5K Zombie Run at Stowe Gardens today

If you fancy a bit of spooky exercise this morning, Stowe Gardens has turned into a zombie run. The 5K Zombie Run is a free, family-friendly 5K run or walk with a zombie twist, and it's happening today, Sunday 1 November, at Stowe Gardens in Buckingham, MK18 5EQ. Registration opens at 08:00 and the event gets going at 09:00, so there's still time to get down there before the starting gun.

The best part is that entry is free, and it comes with all-day access to the gardens, so you can linger long after you've crossed the finish line. You're encouraged to dress up as a zombie to get into the spooky spirit, which is half the fun of it all. A few practical things are worth knowing before you set off: children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult, and dogs on leads are welcome as long as you pick up after them. The property itself is accessible, but parts of the running route can be uneven and may not suit wheelchair users, so if that's a concern it's worth ringing 01280 817156 before you book. Tickets can be sorted through nationaltrust.org.uk using the 'Check Tickets & Live Prices' button.

It's a great excuse to see the gardens in a different light. Stowe is a National Trust landscape designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, all rolling lawns, artistically placed trees and tranquil lakes, with the Grecian Valley, the Elysian Fields and a collection of temples and monuments like the Gothic Temple, the Temple of Friendship and the Palladian Bridge. There are picnic spaces too, including accessible benches at the New Inn, though barbecues are not allowed. The weather forecast for today is overcast with a temperature of around 9°C, so a layer or two wouldn't go amiss.

If you're already in the area, there's more to catch later in the month. Diwali at Stowe is a family-friendly celebration running across November, with Rangoli to see in the Temple of Venus and Diya painting in the Bennett Room on Saturday 7 November, a Mehndi session with artist Anokhi Mehndi on the same day, and a StoryHour UK puppet show and workshop on Sunday 8 November. Christmas at Stowe then takes over from 15 November right through to 4 January, bringing seasonal traditions from around the world to the gardens. For the more regular runners among you, the Trust 10K trail run comes round on the fourth Sunday of each month, and there's a 5K Santa Run later in the season too.

So, if you're after a bit of autumn activity that's free and not too serious, the Zombie Run is a good shout. Grab some zombie gear, bring the family and the dog, and make a morning of it at one of the nicest spots in the region.