Hurray for the half-term holiday! Tudor banquets, Viking japes and Halloween tours

From getting to grips with the 1066 Battle of Hastings to regal romps at Edinburgh's Holyrood Palace these evocative settings offer fun and frolics for all the family...

Action packed: There are events around the country to keep your children happily occupied this October

EAST SUSSEX: Conquer Battle

WHY: Get to grips with the 1066 Battle of Hastings exactly where the action took place. An exhibition featuring CGI film and interactive displays and an audio tour of the battlefield helps bring it all to life. Children will love the atmospheric abbey ruins and graveyard ghost tour (October 26 to November 3), where they can keep an eye out for King Harold.
FASCINATING FACT: After his victory in battle, William the Conqueror built the Tower of London, which would go on to house Britain's first zoo. The royal menagerie included lions, an elephant and a polar bear.
DETAILS: A family ticket (two adults and three children) is £20.30 or £7.80 for adults/£4.70 children. Free to EH members (01424 775705; english-heritage.org.uk).

Scarefest: For many children across the UK, Halloween falls during their half-term...ensuring lots of opportunities for spooky fun

LANCASHIRE: Bewitching

WHY: Follow in the footsteps of Britain's famous witches. Devised by local rambler Phil Bedson last year to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch Trials, the 48-mile walking trail stretches from the Pendle Witch Inn in Sabden, to Lancaster Castle. The route takes in hypnotic views of the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland. For those who prefer a flying visit, a coach tour of the area runs throughout the year.
FASCINATING FACT: Pendle Hill hosts a hilltop gathering for Halloween.
DETAILS: More information about the walking route at thependlewitchesway.co.uk or visitlancashire.com. A Halloween Pendle Hill Witch Country Tour by coach departs on Sunday, October 27; £15.50 pp (01282 458 759; pendlewitchexperience.com).

Fit for a king: See where Henry VIII lived, loved, feasted and fought at Hampton Court Palace

SURREY & KENT: Tudor time

WHY: Curious about Henry VIII and his many wives? Then see where the Tudor King lived, loved, feasted and fought. In October, families will be able to meet Tudor courtiers and see a banquet fit for a king being prepared at Hampton Court. Older children (15-plus) can take an evening ghost tour of the palace courtyards over Halloween. For something less scary - try sleeping like royalty in Anne Boleyn's childhood home, Hever Castle.
FASCINATING FACT: Queen Victoria opened Hampton Court Palace to visitors for the first time in 1838.
DETAILS: A family ticket for Hampton Court is £45.10 (0844 482 777; hrp.org.uk). B&B at Hever Castle costs from £150 for a double room, plus castle tickets (01732 861800; hevercastle.co.uk).

WILTSHIRE: Medieval meanders

WHY: Swish through some of the South Coast's most celebrated landmarks on your bike. You're half a day's cycle away from three World Heritage sites. From the medieval village of Lacock, you can ride across rugged terrain to Avesbury and - if you've the stamina, Stonehenge. Or make your way along the Kennet and Avon Canal into Bath, enjoying pretty Cotswolds villages like Castle Combe.
FASCINATING FACT: The Kennet and Avon Canal was fortified as a line of defence against a German invasion during World War II. DETAILS: A tour with luggage transport from historyonyourhandlebars.co.uk (01249 730013) costs from £35pp a day without accommodation, but including customised route and station/airport pick-up. Tagalongs are available for small children.

Roman history wrapped up: Hadrian's Wall stretches from sea to sea for 150 miles across bucolic countryside

NORTHUMBERLAND: Wall to wall fun

WHY: Stretching from sea to sea air for 150 miles across bucolic countryside, this World Heritage site has Roman history wrapped up. Tired (or little) legs can enjoy the central section of the wall by getting a lift on the AD122 Hadrian's Wall Bus service, which runs until October 27. Life on the edge of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago is recreated at the recently redeveloped Roman fort and settlement Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum. Young visitors can taste life as a Roman soldier and citizen at Chester 's For t during half-term (Oct 26 to Nov 3).
FASCINATING FACT: The barbarian barrier originally stood at an imposing 12-15ft high.
DETAILS: (01434 609700, visithadrianswall.co.uk). The Time Travellers Go Roman costs £5.40 for adults/£3.20 for children, free for EH members (0870 333 1181; english-heritage.org.uk).

SHETLAND: Viking japes

WHY: This Viking settlement - the largest such site visible in Britain - is extraordinary. Explore the excavations, which include the remains of stone houses and buttresses. For a bird's-eye view, climb the 16th-century Old House of Sumburgh.
FASCINATING FACT: Part of the 'Skaill Hoard', one of the largest Viking treasure troves ever found in Scotland, is now on display at the Shetland Museum and Archives.
DETAILS: Unseen Shetland (01595 859000; unseenshetland.com) offers archaeology tours of the south mainland (weather-dependent), including a visit to Jarlshof and lunch from £80pp.

Uncovering the past: The Shetland Viking settlement is the largest such site visible in Britain

SCOTLAND: Regal romps

WHY: Children will have a royally good time at Edinburgh' s Holyrood Palace, the home of Scotland's kings and queens since the 16th century. From now until Nov 3, they can dress up like a King or Queen and enjoy craft activities such as designing their own pop-up palace. History buffs can follow the trail of Mary Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce with a boat ride across the loch to Lochleven Castle, where she was imprisoned for a year.