Because the nights attract, it’s time to embrace all issues spooky, from ghosties and ghoulies to issues that go bump within the night time, with one of the best Halloween days out within the UK. UPDATED FOR 2024
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From essentially the most haunted locations within the UK to spine-chilling household points of interest, you possibly can embrace pumpkins and witches with youthful children, dial up the fear for teenagers or discover someplace suitably spooky.
Together with fearsome inspiration for creepy days out year-round, there are extra Halloween occasions in 2024 too together with particular trails at a number of the UK’s greatest points of interest – so in the event you’re able to do some gentle ghostbusting, take a look at my high Halloween days out with children.
For extra concepts of issues to do at Halloween in London with children, take a look at this put up
Haunted historic homes and castles
Chillingham Fort, Northumberland
Chillingham Fort has been referred to as Britain’s most haunted… and in the event you go to with older teenagers, there are night ghost excursions to see in the event you can spot any in addition to some household ghost excursions throughout college holidays.
The thirteenth century Northumberland fortress has a ghost which haunts the inside pantry – probably a sufferer of poisoning, begging for water – whereas two invisible males will be heard speaking within the chapel.
Or you possibly can stroll into the dungeon and the torture chamber as you discover the fortress… undoubtedly not for the faint-hearted.
For extra issues to do in Northumberland with children, take a look at this put up
Bolsover Fort, Derbyshire
One other contender for the terrifying title of the UK’s most haunted fortress – workers at Bolsover Fort preserve a ghost e-book as guests have so many experiences to file, together with eerie lights, screams and a bit of boy who holds the palms of tourists…
Hold your eyes open for Sir Charles too, the previous proprietor whose ghost is alleged to wander the corridors, in addition to exercising your different senses. The odor of horses can nonetheless be scented coming from the driving college… the place no dwelling horse is normally to be discovered.
It’s also possible to stroll alongside the newly restored wall stroll for the primary time in nearly 250 years and ponder the truth that the fortress itself stands on an historical burial floor.
There’s a household Halloween Quest for 2024 as nicely, with storytelling and clues to observe from Oct 26-Nov 3, whereas in the event you’re visiting with teenagers aged 16+, the particular Halloween ghost tales excursions are again on Oct 26-27 and 30-31.
Warwick Fort, Warwick
The right Halloween time out with youthful children, Warwick Fort’s standard inhabitants (assume princesses and falconers with their birds of prey) are joined by the witches of Warwick for Halloween, as a part of the Haunted Fort occasions.
There are a collection of additional points of interest from October 26 to November 3, from spooky faculties to Haunted Hollows, a brand new path by the grounds, in addition to reveals all through the day.
Escape from mysterious mazes, be careful for the headless horseman, and benefit from the fortress’s spooky makeover, in addition to watching the Witches of Warwick dwell present and the Useless Centre stage present, with a brand new theme for 2024, together with an opportunity to sing and dance in the course of the interactive performances, and shiver at some frightfully good tales.
Prebooking tickets for the Haunted Fort occasions is really helpful and it can save you as much as £17 per grownup in the event you e-book upfront
In case you’re visiting with older children teenagers, there’s additionally the particular Fort after Darkish occasions, from October 26-31, really helpful for age 10+ – with three new scare points of interest and a frightful pageant of leisure within the courtyard, this isn’t one to maintain toddlers up late for!
And since actuality is commonly much more ugly than fiction, there’s additionally the Horrible Histories maze to find. Not forgetting the fearsome Fort Dungeon: additionally really helpful for age 10+ and also you don’t get your a reimbursement in the event you run away early!
Halloween on the Tower of London
There’s one other spooky Halloween expertise to be discovered at one of many capital’s most well-known points of interest, the Tower of London, as you observe within the footsteps of a few of its notorious prisoners.
Halloween on the Tower of London is an exciting family-friendly journey by the landmark’s haunted previous, operating from October 26-November 3, promising a hauntingly good time.
As you tour the Tower’s most infamous websites resembling Traitors’ Gate and the Bloody Tower, children will come nose to nose with roaming ghosts of characters who spent their closing moments inside the partitions (with the assistance of projectors and eerie sound results) – anticipate stressed spirits starting from Roman troopers to the Wizard Earl.
