Family adventures at Lyme this fall-term

With the leaves in autumn colour, and the scent of bonfires in the air, October half-term is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and have a family adventure at Lyme. The National Trust attraction in Disley is planning plenty of ways for families to get active and make the most of autumn nature.

Visitors will be able to discover the myths and legends of Britain’s native trees and landscapes from Sunday 19 October to Sunday 10 November, with a children’s trail winding through Crow Wood Playscape.

Little (and big) monsters can get creative with pumpkin carving on 24, 25, 28 and 29 October, with everything provided to make your pumpkins as spooky as possible.

Lyme’s annual Fright Run returns on Friday 25 October for families brave enough to take on the 2km route with ghoulish monsters and wicked witches along the way – fancy dress is a must. Grown-ups looking for an extra spook can also take on the after-dark, adult-only Fright Run, with a challenging 6km trail run through the moorlands and woods.

For a less spooky side of Lyme, families can join the ranger team for Ranger-in-Training sessions, where children aged 6-12 can take part in outdoor nature activities from identifying birds to creating wild art.

While rainy days present plenty of fun opportunities for muddy walks and puddle-splashing, there’s also plenty of ways to stay dry on those wet days at Lyme. The historic house is open Friday-Tuesday during October and welcomes families with a trail following the globe-trotting adventures of Thomas Legh, through the treasures and antiques that he brought back to Lyme. Younger children can explore the collection of toys in the Nursery Suite, and booklovers of all ages can enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the library, where modern favourites from Horrible Histories to Harry Potter can be found amongst the collection.

For families looking for a full day out, there are kids lunchboxes with colouring activities available at the Servants’ Hall Tearoom, and the garden or the millpond make for perfect picnicking spots.

Pumpkin Carving, Ranger-in-Training and Fright Run are all available to book via https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme/whats-on