If you and the kids are looking for something a bit different to do this half term and Halloween, check out some of these eerie events near you
London and South East
Take a spooky flight on the London Eye
Daily flights at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm from 18 October - 2 November
Meet Wizard Belvedere, the Guardian of London, who protects us all from dark forces that might enter London through the portal at the London Eye. Children dressed in devilish costumes will receive a Halloween goody bag full of scary surprises.
Halloween Hocus Pocus
18 October - 2 November 2008
Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey
Halloween Hocus Pocus takes over Chessington World of Adventures in October, with mischievous characters and a special interactive showEnigma' where you're invited to help the good witch Enigma stop the Goblins menacing magic. There'll be pumpkins, bats and vampires, rides in the dark and plenty of creepy crawlies. Plus, the Chessington Challenge will be back with a brand new selection of scary Challenges such as 'Don't Spill a Drop of Blood' on the Vampire ride.
www.chessington.co.uk
London Dungeon
18 October - 2 November
The London Dungeon welcomes the curious, the fearless and the foolish this Halloween. The Dungeon's mix of historical gore and scary fun will be hair-raisingly heightened with spooky uncut tours and nerve racking record breaks from the Guinness Book of World Records - from grisly face painting to screamingly loud competitions and daring scares. For further information, location and ticket details please visit www.thedungeons.com
The Haunted Castle, Dover Castle, Dover, Kent
25 October - 31 October 2008
Scare yourself silly this Halloween at Britain's most haunted castle, perched on the dramatic White Cliffs. If you're sure you don't believe in ghosts, Dover Castle's programme of spooky events may just change your mind...
Besides a line-up of freaky fun for kids, adults can join a ghost walk through the castle and grounds to discover more about the bloodcurdling myths and legends surrounding this ancient site.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Hallowe'enHide 'n' Freak at the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable
25 October - 2 November 2008
Come along and learn all about disguise and camouflage in the animal kingdom. Listen to freaky stories about the ghosts of Madagascar (lemurs) and learn to howl with wolves.
www.zsl.org
Halloween Festival at Bristol Gardens Zoo
24 October - 5 November 2008
Visitors can follow a special spooky trail, take part in a pumpkin carving competition and meet the Zoo's very own witch and her cat for fancy dress frolics.
www.bristolzoo.org.uk
Haunted Woodland Hallowe'en Walk at Penrose, Cornwall
31 October 2008
Spend the evening walking through the Penrose estate with the Captain of the West who will be providing tales of ghostly horrors. Prizes for the best Halloween costume.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Spooky Tours at Powderham Castle
26 October - 2 November 2008
Meet the fascinating residents from the past and enjoy a tour of the Castle in a different light. During half-term there will be fun Spooky Tours daily (except Saturday). Kids will love to dress up for the occasion in their spookiest outfits to see if they can scare the ghosts! It is recommended to arrive early to avoid disappointment. Suitable for 5 to 12 year olds and brave mums and dads!
www.powderham.co.uk
The Midlands
Become a Ghost Buster at Warwick Castle
25 October - 2 November
With haunted towers and turrets inhabited by a host of ghouls and un-earthly creatures, the scene is set for a horrible half-term at Warwick Castle as guests turn ghost busters in the midst of some seriously supernatural goings on.
Warwick Castle's infamous Ghost Tower is once more transformed into a chilling live-action spook experience. Creepy characters including the grotesque Singing Plague Victims, ghoulish Grave Diggers and strange Hermit of the Crypt will roam the castle, recounting spooky tales to young and old.
www.warwick-castle.co.uk
Halloween at the Black County Living Museum, Dudley
25 October - 2 November 2008
Britain's friendliest Museum becomes Britain''s 'Most Haunted' as Halloween gets underway. The young and the young at heart can enjoy hair-raising thrills and spine-tingling chills when they listen to ghostly tales of yesteryear. Play, as Black Country children once did, traditional games which return to delight a new generation.
On the 31st little devils and mini ghosts and ghouls can trick or treat in SAFETY at Britain's 'Most Haunted' Museum. The Museum's eerie gas-lit village is the perfect venue for safe thrills and chills on Halloween. Visitors can take a ghoulish guided walk and listen to tales of yesteryear amidst the The Museum's mysterious guides tell tales of Black Country bumps in the night!
PRE-BOOK ONLY ON 0121 520 8054 Trick or treat?
www.bclm.co.uk
Hallowe'en half term, Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey
18-30 October 2008
Come to Claremont for a children's trail around the Garden with a spooky Hallowe'en theme. There will be children's craft activities in Leaky Cauldron Cottage on Monday to Thursday. On Friday there will be an opportunity to carve your own pumpkin into a Hallowe'en lantern. Additional charges for crafts and lantern making.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Scotney Castle, Kent
26 October 2008
Come and be spooked at Scotney Castle! The 'Lady of the Wildwood' will be spinning tales of mysterious and magical ghosts and ghouls. Then join in with the Hallowe'en hauntings, on 'The Scotney Spook Trail'.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Children's Hallowe'en tours at Lancaster Castle
31 October
Historic Lancaster Castle invites children of all ages to dress up in their spookiest costumes for a special Halloween tour of the grounds. The organisers of the event emphasise the true origin of Halloween as a festival of light and fire, with pumpkins designed to ward off evil spirits. A guided tour informs visitors of Hallowe'en's true history and allows kids to get dressed up in their most ghastly outfits. Children's Tours: 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00pm
Adults only tours (not suitable for the under 15's) 7:30 and 8:00pm
www.lancastercastle.com
Wallington, Northumberland
30 October
Enjoy the spooky children's trail and hear scary stories told by the resident witch! Make scary things with glitter and glue with Krafty Kids.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Halloween for Creepy Kids at JORVIK Viking Centre, York
1 November 2008
The JORVIK Viking Centre is hosting its very own Halloween for Creepy Kids late night party, with characters returning from the Viking underworld and escorting youngsters on a horrible history tour around JORVIK. Look out for the troll, a new arrival for 2008, he stowed away on a longship from Scandinavia, and now he's hungry. Pre-book only at 01904 615505.
www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk
For more information on visiting to the countryside, see www.enjoyengland.com/ruralescapes and for a comprehensive and searchable events listing, visit www.enjoyengland.com/events