The ghoulish Halloween Tower Tour is designed to spook not terrify although, and included in common admission, with a path to maintain observe of the ghosts you notice. It’s greatest to e-book your ticket upfront to ensure entry in the course of the half-term holidays.
There’s a reduction on tickets for the Tower of London in the event you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Halloween at Hampton Court docket Palace
If one haunted royal residence wasn’t sufficient, head all the way down to Hampton Court docket Palace for an additional eerie expertise by Historic Royal Palaces.
At Hampton Court docket Palace, this Halloween households can uncover the numerous darkish secrets and techniques of Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace. With creepy sound results and eerie projections, the palace might be reworked with the assistance of some enchantments and there are ghosts to come across round each nook.
There’ll be ghost hunters available that will help you search out all of the spine-chilling spirits inside the palace partitions, plus some spooky tales to take pleasure in and Halloween-themed treats within the cafe.
Ths hair-raisingly enjoyable expertise is appropriate for all ages, and runs from October 26-November 3.
There’s a reduction on tickets for Hampton Court docket Palace in the event you e-book by my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Sir Francis Drake went down in English historical past for his victories over the Spanish and three-year circumnavigation of the globe on the Golden Hind – however based on legend, his spirit isn’t a contented one and he haunts his Devon residence at Buckland Abbey.
Tales additionally say his ghost rides throughout Dartmoor in a black coach pushed by headless horses, pursued by baying canine – whose spectral barking is lethal to dwelling canine. Simply certainly one of many ghoulish legends to find on Dartmoor with children.
For one thing much less spine-chilling, there may be additionally a child dragon path for teenagers this yr, who’ve made their first hoards round Buckland Abbey so that you can discover, from October 19-November 3.
Not far-off Berry Pomeroy Fort in Totnes has two feminine ghosts of its personal – a white woman and a blue woman if you need extra Halloween days out in Devon.
Corfe Fort, Dorset
This dramatic ruined fortress has a protracted historical past of homicide, conflict and terror going again over a thousand years. Within the grounds of Corfe Fort, Anglo-Saxon prince Edward the Martyr was supposedly killed on the orders of his stepmother Queen Elfrida, who needed her personal son to take the throne.
It later held a string of prisoners of King John, in addition to being a jail for Edward II – earlier than the king himself was murdered (elsewhere).
However the ghost stated to stroll the fortress dates from the Civil Struggle, when treachery meant the Roundheads have been capable of smuggle their very own troopers contained in the royalist stronghold, profitable the fortress earlier than blowing a part of it up.
A headless lady in white nonetheless stalks the partitions and battlements of the Dorset break.
Uncover extra in regards to the fortress’s character with the Hidden Critters Household Quest this autumn, together with particular half-term occasions from October 26-November 3.
Try our evaluate of a time out at Corfe Fort with children
Ham Home, Surrey
Ghostly women are ten a penny however there aren’t fairly as many historic homes that may boast a ghostly canine as Ham Home can. Add in mysterious chilly spots, ghostly footsteps and a seventeenth century trying glass which some individuals refuse to stare into for concern of who (or what) would possibly gaze again.
A lady in black has additionally been noticed on the steps of the home, whereas a lovelorn nobleman is assumed to scream right here – you would possibly even odor pipe smoke, the favorite of the Duke of Lauderdale… who has been useless for nicely over three centuries.
There’s additionally a potion-themed path by the grounds this Halloween, and normally nice crafts for teenagers within the previous servants’ quarters too, operating from October 26-November 3.
Cawdor Fort, Nairn, Scotland
The setting for Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Cawdor Fort has had a genuinely bloodsoaked previous – even when Macbeth himself had no reference to the positioning.
One story tells that witches cursed the fortress after the playwright used certainly one of their spells in his play, whereas there are additionally tales of a lady in a blue gown who haunts Cawdor.
Presumably a kidnapped heiress, whose wealth led to numerous deaths within the wrestle to manage her fortune, probably an earl’s daughter whose romance with the son of a rival household led to her father chopping off her palms as she hung from a fortress window.
Not removed from Cawdor Fort is one other chilling spot – Culloden Moor was the positioning of the final battle in Britain, the place ghosts of troopers from the military of Bonnie Prince Charlie are stated to look on the anniversary of the battle, which came about on April 16, 1746
Stirling Fort, Stirling
One other ghostly woman stalks this fortress – however not like the white and gray women drifting eerily round different fortresses, Stirling Fort’s ghost is pink.
