HALLOWE’EN will be in full swing with the National Trust this half-term, and there are plenty of ghoulish and ghastly activities for the whole family to enjoy.

With autumn providing the backdrop, visitors can also discover some spectacular autumnal landscapes as the gardens and woods are transformed with canopies of rich leaf colour and orchards and hedgerows become laden with ripe fruit.

Children can search for shiny conkers and edible chestnuts, run through crunchy leaves, or try some of the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ challenges. Pick up a booklet when you arrive and have some nature-themed fun this autumn.

Here are some of the half-term highlights planned for the region’s National Trust properties:

Hinton Ampner (Bramdean, near Alresford)

Hinton Ampner is brimming with shape and colour all year round, but in autumn it’s particularly vibrant thanks to hundreds of exotic dahlias in creams, yellows and oranges, hot pinks and deep magentas. The walled garden is full of vegetables and fruit, as well as flowers.

Half-term Hallowe’en trail from October 22-30, 10am-4pm.

Come on a spooky adventure this half term. Join in the fun on Hinton Ampner’s Hallowe’en trail as you search for clues along meandering paths into the nooks and crannies of this large garden. Normal admission charge, plus suggested donation £1 per trail.

Autumn colour guided walks will take place on Wednesday, October 26, and Saturday, November 5, when visitors will see the very best autumn colour Hinton Ampner has to offer, on a seasonal two-hour guided walk around the estate. Walks start at 10.30am and cost £10. To book, call 0844 249 1895.

Hinton Ampner can now offer a new downloadable walk to add to its series. The 1.9-mile Stewkeley trail takes you on a gentle stroll across the estate toward the picturesque village of Kilmeston, before looping back to Hinton Ampner.

For more details, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner.

Mottisfont Abbey (near Romsey)

The gardens of this former priory are ablaze with colour from stately plane, oak and beech trees. One of the stars of the show is the hornbeam, which explodes into a canopy of orange and scarlet. The garden’s two tulip trees come into their own in autumn, as their acid green summer foliage turns a magnificent pale gold.

The ancient woodland surrounding the gardens is lit with the oranges, yellows and reds of sweet chestnut and beech foliage. The woods are also home to plenty of fungi, including the lilac-purple of the amethyst deceiver and the fairytale red and white-spotted fly agaric.

Mottisfont has a selection of autumn colour guided walks on offer, which vary from day to day. Find out more when you arrive by chatting to one of the friendly outdoor guides.

Witchcraft trail from October 22-30. Discover folklore, mystery and crafty activities for all your little witches and wizards at Mottisfont’s Hallowe’en witchcraft trail. Normal admission charge, plus suggested donation of £1.

For more details, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont or call 01794 340757.

The Vyne (near Basingstoke)

In the ancient woodlands surrounding this former Tudor palace, beeches and oaks mingle with sweet and horse chestnuts to present a glorious canopy of rich autumn foliage. Lime, cherry and whitebeam produce a palette of lemon-yellow and strawberry-red.

Fringing the edges of The Vyne’s lake, the orange, crimson and deep purple leaves of liquidamber and swamp cypress trees create beautiful reflections across the water. Liquidamber is a famed autumn colouring tree from the United States where it’s known as the sweet gum. In late summer the leaves turn a deep black crimson colour, then as autumn progresses they go through a kaleidoscope of colours - golden yellow, amber and red.

Autumn festival, October 1-21. The Vyne has more than 50 varieties of traditional apple growing in its pretty orchard and walled kitchen garden, such as the delightfully named catshead, and first and last. Find out more about all things apple, from talks and cream teas to apple pressing demonstrations and tasting days.

For more details, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/vyne or call 01256 883858.

Winchester City Mill

October half term fun from October 22-30.

Visit this atmospheric working water mill for apple harvest activities, pumpkin carving, storytelling and the chance to win prizes with our enchanting Hallowe’en trail. Plus there are seasonal baking demonstrations on October 22 and October 30, the latter being Hallowe’en themed. Taste the results and take away recipe cards to try at home.

Apple harvest weekend: October 22-23, 11am-4pm.

Munch on all sorts of delicious heritage apple varieties, brought to the mill by apple experts from nearby Sparsholt Agricultural College. Learn about rare but tasty regional varieties, and how to grow them. If you’re not sure what you’ve got growing at home, bring your own apples to be identified.

Hallowe’en family trail, daily from 10am-4pm.

Complete the Mill’s enchanting witches and wizards family trail and win a prize.

Hallowe’en pumpkin carving. October 25 and October 27, 11am-3pm.

Bring your own pumpkin to the mill and, with the help of our expert pumpkin carvers, create a super scary Jack o’lantern.

Hallowe’en storytelling. 10.30am-4pm on October 28.

Settle down inside this ancient mill and listen to hair-raising tales of witches and beasties with Chris Bennett, storyteller extraordinaire.

For more details, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/winchester-city-mill or call 01962 8970057.

Uppark House & Garden (South Harting, near Petersfield)

Spooky monsters trail. October 22-30.

Pick up our spooky trail inspired by the monsters created by famous sci-fi novelist HG Wells, who knew Uppark well. Get the whole family involved, and help solve the clues to the mystery. Normal admission charge, plus suggested donation of £1. Afterward, why not treat yourself to a warming hot chocolate and slice of cake in the Orangery Café?

For more details, visit nationaltryst.org.uk/uppark or call 01730 825415.