Children: What to do this weekend in London

Victorian Weekend

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey (0181-940 1171) today and tomorrow, 9.30am-6pm, adults pounds 5, children pounds 2.50, family pounds 13

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Palm House (above), Victorian characters will be taking a stroll around the glasshouse. There will also be tours and lectures, with fascinating facts about the building. Did you know, for example, that the window-cleaning bill for the Palm House, one of 39 listed buildings at Kew, is about pounds 50,000?

Hallowe'en Festival

University of London Union, Malet St, London WC1, today and tomorrow, 12-8pm, admission pounds 3-pounds 6

This is not a buy-your-plastic-mask-at-the-newsagents variety. It's a pagan festival, featuring everything from morris dancing to folk bands, to stalls, talks and workshops, and ends up with a witchcraft ritual.

Trafalgar Day Parade

Trafalgar Sq, London WC2 (0171-928 8978) tomorrow, 11am-1pm, free

If marching bands are your thing, head to Trafalgar Square tomorrow when more than 400 sea cadets will be commemorating Nelson's most famous victory. Checking they're all ship-shape will be Doug Henderson MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces.

Apple Day

Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Rd, Morden, Surrey (0181-648 1845) tomorrow, 10am-5pm, free

It's apples with everything at this oasis of countryside near Morden tube (below). On offer are apple-tasting, apple books, apple-juice making and, in the cafe, an apple-based menu, with dishes such as apple and coriander soup and baked chicken and apple.

... AND BEYOND

Christmas Craft Fair

Audley End House, near Saffron Walden, Essex (0171-973 3434) today and tomorrow, adults pounds 4, pounds 2 children (admission to the Jacobean house is extra)

It may only be October but the cards are already in the shops and the season of Christmas fairs is upon us. This one takes place in marquees in the grounds of this historic house. As well as stalls there'll be craft demonstrations, a brass band, morris dancers and a Punch and Judy Show. Fruits of Autumn Walks

Kingston Lacey Estate, near Wimborne, Dorset (01202 882705) tomorrow 2pm, meet on the Green at Broad Lawn, Holt Forest, adults pounds 1.50, children 50p

Get your wellies on and head off for a conducted walk to discover what fruits, berries and funghi you can find on this National Trust estate. The walk, which is about two-and-a-half miles, lasts a couple of hours.