October Half-Term Activities at Brooklands Museum in Surrey

October half-term is a great excuse to swap the usual school-week routine for a day out with the family. And if you're looking for something a little different to the usual half-term activities, Brooklands Museum in Surrey is well worth a visit.

There is plenty to see and do across the Museum, with a combination of indoor and outdoor experiences that makes it easy to spend the day exploring, whatever the weather decides to do. 

With a special programme running throughout the October half-term holiday, there's even more reason to visit this year, including The Grand Prix Mystery, a brand-new activity for 2026! Read on to explore what you can look forward to during your visit. 

Overview: What’s On This October Half-Term?

• NEW! The Grand Prix Mystery: Weekdays, Monday 19th October - Friday 30th October 

• Scavenger Hunt: Open Daily trail to complete during your visit

• NEW! Britain's Grand Prix Story Exhibition: Open daily

• NEW! Brooklands Simulator Experience*: Open daily

• Concorde Supersonic Family Tours*: Open daily, Saturday 17th October - Sunday 1st November 

• Vintage Bus Rides*: Open daily, Saturday 17th October - Sunday 1st November 

• London Bus Museum TransportFest: Sunday 18th October

• Relaxed Morning 10 am - 12 pm: Saturday 24th October

• Off Road Day: Sunday 1st November

*Additional charge applies

October Half-Term Activities for Families in Surrey

This October half term at Brooklands Museum, we have a varied programme of activities and experiences for families to discover. From new additions for 2026 to some of the Museum's popular exhibitions and hands-on interactives, there is plenty to explore throughout the school holiday. 

NEW The Grand Prix Mystery 

Dates: Weekdays, Monday 19th October - Friday 30th October

Times: Scene 1 - 10.30 am and 1.30 pm at Campbell Shed; Scene 2 - 11.30 am and 2.30 pm at First to the Fastest Exhibition 

Brand new for 2026, The Grand Prix Mystery brings a fun dose of detective work to October half term. Families can get involved in an interactive story, piece together what has happened, and see if they can solve the motoring mystery.

Presented by Zoom Through History, this immersive theatrical storytelling experience unfolds across two parts of the Museum, giving children the chance to become part of the story rather than simply watching from the sidelines. With plenty of intrigue, and problem-solving along the way, it's an exciting new addition to the Museum.

Scavenger Hunt

Dates: Daily throughout 2026

Get the whole family involved with Brooklands Museum's Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your trail from Admissions on entry, then set off around the Museum to find 10 hidden Racing Flags, with a different challenge waiting at each location.

It's a fun way to explore the Museum from a different perspective, while giving younger visitors something to look out for as they make their way around the trail.

NEW Britain’s Grand Prix Story Exhibition

Dates: Open daily

Step inside the historic Jackson Shed and discover more than a century of British Grand Prix racing. Brooklands has a particularly important place in this story, having hosted Britain's first Grand Prix 100 years ago in 1926, and the exhibition explores how that landmark event helped shape the country's motorsport legacy.

From early racing machines to the technology behind modern Formula 1, visitors can see how cars, engineering, and racing have evolved over the decades. The exhibition also looks beyond the drivers to the engineers, marshals, and other people whose skill and dedication have helped shape the sport we know and love today.

Housed in the former workshop of renowned racing engineer Robin Jackson, the exhibition adds another layer of history to the experience. With iconic racing cars, themed displays, and plenty to discover, Britain's Grand Prix Story is a must-see for motorsport fans and a fascinating insight into how Brooklands helped put Britain on the Grand Prix map.

NEW Brooklands Simulator Experience

Dates: Open daily

Times: Slots every 30 minutes from 10.15 am until 4 pm 

Ticket Price: £10 per person (£9 for Brooklands Members)

New for 2026, the Brooklands Simulator Experience gives visitors the chance to take the wheel and race around a digital recreation of the historic Brooklands circuit. Each 10-minute session puts you in the driver's seat, with a choice of the Brooklands Outer Circuit or Grand Prix Circuit.