Individuals report a faint scent of roses within the air earlier than she seems, with competing tales as to whose unquiet spirit she is: a noblewoman who died from a damaged coronary heart after her knightly love starved to demise right here or a sufferer of grave robbers in search of her physique…
For extra haunted castles and homes, take a look at this chilling assortment from the Nationwide Belief for extra Halloween days out
Haunted Halloween trails & illuminations
Halloween with English Heritage – nationwide
For extra spooky enjoyable, English Heritage has a collection of particular Halloween occasions for teenagers across the nation, with loads of possibilities to get households open air.
You’ll discover spooky storytelling, geared toward ages five-12, and ghoulishly good trails at websites across the nation, with creepy clues to observe as you discover.
The Glittering North at Raby Fort, County Durham
Raby Fort in County Durham is bringing gentle to the darkish nights with the Glittering North spectacle, that includes dwell music, dance and puppetry in a brand new immersive expertise.
Designed to have a good time the area’s Norse and Viking heritage, the occasion may even convey iconic figures from the previous to life with gentle illuminations and puppets, together with Gullinburstin, a boar with bristles constructed from gold that gentle up the sky, and Sleipnir, a large illuminated horse with eight legs.
There’ll be a ‘path of the north’ within the 18th century Walled Backyard, together with a recreation of the northern lights, fireplace performers to make you gasp, and an opportunity to quiet down and take heed to historical tales in The Driving Faculty. Runs on October 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 and 30-31, in addition to November 1-3.
There’s additionally the after darkish path from October 31-November 3, geared toward children aged 11 and beneath – only for an added frisson of terror… plus scorching chocolate within the Coach Yard afterwards.
Halloween at Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens have been well-known for the Christmas gentle path for years, and now there’s an added deal with to start out winter off with a shiver, with this yr’s new Halloween at Kew Gardens occasion.
Comply with the path because it leads you previous flickering flames in a fiendish fireplace backyard the place fireplace artists will go away you open-mouthed, and enterprise into the haunted woods, illuminatd with creepy cobwebs, depraved witches and beastly creatures.
Spy grinning pumpkins as they glow within the nightfall, be careful for ghastly ghouls and be prepared for just a few extra shocked alongside the path, created by the identical individuals who design Christmas at Kew. There’s additionally marshmallows to toast, and scorching chocolate and scorching toddies to drink.
Timed entry slot on dates from October 18-November 3, good in case your children have an earlier half-term than most London faculties. Christmas at Kew, which has an extended run, at all times sells out so e-book early for this.
Halloween path at Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire
There are few locations spookier than Whitby in North Yorkshire, the place the place Bram Stoker’s tales of Dracula started – and loads of Halloween actions in the event you’re braving a go to.
In addition to a Halloween path at half-term (from October 26-November 3), it’s also possible to see the Illuminated Abbey lights from October 24-November 2, with a nightmare world of Victorian gothic dropped at life, together with an opportunity to identify Dracula himself within the glowing abbey ruins.
Be careful for a ghostly nun within the ruined abbey as you discover too…
Wonderful Glowing Lantern Parade at Bewilderwood Norfolk
You’ve by no means been in need of fantastical creatures and hints of magic at Bewilderwood, however the Norfolk household attraction has an added temptation for Halloween, with its Wonderful Glowing Lantern Parade.
And this yr, there’s an opportunity to cease at completely different character doorways and say ‘Twig or Deal with’ to a number of the Bewilderwood characters for a enjoyable and protected trick-or-treating expertise.
Opening up paths which you’ll be able to’t usually discover, and a magical gentle present telling a enjoyable new story for 2023, it’s designed to be spooky not too scary, together with a large pumpkin and new 10-minute present. Begin by getting your individual glowing lantern earlier than you got down to discover.
Runs on chosen evenings from October 12-November, with scheduled time slots – permit round 90 minutes. In case you plan to go to in the course of the day, you’ll want a separate ticket for the parade later (and the standard points of interest just like the play areas gained’t be open). Prebooking is crucial.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
There’s a particular Halloween path at Blenheim Palace this yr, from October 25-November 3 with flickering flames within the fireplace backyard, grinning pumpkins aglow and improbable fireplace artists performing.
