With Halloween right around the corner, we've put together our top picks for keeping both kids and adults entertained across the spooky season...

OCTOBER HALF TERM AT WESTON PARK

A half-term packed with magic, potions, pumpkins and creepy critters will serve up a week of fun at Weston Park.

The week sees the return of the hugely-popular Pumpkin Patch in the Walled Garden, animal encounters and creepy critter shows from Zoolabs and exciting magic activities hosted by Weston Park’s outdoor education team, Educating Kids Outdoors.

The Pumpkin Patch will be open from 11am - 2pm every day, giving visitors the chance to pick their own perfect pumpkin, pose for some special photographs with pumpkins carved by the Weston gardeners and take their prized pumpkin home to carve for Halloween.

On 30 October and 1 November, animal-encounter experts Zoolabs will bring their Creepy Critters show to the estate. Plus there will be the chance to make a bubbling magic potion and your own wand with Educating Kids Outdoors on 30-31 October between 10.45am and 3.45pm.

Weston Park, nr Shifnal, Saturday 28 October - Saturday 4 November

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GHOST CRUISE

Shrewsbury’s Ghost Cruise sets sail down the River Severn for various evenings throughout October.

Discover an ancient town, one which has endured centuries of bloody wars, treachery and cold-blooded murder, on a 45 minute evening cruise.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that some of the commentary’s content may be considered unsuitable for young children.

The Sabrina Boat. Tickets are still available for 31 October. Book here.

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WITCHCRAFT WOODS

Do you have a budding witch or wizard in your family? Under 10s are invited to Alderford’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn the boundless limits of their own abilities.

Upon arrival, a wand will be chosen and kids will create a pet companion. With the pet by their side, they will embark on an adventure of fun and games, and battle against their fellow students to become the best wizard in their class.

Alderford Lake, Thursday 26 October - Thursday 2 November

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NIGHTMARE ISLAND

Where can those who are kept hidden from the world be found? And what measure are taken to keep them in? Do you dare to find out?

Nightmare Island is where the most troubled souls are left to fester, locked away from the outside world. The crossing to the island is long and treacherous, one that has been foolishly attempted by few but no has ever survived. A maze filled with deceit and anguish lies before an island governed by evil and inhabited by the dead. Feral and malnourished, the prisoners will stop at nothing to watch you perish in the hells of their own despair.

Nightmare Island is a scare attraction not for the faint hearted. This is an outdoor attraction, please wear suitable clothing and expect to get muddy. Recommended age 18+.

Alderford Lake, Friday 27 - Sunday 29 October 

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VICTORIAN GHOST TOWN

Celebrate Halloween with two nights of spooky special events and creepy goings-on in the lamp-lit streets of Blists Hill Victorian Town.

Visitors can try candle dipping and poster printing, shop for handmade Halloween items at the Morbid Market and meet creatures from a local reptile rescue organisation at the Spooky Zoo.

Other highlights include a special trick-or-treat trail and a lantern parade to the fairground, where youngsters will be able to sing, dance and take part in a special costume competition. 

Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Friday 27 & Saturday 28 October

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SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY GHOST & SCREAM TRAINS

Are you brave enough to ride the Ghost Train at Severn Valley Railway this Halloween?

Kickstart your fright night with tricks and treats for the whole family to enjoy at Kidderminster Station, then take your reserved seats and settle back to experience a ride out into the darkness.

Scary characters will join you on board, sneaking along the corridors of the train as it passes through haunted stations to Arley. The Ghost Train experience lasts for approximately 75 minutes and comes complete with a free goodie bag for every child.

Severn Valley Railway is also hosting a similar but ‘more fearsome’ event for older guests. The Scream Train is aimed at visitors aged 18-plus and features ‘petrifying ghouls’ who will be looking to scare the life out of commuters as they make their way to Arley. 

Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, Saturday 28 - Tuesday 31 October

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PICK UP A PUMPKIN

Visit Battlefield 1403's farm shop and pick your perfect pumpkin this half term. As well as pumpkin picking, little ones can play in a giant spiders web bale maze, have a go on the ride on tractors, pop over to the Battlefield bird of prey centre to see some owls, enjoy delicious Halloween goodies from the bakery, take a walk on the nature trail and more.

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GHOST TOURS AT SHREWSBURY PRISON

Shrewsbury Prison boasts the title of ‘6th Dark Tourism Destination in the World.' Join the attraction's 5* rated Ghost Tours, held daily until 31 October, then every Wednesday after Halloween, where you will discover what lurks behind the high prison walls in the dead of night.

Arrive at the Gatehouse and be met by your tour guide for the evening. The guide has an exceptional knowledge of the prison particularly the ghostly tales and the spooky experiences that regularly occur. Guided by torchlight you will delve into the ghostly world of spirits – experience the strange silence that fills the grounds and the damp walls carrying only the faintest echo of what’s left behind.

You will be taken into the depths of this historic building and experience the dark side of the prison. You’ll listen in horror as you’re told about the sinister side of jail life – torture, murder and hangings, the last execution was only 60 years ago. Everybody has their own tales to tell and own experiences to relate – what will you discover?

Book here

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HALLOWEEN AT STOKESAY CASTLE

Grab your broomsticks and get ready for a bewitchingly brilliant day out. Gather round and prepare to be enthralled as you listen to stories spun by our spooky storytellers. Unearth the Legend of Halloween, Discover the ‘Book of the Dead’, and revel in some frightful fun along the journey.

Visitors can take part in the attraction's Halloween quest and discover magical potion ingredients. Complete the booklet’s activities and solve its creepy clues to become a wonderfully wicked witch's apprentice!

Stokesay Castle, until Sunday 5 November

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HALLOWEEN AT WONDERLAND

Wonderland Telford's adult Halloween evenings are running over 4 nights from 28-31 October.

Featuring: Maze of the Walking Dead, a woodland light walk, circus acts, Spooksville Trick or Treat, a firework finale and more.

Tickets are also on sale for child-friendly event Halloween Extravaganza, which features: rides, crazy golf, face painting, a large indoor inflatable and more.

Book tickets for both events here