SUMMER is over and October half term is fast approaching.

Many attractions continue to operate but have Covid-19 restrictions in place to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

We have compiled a list of 12 fun things to do in Dorset and the surrounding area which is within an hour's drive from our area.

1) Paultons Park

Located in Romsey, and only a 35-minute drive from Bournemouth, this popular theme park is offering spooky fun this half term with Peppa and George's Hallowe'en makeover and ghoulish fun.

An all singing and dancing extravaganza, namely The Legend of Paultons Manor, returns for Hallowe'en with guaranteed bumps and surprises with singing, laughter and spectacular illusions.

The park's Hallowe'en festivities are running from October 15 to November 2 with late-night openings occurring on October 27 and 29 until 7.30pm.

All tickets must be pre-booked online and face coverings must be worn by all guests (with the exception of children under 11 years and anyone with a disability or medical condition that precludes them from wearing a face covering) when entering shops, toilets and baby care centres, ride and attraction queue lines.

2) Monkey World

Monkey World in Wareham is open during half term for pre-bookings only.

All visitors aged three years and over are required to wear a face covering at all times when visiting Monkey World.

This is a requirement of entry, and you will be denied entry without one.

The centre's rescued primates can also get infected by Covid-19 and suffer the same effects as people, so wearing a face covering is vital when visiting.

All individuals must be booked in as the rescue centre is limiting visitor numbers.

Tickets, which are non-refundable, can be booked on the Monkey World website.

3) Beaulieu National Motor Museum

Discover miniature mayhem at Beaulieu this half term with fun family activities that celebrate the museum's new exhibition Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood and Little Beaulieu.

Begin your family day out in the National Motor Museum by visiting the exhibition, Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood.

This nostalgic exhibition is home to over 800 toy cars and pedal cars from the 1920s to the 1990s.

However, rumour has it that some of the toy cars from Motoring in Miniature have mischievously escaped from the museum and have motored their way around the Beaulieu attraction after closing time.

The museum needs your help to locate the cars between October 24 and November 1 by using a family fun trail that will lead you around the attraction to track down the models.

Visitor numbers have been limited, so booking is essential.

This can be done by calling 01590 612345 or by visiting: www.beaulieu.co.uk/

4) A-scarium at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park

Take a step into the creepy deep at SEA LIFE Weymouth this Hallowe'en and navigate the A-scarium; an immersive trail which takes you past some of the ocean's most weird and wonderful sea creatures.

Visitors are invited to help find the sea witches missing potion ingredients and solve a riddle to earn a special Hallowe'en treat.

Whilst searching for the missing ingredients, you will encounter a host of magical creatures.

From October 17 to November 1 SEA LIFE will be open from 10am to 3pm, seven days a week.

Guests over the age of 11 will be required to wear a face covering/mask within any indoor space.

Pre-booking is required and tickets can be purchased here: www.visitsealife.com/weymouth/

5) Autumn Trail at The Walled Garden

A special autumn and pumpkin themed trail will be arriving at The Walled Garden, Moreton for one week only.

During half term, visitors will be tasked with trying to find pumpkins hidden around the garden.

Grab a map, explore the grounds and find the pumpkins to win a prize.

No booking is required but maps cost £2 each and can be collected and paid for in the café along with the prizes.

The trail will run from October 24 to November 1.

6) Moors Valley Country Park

Take a stroll through Moors Valley Country Park on one of the park's walking and fitness trails.

The routes range in distance from three and a quarter miles to five miles and are easy to follow.

However, the Play Trail remains partially closed.

The park is encouraging visitors to arrive before 10.30am, or after 2pm where possible to avoid their busiest times.

Moors Valley is open from 8am to 5pm everyday.

7) Farmer Palmers

The Farm Park in Poole will get a fang-tastic makeover in time for Hallowe'en, and staff are encouraging visitors to embrace the spooky season by dressing up.

The Hallowe'en spirit will be emphasised by some Ghoulish Goody Bags, which will be handed out by staff for great, frightful fancy dress.

Farmer Palmers hopes to run its popular 'Spook & Soak Tractor Ride' which entails water guns, giggling ghouls and squeals of surprise.

Their Hallowe'en spooktacular will run from October 26 to 31 and tickets will be released soon.

8) Nothe Fort

In the run-up to Halloween, Nothe Fort is becoming the creepiest place in Weymouth.

There is something for all members of the family, with mesmerizing yet monstrous magic shows, bewitching Hallowe'en bingo, a wild, wicked witch, and an evening scare attraction.

Twitch the Witch will be visiting Nothe Fort everyday from October 24 to 31, with shows taking place every 50 minutes.

Reserving your time slot is essential for these shows.

This can be done on the Nothe Fort website.

Survival Zone, a "truly terrifying" scare experience, is also taking place during half term from October 24 to October 31, 5pm to 10pm.

This immersive and theatrical zombie experience puts guests in the middle of a crisis.

Visitors will need to weave their way through the labyrinth of underground tunnels and passageways in an attempt to reach the impenetrable ‘Survival Zone’ and escape from the horrors of the outside world.

This attraction is not suitable for those aged under 12.

Tickets for this event can also be purchased here: www.survivalzone.co.uk

9) Halloween Ghost Train at Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

A crew of ghoulish characters are returning to Exbury Gardens in Hampshire for this fundraising event in aid of maintaining and developing the gardens.

They will be haunting the train tracks and entertaining families with their slapstick comedy performances, along with a few frights.

The Ghost Train will depart from Exbury Central Station every 45 minutes from October 26 to November 1, 10.45am to 3.45pm.

The experience is approximately 30 minutes long and begins on the platform.

Visitors are asked to arrive at Exbury Central Station around 15 minutes before your booked train is due to depart.

Tickets cost £5.40 for members and £6 for non-members and can only be purchased over the phone by calling 02380 891203.

To find out more about other Hallowe'en events at Exbury Gardens, visit: https://www.exbury.co.uk/events_exhibitions

10) Tank Museum

From October 24 to November 1, the Tank Museum is hosting a variety of activities, including mini Landrover driving and a brand new Second World War exhibition.

For £5 per vehicle per ride, children can drive round the arena in a mini Landrover.

Each vehicle seats two children, goes up to five mph, and is suitable to be driven by ages five to 10.

There is a limit on daily visitors, so book book your slot to guarantee entry.

If you have an Annual Pass or membership you can book free of charge.

To book, visit: https://tankmuseum.org/events/october-half-term

11) Go pumpkin picking 

There are plenty of places and farms to go and pick your own pumpkins around Dorset ahead of Halloween. 

Dorset Country Pumpkins, based at Longclose Farm, Milton Abbas, is one of them, and it is their first year growing and selling pumpkins.

Food and drink will be available to purchase alongside any pumpkins bought.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Country Pumpkins said: The pumpkins have all been individually grown from seed in our greenhouse and hand planted in the pumpkin patch, without the use of herbicides or pesticides.

"We have a mix of varieties which have produced a lovely range of different sized orange and white pumpkins to choose from."

The farm will be open on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October, 18 as well as Friday October, 23 to Saturday 31 October.

Alternatively, you could visit Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins every weekend of October and during half term. More information can be found here - https://www.facebook.com/100562321820797/posts/113184453891917/

12) Walk the beaches at West Bay 

A visit to West Bay and also its shops is always a safe bet on an Autumn day. 

Just be aware of the people making Broadchurch references or location spotting.