult and £5.50 for a child aged 5 to 16 booked online, plus a £1 booking fee per transaction, or £15 and £7.50 on the door. Under-fives are free. Online tickets are sold only until the day before.
Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher
- The Squirrels Who Squabbled trail. A family trail based on Rachel Bright’s picture book, running daily until Sunday 1 November. The National Trust says normal admission applies and no booking is needed
- Around the Belvedere Mount tree walk. A guided walk with a heritage volunteer on Thursday 22 October. Booking is advised
Admission is £14 for an adult, £7 for a child aged 5 to 17 and £35 for a family of two adults and up to three children. A ticket for one adult and up to three children is £21. National Trust members and under-fives go free, and parking is free.
The garden is open 9am to 5pm until Saturday 31 October, with last entry an hour before closing.
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge
- London Bus Museum TransportFest, Sunday 18 October. Bus, coach, taxi and military vehicle displays, heritage bus trips, a collectors’ market and live music, according to the museum’s listing
- Off Road Day, Sunday 1 November, 10am to 5pm
- Ghosts in the Machine escape trail. A puzzle trail around the site featuring characters from Brooklands’ past. The pack costs £5.95 from Museum Admissions, on top of entry
Brooklands also hands out free family activity trails on arrival. It says children’s entry starts from £10.15 and under-fours are free. Admissions went cashless on 1 January 2026.
Hampton Court Palace
- Halloween at Hampton Court Palace, Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November. Projections and sound effects inside the palace, and a trail of pumpkins and scarecrows in the Wilderness for younger children. Historic Royal Palaces says it is included in palace admission and members need not pre-book
The palace is over the river from East Molesey, outside the borough, and it covers only the second week of the break.
Free, and indoors
- Elmbridge Museum exhibitions in the libraries. A Model View, a display of miniature models of local landmarks, is at Cobham Library until February 2027. Making Waves, on 100 years of Weybridge Ladies Amateur Rowing Club, is at Weybridge Library Hub until January 2027. Both are free and open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm
The last weekend: fireworks
- Two displays are already on sale for the end of the break and the week after. Dates, times and prices are on our Elmbridge fireworks and Bonfire Night page
Prices at a glance
| Venue | Adult | Child | Free for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Landscape Garden | £14 | £7 (5 to 17) | Under-fives, National Trust members |
| Painshill, booked online | £12.50 | £5.50 (5 to 16) | Under-fives, Painshill members |
| Painshill, on the door | £15 | £7.50 (5 to 16) | Under-fives, Painshill members |
| Elmbridge Museum displays | Free | Free | Everyone |
National Trust and English Heritage cards do not get you into Painshill, which is an independent charity.
Getting about
Check our Elmbridge roadworks and travel page before a drive. Council car park charges are on the parking in Elmbridge page. Parking at Claremont is free.
There is more to do all year round in our things to do in Elmbridge list.
What is still to come
Brooklands had not published a dedicated half-term programme when we checked. We will look again on 12 October and add whatever has been confirmed.
Sources
- School term dates, Surrey County Council
- Painshill: events, ticket prices and the three session pages linked above
- Claremont Landscape Garden, National Trust, for events, opening times and prices
- Brooklands Museum: events calendar, escape trail and family visits
- Halloween at Hampton Court Palace, Historic Royal Palaces
- Discover Elmbridge’s heritage this autumn, Elmbridge Borough Council, published 14 September 2026
Have your say