Then here are a few fun ideas:
HEVER CASTLE
Young thrill seekers can learn how to become perfect little monsters as part of the Ghoul School audio trail (£1)* at Hever Castle.
They will encounter a spooky array of teachers who will impart their delights, frights and a few vampire bites. Sport your spookiest costume to really get the most out of the Ghoul School trail.
Young visitors can also take part in a garlic bulb planting workshop to try and ward off vampires and spot ghostly decorations around the grounds.
For older and braver visitors Halloween Scream also takes place with a two-part interactive experience in both the Castle and the cellars underneath after dark.
The Halloween Scream experience features live actors and special effects and is designed by AtmosFEAR! Scare Entertainment.
Visitors can choose to journey through the castle in a 15-minute walk through an immersive interactive experience including sights, sounds and smells. They will come face-to-face with the phantoms and witness Sir Doyle’s assistant attempting to capture the ghost of Hever Castle on film in The 13th Frame.
In the second part of the experience visitors will be transported back to 1940 when the bombs of the blitz are headed for Hever Castle.
Descend into the cellars below the castle and take refuge from the airborne attack as part of the second of the 15-minute interactive experiences; but be warned – a far more terrifying encounter awaits you in a hidden labyrinth. The depraved Doctor Lockwood is conducting bizarre medical experiments inside SUBstratum. Halloween Scream is for those aged 14 years and over, costs £25 and must be prebooked. For more information about Ghoul School and Halloween Scream visit
www.hevercastle.co.uk/what’son
*Please note numbers are limited to Ghoul School so entry does not guarantee inclusion in the trail.
THE HOP FARM
Treat the kids to a spook-tastic feast of fun for the half term holidays at The Hop Farm Family Park in Paddock Wood! Dress up in your best Halloween fancy dress (optional!) and come and join in!
Attractions include our ever-popular Giant Jumping Pillows, Driving School, Magic Castle, Outdoor Adventure Play Area, Childrens Rides and animal farm including a reptile house, mini-cows, horses, ponies, donkeys, llamas, goats, guinea pigs, rabbits, alpacas, birds and more.
Live entertainment in the Big Red Barn and more tricks and treats! Features include a Halloween trail*
And a special bonus! On October 28, PAW PATROL’S SKYE & RUBBLE will be visiting. Get into this spirit of the season and have a fun day out at The Hop Farm Family Park!
Advance booking only. Entry tickets only £3 per person.
Book online: www.hopfarm.co.uk
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
This October half-term, board a train and learn more about which creatures will soon be preparing for their winter slumber as the days get shorter and colder.
Your children can complete our nature quiz (or activity sheet) and make their own wildlife mask during the journey. Sit back and relax as you travel together through the beautiful Wealden countryside.
Make sure you keep your eyes peeled though and if you are lucky, you may spot some of our resident animals and birds on your journey.
Prices include activity sheet and mask for each child. Tickets offer freedom of the line during the day of your visit aboard our heritage steam or diesel trains between Tenterden in Kent and Bodiam in East Sussex. Trains depart Tenterden Town station at 10.40 am, 11:45am, 1.15 pm and 2:20 pm daily from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st October 2021 except Monday 25th and Friday 29th. Save on fares by booking online in advance: www.kesr.org.uk
Online prices:
Freedom tickets
£49.00 Family ticket (2A + 2C)
£19.50 Adults (15 years +)
£13.50 Child (3-15 years)
Pre-booking strongly advised.
There is free parking for customers at Tenterden Town station and Northiam station. The return journey from Tenterden to Bodiam takes approximately 2 hours but Freedom tickets purchased online, mean you can choose to return on a later train.
SPA VALLEY RAILWAY
Dr Frankenslime’s Trick or Treat Express is packed full of slapstick comedy, magic and mayhem . Running on Saturday October 30 and Sunday 31 it is set to be another sell-out show, departing from Tunbridge Wells West at 16:15 and 18:00, returning approximately 1hr 15mins later. The performance is brought to you by the wonderful Radtastic Theatre. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
THE NATIONAL TRUST
At Bodiam Castle in East Sussex you can embark on the bats trail to find out what they like to eat and how they live – you might even see a couple in their favourite places! Or why not create some wild art at Emmett’s Garden, near Sevenoaks? You can collect natural materials from the ground such as sticks and colourful leaves and fashion a leaf crown at one of the craft stations in the glorious garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
LEEDS CASTLE
Bones the Skeleton is hiding somewhere at Leeds Castle and your help is requireed in order to find him!. Children and parents (including mummies!) are invited to come and explore the grounds, as Bones has left different clues and riddles for you to solve, which will lead you to his secret whereabouts. www.leeds-castle.com
TAYWELL FARM SHOP
Looking for a fun day out? Then why not take the children to Taywell’s in Goudhurst? Grab a wheelbarrow and pick the perfect pumpkin from its patch! The good news is that there’s no need to book and you only pay for what you pick. Wellies advised! www.taywellfarm.co.uk
