Forget Bonfire Night and Easter, with Halloween now our second favourite holiday behind Christmas and kids on their October Half Term, what do you have planned this Halloween weekend? Presenting our list of the Top 10 freakish and fun days out this holiday!
10. Visit an old castle
Visiting an old castle is a great family day out, but can be pretty chilling for those who have a thing for ghosts! Our favourite creepy castles are the Old Waldour Castle in Wiltshire or Dover Castle in Kent. Walking around the old castle on a spooky tour that they put on will be a brilliant day out this Halloween!
9. A Fright at the Museum at the Stratford Halloween Festival 1st October to 31st October
This year the Stratford Halloween Festival began with a terrifying evening with the Great British Ghost Hunt in aid of charity. This Halloween event is great fun for all the family as children can enrol in a wizard school and you can browse shops in Magic Alley for Halloween treats and drink some traditional butter beer. Overnight ghost hunts are spine chilling for adults who want to visit some of the most haunted buildings in Britain and feast at a midnight buffet.
8. Ghost tours in York
The first exclusive ghost walk started around York’s ancient walls where people suffered from some bizarre deaths so it is no wonder they stick around to visit guests today! Ghost children have been heard screaming, and you visit the gallows of the York Castle Museum. If you dare, why not take a trip there this Halloween and see if you can spot the crazed face of the Lady of Barley Hall!?
If you aren’t based near York, then there are ghost tours all over the UK including Derby and Edinburgh!
7. Snowdonia Caverns. 15th October to 30th October
The Halloween Spook-tacular at the Snowdonia Caverns in Wales is a fun day out for the family. The eco adventure park is full of fun for all ages as there are creepy crafts to be made, create a Harry Potter broomstick, make monstrous masks and keep an eye out for Halloween creatures in the trees! Ghoulish goodies, warm hot chocolate and free entry if you come in fancy dress; 
what more could you want from a fun family day out.
6. Ghost Hunt at Smithills Hall
Smithills Hall is one of the very oldest in Lancashire and often George Marsh who was interrogated in the hall can be seen pacing the upper floors of the building. Childrens voices have been heard and the Grey Lady has been seen walking there too. This really is one for the adults only and night time tours are sure to provide some supernatural experiences!
5. A retro Drive-in Movie, Strathclyde
Go small town America with this Halloween Drive In Movie! This is one for the adults who fancy watching a scary film, snuggled up under the stars. Watch ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ ‘Corpse Bride’ or ‘The Ring’ from your car on an 18 metre screen!
4. Good old Pumpkin picking!
Now we know this is no scary, horrifying experience like some of the above Halloween spectaculars, but heading out pumpkin picking with the family has to be one of the best things you can do this Halloween! You can take all the family here and get everyone involved. Check out Crockford Bridge Farm in Surrey to choose your huge pumpkin this year, make some pumpkin soup and carve a creepy face!!
3. Freakweek at The Hop Farm, Kent. 27th October to 31st October
This year The Hop Farm in Kent have gone all out to provide evening Halloween activities for all including a Torture Cellar, mock Séance and a Slaughter House amongst others to scare yourself witless! There are some fantastic childrens attractions too to get them in the spooky spirit of things, like creepy stories and broomstick games.
2. All aboard The Ghost Train at Exbury. 22nd October to 30th October
Scarecrows, vampires and plenty of other ghastly characters are all aboard this ghost train with a French skeleton and a sidekick as the host! This is great family fun as all can enjoy the interesting stories, awful jokes, it’s a bit like a pantomime on this ghost train! Go in Halloween fancy dress and grab yourself a goody bag full of holiday treats and take in the Autumn surrounding and beautiful gardens.
1. Shocktoberfest at Tulleys Farm, West Sussex. 14th October to 31st October
Tulleys Farm have dedicated their Autumn time to creating the largest Halloween event in the UK which is why it is our number 1 Halloween day out. The Shocktoberfest have freaky attractions such as the Field of Screams, Haunted Cellars and Hell-ements all designed to terrify and leave its visitors trembling!
With thanks to Hanna Howarth for the banner image.
