Bucks half term is 26 to 30 October 2026, but Borlase breaks up 16 October. Pumpkins at Odds Farm, a steam gala at Risborough and spooky Hellfire Caves.

October half term in Buckinghamshire is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, so with the weekends either side the break runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November. The clocks go back on the first Sunday, 25 October. Not every school keeps to the county dates, and below the list of dates is what is actually on locally that week, from each organiser’s own listing.

The quick answer

County half term: Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 (Buckinghamshire Council). Sir William Borlase’s breaks up on Friday 16 October, back on 2 November, and Wycombe Abbey’s Long Leave starts the same day; RGS and John Hampden also close on Friday 23 October. The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October (GOV.UK).

Which schools are off when

School Off from Back on
Buckinghamshire county calendar Mon 26 October Mon 2 November
Royal Grammar School Fri 23 October Tue 3 November
John Hampden Grammar Fri 23 October Mon 2 November
Great Marlow School Fri 23 October (INSET day) check with the school
Sir William Borlase’s Sat 17 October (last day Fri 16 October) Mon 2 November
Wycombe Abbey Fri 16 October (Long Leave) after Sun 1 November

Sources are each school’s own page: RGS, John Hampden, Great Marlow, Borlase, Wycombe Abbey. Borlase’s Monday 19 October is an INSET day inside its break. The full year’s dates, with Christmas and February, are on our school term dates page.

What’s on locally that week

1. Pumpkin festival at Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common. Daily from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November: a pick-your-own pumpkin patch with one free pumpkin for each paying child, carving in the Craft Barn, a daily “Monster Mash Bash” character show and bubble shows. The farm normally closes on term-time Tuesdays from October but stays open on the half term Tuesday. Open 10am to 5.30pm, last entry 4.30pm; prices vary by date and are cheapest booked online (Odds Farm Park, opening times).

2. Pumpkin Family Night at Odds Farm, Saturday 24 October. The pumpkin patch at sunset, with stilt walkers, fire, bubble and LED shows and the Monster Mash Bash show (Odds Farm Park).

3. The Hellfire Caves, West Wycombe, dressed for Halloween. Open daily 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm) from 18 October to 1 November at normal prices, with the usual audio guide and Halloween decorations. The caves close 12 to 17 October while they decorate. They are not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs, and dogs are allowed only in the courtyard (Hellfire Caves Halloween, visiting).

4. A gentler family “spooky walk” at the Hellfire Caves. Actors play the caves’ characters, including Suki the Ghost Bride and the Steward Paul Whitehead, with “no jump scares” (Hellfire Caves).

5. Hellfire Caves Fright Nights, for 16 and over only. Saturday 24 October, then Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October, with live actors in the dark tunnels. Last entry 8.45pm, and 9.45pm on Halloween night. Tickets are non-refundable (Hellfire Caves).

6. Dog Man: The Musical at the Wycombe Swan, 26 to 28 October. Seven performances over the Monday to Wednesday of half term, from £27 (Wycombe Swan box office).

7. Autumn Steam Gala on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, 30 October to 1 November. The heritage line’s gala weekend, with the BR Standard Class 9F locomotive 92134 in the line-up (Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway).

8. Hughenden, the National Trust house above the town. The manor is open 11am to 5pm and the garden and café 10am to 5pm every day of half term; from Monday 2 November the house closes at 4pm. Entry is £18 for an adult and £9 for a child aged 5 to 17 without Gift Aid, free for members and under-fives, and parking is included (National Trust).

9. Princes Risborough Halloween Trail, Saturday 31 October. The town council lists it in its events diary; details are still “to be confirmed” (Princes Risborough Town Council).

10. The Marlow Half Marathon, Sunday 1 November. The last day of half term; all three races start at 9.30am from Marlow High Street, and there are road closures in the town. Our Marlow Half Marathon page has the courses and entry prices.

The weekend after half term is Bonfire Night weekend. Our fireworks page tracks which local displays have confirmed dates.

Still to be confirmed

  • Hughenden’s half term activities. The National Trust has not yet listed specific half term events for Hughenden; the house and garden hours above are confirmed.
  • The Princes Risborough Halloween Trail route, times and cost.
  • Chinnor’s gala timetable and fares for the three days.

Also on Wycombe Today: things to do in High Wycombe, parking in High Wycombe and roadworks and travel.