The Esplanade Hotel Blog

At The Esplanade Hotel, a family friendly hotel in Newquay, October half term comes with everything you need for an easy escape under one roof. Swim, play, watch a film, join the half term activities and settle in with sea views. From our location on Fistral Beach, there’s plenty waiting just outside for action-packed days out, whether you’re wandering the coast paths when the autumn skies clear, exploring our harbour town or discovering one of Cornwall’s many family attractions nearby.

Activities for every kind of day

From 16th to 31st October, there’s a full programme of half term fun at The Esplanade, with creative workshops, games, evening entertainment, music and seasonal activities included in your stay. Little ones can get stuck into arts and crafts, dance through a silent disco, mix their own potions and on Sundays follow the Spooky Scavenger Hunt. On 31st October, the Halloween Party brings games, dancing, face painting, glitter tattoos and plenty of fancy dress fun. Book your Halloween Party ticket here.

If you’re looking for a Cornwall family hotel where rainy days still feel easy, our in-house leisure facilities mean the fun is guaranteed whatever the weather. Swim in the indoor pool, warm up in the hot tub and unwind in the sauna. With movie screenings running throughout the day, curl up for a film in the 30-seat cinema.

Younger guests can burn off energy in the indoor jungle gym or climb aboard the outdoor pirate ship. For a quiet moment, pick up a book or game from the book nook and settle into a cosy spot for family time in the ocean-view lounge. At The Esplanade, you may even find yourself looking forward to rainy afternoons.

Little adventures, big memories

Beach days aren’t over yet; they just require chunkier jumpers, waterproof coats and maybe even some wellys. Zip up and head outside onto Fistral Beach for sandcastle building and rock pooling, or if you fancy it, maybe even a swim. The sea has been warming all summer and surf season is going strong with decent sets.

Book a surf lesson next door at Quiksilver Surf School Newquay. Guests can enjoy discounted lessons or make more of the waves with a Surf and Stay Break, including a lesson and discounted equipment hire afterwards.

The South West Coast Path is right outside The Esplanade Hotel, offering lots of walks from our door. Head towards Pentire Headland and Crantock or wander across Fistral towards Newquay and beyond.

For a walk with a little history, follow the Newquay Discovery Trail through town, look out for markers and uncover stories from the harbour’s past. Pick up your map for £2 from the Newquay Tourist Information Centre on Marcus Hill.

Halloween fun and local family attractions

Beyond the beach, October half term brings plenty of opportunities for days out across Cornwall, with nearby family attractions offering pumpkin trails, ghost hunts and autumn adventures.

In town, the Spooky Newquay Zombie Crawl takes over the town on 24th October. At Healeys Cyder Farm outside Newquay, Halloween at the farm runs from 10th to 31st October, with a haunted tractor ride, pumpkin patch and spooky carving sessions.

Cornwall Gold has its family ghost hunt from 17th October to 1st November, where children can follow a map, search for hidden Tolgus ghosts and earn their Ghost Hunter sticker.

A little further afield, Halloweden returns to the Eden Project from 24th October to 1st November, filling the gardens and Biomes with trails, storytelling, live music and seasonal surprises.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan also steps into the darker side of autumn during Halloween at Heligan, with medieval myths, falconry, storytelling and atmospheric evening cinema deep within the estate.

After a day out and about, return to The Esplanade for sea-view dining at Cove Restaurant, cosy moments of downtime and a restful night in one of our spacious Family Rooms.

Make October half term one to remember at The Esplanade, where autumn days stay playful, and there’s more to explore, whatever the weather.

Book you October half term family break at The Esplanade Hotel in Newquay