The historic palace within the Cotswolds may have its well-known grounds reworked as soon as once more, so that you wander by the illuminated woods stuffed with creepy neon cobwebs and a bunch of scary spectres from ghouls and witches to bats. Be careful for the headless horseman too…
In addition to treats to take pleasure in alongside the best way, together with scorching toddies and devilish scorching chocolate, you possibly can toast marshmallows, earlier than ending within the Secret Backyard… with its personal surprises.
If youvisit in the course of the day, you’ll want a separate ticket – take a look at my evaluate of a time out at Blenheim Palace with children for extra of its household points of interest
Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry, Perthshire
On the Enchanted Forest in Perthshire, the emphasis is on a magical expertise moderately than spooky scares – it’s certainly one of Scotland’s hottest Halloween occasions, with greater than 800,000 individuals visiting over the previous 20 years.
As you wander by the autumn woodland of Faskally Wooden close to Pitlochry, this yr’s Enchanted Forest sound and light-weight present is themed round a Symphony of Nature, taking you on a journey by gentle and music to find the pure fantastic thing about the forest.
This yr’s present, Symphony of Nature, guarantees to be a kaleidoscopic out of doors expertise, an unforgettable journey by a symphony of lights, music, and the pure fantastic thing about the forest – a magical celebration of the fantastic thing about nature’s interconnectedness.
Comply with dandelion seeds caught within the breeze as they scatter across the forest, with a vivid whirl of colors, and new authentic music, bringing all the things from a croaking frog refrain to the whisper of butterfly wings to life. Runs from October 3-November 3
GlasGLOW, Glasgow
Are you able to trick andtreat…. with a distinction! Head to Glasgow’s botanic gardens this Halloween for GlasGLOW, the place you possibly can knock on the doorways to 10 epic realms. In case you dare!
The 60-minute out of doors expertise contains the Haunted Hoose, the Boneyard and Glow amongst others – though if you wish to skip Clowntown, there’ll an another path to take you previous this specific terrifying nook.
Thankfully there’s at all times Marshmallowland to calm your nerves (in all probability). As ever, the story is a model new one for this yr, so even in the event you’ve visited earlier than, it’s the primary outing for this spooky household enjoyable. Runs from October 25-November 3.
Fearsome household actions and points of interest
The Dungeons, nationwide
Whether or not you’re in London, Blackpool, York or Edinburgh (to not point out Alton Towers and Warwick Fort), you possibly can terrify your self with a visit to the Dungeons – with dwell actors whisking you thru 1,000 actually alarming years of historical past, plus loads of particular results and rides to get your coronary heart racing even sooner.
Not for youthful children – there’s loads to make adults leap – every location has areas themed to go well with its personal historical past too.
The London Dungeon, for instance, brings you nose to nose with the Nice Hearth and Sweeney Todd, though this Halloween, you’re invited to a sinister seance, the place you’ll be transported right into a Victorian Medium’s parlour.
As you place your palms on the Ouija board to see if her paranormal items are actual, beware, you can discover some sinister spirits contacting you, together with certainly one of Britain’s most prolific feminine killers, Mary-Ann Cotton.
For extra issues to do that Halloween in London with children, take a look at my terrifyingly tempting picks
This Halloween, are you courageous sufficient to danger seeing the Monster of Glamis at Edinburgh Dungeon – invited to a celebration on the fortress, as you enterprise into its tunnels, beware the monster on the lookout for its subsequent feed… (runs from October 12-November 3).
In the meantime the Grim Reaper might be stalking the Blackpool Tower Dungeon from October 1 till November 5, as you uncover extra of Lancashire’s sinister historical past on the House of Halloween…
Too terrifiying on your youthful ones? Strive the Little Peasants metropolis strolling excursions from the York Dungeons on dates from October 26-31, to find York’s darker facet…
Take a ghost stroll
I’ve taken just a few ghost walks in UK cities however simply one of the best (and spookiest) was the Ghost Hunt of York.
The town was one of many first to start out ghost walks, and with its lengthy (and sometimes violent) historical past, there are many ghosts to go round. 504 separate hauntings, allegedly, from Roman legionnaires to a misplaced boy and a lonely piper.
For extra ghost walks, you’ll find excursions in London, Portsmouth, Southampton, Oxford, Norwich, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Lincoln, Nottingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Cardiff amongst others as concepts for Halloween days out – some are solely appropriate for teenagers so at all times test restrictions earlier than reserving.
