What To Do in the British Countryside In October 2024
October is one of our favourite months in the countryside. With Halloween on the horizon, and autumn in full swing, there is just something beautiful about the colours and feel of this season.
Of course, we're back with our guide to what's happening across the British countryside, rounding up all the exciting events and festivals you can mark in your calendars. Whether you’ve been following along with our monthly guides or you’re jumping in for the first time, October has plenty to offer, so let's see what’s in store!
Please note that every effort has been made to provide the correct information here below, but we advise referring to the official websites or social media platforms for each event to stay up-to-date.
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival
- Location: Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex
- Date: Various throughout October 2024
- Time: 10AM - 5:30PM (last entry at 4PM)
Billed as the "UK's No.1 Pumpkin Festival", this is a fantastic day out for families, couples, and friends.
This is what you can look forward to taking part in:
- Start off in the "Pumpkin Village", where you can enjoy American street food and delicious doughnuts, and head to the "Pumpkin Bar" for a drink.
- Shop at the "Pumpkin Boutique" for seasonal goodies, and look out for the "Pumpkin Folk" who bring the fun to life.
- Take pictures outside the "Pumpkin House", which is a full-size house made entirely of pumpkins!
- Pick your own pumpkin from over 100 varieties and take it home for Halloween decorations or maybe even a pumpkin pie.
You can also buy tickets to "Pumpkin Nights" if you prefer an evening event for a bit more of a spooky feel.
Halloween Farm
- Location: Cattows Farm, Normanton Lane, Heather, Leicestershire
- Date: 28th Sept - 31st Oct 2024
- Time: 10AM - 6PM (Last entry at 5PM)
If you live around the Leicestershire area and love Halloween, this event full of family activities is absolutely perfect for you.
Here's what's on:
- Enjoy the brand-new real life Miniature Animals Zone, which will be great for the little ones.
- "Pick Your Own" pumpkin field has pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colours for you to take home.
- Take the Haunted Express to be chilled to the bone with witches, goblins and spooky surprises.
- Walk down Trick or Treat Street, head to the Halloween Circus, and let the kids burn off some energy at the Big Bounce Land.
This is just a taste of what's available - there is plenty to keep you entertained all day long. They also encourage fancy dress (as well as your trusty wellies!)
Cheltenham Literature Festival
- Location: Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham
- Date: 4th - 13th October 2024
- Time: Various
The world's longest running literature festival is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, so if you haven't been before, this is a great year to pop along.
It's free to enter the festival village itself, but you will need to purchase tickets if you want to attend a particular event, such as one of their author talks. There is an impressive line-up, including Judi Dench, Alison Steadman, Fearne Cotton, Matt Haig, Carol Vorderman, Jacqueline Wilson, David Nicholls... the list goes on!
There are also family fun activities, plenty of food and drink stalls, and a generally brilliant, friendly atmosphere.
Henley Literary Festival
- Location: Henley-on-Thames
- Date: 28th September - 6th October 2024
- Time: Various
The Henley Literary Festival is one of the UK's most popular book festivals, bringing together a mix of well-known authors, debut writers, journalists, and public figures for a week of engaging talks, interviews, and panel discussions.
With events for all ages, including storytelling sessions and workshops for kids, it’s a family-friendly event that encourages a love of reading. The festival also offers book signings, giving attendees the chance to meet their favourite authors in person.
This year, you can enjoy talks by authors like Michael Palin, Julia Donaldson, Pam Ayres, and Rupert Everett.
Oktoberfest - A Volkswagen Adventure
- Location: River Dart Country Park, Devon
- Date: 4th - 6th October 2024
- Time: It's a predominantly camping event, but day entry is available for the Sat & Sun.
This is a fun-filled event that combines the excitement of Volkswagen enthusiasts with the festive spirit of Oktoberfest, and the theme for 2024 is Pop-toberfest.
Lots is happening over the weekend, including:
- Friday Night – Oktoberfest: A Bavarian-themed party with great food, drink, and music for a lively, traditional celebration.
- Saturday Night – P0p-Toberfest: Dress up as your favourite pop icons from the 60s to the 00s and dance the night away to hits from different decades.
- Halloween Fun: Embrace the spooky season with a Halloween theme, or combine it with the pop culture fun to go as ‘Dead Famous’!
There is also an adventure playground, zip wires, high ropes, BMX pump track, river walks, and more - perfect for keeping the kids entertained.
Brook Rural Museum Harvest Festival
- Location: Brook Rural Museum, The Street, Brook, Ashford
- Date: 5th October 2024
- Time: 2PM - 6PM
This is a great afternoon out if you live in the Ashford area and are looking for something to do the first weekend of October.
