Phoebe Shipton
There’s a host of Halloween happenings going on across the county this October half term. Here’s our pick of them…
Betteshanger Country Park
Spooky film nights, pumpkin carving, woodland adventures and witches and wizards are all on offer at the park near Deal throughout October half term.
There will be a self-led Halloween Trail from Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29, between 10am and 4pm where you can discover 10 mystical sites, and creatures and puzzles around the park. A trail sheet costs £1.50 – and if you crack the puzzle code, there’s a prize at the end. Birds of prey will be on site between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, October 22, with displays at noon and 3pm, and pumpkin carving daily between Monday, October 23 to Sunday, October 29 between 11am and 3pm, at £5, to include pumpkin and carving kit. There will be a Really Wild Wooders Forest School Holiday Club for four to 11-year-olds from Tuesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 26 between 9am and 3pm daily at a cost of £25 a day.
Open Air Cinema: Hocus Pocus – Saturday 28th October
Betteshanger brings classic Halloween family favourite Hocus Pocus to the open air screen on Saturday, October 28. Join Winnie (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) for the comedy horror of three villainous witch sisters resurrected after three centuries by Max, a Halloween-hating teenager. Doors open at 6pm, with the film at 7pm. Pack a comfy chair, warm blanket and hamper or head for the local food stalls. Tickets are £7.50 early bird and £10 general admission.
Halloween Trail – Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th October
Dover Castle
Dover Castle makes for a perfect day trip for the whole family in Kent’s most haunted castle? They have creepy crafts, and prizes for the best children’s Halloween costume, bestowed on the scariest costume everyday. With a whole host of events running simultaneously from Sat 23 – Sun 29 Oct 2017, and only a short trip from our cottages, there is so much to do with you kids this halloween. Hear a spooky tale or two and head out on a Halloween challenge trail. Follow clues and keep your eyes peeled for creepy cut outs about the site. Then find out the gruesome truth about life expectancy in Victorian England from our undertaker.
Autumn Adventure – Saturday 21st to Sunday 5th November
A great day out for all the family this October. Set out on an autumn adventure to find your inspiration from our scarecrows hidden throughout Beeston’s 40 acre woodland park, before getting creative by making your own.
Ghosts and Ghouls – Saturday 23rd to Sunday 29th October
Grab your cloaks and steady your nerves as your little horrors scare themselves silly this Halloween half term. Mysterious goings-on await you at petrifying Wrest Park. Meet gruesome guides as they take you on a journey into the puzzling past – use all your wits to solve the riddles and claim your terrifying treat.
Pumpkin Carving – Saturday 23rd to Sunday 29th October
Have a go at creepy crafts and try your hand at carving your very own petryfying pumpkin to take away (additional charge of £4 applies for pumpkin carving, sessions at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm on a first come first served basis).
Leeds Castle
Listen to spooky tales by wacky witches and wizards this half term between Monday, October 23 and Sunday, October 29 – but look out, as they often get themselves in a monster muddle. Young visitors can see the silly sorcerers making mistakes, note them on their trail card and be rewarded with a chocolatey prize. A spooky quest is also available in the Woodland Walk (there is a small extra charge). There will be a fancy dress competition at 2pm each day, a Monster Mash Ball’ and spooky games.
Screamland
This Halloween, Margate’s Dreamland turns into Screamland once again, offering a selection of award-winning mazes. If you’ve got slightly older children (12+) we’d recommend this as even we got a little scared! If your a thrill seeker looking to be scared to the extreme, lead the group as you’ll receive more scares for your money, or if your not so brave stick to the back, as you’ll have a lot less jumping out at you.