Bounce on the ghost bus
For a ghost tour with a distinction, hop on board London’s Ghost bus tour – it’s household pleasant (though greatest for round age 7+), as you cruise on the ‘orrible omnibus’ to the West Finish, across the metropolis and south of the river.
There are spooky information about a few of London’s greatest recognized landmarks, together with the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, with a creepy conductor offering the commentary.
Set overseas the one Necropolis Bus left, the only survivor of a nineteenth century personal funeral bus service – painted midnight black – the remaining have been destroyed in a mysterious fireplace. In case you don’t have already got shivers down your backbone, you’re positive to by the point you step off…
There’s additionally a ghost bus tour of Edinburgh and York in the event you’re visiting both metropolis.
Try my evaluate of the Ghost Bus Tour of London – with children, or with out
Take a Halloween ghost prepare
Try the assorted heritage railways across the UK and also you’ll discover many reworking their standard routes with some spooky steam engine enjoyable and Halloween ghost trains throughout October.
Purchase a ticket for the Halloween trains on the East Lancashire Railway – in the event you dare! – with vampires, witches, zombies and ghosts on board… even when they’re extra more likely to sing to you, and train you magic than scare you proper out of your wits.
Or for a magical journey, strive the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Wizard Week trains with owls swooping, illusions to be seen and a terrifying treasure hunt.
The Severn Valley’s Ghost prepare is again once more for 2024, and after being cancelled final yr, the Peak Railway’s Halloween Scream trains may even be again on October 30 and 31.
in Wales, you can board the Bala Lake Railway’s Halloween trains on October 30 and 31 too.
Sadly the standard Halloween enjoyable of the Nice Central Railway’s Steam and Scream occasion isn’t happening for 2024.
Mary King’s Shut, Edinburgh
One of many darkish, mysterious lanes main off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Mary King’s Shut was bricked up throughout an outbreak of the plague – and is alleged to be essentially the most haunted place within the metropolis.
Nearly your entire slim medieval road stays and it’s now a museum you could tour.
It’s hardly stunning that you simply would possibly discover ghosts right here – nearly all of the inhabitants of 1 home died of plague, whereas one other features a cell the place the doomed Mary Queen of Scots as soon as spent an evening.
Previous Working Theatre, London
In case you’re on the lookout for blood and gore this Halloween, London’s Previous Working Theatre is an eye-opening expertise with a glance again at real medical and surgical practices of way back.
Set within the attic of an 18th century church of the previous St Thomas’s Hospital, it’s the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe and takes you again to the times earlier than anaesthetics, when 150 medical college students might need crammed in to be taught
This Halloween, it’s also possible to see the Surgical procedure and the Victorian Working Theatre occasion on October 26, a genuinely chilling take a look at the origins of surgical procedure earlier than antiseptics and anaesthesia. Finest with older children.
Bodmin Jail, Cornwall
After a significant multimillion pound overhaul, Bodmin Jail has been sharing a few of Cornwall’s most haunting histories year-round because it reopened in time for Halloween just a few years again.
However for October 2024, there are a string of added Halloween occasions, from the Go Darker Heritage tour from October 19-November 3, in addition to two choices for 12+ together with scare attraction Lights Out and a Ghost stroll.
Plus all the standard spine-chilling sides to the historic jail. The Darkish Stroll provides guests a first-hand expertise of what life within the distant 18th and nineteenth century jail would have been like on the sting of the moor. Uncover tales from the jail’s most notorious prisoners, plus youngster criminals alongside the best way too.
Bodmin jail is really helpful for 8+, and there is a chance to skip elements of the ‘Ultimate Drop’ – the one working execution pit within the UK on the finish of the go to. That is one place the place Halloween feels very actual…
Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden – the Harry Potter tour
If you wish to assure wizards and witches this Halloween, you possibly can at all times head to Hogwarts – or the subsequent neatest thing, at The Making of Harry Potter tour within the Warner Bros studios close to London.
Earlier particular Halloween occasions have included A Celebration of Slytherin, trying on the home which turned out extra darkish wizards than some other, whereas this yr the main focus is as soon as once more on the Darkish Arts, from September 13 to November 10.
Alongside the best way, it’s also possible to spy a number of the creatures which appeared within the wizarding world, in addition to making an attempt your hand at flying a broomstick: in all probability the closest you may get to magic inside half an hour of the capital!
For sure, tickets e-book up nicely upfront for this London Halloween time out, so it’s value planning forward in the event you’ve bought your coronary heart set on this magical Halloween – take a look at my ideas for locating tickets to the Harry Potter Studio tour.
For extra concepts of days out for Harry Potter followers, take a look at these magical strategies too…
The Tudor Home, Southampton
There’s every week of all issues spooky at Southampton’s historic Tudor home this autumn, from October 26-November 3, beginning with a Ghosts of Tudor Home tour, discussing paranormal sightings from the attic to the cellars.
Or head to Wizard college on October 28 and 29 for some wand-making, in addition to crafts, ugly video games and ghost-hunting on October 31 on the Halloween at Tudor Home occasion.
There’s additionally the possibility to observe the 90-minute Scary and Spooky Path on October 30, which takes you past the 400-year-old home to listen to tales from Southampton’s previous as nicely.
Ghostly nice open air
Nice Wooden, Blickling, Norfolk
In case you go all the way down to the woods in the present day, you would possibly simply uncover a Tudor ghost. Anne Boleyn was born at Blickling in Norfolk and it’s stated her father Sir Thomas Boleyn haunts the Blickling property, cursed for failing to cease Henry VIII executing her.
Wander by the misty forest and it’s also possible to see the 18th century Mausoleum, constructed to commemorate the 2nd Earl of Buckingham.
In case you’re within the space in spring, you would possibly even spy Anne Boleyn herself, who’s stated to look on the anniversary of her execution on Could 19, driving as much as the home in a coach drawn by a headless horseman, together with her personal head on her lap…
Look out for the brand new Autumn Magic and Folklore path, with just a few extra native supernaturals sights and superstitions too, operating from September 21 to November 10.
Learn my evaluate of a (ghost-free) time out at Blickling Corridor with children right here
Wenlock Edge, Shropshire
Stretching for 18 miles between Ironbridge and Craven Arms in Shropshire, Wenlock Edge juts excessive above the panorama – the right spot for tales to make your backbone tingle.
Wander previous the gnarled and twisted tree trunks of the traditional woodland to get your self into suitably spooky temper then be careful for legendary figures whose spirits might wander.
thirteenth century highwayman Ippikin made his residence right here, and would possibly nonetheless stroll to guard his ill-gotten good points. Or be careful for Main Smallman, whose efforts to flee seize in the course of the Civil Struggle noticed him gallop his horse off the Edge, down a 200ft drop – he survived however his ghost is alleged to have returned.
Extra prosaically, you would possibly spot Nationwide Belief volunteers entering into the spooky spirit for his or her Halloween occasions too.
Go pumpkin selecting
Even the youngest children can get into the spooky spirit with this Halloween time out – a spot of pumpkin selecting at an area farm.
There are numerous spots across the nation however Windmill Animal Farm in Lancashire has a whopping 20,000 pumpkin crops yearly.
You’ll discover ghost pumpkins among the many orange variations at Piglets Journey Farm in York this yr, and there’s typically a pumpkin carving tent, in case you’re unsure what to do when you’ve picked yours.
Cammas Corridor Farm, close to Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire, has greater than 50 kinds of pumpkin and squash in its pumpkin patch this yr, in addition to Halloween characters, depraved walkways and the fear tunnel (for 12+) to get you completely spooky.
Secretts in Surrey has a flowery gown competitors and pumpkin themed actions in addition to its large subject, or Selecting Patch‘s Fordingbridge website in Hampshire has a museum of Pumpkinology and Halloween maze alongside the pumpkin selecting, plus there are areas at Bristol, Brighton and Lewes.
Or head to west Wales and Pembrokeshire Pumpkin Farm in Moylgrove, the place there’s a spooky path within the wildflower meadow, together with haunted conceal and search among the many hay bales, plus a pumpkin patch for choosing.
Terrifying theme parks
Scarefest at Alton Towers Resort
You’re assured to emerge along with your coronary heart racing after a go to to Alton Towers Scarefest, from October 11 to November 3.
