From ghouls and spooky trails to pumpkin patches, ancient royal ghosts and wizarding lairs, our pick of haunting activities for all the family around Halloween
Tulleys Shocktober Fest
Grandaddy of UK Halloween attractions and a must-see for ghoul lovers, Tulleys Farm near Crawley, West Sussex describes itself as the largest scream park in Europe. Expect a full complement of zombies, terror clowns, maniacs and spooks in the attractions, and with a Haunted Hayride round the farm for those who prefer to view ghosts at a distance. The Fest is unveiling three new scare attractions for 2024.
Dates: Until 2nd November
Entry: 16+ recommended and must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: From £39.95
shocktoberfest.co.uk
Legoland Brick Or Treat
Legoland Windsor Resort is marking the Halloween season with a whole army of pumpkins, along with a Monster Street party suitable for the very youngest ghost watchers. There’s a Monster Jam Show at Heartlake City Harbour, plus the usual array of fun rides and a good selection of spooky themed shows. Overnight stays and golf passes also available.
Dates: Until 3rd November
Entry: All ages; children under 90cm tall free
Tickets: From £29
legoland.co.uk
Cammas Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch
A PYO institution near Hatfield Broad Oak, Hertfordshire, Cammas Hall Farm offers more pumpkin and squash varieties than you can imagine. Extra attractions in the daytime include an erupting ‘pump-cano’, Halloween characters and a family-friendly Wicked Walkway. You can also buy tickets for the maize maze. By night, it transforms into Cammas Hall Farm Resurrected, with ‘Dead Legends’ tribute acts – BYO torch.
Dates: Until 31st October
Entry: All ages; under 2s free
Tickets: From £5 daytime; £8.50 child, £10.50 adult nighttime
cammashall.co.uk
Discover the Dark Arts, Warner Bros Studio Tour
There’s year-round wizardry at Hogwarts, but with extra features for Harry Potter fans around Halloween at the Warner Bros Studio Tour. Film sets are dressed for the occasion, with spooky hand-carved pumpkins decorating the Great Hall. Expect a procession of Death Eaters and the chance to learn duelling techniques in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. New for this year are Dementors, who will be found lurking in the Forbidden Forest.
Dates: Until 9th November
Entry: All ages; under 4s free
Tickets: From £53.50; family tickets available
wbstudiotour.co.uk
Halloween at the Tower of London
There are spooky stories surrounding the Tower of London at any time of year, but for Halloween there’s a focus on the most notorious figures imprisoned here down the ages. Watch a haunted chess game on the South Lawn or catch a glimpse of the Tower’s astronomical past in The Lost Observatory. Menacing decorations will deck the grounds.
Dates: 26 October- 3rd November
Entry: All ages, Halloween activities included in entry price
Tickets: From £34.80; child from £17.40; under 5s free
hrp.org.uk
FEARless at Avon Valley Scream Park
While FEAR is renowned for scaring adults, Avon Valley Scream Park has added in a family-friendly daytime event this year so under 16s can enjoy fun minus fear overload. It includes four of its most notorious scare attractions – lightened up for a mixed audience – along with fairground rides, fire shows, street performers and street food.
Dates: 26 October and 31st October
Entry: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: from £12.50
fearscreampark.co.uk
Scarefest at Alton Towers
There’s something for all age groups at Alton Towers’ annual Scarefest celebration, from Trick O’ Treat Town and the interactive Amigos in the Afterlife for families to Altonville Mine Tours and a new live-action scare maze, Compound, for the 12+ age group. Daz Games: Panic Reloaded is a major draw for teens, as is the chance to enjoy epic rides in total darkness.
Dates: Until 3rd November
Entry: All ages; free for children under 90cm tall
Tickets: from £37
altontowers.com
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
Once an official residence of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is steeped in legends about ghostly goings on – most notably the Grey Lady (Tudor servant Sybil Penn) said to haunt the halls, along with a couple of hapless royal wives. You can visit The Alchemist’s Apothecary to see a brew of sinister potions and venture into the cobweb-ridden Spider’s Lair, deep in the palace’s wine cellar. Expect menacing Halloween-inspired installations and eerie sound effects as you travel back through history.
Dates: 26th October-3rd November
Entry: All ages; Halloween activities included in price
Tickets: from £27.20; children from £13.60; under 5s free
hrp.org.uk
Hallowtween at York Maze
York claims the mantle of Europe’s most haunted city, so takes spooks seriously, with The Yorkshire Halloween Festival – including market, craft activities and talks – taking place on Parliament Street from 24 October to 1st November. There are activities right across the city, but for serious scare action head to York Maze. Hallowscream is strictly for adults, while Hallowtween is designed for families with children too old for trick or treating. There are four scare houses, plus live stage shows and funfair-style attractions.
Dates: Hallowtween, 26th October-31st October
Entry: 10+; must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: from £17.95
hallowtween.co.uk and visityork.org
Further reading: Fright nights – behind the scenes at a scare attraction
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