October Half Term
Get ready for a spooktacular October Half Term packed with storytelling, crafts, and curious adventures! From magical mysteries to wonderful workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this October.
Time Tunnel
Wed-Sun
£5.50 per child, £6.50 per adult, pre-booking advised
Be transported through the centuries as you are taken through almost 200 years of mining history thanks to state-of-the-art technology. Travel through time and discover the incredible stories of coal mining through the centuries.
Voices of the Village: Sensory Storytelling
Wed–Sun, 11.30am–3.30pm
Free, just turn up at Parkinson’s Yard, The Hub
Step into the world of Betty Miller’s Royston village sculpture through an immersive sensory story. Meet the characters, explore their lives and discover the close-knit mining community that inspired the artwork.
Makers’ Shed
24,25, 28–31 October & 1 November, 11.30am-3.30pm
Free, drop-in at Pony Discovery Centre
Get creative and be inspired by the ‘Villagers – Sculpting the Community’ exhibition and create a community character of your own to take home.
Horsekeeper Talks
Wed-Sun, Free Drop-in
Pony Discovery Centre
Visit Eric, Ernie, Aladdin, and Bud. Join us for our Horsekeeper talks at 12pm, see what they are fed at 2.30pm.
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Wed 28 – Fri 30 October, 10.30am-11.30am
£2.50 per child, pre-bookable
Meet at Reception
Search for autumn treasures and use clay and natural materials to create your own seasonal tree.
Meet the Trees Walk
Wed 28 October, 12pm-1pm
Free, Meet outside The Hub (suitable for 8 years and over)
Join us for a relaxed guided walk through our Nature Trail. Discover different trees and get hands-on with nature. Moderate walk with some steep inclines.
Pokémon Party
Wed 28 October, 10am-4pm
Free (£5 for Pokémon Party)
Join us for a Pokémon-tastic day with a free Pokémon trail, crafts and Pokémon GO fun. For £5 per child, join our pre-bookable Pokémon Party (1pm & 2pm). Our Pokémon Trainer will lead children through fun-filled, high-energy activities and Pokémon-themed games. Will you catch them all?
The Great Library Mystery
Wed 28 October, 2pm
Pre-bookable via WordFest website, Conference Rooms, The Hub
Something very strange has happened in the library. One of its most treasured books has been mysteriously altered, and the ending has disappeared. Become a team of detectives, following clues, solving puzzles, and stepping into the world of the book to uncover the truth. Encounter familiar faces from much-loved stories, but everyone seems to have a different version of what happened. Who can they trust? And who is hiding something?
Family Lantern Making Workshops
Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 & Friday 30 October, 11am-12.30pm
£10 per family ticket (1 ticket per four people), pre-bookable
Learning Room 2, The Hub
Get creative as a family by making a large lantern, inspired by the ‘Villagers – Sculpting the Community’ exhibition! Be part of our lantern parade (Sat 21 Nov) for our Light Up Festival, with your colourful creation.
Halloween Bath Bomb Making
Thursday 29 October, 10.15-11am, 12.30pm – 1.15pm, 2pm-2.45pm
£10 per child, pre-bookable
Learning Room 1, The Hub
Join Forever Fizz for a fun, hands on bath bomb making workshop where creativity meets science. Create your own vibrant fizzy treats from scratch and discover how the ingredients react to create the colour explosion in your bath. Your spooky creations will be made in Halloween-themed containers, making them the perfect treat to take home.
Yew Tree Theatre Performance
Fri 30 October, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm
Free, just turn up, Conference Rooms, The Hub
Inspired by Betty Miller’s characters and observational sculpture, this short piece of theatre – created and performed by Yew Tree Youth Theatre, explores the life lived by miners in the 1940s. Enjoy a celebration of the community and connection of a Yorkshire mining village.
Interact Collective of Empath Theatre Performance
Fri 30 October, 1pm
Free, just turn up, Conference Rooms, The Hub
Join the Interact Collective of Empath Theatre as they share their creativity inspired by nature – this 10 minute performance will celebrate the inspiration to be found amongst the trees and fields.
Halloween Trail
Sat 31 October: 10am-5pm,
Free, just turn up
Get ready for a spooky adventure around the Museum! Follow the trail, solve the clues and discover where to go next. Can you crack the clues and make it to the end? All children who complete the trail will receive some free Halloween sweets!
Coco Film Screening
Sat 31 October, 11am, pre-bookable
This Halloween, join us for a spookacular screening of Coco, complete with spooky vibes, cinema snacks, and a Best Dressed Competition, so where your most magical costume for a chance to win!
Minecraft Escape Room In A Box
Sun 1 November, 10.30am & 1pm
£15 per ticket (Up to 2 adults & 1 child) +£5 per additional child, pre-bookable
Join us for a Minecraft themed escape room challenge. Solve riddles, crack codes and problem-solve your way to victory.
Tours:
Why’s Our Water Pumpkin Orange?
Sat 31 October
Free, meet at Reception
Take a family walk and find out how we pump and purify orange mine water.
Pithead Baths Explore
Wed-Sun, 12pm, Free
Meet at Pithead Baths
Discover the daily routines of miners, from the start to the end of their day, in this fun family tour!
Visit us this half term for a spooktacular family day out, take a walk around our nature trail, explore discovery spots, and lots, lots more!
PLEASE NOTE: THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS
