Here’s a selection of ghoulish goings on with the National Trust this Halloween:
South East
Ham House and Garden, Surrey – 020 8940 1950
Half term Halloween fun, 25 October to 2 November, 10am to 5pm
Ham House near Richmond is thought to be one of the Trust’s most haunted locations. Discover the ghostly tales scattered through the history of Ham on the after hour’s ghost tours. On the family tour you’ll find out about the ghostly goings on in the house; ghost dog and the haunted step on the great stairs. Follow a spooky trail around the gardens and create an art piece inspired by your visit with art activities in the basement of the house. For the little ones there’s spooky story time during half term. (See notice board at visitor reception for times and locations.)
Price: £2 per trail (Normal admission fee applies - kids go free if accompanied by a paying adult)
Petworth House and Park, West Sussex – 01798 342207
Wild ghost chase - family trail, 27 October to 2 November, 10.30am to 4pm
Hector the friendly house ghost is lost in the Pleasure Grounds on the estate. Join the portraits of Petworth to piece together clues and discover where he might be. Find Hector before sunset and help him return to the house, where he looks after the secrets of Petworth’s past. With acres of landscaped park and views over the South Downs, take an autumnal walk and make it a day to remember.
Price: £3 (per trail, and includes a small prize)
South Foreland Lighthouse, Kent – 01304 853281
Spooky goings on, 31 October
Come and visit South Foreland Lighthouse this Halloween if you dare! Explore the lighthouse by torch light whilst listening to some scary ghost stories. Dress warmly and be prepared for a fright.
Children’s Halloween activities will be provided 6pm to 8pm, fancy dress optional.
Adult tours from 8pm to midnight. (Children welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.)
Price: £10 (booking essential, normal admission fee applies)
For more information, please call
East of England
Hatfield Forest, Essex – 0844 249 1895
Batty Halloween 2014, 31 October, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Explore this medieval hunting forest on the scariest night of the year. Join in with the Halloween crafts and games then an after-dark candle-lit trail through the woods. Listen to the trees creaking in the wind and remember not to stray to far from the path – there could be ghouls lurking out there.
Approximate timings: Games and crafts 3.30pm to 4.30pm Candle-lit trail 4.30pm to 5.30pm
Price: £6.50 (booking essential and children must be accompanied by an adult, no charge for accompanying adults)
Flatford Bridge Cottage, Suffolk – 01206 297201
Flatford Halloween Party, 26 October, 11am - 3pm
Flatford lies in the heart of the beautiful Dedham Vale but are you brave enough to visit at Halloween? Take part in some spooky fun and brave the gooey slime boxes, make a Halloween mask or have your face painted to scare your friends.
Dunstable Downs, Chilterns Gateway Centre and Whipsnade Estate, Bedfordshire – 01582 500925
Pumpkin carving, spooky guided walk, 30 to 31 October, 4.30pm to 6pm
Find out what goes bump in the night on Dunstable Downs this Halloween. It may be an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but at night you may get spooked. Give yourself a fright and join the team on a ghostly guided walk across the Downs. Get creative carving a frightening pumpkin lantern, enjoy a warming supper and then brave a scary stroll across the Downs when the darkness descends. Please bring your own pumpkin to carve.
Price: £8 (includes supper and booking is essential - normal admission fee applies)