Things may be a little different this year, but there are still plenty of Halloween hoots to enjoy this October.
For some scary surprises, spooky settings or good old-fashioned family fun, here are a few top picks.
But, as ever, pre-booking is essential, and it’s always best to check opening times, as well as any restrictions, before travelling.
A wary woodland wander
If you’re feeling brave this half term, venture over to East Yorkshire’s historic stately home, Burton Agnes Hall, and take part in the fantastically Spooky Woodland Trail (23 October – 1 November). Intrepid visitors are invited on an eerie hunt round the Hall’s atmospheric woodland, where clues are hidden amidst spooky Halloween scenes of witches, spiders and ghostly figures. Once the entire puzzle has been solved, a treat awaits in the Gift Shop. Try not to let the haunting sounds and mysterious shadows of the historic woodland walk scare you whilst searching!
Halloween hunt in a garden of surprises
Family fun will be on offer as Burghley House, one of England’s greatest Elizabethan houses, stages its annual Halloween Trail this October half term (17 October to 1 November). Set amidst the splendour of the Lincolnshire historic estate’s Sculpture Garden, visitors can get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up in their scariest costumes to tread through the autumn leaves and find the hidden ghosts. The gardens of the estate, on the edge of the Georgian stone town of Stamford, will be open daily with two timed sessions, which must be pre-booked. The Halloween-themed trail winds its way through the lakeside Sculpture Gardens, designed by Capability Brown.
Get creative with Halloween Pottery Painting
The World of Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent, is a unique, interactive visitor experience celebrating the very best of British craftsmanship, and for Halloween, it offers a chance to treat your creative side. Half term family fun features pot throwing, museum trails, delicious dining and bracing woodland walks – and Halloween pottery painting (24 October – 1 November). Book a session, take a seat, pick up a paintbrush and get creating your spookiest designs. Online booking essential, prices start from £5
Head out on a Covid-friendly ghost walk in the UK’s ‘ghost capital’
Derby is said to be one of the UK’s most haunted cities, full of spooky tales and home to several resident ghosts. The New (Covid Friendly) Derby City Centre Ghost Walk, which runs until 15 December, winds around Derby city centre taking in haunted spots for stories of witchcraft, execution and treason. Plus expect stories of Little Sammy, Viking Skulls and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The new walk will be split into groups of no more than six people, and face coverings must also be worn to protect ghosts and humans!
Discover enchanted pumpkins
Popular family-friendly farm park, Rand Farm Park, near Lincoln, is hosting a Pumpkin Festival this October half-term (23 October to 1 November). Take part in a host of Halloween inspired activities at the Festival, including the brand-new Enchanted Pumpkin Show with Mona and Maud, the resident friendly witches. Plus each child gets a free pumpkin to carve at the farm and take home. Must be pre-booked
Wizarding wands and sorcerous spells on a trickery garden trail…
Top garden attraction, The Trentham Estate, Staffordshire, always puts on a spectacular show for autumn, thanks to its glorious gardens and sweeping parkland. But for October half term, there are tricky treats too… with witches and wizards playing tricks in the garden. Trentham’s Trickery Trail (17 October – 1 November), included in garden admission, offers a chance to follow the trail to find out what magical mischief they have been up to. From floating witch hats to pumpkins that defy gravity, discover the tricks to complete the trail for a treat. Alongside will be Wizarding Wands, craft your own magical wand from garden materials (additional charge of £2 per wand), Broomstick Building (£4 per broom) and new for 2020, Sorcerous Spells, a chance to mix magical spells to sprinkle in your own garden – wildflowers to sprout next Spring (additional charge of £2). All three activities run from 24 – 31 October
Pick a pumpkin under the stars
Enjoy a Moonlight Harvest at Staffordshire’s National Forest Adventure Farm (9 – 31 October). In a new evening event, pick a pumpkin under the stars and enjoy a torchlight stroll in the maize maze on selected dates, plus there is live music, live performers and fair ground rides as well as hot food and drinks from the licensed bar. Visitors must adhere to the Government’s ‘rule of 6’ guideline. Check website for details
Enjoy a friendly, frightful fun fest… with Peppa Pig
How about spending Halloween with Peppa Pig? This October half term Hampshire’s Paultons Park is promising the UK’s friendliest and most frightful fun fest. ‘Happy Halloween’ is back for another year with even more spooky fun to be had (15 October – 2 November, with late night openings on the 27 and 29 October). Meet Peppa and George in their spooky outfits and enjoy lots of fun Peppa themed Halloween decorations. The Legend of Paultons Manor show returns, featuring the adventures of Pickles the Pumpkin and the Spirit Squad. Expect bumps and surprises with singing, laughter and spectacular illusions as the enchanting Halloween story unfolds.
A round of ghastly golf, anyone?
Ghastly Golf sees the popular 9-hole Crazy Golf course at Lincolnshire family farm attraction Uncle Henry’s, near Gainsborough, take on a Halloween makeover – adding the Haunted Windmill, Spider Takeover and seven other seasonally themed mini golfing greens. There’s also a Pumpkin Patch for picking, and the maize maze sees the ‘find the letters’ challenge from the summer giving way to a spooky set of nine Halloween characters to track down (23 October – 1 November)
