Into the woods
On 23rd October, join Bushcraft Adventures for their new Woodland Workshop, starting with some warming yoga hosted in their Woodland roundhouse, before venturing forth with a cleansed and focused mind ready to experience a mindful axe-throwing session. Also available with Bushcraft Adventures try your hand at axe throwing, family bushcraft or archery.
Wrap up warm for a seaside adventure
Days out at the seaside aren't reserved for the summer months, hit the sands with Beach Academy Wales for World Jellyfish Day at Rest Bay Watersports Centre. Beach Academy Wales have also created 4 family-friendly short coastal walks called 'Seashore Trails', where being active and learning combine. Lift your spirits as you walk, with short beach walks and simple beach activities connecting you with seashore life, the marine environment and one another. Why not start with the The Reefs of Rest Bay walk?
Discover wildlife
Spooky season has arrived so go along to Kenfig Nature Reserve on the 29th and 30th October, pick up your Halloween trail sheets at the Hyde Out Horsebox and search for 6 scary spiders. Remember to bring a torch! The nature reserve also hosts a Farmers Market on the first Sunday of each month and The Hyde Out, a converted horse box serving up a menu of local coffee & cakes weekly, Thursday to Sunday. Grab your wellies and make a splash with over 300 acres of Parc Slip Nature Reserve. From tiny bugs to birds of prey, Parc Slip is home to a huge array of wildlife throughout the changing seasons. The safe area provides little explorers with the chance to immerse themselves in nature. Choose from traffic-free, family-friendly cycle tracks or wander along over 10k of pedestrian paths. You can be sure of a treat in the café too.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are ripe for the picking this year. Tycoch Farm near Porthcawl has a fabulous range of activities for the budding pumpkinologists to enjoy, or try Bridgend PYO Pumpkins in Blackmill, but beware of the giant spider. Get picking!
Or, unleash your creativity at home and carve a prize-winning pumpkin for the Bryngarw Woodland Garden trail. They can be any shape or size, spooky or friendly, simple or intricate. You can even paint or decorate them, if you prefer! The pumpkins will be available to see in the Woodland Garden (between Bryngarw House and B-Leaf) between 10am and 4pm on Monday 31st October. Take a walk around Bryngarw Country Park. While the entire park is a playground for everyone, the dedicated Children's Zone, with swings, slides and multi-play units, will keep little ones entertained for hours!
Spooky stories
St John’s House is protected as a Grade II listed building, described as the oldest habitable building in the Bridgend area. As well as its architectural beauty, this large house has a rich history filled with mystery - what are the strange carvings in the hallway, and do they hint to a link with the Knights of St John? Why was an ancient bell hidden under the floor and does it suggest the house was once a place where pilgrims rested? What better setting for an evening of storytelling. Halloween story telling with David Ambrose takes place on 29th October at St John’s House and is a ticketed event.
For younger audiences, The Conjurer of Cwrtycadno is an accessible adventure for families taking place at Bryngarw Country Park this Halloween. Part treasure hunt, part theatre production, the show features integrated BSL and live audio description. Book here to join this curious tale - a celebration of Welsh folklore, magic and the changing of the seasons.