There are five cars to choose from, namely the Delage 15-S-8, McLaren P1, Mazda MX5 Cup, Tatuus FA01, and McLaren MP4/6, so you can pick the car that best suits your racing style. Once you've chosen your car and circuit, it's time to find the racing line, set your fastest lap, and see how you compare on the Brooklands leaderboard!

Simulator sessions can be booked on the day of your visit from Admissions. The simulator is located in the Jackson Shed within the Britain's Grand Prix Story exhibition, and you'll need to arrive 10 minutes before your session. Please note that a valid Museum admission ticket is required to take part, and there is also a minimum height requirement of 140cm.

Concorde Supersonic Family Tours

Dates: Daily, Saturday 17th October - Sunday 1st November 

Times: 1 pm, 1.20 pm, and 1.40 pm

Ticket Price: £3.50 per person, Under 4s go free

Explore Concorde as a family with a short 15-minute tour of the iconic aircraft. Young visitors can discover what it was like inside the supersonic passenger jet and get a closer look at one of the most recognisable aircraft in aviation history.

Under 4s can attend free of charge, although they still need a ticket. Each adult can bring up to five children, and places are subject to availability.

Vintage Bus Rides

Dates: Daily, Saturday 17th October - Sunday 1st November 

Times: 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm  

Ticket Price: £3 per adult and £1 per child 

Fancy seeing a little more of the local area while you're at Brooklands? Climb aboard one of the London Bus Museum’s vintage vehicles for a 20-minute ride, offering a chance to experience these historic buses away from the Museum displays. 

London Bus Museum TransportFest

Date: Sunday 18th October 

Times: 10 am - 5 pm

TransportFest brings a varied line-up of historic transport to Brooklands, with everything from early buses and coaches to taxis, commercial vehicles, and military vehicles on display. Some of the vehicles are rarely seen in public, making this a great opportunity to discover a few less familiar pieces of transport history.

Away from the displays, there will also be heritage bus rides, a collectors’ market, live music, and family entertainment throughout the day. The usual collection of cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and aircraft will also be open as normal. Best of all, the London Bus Museum TransportFest is included with standard Museum admission!

Relaxed Morning

Date: Saturday 24th October

Times: 10 am - 12 pm

For neurodivergent visitors, our Relaxed Morning offers a chance to experience the Museum with fewer crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere. Sound levels are reduced across the Museum, with selected interactives and videos also made quieter to help create a more comfortable environment.

Staff and volunteers will be around to offer support during your visit as usual. Once the Relaxed Morning comes to an end, the Museum returns to its usual sound levels, but you’re welcome to stay and carry on exploring.

Please Note: On Saturday 24th October, you can also join a Concorde Sensory Tour at either 10.55 am or 11.55 am for £3.50 per person, offering a quieter way to explore the iconic aircraft. 

Off Road Day

Date: Sunday 1st November

Times: 10 am - 4 pm 

Get ready for Off Road Day, a day of rugged vehicles and off-road action, with 4x4s, Land Rovers, Jeeps, military vehicles, and more on display. You can also watch vehicles take on the challenging off-road course at Mercedes-Benz World.

There will also be food stalls and music to enjoy throughout the day, while the rest of Brooklands Museum remains open as normal, giving you plenty more to see and explore. This event is also included with standard Museum admission. 

Plan Your October Half-Term Visit at Brooklands Museum

Looking for family things to do in Surrey this October half term? Brooklands Museum offers a great day out for families, bringing together historic cars and aircraft, fascinating stories, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. There’s something special about seeing these incredible machines up close and discovering the history behind them together, making it a day the whole family can enjoy.

Whether you have a budding motorsport fan in the family or simply want to spend a day somewhere with plenty to see and explore, Brooklands is well worth adding to your half-term plans. As a leading aviation and motoring museum, we provide a fascinating insight into the cars, people, and engineering that have shaped British motoring.

Book your tickets today and enjoy an unforgettable family day out at Brooklands Museum this October half term.