Looking for frightfully good family fun this October half term? From monster hunts at Scotney Castle and pumpkin-filled adventures at Lullingstone to spooky science at Hever Castle and magical trails at Leeds Castle, Kent is packed with Halloween-themed days out that combine autumn colour, outdoor exploration and just the right amount of spooky excitement.
Halloween at Leeds Castle, Maidstone
Leeds Castle transforms its grounds for October half term with seasonal trails, family activities and Halloween-themed entertainment, plus a quest! Be sure to visit the Birds of Prey Centre where you can get up close and personal with the magnificent birds. The setting alone makes it feel a little more magical than your average spooky day out, particularly with autumn colour around the estate. Want to extend your visit and actually stay at Leeds Castle? Options include the Knight’s Retreat Lodges, bed and breakfast, holiday cottages and an exclusive manor house escape.
leeds-castle.com
Halloween trail and woodland walk Linton and Lullingstone
Picking your own pumpkins at Loddington Farm is loads more fun than grabbing them off the shelf, especially when you combine it with picking your own flowers and having a drink at the Loddington Tap.
Further north, the self-guided Halloween Trail at Lullingstone Country Park takes families through the park, following clues and activities along the way. Tom Hart Dyke (20th generation of the Hart Dykes to live at the Castle) will give garden tours at 1pm and a dusk tour at 5pm on Saturday, October 31 where you can learn about the origins of pumpkins, colours and varieties and children can spot the Halloween tricks in eerie torchlight! Fancy dress is welcome.
lullingstonecastle.co.uk
Monsters Around the Moat at Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst
This National Trust trail invites families to follow a monster-themed trail through the beautiful grounds of Scotney Castle, searching for hidden creatures, tackling challenges and uncovering clues to reveal the secret party message before nightfall. Younger children can enjoy the Spotter Trail, hunting for friendly monsters and discovering their unique quirks, while older adventurers can take on riddles and puzzle-solving challenges in the Main Trail.
Running daily from October 17 to November 1, this family-friendly Halloween event combines autumn scenery, outdoor exploration and just the right amount of spooky fun, making it a memorable half-term day out for all ages. nationaltrust.org.uk
Behind the scenes, Knole
Few visitors realise that above the grand showrooms of Knole lies a network of attic spaces that have evolved over centuries. These special behind-the-scenes tours offer an opportunity to step away from the public rooms and discover a very different side to one of Kent’s most remarkable houses.
Led through areas not normally open to visitors, you’ll explore rooms that were once inhabited, but more often used for storage. Look out for beautifully decorated ceilings, centuries-old graffiti and witchmarks, also known as ritual protection marks, carved to ward off evil spirits. The tour also takes in the Retainer’s Gallery, South Barracks and Upper King’s Room, where exposed craftsmanship reveals how the house was adapted over time. Booking is essential.
nationaltrust.org.uk
Spooktacular science and after dark thrills, Hever Castle
Enjoy a spine-tingling visit to Hever Castle this half-term as Spooktacular Science takes over the grounds from October 17 to November 1. Young visitors can embark on the Mad Scientists Trail, wandering through the grounds in search of wild experiments, curious creations and spellbinding clues. Plus as darkness falls and the last daytime visitors leave, Hever Castle is once again inviting brave souls to experience its popular Haunted Hever Castle Tours from October 29-31. This exclusive ticketed evening experience (from £42.50) blends live theatre with storytelling, the immersive tour takes guests on a 50-minute theatrical journey..
hevercastle.co.uk
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