DAYSOUT
KENT GOES GOULISH
It’ s dark, there are strange creatures running around the streets, your stash of chocolates is disappearing quicker than the sun on a bank holiday, and it’ s 31st October. It can only mean one thing: Halloween. And if you, like many, want to celebrate Halloween Kentish style, then there is plenty going on to entertain you this spooky holiday.
House of the Dead & The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost // Bluewater // 14-31 Oct
There are two different creeptacular events taking place at Bluewater shopping centre this Halloween. The first is The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost, a family-friendly spookfest that will have everyone getting their Mystery Inc on to solve the so-called haunting. Enter the toyshop where you will be greeted by the toymaker himself who will share with you the secret history of the Pumpkin Ghost, then send a shiver down your spine with tall tales of the curse that has plagued the shop for generations. With plenty of courage and a torch in hand, enter the workshop in search of clues to unlock and solve The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost.
The second attraction is the House of the Dead – and this one’ s for the grownups. Dare you enter the most immersive, terrifying and utterly unique horror experience the UK has to offer? Do you have what it takes to survive the House of the Dead with your sanity intact? Packed with your worst nightmares, House of the Dead will take you on a terrifying walk-through journey in an unreal world made up of phenomenal, horror movie quality sets, routes of terror and most importantly, the most horrific monsters and creatures Bluewater has ever seen. www. houseofthedead. com
Witches and Wizards’ Academy // Leeds Castle // 22-28 Oct
It’ s time for children to go back to school,‘ spell school’ that is to learn a new set of magical skills this Halloween Half Term at the Leeds Castle Witches and Wizards Academy, sponsored by the Kent Messenger. From 22nd October to 28th October, put yourself to the test and take part in a whole range of magical mayhem that will have children spookily entertained all day long as they hop from one ghoulish activity to another.
Learn how to mix the right creepy ingredients in a giant cauldron to make magical potions with the potions professor; graduate to spell class where you’ ll learn to cast fiendish incantations. Next up is broomstick flying lessons. Fly around the broomstick assault course, but be careful of the pumpkin speed bumps and remember to go slowly through the graveyard. Then join with other pupils to take part in choir practise singing along with the spooky song‘ the twelve days of Halloween’.
A valid admission ticket to Leeds Castle is required for this event. Annual tickets cost £ 24.50 for adults; £ 21.50 for seniors and visitors with disabilities( carer goes free); £ 16.50 for children( under 4’ s free). Annual tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round. Pre-book online the day before you visit and save 10 %. www. leeds-castle. com
Halloween Spooktacular // Kent Life // 22-31 Oct
Kent Life is usually such a cheerful place to be … but at Halloween all of that changes and the spooks come out to play! Cuddle Corner turns creepy and instead of rabbits and hens you’ ll find spiders, snakes and scorpions. Dare to take a trip on the farm’ s terrifying tractor ride and search for friendly ghouls on the wooden hunt. And the farmhouses are no longer comforting places to visit – they are full of trick or treating mischief makers … Along with a daily fancy dress competition, pumpkin carving and craft activities, Kent Life’ s Halloween event is one not to be missed. www. kentlife. org. uk
Haunted Castle & What Lies Beneath // Dover Castle // 22-30 Oct & 27-29 Oct
Feeling brave enough to take on Kent’ s most haunted castle? Prepare to be scared this autumn half term as a frighteningly fun day out awaits you. Then pluck up your courage for a tunnels tour with a twist, staged within the castle’ s secret tunnel complex. Not for the faint hearted. What Lies Beneath ages 13 +. Pre-booking required. www. english-heritage. org. uk / visit / places / dover-castle / events
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