Past Events

A new Son et Lumiere installation marking the first light and sound installation in the Abbey. The stained-glass windows of the Abbey will be brought to life using light projections and musical compositions highlighting the intricate designs and colours that define these masterpieces and echo the colours and stories once painted across the architecture.

An opportunity to see three stand-up acts along with a compere - from familiar faces to rising stars, different performers every week. In addition, tickets include club night entry to The Big Disco after the show.

There will be clues, facts and activities about our favourite upside-down friends to tie in with the half-term holiday and halloween. Solve the clues and collect your prize at the end.

Free entry to Parade Gardens and the door to the Colonnades, Undercroft and vaults under Grand Parade, and the Medieval East Gate on Boat Stall Lane. In addition to opportunities to speak with Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Regeneration Team, there will be half-term activities including live pumpkin carving, entertainment from the Natural Theatre Company and a pop-up coffee cart. There will also be sculpture from local artists, a pop-up living maze, winter garden installation, and a digital model…

Stonehenge is famous for its alignments with the sun, but did you know that the ancient monument may have also been carefully designed to align with the movements of the Moon? Visit the pop-up planetarium and embark on a journey through the solar system with an expert astronomer. In addition, learn how to identify celestial objects such as stars, planets, and the Moon and observe the night sky over the ancient stone circle. 2024 is a special year as an…

Free admission for families during half-term (26 October – 3 November) and a ‘Fantastical Tails’ gallery trail inspired by the wonderful creatures and animals in Chila Burman and Paula Rego’s work; suitable for ages 6yrs+.

Go on a steam-hauled train ride and be entertained by Gizmo the Magic Wizard! Then, back at Bitton Station, see birds of prey from Pitcombe Rock Falconry and enjoy the autumnal trail around the station. Children who come in Halloween fancy dress will travel free of charge.

Take on the apple trail and children's games in The Orchard. Tik off all the items on the trail and you will get a prize to take home. In addition, learn more about Avebury's stone circles and henge by joining a family tour (Wednesdays and Sundays). Normal garden admission applies for the apple trail and games; family tours £2.50 per child, with adults going free.

Experience a classic American halloween atmosphere and exciting outdoor and indoor trails, with fun activities every day including a reading corner, colouring, crafts or puzzles and seasonal treats at the Deli. In addition, on 31 October there will be trick or treating, dog and children's costume competitions and parades in the gardens. There will be a Halloween creature trail in the gardens with clues, and sensory boxes to find the secret letters and unlock the trail code with candy treat…

A celebration of all things autumnal including pumpkin patch Fur, Fangs, and Feathers scavenger hunt (28 Oct–1 Nov) to explore the zoo, hunt for hidden clues whilst learning all about some fascinating animals and native wildlife. Participants will receive a discount pumpkins purchased from the patch and win a family animal adoption of your choice. There will also be displays with a selection of birds of prey.

Celebrating a journey through the diversity of American landscapes, history and culture in this contemporary, immersive experience, where visitors join in and share their own stories. There will be large-scale-travel games, theatrical sets, and an array of American road-trip memorabilia, as well a chance to get up close to an original 1958 Harley Davidson Duo Glide motorcycle, on loan from Haynes Motor Museum. Explore the origins and stories behind the cultural phenomenon, and be transported across thousands of miles on…

Follow a spider trail around the gardens with clues and facts about our favourite eight-legged friends, just in time for Halloween. Complete the trail and get a prize at the end; free with standard admission.

Explore the Museum, answering questions and completing fun tasks along the way; included with standard admission. Adults can test their trivia skills exploring our incredible exhibitions, diving deep into the fascinating world of motoring and cinema in the new History, Hollywood and Horsepower trail. In addition, visit the DriveTribe Exhibition, showcasing TV-famous cars like The Grand Tour’s Aston Martin from the “Sand Job” episode and Richard Hammond’s beloved Oliver from Top Gear.

An opportunity to plant a miniature garden to take home.

Loki the Owl and his feathered friends, Billy and Midnight, will take over the museum’s Concorde Hangar Studio during their visit. Seoaring from post to post, Loki will help teach guests more about how owls fly, and they will also have the chance to take a photograph with him.

The Unforgettable Behaviour exhibition showcases 39 photographs from previous Wildlife Photographer of the Year collections, displaying some of the most incredible animal behaviour moments ever captured on camera. The photos show an extraordinary range of surprising, and often deeply moving, acts by animals. They have been chosen to allow visitors to connect with animals they might never otherwise see and to inspire everyone to care about the world around us. The collection includes the works of several American photographers, with…

Explore the mini pumpkin patch in the paddock with pumpkin carving, crafts and games, and bouncy castle (activities are pay as you go so you).

An opportunity to enjoy some creative halloween pumpkin carving. Pre-book online to avoid disappointment.

Do you dare enter the spooky walk? Make your way around the halloween-themed walk and keep an eye out for ghosts, bats, spiders, zombies and so much more...

See the resident falcons, hawks and owls and enjoy a flying display (11am and 2:30pm), see three different species in the sky with commentary from one of the team. Tickets are valid for the whole day, to allow you to come and go as many times as you like.

With workshop style sessions to make your own ghost ornament using cloth or a spider in a web using pipe cleaners and other freestyle such as origami pumpkins and turnips, make your own 3D haunted paper house, try trick or treat hula and of course spooky themed colouring in. Activities are free and suitable for all ages.

Featuring four Thomas Gainsborough portraits and 18 contemporary artists, the first in a new programme of contemporary art exhibitions. The paintings will be presented as key components of a group exhibition of portraiture featuring 18 contemporary British artists selected by guest curator Ingrid Swenson MBE. The exhibition is intended for reflection on the experience of artists and their sitters or subject in the act of making the artwork, and to consider what similarities and differences there may be for the…

Follow the Myths and Legends trail around the zoo to discover fun animal myths and your animal personality. Tiptoe through the lemur walkthrough and watch out for the spirited lemurs – will they cross your path or swing above your head? Spot real wolves and enjoy fascinating myth-busting talks led by our animal experts. The interactive biofacts experience in the Lodge of Legends, gives you the chance to see and touch real animal artefacts, from skulls to skins, and learn…

Explore the trail through the grounds picking up clues as you go to claim a prize.

Design and make your own monster. Start with some sketches or doodles then mould and sculpt them in clay. Once the creature is complete, you can use glazes to paint the pot to look as monstrous as you can! Ticket includes all materials, a drink and firing. Sessions run 1030am-1230pm and 130-330pm; suitable for ages 5-12 (adult supervision required). All items will be ready for collection within two weeks.  

It’s apple season at Avebury with plenty of apple themed activities for all the family, including apple pressing and tasting using fruit from Avebury Manor’s own orchard and some fun crafts for children.