Halloween in the Cotswolds ∙ Spooky Fun for Half Term
The Cotswolds, usually known for outstanding natural beauty, is gearing up for a Halloween celebration that is less about beauty and more about bats, black cats, haunted houses and terrifying trails.
With amazingly scary attractions and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy during this spooky season in the Cotswolds. For those who prefer a more family-friendly Halloween experience, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. Pumpkin carving contests and trick-or-treating are popular events in many Cotswold villages, and there are Halloween-themed festivals and events taking place throughout in the next couple of weeks.
No matter what your interests are, you are sure to find a Halloween celebration in the Cotswolds that is perfect for you. Check out these things to do in the Cotswolds for Halloween 2024 to plan your spookily good time in the Cotswolds this year for Halloween.
16 Things to do in the Cotswolds for Halloween 2024
1. Spookyard Halloween Festival
Don’t miss this frightfully fun day out for the whole family at Over Farm in Gloucester.
Calling all brave witches, wizards, and ghouls, the Spookyard Halloween Festival is back for October half-term, filled with spooky fun. Put on your freakiest fancy dress and head to this countryside adventure for a fang-tastic day out.
Enjoy spooky daily live shows, a Monster Mash-Up dance competition, and a spellbinding woodland trail where you can spot pumpkins galore.
Spookyard tickets include full access to the attraction, so you can also feed the animals, get lost in the maize maze, bounce on the jumping pillows, and much more.
There’s nothing truly terrifying about Spookyard, except for missing it! So book your tickets today and get ready for a spooktacular day out with hilarious live shows, fancy dress fun, hobgoblin photo ops, a devilish woodland walk, corn cannons, tractor trailer rides, scrapyard play, a ‘Monster’ duck race, jumping pillows, delicious food and barista hot drinks, Halloween crafts and face painting (for an extra fee), mini golf, barnyard play, quad trains, a maize maze, an animal trail, and ‘Pumpkin’ foot golf.
BOOK YOUR SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE HERE
2. Halloween Light Trail at Slimbridge
The Halloween Light Trail at Slimbridge is a captivating adventure that will enchant visitors of all ages. As you wander through the park, you’ll encounter a magical world filled with spooky surprises.
Discover the Marsh Witch and her mysterious potions, explore shipwrecks and scarecrows, and marvel at the sight of bats and broomsticks. In the enchanting pond zone, make a wish and watch as your desires ripple across the water.
For those looking for creative outlets, the arts and crafts zone offers a chance to unleash your inner artist. As the sun begins to set, cosy up by the firepit and toast marshmallows while enjoying the enchanting atmosphere. To fuel your adventure, the Kingfisher Kitchen serves up a delightful array of spooktacular street food, including pulled pork, Aberdeen Angus and BBQ jackfruit burgers, cheesy chips, dirty fries, and giant onion rings. It’s a terrifyingly tasty way to end a magical night.
3. Halloween Afternoon Tea at Thornbury Castle
Indulge in a spooktacular Halloween afternoon tea at the historic Thornbury Castle. With the offer running from 21 October to 3 November, this luxurious experience features a delightful selection of Halloween-themed treats, served alongside traditional afternoon tea delicacies. Enjoy a frightfully good time with family and friends for just £40 per person, or £20 for children.
4. Day of the Dead at Stratford Butterfly Farm
Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is celebrating the remarkable migration of the Monarch Butterfly and its connection to the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) during half-term. The Monarch Butterfly, a rare migrant to the British Isles, embarks on an extraordinary journey, arriving in Mexico around early November, coinciding with the Day of the Dead celebrations. Indigenous communities believe these butterflies represent the souls of deceased loved ones returning to visit. The Monarch’s arrival, paired with its delicate beauty, symbolizes the spiritual connection between the living and the dead in this tradition.
Daily demonstrations of the Monarch Butterfly’s lifecycle and migration will take place at 11am in the Discovery Zone. Visitors can witness these stunning creatures flying around alongside vibrantly coloured caterpillars. The rainforest Flight Area offers a gruesome insect fact trail, exploring the weird and wonderful wonders of nature. A new addition to Minibeast Metropolis, the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula, is perfect for the spooky season.
5. Halloween Ghost Walk in Stratford-upon-Avon
Join a spine-chilling Halloween Ghost Walk on Saturday 26 October or Thursday 31 October 6pm or 8pm. The experienced guide at Stratford Town Walk will lead you on a haunting journey through Stratford-upon-Avon’s haunted streets, sharing tales of ghosts, witches, murder, and misery. Discover the ancient creaky buildings steeped in eerie legends. This chilling walk lasts approximately one and a half hours.
6. Trick or Tweet Weeks at Birdland
Birdland’s popular ‘Trick or Tweet Week’ returns for Halloween half-term! From October 26th to November 3rd, keepers will use treat-filled pumpkins to enrich the birds’ environment. Visitors can witness these smart residents showcase their foraging skills during daily talks. Keepers hide creepy crawlies inside pumpkins to test the birds’ intellect and dexterity. This enrichment encourages natural behaviors and problem-solving. Besides the enrichment and talks, families can enjoy a fun Halloween Trail around the gardens.
7. Kids eat free at The Angel at Burford
Before you head out for your Trick or Treating fun, visit The Angel at Burford, where kids eat free between 3pm and 6pm on 31 October.