There’s so much going on for the kids—donkey rides (just £1), face painting, hands-on activities like crafts, and even a harvest trail to keep them entertained. You can also browse market stalls with local goods, enjoy tasty food and drinks, and take in live music while checking out some amazing local artwork.
Lincoln Sausage Festival
- Location: Lincoln Castle, Castle Hill, Lincoln
- Date: Saturday 12th October 2024
- Time: 10AM - 5PM
Step into history at the stunning Lincoln Castle, a medieval marvel built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Every October, the castle grounds host a lively festival celebrating the county’s famous sausages and offering fun for the whole family!
Enjoy lively performances from The Cosmic Sausages and meet the quirky duo, Mr & Mrs Sausage. Kids can get creative with face painting from Colour Ms Happy, while the Earth Bound Misfits offer circus skills workshops for all ages and you've got Juggling Jim providing more entertainment. And of course, there will be plenty of Lincolnshire sausages to treat yourself to throughout the day.
British National Ploughing Championships
- Location: Thoresby Estate, near Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Date: 12th - 13th October 2024
- Time: 8AM - 5.30PM
The 73rd British National Ploughing Championships & Country Festival sees around 250 top ploughmen and women from all over Great Britain competing - so it's a fantastic outdoor event to attend.
With around 300 plots being ploughed over the two days, it's going to be non-stop action and skill on display! Plus, explore agricultural trade stands, shopping stalls, vintage tractor displays, and country crafts.
You can also enjoy the Scottish Ploughing Championships at Newmore Farm, Ivergordon on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October.
Llangollen Food and Drink Festival
- Location: Various locations around Llangollen
- Date: 12th - 13th October 2024
- Time: Various, but most stalls are open between 10AM - 4PM
‘Try before you buy’ is the ethos of this food festival, so get ready to sample lots of delicious food from local producers! There are also lots of cooking demonstrations, live music and bands, and other pop up stalls to look forward to.
It's on across the Llangollen area, with the main locations being Llangollen Railway Station, The Town Hall, Centenary Square, Market Street, Riverside Park, the Silver Band Hall and Gales Wine Bar.
National Honey Show
- Location: Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey
- Date: 24th - 26th October 2024
- Time: Thurs: 9AM - 6PM (Lectures & Restaurant), 12PM - 6PM (Trade Hall), 12PM - 6PM (Honey Show). Fri: 9AM - 6PM. Sat: 8.30AM - 4.30PM
The National Honey Show is buzzing with excitement, featuring nearly 250 competitive classes to put beekeeping skills to the test. Beekeepers from around the world gather to compete for prestigious trophies and prize cards.
At the show you can:
- Hear from top experts in the beekeeping world with talks that will inspire and educate.
- Enhance your practical skills with interactive workshops designed for beekeepers of all levels.
- Discover a wide range of beekeeping supplies, tools, and innovations to enrich your beekeeping journey.
Also, check out the special false acacia tree planted by HRH Princess Royal last year, marked with a commemorative plaque in front of the Sandown Park building.
Dartmouth Food Festival
- Location: Dartmouth, South Devon
- Date: 25th - 27th October 2024
- Time: Various
This annual festival has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2004, and this year marks its 20th anniversary as one of the South West's top food events.
With over 100 hand-picked exhibitors—many from Devon—the festival truly showcases the best of the region’s food scene. Here's what you can enjoy throughout the weekend:
- For the grown-ups, there are amazing cookery demonstrations, drinks seminars, and tastings where you can meet celebrity chefs, local cooking talents, and some of the UK’s top food writers.
- Children can look forward to the fun-filled Children’s Tea Party on the opening Thursday, along with lots of other activities throughout the festival.
Even dogs can get in on the action, with treats like dog-flavoured ice cream from the Dartmouth Ice Cream Company!
Summary
That wraps up our guide to what's on in the countryside this October!
From pumpkin picking to harvest festivals, there’s plenty to look forward to as the season shifts. Don’t forget, with the weather turning chillier and rain more likely, it’s a good idea to keep your waterproof jackets and wellies handy for those outdoor activities.
And make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter too, as we’ll be sharing even more fun places to take the kids this Halloween, along with all the latest countryside events and tips to help you make the most of autumn.
About the Author
Mark Holland has a keen eye for all things men's country clothing. Living amidst the fields and farms, he understands the practical aspects of rural living and the timeless style that accompanies it. His advice reflects a genuine appreciation for the comfort and connection that come with country wear. If you're looking for down-to-earth recommendations, then trust Mark to guide you through kitting out your wardrobe with firm favourites and classic designs.
