goLeicestershireStay Play Explore
Good evening · An autumn worth showing up for
Falling leaves and lamplight. Find a pub with a snug.
National Forest colour, crisp pub lunches, harvest fairs. We turn your “what shall we do this week?” into a real plan. Pick a mood. Pick a postcode. We'll do the rest.
What's on this weekUpdated 4 days ago
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October half-term ideas
The kids are off. We've got you.
Family days out across the county — sorted for the school holidays.
Leicestershire on foot
Canal towpaths, country-park circuits and National Forest trails — dozens of free, tried-and-tested walking routes right across the county, with maps and directions.
Browse county walks
External site — routes by gps-routes.co.uk
StayPlayExplore
£169.
The whole family. Not per person.
Hotel, breakfast and three attraction tickets — for four people. The same price, every weekend, even in school holidays. (Yes, really.)
Book a break
£227
Lanterns of the Wild at Twycross Zoo
A magical Christmas break
Adults only£169
The Perfect Break
Adults-only fixed-price breaks with experiences included
Best Value£169
StayPlayExplore Family Breaks with attraction tickets included
From £169 for the whole family (not per person!)
Editor's Pick£219
Heritage Weekend Break
Castles, kings & countryside in 48 hours
The Perfect Break · Adults only
Leave the kids at home.
From £169 for two.
The grown-up sister to StayPlayExplore — a hotel stay, breakfast and up to three hand-picked experiences for two, bundled at one fixed price. Battlefields, bell foundries, boutique bowling… no colouring-in menus.
Discover
Explore Leicestershire. One city, nine towns, countless villages, endless stories.
The weekend is calling · Fresh from our AI editor
Halloween Thrills and Half-Term Fun Await You
Leicestershire is pulling out all the stops this weekend, and your family deserves a proper adventure.
Kick off your Friday evening at the 1620's House and Garden, where the Creepy Costumes Hunt invites you to track down ten wonderfully dressed children hiding across the grounds and help judge their fancy dress competition. It is a charming, hands-on way to welcome the Halloween season, with tickets at just three pounds per person. The historic setting adds a genuinely atmospheric backdrop that grown-ups will appreciate every bit as much as the little ones hunting for spooks.
Saturday brings something rather spectacular to Twinlakes Park in Melton Mowbray, where the Monster Rave promises a full-on Halloween party experience for families ready to celebrate in style. Meanwhile, the Beginners Ink and Watercolour Sketchalong at The Ferrers Centre offers a quieter kind of joy — a welcoming workshop where no previous experience is needed and beautiful artwork is absolutely within reach. It is the perfect Friday-evening escape for anyone craving something creative and calm this weekend.
Round off Sunday at the 1620's House and Garden once more, because Little Horrors' Mash is a frightfully fun Halloween disco and fancy dress competition tailored for little monsters aged three to nine. Elsewhere, Conkers in Moira is hosting Bavarian Night, with Karl's Brass, one of the country's finest Oompah bands, leading the celebrations in full Oktoberfest spirit. Lederhosen optional, enthusiasm very much encouraged.
For something a little different, follow the Bosworth1485 Trail around Market Bosworth and walk a landscape carrying five centuries of history in every field and hedgerow. Over in Loughborough, the Love Loughborough Gardeners' Fair fills the market town centre with plants, ideas, and seasonal inspiration. And if unlimited rides, swooping slides, and a splash-happy water park sound like your ideal Sunday, Wheelgate Park near Melton Mowbray wraps all of that into one satisfying entry price.
With mixed skies and a fresh twelve degrees forecast across the county, layers are your friend this weekend — but a little cloud never dampened a good plan. Whether you are chasing Halloween thrills, creative calm, or a ride-filled afternoon, Leicestershire has the whole weekend covered. Get your plans locked in now and give your family a weekend worth talking about all the way to November.
Places not to be missed
Some of Leicestershire's best.
Planning a visit?
Visiting Leicester & Leicestershire — quick answers.
Is Leicester worth visiting?
Absolutely. Leicester is one of England's oldest cities — home of the King Richard III story, the National Space Centre and a famous food scene — and it sits at the heart of Leicestershire's castles, market towns and countryside.
What is there to do in Leicestershire?
Our guide covers 85+ venues and attractions: castles and stately homes, the National Forest, country parks, steam railways, market towns and award-winning family days out. Browse all venues →
What's on in Leicester and Leicestershire this weekend?
Our what’s-on listings are updated all week — festivals, family events, heritage days and more, filterable by town and date. See the listings →
Which market towns should I visit in Leicestershire?
Melton Mowbray — home of the pork pie and Stilton cheese — Market Harborough, Loughborough, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Hinckley each make a great day out. Explore the towns →
Is Leicestershire good for family days out?
Yes — it’s one of the Midlands’ best counties for families, with zoos, hands-on science, steam trains, adventure play and plenty of free days out in country parks and the National Forest.
Where should I stay for a short break in Leicestershire?
From country-house hotels to market-town inns and farm stays, there’s a bed for every budget. Find a place to stay →
Is there a Michelin star restaurant in Leicestershire?
Yes - John’s House at Stonehurst Farm in Mountsorrel. Leicestershire has a thriving food scene with highly regarded dining options. Use the food and drink category on GoLeicestershire.com to browse top-rated restaurants across the county, from Leicester city to market towns like Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough. Check individual listings for accolades and specialities.
Where can I see street art in Leicester?
Leicester has a vibrant street art scene worth exploring on foot.
How do I vote in the Leicestershire tourism awards?
Our tourism awards are mainly judged through mystery shopping. However the Best Day Out award is by public vote. Look for the voting link on the homepage.
Who's behind this site
Local know-how, since 1993.
GoLeicestershire is run by Leicestershire Promotions — an independent, not-for-profit Destination Management Organisation. Three decades of local knowledge, written by people who live here.
About Leicestershire PromotionsEstablished 1993
Independent · Not-for-Profit
Local Leicestershire team
30+ years of local know-how