Halloween fun at Paultons Park, Beaulieu, Hurst Castle, Moors Valley Country Park, Exbury Gardens and Sunnyfields Farm
LOCAL visitor attractions will host a series of spooky special events and autumnal adventure days during half-term week from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November.
A packed programme of activities which includes haunted ghost trains, ghost mazes, arts and crafts, pumpkin carving workshops and spooky story-telling, is planned for many of the area’s major attractions including Paultons Park, Beaulieu, Hurst Castle, The New Forest Wildlife Park, Moors Valley Country Park, Exbury Gardens and Sunnyfields Farm.
Visitors to Beaulieu are invited to join the all new family friendly scarecrow scramble trail. Visitors can hunt for eight uniquely named scarecrows hidden throughout the attraction. From the enchanting Beaulieu Abbey Ruins and the Victorian gardens to Palace House and even the National Motor Museum, they must find the unique scarecrow symbols to decode at the bothy in the Victorian Vegetable Garden. Youngsters can also try out potion making and hear ghostly tales inside Palace House.
Meanwhile the National Motor Museum has been overrun with its own ghostly ghouls hiding among the world-famous collection of motor vehicles, and younger visitors can also let off steam in the Little Beaulieu adventure play area, nestled within the picturesque grounds. Featuring a wooden replica of Palace House, the play structure boosts secret passageways, zipwires and slides. Family favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will also be offering visitor rides around the attraction for an extra fee.
Exbury Garden’s hugely popular ghost train and gruesome garden trail will be back to entertain families. Renowned as one of the UK’s most famous woodland gardens, the gruesome garden trail, will feature ghouls, witches, eerie gravestones and a spidery lair. Visitors can also enjoy spooky pumpkin carving. The 200-acre gardens will also be in full autumn colour – fiery acers and the National Plant Collection of Nyssa trees set amid a vibrant backdrop of dogwoods and majestic oaks.
Meanwhile Exbury’s renowned steam railway will be given a terrifying makeover transforming it into a ghost train haunted by an other-worldly crew entertaining passengers en route.
The New Forest Wildlife Park near Ashurst is inviting families to discover Spooky Species, tackling the topic of animal extinction.
A park spokesperson said: ”With conservation at the heart of the family-owned wildlife park, Spooky Species brings the theme of extinction to life with interactive and educational activities that will encourage visitors to learn more about the shocking number of species facing extinction and how everyone can play their part in saving them.”
Families can also get busy with creepy crafts and a pumpkin design competition before enjoying a photo opportunity in the night watch barn which will be full on spooky props. The half term activities are from 10.30am to 4.30pm. There is a small charge for some activities.
Spooky thrills are promised at Moors Valley Country Park, near Ringwood, as the Forestry England-run attraction launches a new spooky-after-dark trail through the woods.
Explorers will discover a secret cemetery hidden in the trees and haunted by a ghostly undertaker as well as woodland spirits and creaking coffins.
The spine-tingling mayhem continues among the tall creeping trees as visitors dodge thunderstorms, wicked witches, horrible highwaymen and larger-than-life spiders.
Forestry England spokesperson Natalie Crabb said: “We are really excited about our amazing new illuminated Halloween trail.
“It’s a perfect Halloween outing for all the family with lots of ghoulish experiences fun and surprises to encounter to explore in as you wander through the forest.”
Visitors can also enjoy bewitched burgers, Frankenstein’s fries, loaded curly worms and other seasonal delights.
Paultons Park at Ower has undergone a spooky transformation ahead of Halloween and half-term with special events and activities.
The award winning attraction, which is home to Peppa Pig World, has been transformed with thousands of pumpkins and Halloween-themed decorations to create an array of photo opportunities for visitors.
The park’s spooky makeover will be complemented by frightfully fun shows and interactive experiences, including the all-singing and dancing Great Halloween Mystery Show. New for 2024, the Spirit Squad Ghoul School will teach younger guests some secret moves and ghost-busting grooves so they can dance along to spooky music at The Little Monsters Ball. The theme park will open for later into the evening on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th, and Thursday 31st October.
Ghostly ghouls are set to haunt Hurst Castle near Milford this October half term.
The fearsome fortress was built by King Henry VIII, who is famed for having six wives – and now visitors are invited to descend deep into the basement to escape the Henry VIII and his Six Ghosts Maze! Visitors can also search for clues around the castle to solve a treasure trail; or take part in art and craft sessions which are included in castle admission prices. Ferries depart Keyhaven at 10am and then approximately every 20-30 minutes.
October is Pumpkin Time at Sunnyfields Farm in Totton when the site will be covered in thousands of pumpkins.
The immersive pumpkin experience is aimed at families with children of all ages. Visitors will find the farm covered in thousands of pumpkins with photo opportunities, WOW displays and pumpkin picking available. Dogs on leads are welcome.