8. Cirencester Ghost Tour
Explore the haunted stories, urban legends, and ghostly happenings associated with some of Cirencester’s most historic buildings on this 1-hour walking tour. Meet outside the Corinium Museum and wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces.
This tour is a great way to learn about the town’s rich history and darker side. You’ll hear tales of executed witches, restless monks, and other supernatural creatures that are said to haunt the streets and buildings of Cirencester.
9. Halloween at Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle is hosting Halloween events for all ages this October. From a daytime mythical trail to nighttime spooky routes and ghost hunt tours, there’s something for everyone.
Enjoy a spellbinding adventure from 26 October to 3 November. Discover mystical medieval characters on the interactive castle trail and join the Medieval Monsters ball. Explore the haunted Ha-Ha with archaeologists and experience spooky trails with special effects. For the first time, join lantern-lit ghost tours and learn about Sudeley’s famous ghosts. Enjoy these events and the castle’s usual attractions, including Tudor history exhibitions, gardens, playground, and delicious treats.
10. A Spooky Trail at Hayles Fruit Farm
Experience a spooky trail and pick your own pumpkins at Hayles Fruit Farm this Halloween. The trail will be open from Friday 20 October to Tuesday 31 October, from 9am to 5pm daily. The farm shop and cafe will be open on all days except Mondays.
11. Halloween Scarefest at Gloucester Prison
Halloween Scarefest by Salvation-Z, the hugely popular and terrifying horror scare park, returns to Gloucester Prison for another season of undead mayhem. With four acres of zombie madness and a new plot featuring film-grade zombies and even more gore, Halloween Scarefest is sure to get your heart racing.
This unique attraction is set in a real Georgian prison, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The prison has a dark history, with 126 executions within its walls. This sense of violence and despair is palpable, and it’s sure to set the scene for a truly terrifying experience.
Once you enter Halloween Scarefest, there’s no turning back. You must go forward and face your fears. Danger lurks around every corner, so you must use all your wits and strength to survive.
If you need a break, you can stop by the Governor’s food and drink stall for much-needed sustenance. But don’t let your guard down because even here, you’re not safe from the undead.
Halloween Scarefest is a truly immersive horror experience, and this attraction is not for the faint of heart.
12. Kids eat free at The Fox at Barrington
Before you head out for your Trick or Treating fun, why not visit The Fox at Barrington, where kids eat free between 3pm and 6pm on 31 October.
13. Halloween Experiences at Cotswold Farm Park
Get ready for Halloween fun for the kids at Cotswold Farm Park. Pick your own pumpkin fresh from the farm in the impressive pumpkin patch – get creative and decorate it there or take it home.
14. Over Farm Pumpkin After Dark
This is more than just pumpkin picking in the dark – it’s a ghoulishly festive and autumnal evening out to get you in the spirit for Halloween!
When the sun goes down and the stars come out, the pumpkin patch transforms into a spooktacular adventure, ready for daring pumpkin hunters of all ages.
Pull on your wellies and head into the patch under moonlight to get lost in acres of pumpkins. Take fabulous snaps, enjoy the pumpkin-credible displays, and find the perfect gourd for your doorstep!
Once you’re done in the patch, grab a drink at the bar and get ready for sensational fire dancing to really set the mood alight. The carefully selected independent food traders have a delicious dish for everyone too.
And don’t forget to hop aboard the tractor-trailer for a hauntingly hilarious ride around Over Farm. See the spooky displays in all their lantern-lit glory and enjoy the journey – it’s not exactly the Haunted Hayride, but it’s pretty darn fun!
15. Haunted Blenheim Palace: A Spooktacular Dusk to Darkness Light Trail
Halloween at Blenheim Palace is a frighteningly good time for the whole family! The spooktacular dusk-to-darkness light trail returns, featuring eerie paths, spooky spaces, and monstrous characters. There’s plenty to see and do, from meeting the colossal King of the Pumpkins to braving the ringmaster’s giant Jack-in-the-boxes and discovering Dr. Frankenstein’s electrifying lab. Along the way, dodge wicked witches, sinister scarecrows, and other Halloween horrors.
Dragons & Wizards at Berkeley Castle
Dragons & Wizards at Berkeley Castle offers a legendary Halloween experience. Meet a giant dragon, encounter baby dragons, and learn how to tame them at Wizard School. Enjoy daily meet-and-greets and activities throughout the day. The event is included with your admission.
Beyond all these organised events, there are lots of free ways to celebrate Halloween in the Cotswolds. Explore the region’s haunted villages and towns, visit local pumpkin patches, or simply carve pumpkins and enjoy a Halloween feast at your Airbnb or holiday cottage.
Try these spooky activities:
- Haunted Hikes: Many Cotswold villages and towns decorate uniquely for Halloween. Take a walk through your local area to discover eerie sights.
- Ghostly Pubs: The Cotswolds is home to several haunted pubs. Enjoy a drink or meal at one of these establishments and see if you can experience paranormal activity.
- Halloween Parties: Many Halloween parties are held throughout the Cotswolds during the Halloween season. Check local listings for events that suit your interests.
- Spooky Storytelling: Gather around a campfire or in a cosy pub to share ghost stories. The Cotswolds has a rich history filled with tales that will send chills down your spine.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, Halloween in the Cotswolds is sure to be a spooktacular experience.
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