After something to entertain the kids during half-term? Or are you counting down the days to enjoy the thrills and spills of Halloween? We pick a selection of events to celebrate the spookiest time of year in the Cotswolds
Hardcore horror fans…
Frightmare, Over Farm
When: October 12, 18, 19, 24, 26, 26, 30, 31 and November 1 and 2
How much? From £22
Horror fans come from far and wide to experience the thrills and spills of Frightmare, hosted annually by Over Farm. With seven live scare attractions from a haunted hayride to a séance at Crest Mansion, Frightmare isn't for the faint-hearted. Refreshments are available beforehand and in between attractions, with a huge outdoor seating area to enjoy something to eat and drink. There will also be a vintage fairground on-site this year too.
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Thrill seekers…
Halloween Midnight Tour, Oxford Castle & Prison
When: Thursday, October 31, 11.30pm-12.30am
How much? £27
Enjoy an especially eerie immersive tour of Oxford Castle & Prison at night, and hear ghostly stories from the near and distant past. The tour will concede with a glass of bubbly in celebration of ten years of Ghost Fest at Oxford Castle & Prison.
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When: Various dates including two tours on October 31
How much? £10
Supposedly England's 'most haunted village,' Prestbury is home to plenty of spooky tales, from the Charging Cavalier to the commonly spotted and most famous apparition, the Black Abbot! Cotswold Ghost Tours also offer tours in Cheltenham.
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Dead of Knight, Paranormal Encounters and The Castle Dungeon at Warwick Castle
When: October 19-November 3
How much? Prices vary
For the 'Daring Dukes' and 'Brave Knights', Warwick Castle will be host a scare maze for visitors to try and survive through the 'Dead of Knight'. There's also the chance to join the crew of the Paranormal Encounters TV show as they record their Warwick Castle special and live actors and special effects bring the gruesome tales of the castle's dungeons to life.
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Woodchester Mansion Halloween Party
When: Saturday, October 26, 7.30pm
How much? £35
Party the night away in the grand interiors of Woodchester Mansion, and the best Halloween fancy dress could win you prize. Bar drinks and 'Blood Mac n Cheese' will be available.
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Fun for all the family…
Halloween 2019 at Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon
When: October 25-November 3
How much? Prices vary
Tudor World will host its annual line-up of ghostly events, from family-friendly ghost tours and quizzes to Jack the Ripper interactive evenings.
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October Holiday Activities at Taurus Crafts, Lydney
When: October 26-November 3
How much? From £3.50
From stone carving, monster sculpture making and pumpkin decorating, expect a fun packed programme of creative, hands-on activities for children this half term at Taurus Crafts.
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October Half-Term at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Free with general admission (£13.32; £7.83 for children with donation)
There's plenty to keep little ones entertained during the school holidays at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, including workshops, talks and the chance to venture out on the canoe safari.
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Halloween at Berkeley Castle
When: October 27-30
How much? Free with general admission (£12.50; £7 for children). A small fee applies for face painting and pumpkin carving
There are some ghastly goings-on planned at Berkeley Castle this Halloween, including an audience with King Henry VIII and his two beheaded wives, spooky stories, a Halloween themed trail in the grounds and the chance to try your hand (or feet) at Tudor dancing.
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Witches, bats and eerie tales at Newark Park
When: October 26-November 2
How much? Free with general admission (£10; £5 for children with Gift Aid donation)
Enjoy the spooky goings-on at Newark Park along the Halloween trail in the gardens, as well scary story-telling, unearthing the history of Newark's witches marks and learning about the bats that call Newark House home.
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Enchanted Sudeley at Halloween, Sudeley Castle
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Free with general admission (£16.75; £7.75 for children)
Find enchanted scenes hidden around the castles and gardens from the stories of Brother Grimm.
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Rocket Fuelled Half Term, British Motor Museum
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Free with general admission (£14.50; £9 for children)
A rocket fuelled selection of fun, family friendly activities await visitors to British Motor Museum over the school holidays, from creating rockets from recycled materials to designing and building your own Rocket K'nex Car.
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Ghost Fest, Oxford Castle & Prison
When: October 25-November 1
How much? Prices vary
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Oxford Castle & Prison will host their popular Ghost Fest with plenty of events suitable for the whole family. There's a Halloween themed murder mystery evening, brave children can follow the trick or treating trail in the castle and, for those who dare, a spooky tour explores Oxford Castle in the evening.
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Spookyard at Over Farm, Gloucester
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Free with general admission (£13; £6.50 for concessions)
Over Farm is jam-packed with activities for the whole family to enjoy. Think tractor trailer rides, pick up your free pumpkin, carve a spooky pumpkin design, fascinating shows, scarecrow spotting, plus much more.
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Half Term Halloween Trail, Chastleton House and Garden
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Trail costs £2.50 plus general admission (£12.50; £7 for children with a Gift Aid donation)
Learn some local ghostly legends and stories along Chastleton's Wilderness Walk and pick up a prize at the end.
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Halloween Land, Cotswold Farm Park
When: October 25-November 3
How much? Free with general admission (£14; £12.50 for children)
There's plenty going on in the October half-term at Cotswold Farm Park to keep little ones entertained. Decorate your own pumpkin fresh from the patch, choose a fearsome face painting design and enjoy lots of other spooky activities.
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Half Term Halloween Entertainment at Blenheim Palace
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Free with annual pass (£27; £16 for children)
Hop aboard the ghost train and head through a creepy tunnel to find a host of Halloween activities to enjoy. Enjoy a Silly Scarecrow Trail, Frightful Fire performances in the Great Court and spooky stories in the cinema, plus much more.
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Creepy crawly half term trail, Dyrham Park
When: October 24-November 3
How much? A small fee applies to some of the half-term activities, plus general admission (£15; £7.50 for children with a Gift Aid donation)
Young explorers are invited to Dyrham Park to become 17th century scientists and find out what gruesome bugs look like under the microscope. There's also the chance for little ones to create crafts from nature on various dates throughout the school holidays.
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The Haunted Castle, Warwick Castle
When: October 19-November 3
How much? From £15 (save over 25% when booking tickets online)
With wondrous witches, Horrible Histories and fearsome attractions, this promises to be Warwick Castle's biggest ever Halloween event.
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Bowood's Enchanted Autumn, Bowood House & Gardens
When: October 23-November 1
How much? Free with general admission (£13; £10 for juniors (7-12 years)
Expect plenty of Halloween happenings and autumn treats at Bowood House & Gardens during the October half term. A bewitching scarecrow trail will feature clues to help steer the way through Bowood's historic arboretum.
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Autumn family trail at Snowshill Manor and Garden
When: October 26-November 3
How much? Free with general admission (£13.60; £6.80 for children with a Gift Aid donation)
Enjoy the bounties of season along an autumn trail at Snowshill Manor and Garden.
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