Posted on September 26, 2024
This October half term there’s plenty of places to enjoy the spooky season in The Cotswolds. With a huge variety of activities to attend, you’ll be able to bring the whole family, including your furry friends, to some of the top Cotswold locations this Halloween to see them in a slightly more eerie light.
Berkeley Castle – Dragons and Wizards
From the 27th of October till the 30th, you can add a bit of magic to Halloween at Berkeley Castle with their dragons and wizards event. When you arrive you’ll come face-to-face with a giant dragon to really set the vibe. Stop off to say hello to the baby dragons and learn how to tame wild dragons with the resident wizard. It makes for a legendary family day out! The event is included in general admission tickets which means you can spend the rest of your day exploring the castle and gardens.
Halloween Events at Overfarm
Overfarm near Gloucester is the place to go for family friendly, country-inspired Halloween events. It’s a popular spot to pick your own pumpkins throughout October, but during the final two weeks of the month, they hold Pumpkins After Dark which is pumpkin picking on another level.
Pick up a pumpkin under the twinkling night sky while enjoying moody lighting, music and fire dancers. A super fun event for older kids or even as a date night. Overfarm also hold Spookyard Halloween Festival. Running from the 26th October - 3rd November, Spookyard is a special family event during half term where the whole family can come in their spookiest fancy dress and meet weird witches, enjoy performances and take part in fun, farm themed carnival games.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens – Medieval Monster Trail
From the 25th of October till the 3rd of November, Follow the mystical castle trail and meet some spellbinding mediaeval characters as you explore. The friendly monsters invite you to join them for a midday ball in the orangery, where fancy dress is a must. You’ll have the chance to dance the monster mash and win the title of ‘best dressed’ for the day. At the end of the trail head over to the archaeological dig happening at the Ha Ha. You’ll join the team searching for remains of a lost mediaeval village.
Cotswold Farm Park – Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch
From the 4th to the 31st of October, you can get into the pumpkin spice season and embrace the autumnal atmosphere at Cotswold Farm Park’s pumpkin patch. During the day pop along to choose your favourite pumpkin, get lost in the amazing maize maze and enjoy some Halloween treats. After dark the patch comes alive with live music and UV pumpkin displays.Fancy dress is encouraged and you can even bring your furry friends in their costumes.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace
From the 25th of October till the 3rd of November, at Blenheim palace, when the sun goes down, the King of the Pumpkins reigns at Blenheim Palace this Halloween. Wander the light trail along the eerie paths passing Dr.Frankenstein, wicked witches, scarecrows and other haunted horrors. Perfect for the whole family this trail will keep you on your toes. At the end of the trail, you’ll be rewarded with some halloween treats with freshly toasted marshmallows, and some supernatural snacks.
WWT Slimbridge – Halloween Light Trail
From the 11th of October till the 3rd of November, the Halloween Light Trail at the WWT Slimbridge will take you on a journey that’s every bit as amazing as the wildlife you’ll see during the day. You’ll discover the Marsh Witch and her potions, pumpkins, shipwrecks, scarecrows, bats, broomsticks, and much more.
Birdland – Trick or Tweet
From the 21st of October up to the 5th of November, guests can see how a selection of the Bourton-on-the-Water’s smartest birds demonstrate their foraging skills in a series of daily talks. See how Cassowaries face the challenge compared to the Hornbills as they try and work out the trick to getting their treats. Special keeper talks take place during the day so you can learn more about the creepily clever owls and where the history of the phoenix started.
Fairytale Farm - Scarily Ever After
Just outside Chipping Norton, from October 26th till the 3rd of November, Fairytale Farm combines fairy tales with Halloween fun in their "Scarily Ever After" event. Kids can follow the Beast’s trail, solve the mystery of the fairy’s curse, carve pumpkins, and participate in craft sessions. The park is also beautifully lit for their Illuminated Evenings, featuring twinkling lights and dancing fountains.
Woodchester Mansion - Spooky Cellars
From the 25th October till the 3rd of November, this Victorian Gothic mansion near Stroud offers a spooky Halloween experience with the "Spooky Cellars" event. Visitors can explore the unfinished mansion, which is home to rare horseshoe bats, and follow the Golden Pumpkin trail to win a prize. The mansion is decorated with pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, and ghouls, providing a chilling atmosphere.
Corinium Museum
This Museum in Cirencester offers several Halloween-themed events as part of the Cirencester History Festival. Kids can create ‘Monstrous Mosaics’ or explore the Parish church’s ‘Gruesome Gargoyles’ and design a gargoyle mask. Monstrous Mosaics takes place on October 28th, whilst Gruesome Gargoyles runs on October 31st.
Painswick Rococo Garden - Great Scarecrow Hunt
Running from the 26th of October till the 3rd of November guests can participate in the "Great Scarecrow Hunt," where local groups create scarecrows hidden around the gardens. Visitors can enjoy the autumn colours and explore the maze and woodland play area.
Gloucester Prison - Salvation Z Bedlam
Running on select dates in October and November. You and your team can participate in the "Salvation Z Bedlam" event, an interactive fright night featuring a scare maze and zombie hunt in the eerie setting of the former HMP Gloucester. Suitable for ages 14 and over, this event promises horror and thrills.