From giant dinosaur sculptures and a new Pip and Posy trail to snakes, circus workshops and an after-dark Halloween experience, Blenheim Palace has announced a broad programme of family activities for autumn 2026.
Several of the attractions can be combined during a daytime visit, but families need to check their tickets carefully.
The Haunted Half Term programme, Adventure Play and evening Halloween trail have different admission arrangements, while the Halloween event requires a separately purchased timed ticket.
At a glance
| Activity | Dates and times | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaurs Are Forever | Until Sunday 1 November 2026 | Included with an Annual Pass or Park & Gardens ticket |
| Pip & Posy’s Treehouse Trail | Open daily; Adventure Play is currently listed from 10.15am to 5.15pm | Palace & Play Pass or valid admission with an Adventure Play day ticket |
| Haunted Half Term | Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, 10am to 4.30pm | Listed as included with an Annual Pass; check Adventure Play access separately |
| Halloween at Blenheim Palace | Thursday 22 October to Sunday 1 November | Separately ticketed, with timed entry |
| Walled Garden | Open daily, subject to seasonal opening arrangements | Included with an Annual Pass or qualifying day ticket |
| Where | Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL | |
| More information | See Blenheim Palace’s current events programme | |
Haunted Half Term brings creatures and circus skills to the Walled Garden
Blenheim Palace’s daytime half-term programme will run from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.
Activities will take place between 10am and 4.30pm in the Walled Garden and Adventure Play areas.
The returning ZooLab animal show will give children the chance to meet creatures including snakes, tarantulas, giant snails and frogs. Supervised opportunities to touch or handle some of the animals will also form part of the sessions.
Elsewhere, families will be able to try circus skills, listen to witch-themed storytelling and encounter roaming wizard characters.
A detailed daily timetable has not yet been published, so visitors hoping to attend a particular ZooLab show, storytelling session or workshop should check the final programme before travelling.
The official listing says Haunted Half Term is included with an Annual Pass. It does not include the separately ticketed Halloween trail taking place later in the day.
Dogs are not allowed within the Haunted Half Term activity areas.
Full details and any later timetable updates will be published through the Haunted Half Term event page.
Giant spider and Monster Disco join the Halloween trail
Halloween at Blenheim Palace will return from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 1 November with a newly imagined outdoor route through the historic grounds.
The 1.3-kilometre trail will combine illuminated scenery, live performers, sound, music and Halloween characters.
The most prominent new installation is an enormous Spider Puppet, waiting beyond a 20-metre funnel-web tunnel inside the Spider’s Lair.
Visitors will also encounter Dracula’s Lair, complete with mausoleums, mist, coffins and a Vampire Hunter pursuing the Count.
Four neon coffin installations will provide dedicated photo opportunities, while a new Monster Disco with mirror balls, lighting and music will bring the trail to a more colourful conclusion.
Returning attractions include the Headless Horseman, Pirate’s Wreck, Catacombs and Possessed Pumpkin Farm.
Families can choose between daylight, twilight and later evening sessions. The physical route remains broadly the same, but the experience is likely to feel more intense once darkness falls.
| Halloween ticket | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Off peak | £19 | £13.50 |
| Standard | £23 | £17.50 |
| Peak | £25 | £19.50 |
| Parking | £10 per vehicle | |
The published prices include booking fees. Parking is limited and should be reserved with the trail tickets.
Halloween admission does not include the Palace’s daytime Haunted Half Term programme, Adventure Play or an ordinary Palace and Gardens visit.
The trail is outdoors and will continue in most ordinary autumn weather, so visitors should wear warm, waterproof clothing and suitable footwear.
Only guide and registered assistance dogs are permitted.
Tickets and available entry times can be found through the Halloween at Blenheim Palace page.
Do not confuse the two Halloween events
Haunted Half Term is the daytime family programme involving ZooLab, circus activities, storytelling and roaming characters.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace is the separate timed trail through the grounds, with illuminated installations and live Halloween characters.
A daytime ticket or Annual Pass does not automatically provide access to the evening trail. A Halloween trail ticket does not provide general daytime admission.
Families planning to attend both should book each required element and leave enough time to eat, rest and move between the daytime and evening experiences.
Five giant Megalosaurus sculptures remain until November
The Dinosaurs Are Forever exhibition will continue in the Palace gardens until Sunday 1 November.
