Half-term sorted: what’s on at Metrocentre this Autumn Gaming demos, beauty finds and circus thrills, plus wizard and witch fun With schools about to break for half-term, and the clock change fast approaching, Metrocentre has lined up a whole host of activities to help brighten the shorter days and darker nights.

RHS Garden Bridgewater is set to shine brighter than ever this Christmas as RHS Glow returns with a reimagined illuminated trail, spectacular new installations and the chance to see the garden transformed after dark.

Beat the boredom this October Half Term with Butterfly Conservation's five fun, slightly spooky and wild-inspired activities for the family. 1. See what’s going bump in the night The nights are drawing in but there’s still lots to see when the sun goes down! Head out after dark with a torch and look for fallen fruit, berries or Ivy and you might find some moths enjoying a sweet treat.

Documentary filmmaker and broadcaster Louis Theroux found himself on the other side of the questions during a visit to Martin House Children’s Hospice this week. Louis visited the hospice in Boston Spa on Tuesday 6 October, where he was given a tour of its newly transformed facilities and met children and families supported by Martin House.

Leaders from the NHS, universities, industry and research organisations came together at the South Yorkshire Research and Innovation Expo, delivered by Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber’s South Yorkshire Innovation Hub, this month to focus on one question: how do we create healthier futures for children and young people?

Young people from across the UK are being invited to capture their journeys and share their creativity as the National Railway Museum launches the third Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition.

Church Fenton not-for-profit nursery increases capacity from 51 to 77 children following a major transformation, ahead of its 20th anniversary celebrations in 2027.

Jones Myers is hailed as an ‘exceptional family team'’ and ‘the standout firm in Leeds’ in Legal 500’s rankings for 2027 based on client interviews and recommendations. Delivering every aspect of family law, the niche family law practice has maintained its Tier 1 status for over three decades.

Chester Zoo’s popular winter light trail will return with a redesigned route, new animal puppets and adults-only evenings introduced for the first time. Lanterns & Light will transform the zoo after dark for 42 nights from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with festive lights, colour and wildlife-themed displays.

Make October half-term one to remember with spooky thrills and short breaks at Alton Towers Resort Families looking to make the most of the October half-term can head to Alton Towers Resort for a fright-filled autumn adventure with Scarefest 2026, alongside a host of rides, attractions and immersive experiences for all ages.

Set within the 200 acres of woodland lakes and gardens at Swinton Park Hotel, Luminescence is once again transforming the historic landscape into an immersive after-dark experience. A mile-long trail of imaginative light installations will lead visitors through a series of otherworldly realms, elemental landscapes and fantastical worlds, bringing the gardens to life under the moonlight.

Hundreds of celebrities, artists and illustrators are once again reaching for their pens and paper, to create one-of-a-kind doodles to be auctioned for a Leeds-based charity. National Doodle Day, now in its 22nd year, is an annual fundraising event run by national charity Epilepsy Action, based in Yeadon.

Gyms, spin classes and businesses across West Yorkshire will be hosting some special cycle sessions this autumn to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week 9th-15th October. Forget Me Not children’s hospice’s Shooting Stars Cycling Challenge aims to cycle 4,745 miles, in memory of the 4,745 babies who sadly die during pregnancy or shortly after birth each year in the UK.

Youth Mental Health Day takes place on Friday 18th September.

St Peter’s School in York is launching its 1400th anniversary celebrations this month. The independent school, which is the third oldest school in the UK, was founded in AD 627 by St Paulinus.

Catamaran Smile As the rope is drawn away from the anchor, As the captain concentrates and charts his course, As the coast shrinks into glassy, shaken water, As the percussion of waves evolve into an engine’s hum, As the boats wood begins to creak, As the propeller turns and bites the sea, As the golden sunset glows then sinks into orange jelly.

Having been enticed into the Plopsa world earlier in the week following our experience at Plopsaland Belgium, we decided to trial their most recently opened Belgian venture – Plopsaqua Hannut-Landen.