New for 2024 is the possibility to fulfill Amigos within the Afterlife, impressed by Dia de los Muertos celebrations with its brilliant colors – and fortunately some pleasant spirits to information you again to the world of the dwelling after you by chance move into the afterlife. Anticipate challenges and difficult characters alongside the best way (for age 6+).
In addition to having the ability to board your favorite rides at nightfall or after darkish, there are experiences simply scary sufficient for youthful guests – Trick’o’Deal with City with Haribo, for instance, whereas the littlest can head to CBeebies Land for the Monster Ball.
The Alton Ancestors are pushing again their gravestones to emerge for a Halloween disco too, or experience The Curse at Alton Manor, whereas older children can get their chills with a brand new live-action scare maze for age 12+
In case you’re on the lookout for extra Halloween days out with teenagers, take a look at Fright Nights at Thorpe Park as nicely
Chessington World of Adventures Howl’O’Ween
With adventures for little pumpkins and older thrill-seekers, Chessington’s ‘Howl’O’Ween’ Halloween occasion is at all times one for households – and tickets embody entry to the complete theme park and zoo entry.
With adventures for little pumpkins and older thrill-seekers, trick or deal with expertise, Enchanted Hole, is again once more for 2024 after launching final yr, the place the animal residents unleash their mischievous streak with just a few cheeky tips together with the treats as you discover.
Some previous favourites are again too – beware the Vile Villagers of Wild Woods (go to at earlier occasions for teenagers aged 5+, after 3pm for 8+), be careful for loveable werewolf Wilf and Violet the vampire bat on the mini stage, and revel in rides at nightfall.
Don’t miss the fabulously horrifying fireplace and results of the Banyan present for older guests, in addition to a model new spooktacular present for journey level. Runs from October 5-6, 12-13 and 19-31, in addition to November 1-3, separate ticket required for Enchanted Hole.
Brick or Deal with at Legoland Windsor
The Lego Monsters are taking up, with the return of Brick or Deal with to Legoland Windsor.
And that’s solely the beginning of the Halloween themed enjoyable on the theme park, which is being reworked right into a pumpkin-filled wonderland from September 27 to November 3.
Wander Monster Avenue, filled with characters simply dying to fulfill you, watch the Monster Jam present, and assist save the dream world from the By no means Witch, who’s busy stealing recollections – you’ll want all of your Lego expertise to assist. There’s additionally a brand new frightfully enjoyable 4D film, Z-Blob Rescue Rush and extra.
Plus all the standard enjoyable, and a few nice themed Lego builds to be discovered. Prebooking is very really helpful throughout half-term
For extra concepts of one of the best issues to do at October half-term in London with children, take a look at my high picks
Halloween at Flambards, Cornwall
In addition to the standard thrills at Flambards theme park in Cornwall, there’s some added enjoyable to make your backbone tingle this half time period, together with a particular Halloween Fireworks Spooktacular on October 30, in the event you simply can’t wait till Bonfire Night time.
Comply with the spooky pumpkin path quiz by the park, or be part of Celebration within the Park with Loopy Chris, in addition to magic from Emazdad.
Or there are extra methods to get your coronary heart racing, whether or not it’s the all too actual recreation of Britain within the Blitz, full with air raid sirens and shaking flooring of a London road in the course of the Second World Struggle – and extra adrenline thrills on the rides and rollercoasters.
Spook-fest at Crealy Theme Park, Devon
Spook-fest is again at Crealy Theme Park in Devon, with some new methods to get your coronary heart racing for 2024 – particulars nonetheless to be introduced.
Final yr, the brand new Creaky Lodge walk-through expertise was filled with spooky surprises, whereas the scarecrows had some fearful new associates hiding within the Scarecrow Maze. Or you can journey again to the previous for Dino Jeepers Creepers, to see what the prehistoric jungle holds… in the event you dare!
There have been reveals too, together with choices for little ones like dancing at Buddy & Blossoms Halloween Bash, and Sooty’s Halloween Present, plus new acts on the Guide of Spells cirque present for older children.
Add in trick or treating with the Treehouse Trolls, and a free pumpkin for each youngster, and you may at all times depend on your day being so packed, you’ll hardly have likelihood to really feel terrified! Runs from October 19-21, 25-31 and November 1.
Halloween Shriek Week at Drusillas Park, Sussex
In case you’re on the lookout for family-friendly thrills for youthful children, Drusillas Park in Sussex retains issues the appropriate facet of spooky throughout Halloween Shriek Week, promising extra spooky props than ever.
