Markshall Estate, CO6 1TG
22nd - 30th October
The Pumpkin Trail is back! Adventure through the Arboretum, venturing past the Screaming Oak and witches hat tree in your quest to find the 30 wooden pumpkins.
Grab your walking shoes, put on your favourite Halloween outfit, and discover trees from across the world, natural play areas and autumn colour at its best. All whilst searching for the 30 carefully painted pumpkins which have been hidden this spooky season.
Return to the Visitor Centre to claim your own munchkin pumpkin prize. Standard admission applies.
Flatford Wildlife Garden, CO7 6UL
22nd - 30th October
Do you dare to feel inside the boxes to see what is hidden inside? What is that smell hidden in our smelly bags? Pick up your Big Wild Halloween activity pack and senses trail from the visitor centre for £3.50. Complete with a trail sheet, nature activity booklet, recipe card, character mask and certificate.
Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN
24th October
Join us for a cozy story in the wood reading Room on the Broom. Bring a cuddly teddy and a campfire snack to help you enjoy the book and then take part in some fun Halloween themed activities. Suitable for ages 18 months to 5 years. £5 per child
Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN
24th October
Come and search the woods for signs of fairies, elves, and gnomes. Create some of your own magic by making a wand, a smelly potion, and your own magical creature dwelling!
Recommended for ages 4 and up. £7 per child
Langdon Nature Discovery Park, SS16 6EJ
24th October
Create a woodland wand, search for spooky spell ingredients and weird and wonderful wildlife. Ages 3+.
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, CO5 7DN
24th October
Carve a pumpkin. Get creative and use peelers to whittle a magical wand. Don’t forget to decorate it and make it extra special. Prepare your noses for some smelly potions. Mix and grind our herbs to concoct a magic potion of your very own. Drop in. £10 per child.
Hyde Hall, CM3 8ET
24th October
Whether it's snakes, giant snails, tarantulas or cockroaches, this is an amazing opportunity to get up close and hands-on with some of these beautiful animals. Suitable for children over 5.
Sessions 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm (45 minutes each). Tickets are £5 per child. Normal garden admission charges also apply.
Abberton Reservoir, CO2 0EU
25th October
We will look for bugs on the land and in the pond! We will then have a go at making some creepy creatures of our own using sticks, leaves and clay. We will even try our hand at weaving a spiders web. £7 per child
Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN
25th October
Join us for a morning of mad experiments, making some slime to take home. £10 per child
Belfairs Woodland Centre, SS9 4LR
25th October
Explore the spooky and the spectacular in this new holiday session. Ages 8-12 years old. £7 per child.
The Naze, CO14 8LE
25th October
Use the tools we provide to whittle your own wooden wand. Explore our potion creation station, see your potion bubble, fizz or maybe even change colour! Get active outdoors and take on the challenge of helping our wizard find the missing spell on our wizard's trail. £7 per child
Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET
25th October
Set out on an interactive storytelling adventure around the garden with extraordinary storyteller Mike Dodsworth. Sessions 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm. Free, garden admission applies
Belfairs Woodland Centre, SS9 4LR
26th October
We will be joined by a variety of animals to find out a bit more about them and how they are adapted to their environments, lifestyles and habitats. Book at the Centre or call 01702 477467. £9 per person.
Belfairs Woodland Centre, SS9 4LR
26th October
Discover skeletons, spooky spider webs and more!
Make a witch’s cauldron complete with potion and launch some batty bats. £7 per child
Ingrebourne Visitor Centre, RM12 6TS
26th and 27th October
Our staff and volunteers are on hand to help kids and grown-ups carve a spooky face into a pumpkin to decorate your home this Halloween. £7 per child.
Hainault Country Park, IG7 4QN
27th October
Frightful fun at Hainault Forest with Deadly Drumming, Magical Mask Making and Whittling Wands – you’ll be horrified to miss out! £2.50 per person
Hyde Hall, CM3 8ET
27th - 28th October
One pumpkin is provided per child, along with all the accessories and craft pieces needed to transform your pumpkin into a fun woodland creature. Suitable for children ages 5 to 10 years. Sessions 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 12.45pm, 1.15pm and 1.45pm (30 minutes each). Tickets are £2.50 per child. Normal garden admission charges also apply.
28th October, 2pm
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1UG A family-friendly tour of Colchester's gruesome bits returns, just in time for Halloween! Join guide, "Aggie, the jailer's wife" on an entertaining walk through Colchester's colourful history, with the gory and revolting bits left in! The tour is designed especially for children, but adults are sure to have great time too. Children 5 to 15 years £3.50, Adults: £6. To book: phone 01206:282920, or email vic@colcehster to reserve a place.
Daws Hall Nature Reserve, CO8 5EX
28th October
A gentle walk around our stunning nature reserve, as the sun sets. On the walk we will watch as the dark shadows of our resident bats swoop between the trees and along the water's edge to catch their evening insect-meal. Meanwhile with the use of ultrasound scanners, we will convert their clicks and calls to work out which species they are. Children £5, Adults £10.
Thorndon, CM13 3RZ
28th October
Go for a woodland walk to collect potion ingredients, try your hand at some potion making, and create your own magic wand for casting some wicked spells this half term. £7 per child
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, CM19 4SF 29th October, 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Take a walk around the main trail and find all the spooky stops! Have your fortune read in the scary hide. Spooky games station run by fun filled games. Crafts room run by Twinkle & Snug (additional cost). Hot dogs & cafe open throughout the evening. £4 per person. Under 1's go free.
Markshall Estate, CO6 1TG
29th October, 3.15pm - 5pm
Join spooky storyteller Shane Ibbs for a lantern lit stroll to The Wild Wood and hear tales of things that go bump in the night! Creep past The Screaming Oak and watch out for The Witch’s Hat tree as you’re taken back to a time when ghosts, ghouls and fairie folk called Markshall Estate home. Listen to stories of woodland nymphs and wicked witches, before gathering round the firepit for seasonal snacks. Enjoy a hot spiced apple juice to warm up those spooky shivers. Standard admission applies.
Markshall Estate, CO6 1TG
29th October, 6pm - 7.30pm
Join spooky storyteller Shane Ibbs as he takes you on a journey of dark and twisted tales. Hear stories of frightening goings on, rumours of murder, and even a touch of the supernatural as you walk the Arboretum at night. Help steady your nerves with a toasty hot toddy of spiced cider or warmed apple juice, snacks around the fire await if you survive until the very end!
Belfairs Woodland Centre, SS9 4LR
29th October
Join us to try some spooky Halloween crafts. Fancy dress is encouraged! Drop in. Donations.
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