Created by Oxfordshire-based artist and former television presenter Jay Jay Burridge, the exhibition features five articulated Megalosaurus skeleton sculptures measuring around nine metres long.
The works are contemporary artistic interpretations rather than conventional museum reconstructions. They combine palaeontology, sculpture, engineering and modern materials.
Megalosaurus has a particularly strong Oxfordshire connection. Fossils found in the county were studied by Oxford geologist William Buckland, who published the first scientific description of the animal in 1824.
It became the first dinosaur to be given a formal scientific name, although the word “dinosaur” was not introduced until later.
The original fossils are now held by Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Blenheim Palace’s autumn announcement says families will also be able to meet a costumed Victorian explorer connected with the exhibition. No autumn appearance times are currently published on the live event page, so visitors should check before travelling if meeting the character is an important part of their visit.
The sculptures are included with an Annual Pass or Park & Gardens ticket.
Further information is available through the Dinosaurs Are Forever exhibition page.
Pip and Posy mystery continues in Adventure Play
Younger visitors can follow the new Pip and Posy Treehouse Trail inside Adventure Play.
The route is inspired by Pip and Posy’s Treehouse Mystery and asks children to help find Pip’s missing toy, Piggy.
Challenges include puddle-jumping along the path, using the zip lines, searching for miniature characters in the Secret Garden and playing a bug-racing board game inside the Boathouse.
The trail ends at a purpose-built treehouse where children can continue with imaginative play and discover Piggy with her new friend, Becca.
The wider Adventure Play area includes tunnels, bridges, cargo nets, slides, zip lines, climbing features and giant carrots.
Adventure Play is currently listed as open daily from 10.15am to 5.15pm, although families should check the October opening time before travelling.
Entry is included with a Palace & Play Pass. Families holding another valid Blenheim admission product can currently buy a single Adventure Play visit for £5 per adult and £7 per child.
Sessions may be allocated on arrival and can reach capacity during busy school-holiday days.
The trail and Adventure Play do not permit dogs.
More information is available through the Pip and Posy Treehouse Trail page.
Maze, butterflies and bees in the Walled Garden
Families can continue their day in the Walled Garden, which can be reached on foot or by using the Palace’s miniature railway.
Winston the miniature train runs between the Palace and Walled Garden and currently costs £1 per person in each direction.
The Marlborough Maze contains around two miles of yew hedging, with its design drawing on the history of the Palace.
The Butterfly House provides a warmer indoor stop in cooler autumn weather. Contrary to the description in the original announcement, Blenheim Palace says it houses butterfly species from around the world rather than only native British species.
The Rowse Honey Hive uses interactive displays to explain the role of bees, pollination and honey production.
The Walled Garden also includes a working Kitchen Garden, where produce including herbs, salad leaves, edible flowers, beetroot and tomatoes is grown.
For lunch, the on-site pizzeria serves wood-fired pizzas, lasagne, salads and warm dough balls, subject to its opening arrangements on the day.
The Walled Garden, maze, Butterfly House and Honey Hive are included with an Annual Pass or qualifying day ticket. Adventure Play has its own admission rules.
Which Blenheim Palace ticket will families need?
The best-value ticket depends on whether a family wants the gardens, Palace State Rooms, Adventure Play or the separately ticketed Halloween trail.
| Current ticket | Adult | Child | Family | Main access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park & Gardens day ticket | £31 | £15 | £85 | One-day access to the park, Formal Gardens and Walled Garden; includes the dinosaur exhibition |
| Palace, Park & Gardens Pass | £41 | £24 | £110 | 12 months of access to the Palace, park, gardens and many included events |
| Palace & Play Pass | £51 | £41 | £165 | 12 months of Palace, park, gardens and Adventure Play access |
| Adventure Play day visit | £5 | £7 | Check live booking | Single Play visit used alongside a valid Blenheim pass or day ticket |
| Halloween trail | From £19 | From £13.50 | Check live booking | Timed admission to the separately ticketed illuminated trail only |
Prices can change and availability may differ by date. Families should check the live checkout before paying.
Important Adventure Play ticket point
The Haunted Half Term page lists activities in the Walled Garden and Adventure Play and describes the programme as included with an Annual Pass.