The cobwebbed corridors of Haunted Heights is again as soon as once more, with some new ghostly secrets and techniques added to the haunted home expertise final yr, whereas some earlier favourites are again too. Will you dare knock on the trapdoor at its coronary heart?
And determine in the event you’re courageous sufficient to enterprise into the Spider’s Den (the place you’ll uncover spiders are literally superb, and really misunderstood). Be careful for the Sugar Cranium Witch who’ll be roaming as you discover too! Runs from October 26-November 3.
Spooky Spectacular at West Midlands Safari Park
There’s a model new creature to find at West Midland Safari Park for the Spooky Spectacular – with model new present, Patch’s Foolish Science Present, full with hair-raising experiments, effervescent potions, eerie explosions and spine-tingling tips.
The Discovery Path has had a spooky makeover, with hidden monsters lurking round each nook – happily there are clues to seek out to identify them, and a Halloween deal with in the event you do.
Mitzy Monster might be posing for images and there’ll be loopy crafts as nicely. There are even longer opening hours on some dates in the event you fancy discovering the park’s rides (and dinosaurs!) at the hours of darkness. Runs from October 19-November 3, 2024.
Fairground Frights at Nice Yarmouth’s Pleasure Seaside, Norwich
Fairground Frights at Nice Yarmouth’s Pleasure Seaside gained an award for ‘greatest scare leisure’ after it launched in 2020, and is again for extra fearsome enjoyable with a six-night run in 2024.
Happening from October 26 to 31, the expertise will embody ghoulish characters and spooky surprises – to not point out the Haunted Home and a firework show to finish the season on the ultimate night time.
Not really helpful for beneath 10s, the occasion contains limitless entry to all 25 rides on the attraction.
The Halloween Journey, Stockeld Park, West Yorkshire
There’s one thing for the entire household at Stockeld Park this Halloween, whether or not you merely need to choose a pumpkin – free for each paying youngster – or fancy having your socks scared off.
Be careful for the Woodland Witches within the Enchanted Forest, who’ll be educating the humanities of wand-waving, potion-mixing and spell-casting, earlier than braving the mother maze – the two miles of paths within the magical maze get a Halloween twist this autumn.
Or take pleasure in a Monster Masquerade Ball on the Stockeld Theatre – begin by making your individual masks, then get dancing, singing and having a number of spine-tingling enjoyable. The 30-minute craft session and 30-minute present is appropriate for all ages, and wishes an additional ticket.
Occasions run on October weekends and October 26-November 3, 2024. Fancy gown is inspired and the spookiest apparel wins a prize.
Spooky villages
Eyam Historic plague village, Derbyshire
Strolling into fairly Eyam within the Peak District nationwide park, you wouldn’t instantly consider tragic occasions and darkish historical past – however for 14 months from 1665, your entire village was locked in quarantine after a flea-infested bundle of fabric introduced the Black Demise.
By the point the plague ran its course, greater than two-thirds of the inhabitants of 350 had died.
There are plaques exterior some cottages commemorating those that died, in addition to a small museum to go to and the boundary stone the place villagers left cash for meals from surrounding, plague-free villages.
For an additional abandoned medieval village, head to North Yorkshire and Wharram Percy – deserted for greater than 500 years, it’s nonetheless top-of-the-line preserved in Britain.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Yorkshire with children, take a look at my high picks
Pluckley Village, Kent
At first look, Pluckley may hardly be extra picturesque – a fairly church, old school cottages, winding lanes operating alongside streams. And, based on the Guinness Guide of Information, no less than a dozen ghosts, making it essentially the most haunted village in Britain.
From the spectre of a highwayman at Fright Nook to the white woman and pink woman which each hang-out St Nicholas church and churchyard, together with a phantom coach and horses, you shouldn’t be in need of spirits.
Don’t overlook to placate the dwelling although, because the village residents typically have their fill of ghost-hunters round Halloween.
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST HALLOWEEN DAYS OUT IN THE UK
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Predominant picture/Pumpkin patch/pumpkins/Whitby Abbey/York Minster/Edinburgh lane courtesy Depositphotos, Bodmin Jail courtesy Bodmin Jail, Alton Towers courtesy Merlin, all others copyright MummyTravels
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