AUTUMN half term is just a matter of days away which makes it the perfect time to start planning a day out.

Come rain or shine, there are endless options when you’re looking for fun things to do in half term.

Here are the best places to go for a day trip within an hour's drive of Andover.

Finkley Down Farm

From £12.95 per person

Here children of all ages can play in the massive indoor play barn or head outside to the Little Farmers Driving School. Throughout the day there are animal handling and feeding activities for children to get involved in. Meerkat Mansion is the latest addition making a Farm-Tastic day out.

This half term you can also get involved in spooky fun from Monster Hunts, Halloween Fancy Dress Competition and Goat Racing.

Thorpe Park

From £42 per person

Here you can take on the UK’s fastest coaster Stealth, swerve through near-misses on the UK’s only winged rollercoaster THE SWARM and plunge the 100ft ‘beyond vertical’ drop of the movie themed coaster SAW-The Ride as you take on some of Europe’s most thrilling coasters.

For the older children (recommended 13+) you can also take them to Fright Nights or drive in Halloween films.

Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World

Family of four from £139.00

You will find all things Halloween here this half term with Peppa and George’s spooky makeover, The Legend of Paultons Manor – All singing and dancing extravaganza and Ghoulish fun with Pickles the Pumpkin.

With over 70 exciting rides and attractions it is guaranteed to be a fun family day out.

Pumpkin picking

A great choice for those on a tight budget, with free parking and endless fun you can spend hours searching for the right pumpkin to carve.

  • Sunnyfields Farm, Southampton
  • Durleighmarsh Farm, Petersfield
  • Steve Harris Pick-Your-Own, Titchfield
  • Pumpkin Picking Patch, Fordingbridge

Legoland

From £39 per person

Where else can you learn to drive, pilot a balloon and dive deep under the sea to learn more about the creatures of the ocean.

You can also soar through the treetops to escape fearsome dragons, ride the thrilling rapids with a Viking fleet or take a seat on a DUPLO brick dinosaur.

You can take part in the Brick or Treat trail and collect a bag of goodies or hop on the Haunted House Monster Party ride.

Marwell Wildlife

Family of four from £68.35

Autumn is a beautiful time to get outdoors and admire the changing colours of Marwell’s stunning parkland while learning more about our hundreds of endangered and exotic species.

With hundreds of animas, four adventure playgrounds and daily talks and animal feeds it will keep all the family entertained

Amur tigers and snow leopards are particularly active when it is cooler so half term is a great time to go to catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals.

New Forest Wildlife Park

Family of four from £38.00

Many of the animals here are on the IUCN endangered species Red List and the park helps to breed and conserve them for the future.

You will be able to see a range of animals including European bison, Grey Wolf, Red-Necked Wallaby and Lynx.

Located among the trees and in sight of the park’s wildlife, Go Wild! has a zip wire, log jumble, ‘birds’ nests’ climbing ropes, swings, spider nets and more.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust

Family of four from £50.50

Step into the mystical woodland and enter the amazing world of owls this October half term.

With tales of folklore and traditions, spooky decorations and ghoulish goings on, you can join in to celebrating these wonderful night hunters in a special flying display.

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

From £10.80 per person

An exciting family destination, Winchester Science Centre is the South of England's interactive science and technology centre with the largest standalone planetarium in the UK.

They provide exciting, hands-on science experiences to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of great scientists.

With two floors of fascinating, interactive science exhibits, stunning South Downs National Park surroundings and a vibrant events programme, the Science Centre makes for a brilliant action-packed family day out whatever the weather.

Gruesome Garden Trail at Exbury Gardens

Adults £10.00, children £4.00

The voodoo of Halloween has turned the Rock Garden into a spooky graveyard this half term.

Walk through cobweb arches, see monsters emerging from the ground and ghosts on zipwires.

You can also help Wisteria the witch find some of her favourite things that have gone missing in the Gruesome garden trail.