However, ordinary entry to Adventure Play is not included with the standard Palace, Park & Gardens Pass. It normally requires a Palace & Play Pass or a separate Play day ticket used alongside valid admission.
Families who particularly want the Pip and Posy trail or Adventure Play should check that their selected ticket explicitly includes Play access.
How to plan a full autumn day
A family wanting to experience several attractions could begin with the dinosaur sculptures in the Formal Gardens before travelling to the Walled Garden for the maze, Butterfly House and Honey Hive.
During October half-term, the daytime Haunted Half Term performances and workshops could then be added, with Adventure Play and the Pip and Posy trail included where the correct Play admission has been purchased.
Visitors also holding a timed Halloween ticket could eat and take a break before joining the evening trail.
Attempting everything in one day may be tiring for younger children. The Palace & Gardens and Palace & Play products provide 12-month access, making it possible to return for permanent attractions rather than rushing through them.
Getting to Blenheim Palace from Oxford
Where to find Blenheim Palace
| Address | Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL |
| From Oxford by bus | Stagecoach S3 and S7 services stop outside the Palace gates |
| From Oxford Parkway | The S7 provides a direct connection to Woodstock and Blenheim Palace |
| From Witney | The S7 runs towards Woodstock and the Palace |
| Nearest railway station | Long Hanborough, around three miles away; an onward taxi or bus connection should be arranged |
| Daytime admission offer | Stagecoach currently advertises 20% off qualifying Blenheim admission with code GREEN20 and proof of bus travel |
| Customer services | 01993 810530 |
| Booking | Compare Blenheim Palace tickets |
The S3 and S7 currently operate up to every 30 minutes from Oxford, with the S3 also calling at Oxford railway station and Gloucester Green.
Families using a late Halloween entry should check the final return bus for their chosen date before leaving home.
The GREEN20 public-transport offer is advertised for qualifying daytime Blenheim admission. It should not be assumed to apply to the separately ticketed Halloween trail.
Accessibility and practical information
Blenheim Palace provides Blue Badge parking and admits one necessary companion for a Blue Badge holder free of charge during an ordinary daytime visit.
Wheelchairs and single-person mobility scooters can be reserved through the Access Desk. Visitors are advised to book at least 24 hours ahead because availability is limited.
Adventure Play includes wide paths, ramps, handrails and anti-slip inserts on some decking. The wider gardens still contain slopes and uneven outdoor surfaces.
Families with mobility, sensory or other access requirements should contact the Palace before visiting, particularly when planning to combine the daytime programme with the outdoor Halloween trail.
Detailed information is available through the Blenheim Palace accessibility guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Haunted Half Term at Blenheim Palace?
It runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, between 10am and 4.30pm.
What is included in Haunted Half Term?
The announced programme includes ZooLab animal encounters, circus workshops, witchy storytelling and wizard walkabouts. Final daily times have not yet been published.
Does Haunted Half Term include the evening Halloween trail?
No. Halloween at Blenheim Palace is a separate timed event and requires its own ticket.
When does the Halloween trail run?
The illuminated trail runs from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
How much are Halloween tickets?
Tickets start from £19 for adults and £13.50 for children, including booking fees. Standard and peak sessions cost more, and parking is £10.
Are the dinosaur sculptures included with admission?
Yes. Dinosaurs Are Forever is included with an Annual Pass or Park & Gardens ticket and continues until 1 November.
How many dinosaurs are there?
The exhibition contains five articulated Megalosaurus skeleton sculptures, each measuring around nine metres long.
Is the Pip and Posy trail free with every ticket?
No. It is inside Adventure Play. Visitors need a Palace & Play Pass or a valid Blenheim ticket with the appropriate Adventure Play day admission.
What can children do on the Pip and Posy trail?
Activities include puddle-jumping, zip lines, searching for miniature friends, playing a bug-racing game and finding Piggy at the new treehouse.
Is the miniature train free?
No. It currently costs £1 per person in each direction between the Palace and Walled Garden.
Does the Butterfly House contain British butterflies?
Blenheim Palace describes the Butterfly House as being home to species from around the world.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are not allowed at Haunted Half Term, Adventure Play or the Halloween trail. Registered assistance dogs have separate access arrangements.
Where can families book?
Day tickets and passes can be compared through the Blenheim Palace ticket page. The evening Halloween trail must be booked through its separate event listing.
