LittleWeekend is supported by Stage by Stage

Hello! Half term starts this weekend and the Halloween events are starting to pop up, with trick or treat trails, pumpkin hunts and a steampunk Halloween at an old wool mill.

Elsewhere there are big machines to get up close to just outside the city, kids going free at Wildwood and a free food festival in Exmouth.

This Weekend's Pick

Big Machine Weekend at Greendale Farm Shop

Greendale is lining up tractors, telehandlers, diggers and anything else with big wheels from its own farm and others nearby this Saturday and Sunday, and kids can get right up close and find out how they all work. It's free, with no tickets to sort, so you can just turn up.

While you're there, the free Farm Trail follows a flat path that's easy with a buggy, and the free Pumpkin Trail is still on, with a clue sheet from Oscar's and a sweet treat for finishing. For food there's the Greendale Kitchen, fish and chips cooked on site, and Oscar's takeaway for an ice cream on the go.

When	Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 11am to 4pm
Where	Greendale Farm Shop, Sidmouth Road, near Farringdon (about 15 min from Exeter)
Cost	Free, with free parking.

SPONSORED

This month's partner: Stage by Stage

Shrek the Musical JR at the Corn Exchange Half-term starts on Monday, and Stage by Stage's young performers are opening it with Shrek the Musical JR at the Corn Exchange. It's the whole swamp-to-castle story, with Donkey, Fiona, a dragon and a crowd of banished fairytale characters, and at 80 minutes it's a comfortable length for younger ones too. It's worth booking this weekend while there's still a choice of seats, and a family ticket for four is £48, which saves you a few pennies. When Mon 26 & Tue 27 Oct, 2pm and 6pm Where Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, city centre Cost £16, £13 under-16s, £48 family of four (includes £1 booking fee) Book tickets

More Good Stuff

Kids go free at Wildwood Devon

Wildwood is letting up to two under-18s in free with every full-paying adult right through half term, and there's a brand new trick or treat trail around the park, with a prize and a free hot chocolate for everyone who finishes it.

The bears, wolves, red squirrels and arctic foxes (starting to grow their winter coats) are all out across 40 acres, the Saxon village has a few mysterious visitors, and there's an indoor play barn if the weather turns. Booking ahead online is the easiest way in.

When	Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm), with the offer running until 1 November
Where	Wildwood Devon, Escot Park, near Ottery St Mary (about 25 min from Exeter)
Cost	Adults £16.36 (or £18 with an optional donation), up to two under-18s free per paying adult, and the trail is bought on arrival.

Steampunk Sunday at Coldharbour Mill

Coldharbour Mill is having a steampunk Halloween on Sunday, with the old wool mill's steam engines fired up and the factory running, so you get to see it working the way it used to.

Vintage steam tractors and engines roll in for the day, there's pumpkin decorating, live music and plenty of gears and goggles about, and the WATER WATER art exhibition is included in the ticket. The steam engines run until 3pm, so it's worth getting there in the morning.

When	Sunday 25 October, 10.30am to 4pm
Where	Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, near Cullompton (about 30 min from Exeter)
Cost	Adults £17, children £10, family tickets £45 (two adults and two children) or £27 (one adult and three children), booked online.

Halloween Special at Devon Railway Centre

Devon Railway Centre at Bickleigh starts its Halloween Special this weekend, with a pumpkin trail, some Halloween treasure to find and a free Halloween gift for every child aged 3 and over.

The ticket covers unlimited rides on both railways, a huge model railway exhibition, the Edwardian model village, crazy golf and the indoor and outdoor play areas, and Buffers café is open all day. There's no booking, you just pay when you arrive, and well-behaved dogs can come along too (they can even ride the trains).

When	Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 10.30am to 5pm (then again from Tuesday 27 October to 1 November)
Where	Devon Railway Centre, The Station, Bickleigh, near Tiverton (about 25 min from Exeter)
Cost	Adults £14, children (3 to 15) £13, family tickets £52.70 (two adults and two children, or one adult and three children).

One free thing

Gate to Plate in Exmouth

The eat:Festivals team are bringing West Country food and drink producers to Exmouth's Strand on Sunday, and it's free to wander in with nothing to book.

There are buskers, DJs and strolling characters through the day, plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, and it's all laid out with room for buggies and scooters. Trains from Exeter run straight to Exmouth if you'd rather leave the car.

When	Sunday 25 October, 10am to 4pm
Where	The Strand, Exmouth town centre (about 30 min from Exeter)
Cost	Free entry.

That's it for this week. If you think something should have been on the list, or you know a good local spot that hasn't had a mention yet, hit reply. It comes straight to the inbox. Have a good weekend.

Details change. Check each venue's website before setting off, especially for timed entry or one-off events.