Halloween is always great for family fun what with the dressing up, trick-or-treating and spooky goings-on. We love pumpkin picking, ghoulish activities and creepy trails! Here are some of the things you can do during Halloween and check out this post to see what’s happening over October half term.
Animals, farms and zoos
Birdworld, Farnham
Britain’s largest bird park, Birdworld, has a Halloween Spooktacular taking place from the 24th October to the 1st November. Along with all the animals, the park will be themed with witches, ghosts and ghouls to celebrate Halloween on the wild side!
Bocketts Farm, Fetcham
Bocketts Farm has a packed programme of fun and spooky activities taking place over October half term. Witches and Wizards Week takes place between the 24th October and the 1st November from 10am to 5:30pm (pre-book only). Activities include a reptile roadshow, science and slime shows, a spooktacularly fun trail, pumpkin village and pumpkin picking. In addition to the animals, outdoor and indoor play areas, tractor and trailer rides.
Gardens
Painshill Park, Cobham
Last year Painshill Park gave its afternoon tea a Halloween twist by combining it with fun craft activities. Spooky tricks and delicious treats included a hanging paper bat, a witches hand made from popcorn and a Halloween word search. Afternoon tea served up witches finger sandwiches, pumpkin and apple scones, spider pizza and bug jelly! We’ve not come across any Halloween events as yet but Painshill Park has its dragons returning for October half term and they’ve brought some friends!
RHS Wisley, Woking
RHS Wisley is the flagship garden of the RHS and a wonderful place to visit any time of year. With 240 acres to explore, there’s plenty to see including impressive pumpkin displays around Halloween. Wisley is advanced booking only so you’ll need to book a entry time in advance. Their what’s on page is updated regularly.
National Trust in Surrey
Past activities at National Trust places in Surrey include pumpkin carving, spooky walks and Halloween fun runs to Halloween arts and crafts and potion making trails. But you can tick off those 50 Things anytime and keep up to date with what’s on for families here.
We love the National Trust and often visit the likes of Claremont Landscape Garden, Ham House, Hatchlands Park, Polesden Lacey and Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey as well as places further afield. Check out this post on our lifestyle blog to see all the National Trust places in Surrey and visit the National Trust section for days out.
Pumpkin picking
Crockford Bridge Farm, Addlestone
Crockford Bridge Farm holds a Pumpkin Festival every year during October half term which includes a theatrical show. In 2020 the event will be different will pre-booking essential. The Pumpkin Fields will be open on Saturday 3rd/Sunday 4th October and Saturday 10th/Sunday 11th October (10am to 5pm). Please check the Crockford Bridge Farm website for updates.
Garsons, Esher
Pumpkin picking is available at Garsons in Esher in October for Farm Pass holders only (pre-booking). An adult farm pass is currently £4 with children 2-14 £1. The PYO farm already has safety measures in place and encourage visitors to wear a mask and gloves. Please see their website for updates on Halloween activities.
Priory Farm, Redhill
Priory Farm is not planning to run any events for the rest of 2020. Please see their website for any updates.
Secretts, Milford
Secretts is our favourite place to go pumpkin picking as it’s local to us and so much fun! Typically running over part of October half term, there are children’s activities, pumpkin inspired food and of course the joy in picking the perfect pumpkin! The entry price is usually c.£2 per person (adult or child) with pumpkins varying in price depending on the size. You can reach the pumpkin field on a tractor or by foot – either way it’s wise to take wellies! Secretts are planning to offer pumpkin picking in 2020 albeit with restrictions in place.
Check out this post on our lifestyle blog PODcast with more information on pumpkin picking this year.
Theme parks
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures has carved out treats and tricks aplenty for Howl’o’ween which takes place from the 17th October to the 1st November. You can wander into the Forgotten Forest and encounter enchantment in a new attraction, enjoy your favourite rides and dusk and watch some of them come alive including the fearsome Vampire and terror-ific Tomb Blaster! Tickets start at £29.50 when booked in advance.
Thorpe Park, Chertsey
The Fright Nights Fearstival at Thorpe Park runs from the 9th to 11th October and the 16th October to the 1st November. All experiences and attractions are designed for children aged 13 and above. It’s where the darkest nightmares reawaken with thrilling rides in the dead of night with fear lurking around every corner. This year the island will become to five new horrifying live-action experiences and the return of two fan favourites! Day pass tickets for the Fright Nights Fearstival start at £42. Thorpe Park is also running Halloween Drive-in film nights from the 8th October to the 1st November.
Please note the information in this post was accurate at the time of writing. Do check when/if events are happening as Government guidelines are changing regularly. From Monday 14th September, you must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than 6 indoors or outdoors. COVID-19 Secure venues can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups. We’ll aim to update this post as we receive more information. Feel free to get in touch if you hear of any other family-friendly Halloween events taking place in Surrey. And do check out our October half-term and Christmas posts to see what’s happening in the Surrey area.
