AFTER-DARK TOURS

The Commandery is one of Worcester’s oldest buildings and a place that harbours lots of ghostly secrets.

Suitable for visitors aged 14-plus, the venue’s after-dark tours include tales of strange sightings and mysterious rumours, with your guide for the evening giving the history of the building a hair-raising Halloween twist.

The Commandery, Worcester, Tues 21, Thurs 23, Tues 28, Thurs 30 & Fri 31 October

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HALLOWEEN AT HARTLEBURY

Hartlebury Castle is running some spooky family activities throughout half-term week.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive dressed in their favourite Halloween costume and brave the Spooky Skeleton Trail (Saturday 25 October - Saturday 1 November). 

A special outdoor hunt will take place on Monday the 27th - with miniature pumpkins hidden in the castle grounds - while from Tuesday the 28th to Friday the 31st, families can busy themselves pumpkin carving.

There’s also a Witch & Wizard School for little ones to enjoy, presented by the castle’s very own magic teacher, Professor Bumbledum.

Hartlebury Castle, Worcester, Sat 25 October - Sat 1 November

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AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD AUTUMN HALF TERM AT THINKTANK

Thinktank is hosting a variety of out-of-this-world activities with a spooky twist this October half term.

Space-themed Lego coding workshops -  running daily from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November - provide families with the chance to create their own alien creatures, while a drop-in craft workshop, Alien Creation Station, and a jam-packed science show, Galactic Mission: Life Beyond Earth, both run from Monday the 27th to Friday the 31st.

On Halloween, alien family The Roswells will be returning to the museum to meet other families, and movie fans can enjoy a screening of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial in the planetarium. 

Another Steven Spielberg sci-fi classic, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, shows the following day (Saturday 1 November). 

The Saturday also sees Birmingham junk-modelling artist Tat Vision visiting the venue to make some alien heads.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Sat 25 October - Sun 2 November

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HALLOWEEK AT SUDELEY

Families visiting Sudeley this half term can check out a special trail across the castle grounds, with pumpkins being hidden in the venue’s secret nooks and crannies. 

Participants who complete the trail will be rewarded with a Halloween treat. 

On Halloween itself, visitors will come face-to-face with the darker side of history, courtesy of Tudor All Hallows’ Eve, an event during which they will encounter the castle’s Tudor ghosts, who will be sharing spine-tingling tales of hauntings and horrors.

Sudeley Castle, Cheltenham, Sat 25 October - Sun 2 November

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SPOOKY SNOW AND CHILLING ICE AT SNOWDOME

Tamworth’s SnowDome is transforming into a world of spooky snow and chilling ice this autumn half term. 

Attractions include a spellbinding, snow-filled Hocus Snowcus - where little ones can slide, scoot, and play in the snow - and the Witch’s Winter World, where every child leaves with a sweet treat!

Meanwhile, for adults and thrill-seeking older children, there’s Fright On Ice, a ‘chilling’ multi-sensory experience that includes three spooky zones: Arachnid Asylum, The Shadow Shipwreck and Carnival Of Screams.

SnowDome, Tamworth, Sat 25 October - Sun 2 November

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DEADLY LIVE!

Award-winning wildlife presenter Steve Backshall is bringing Deadly Live! to Birmingham this month - an action-packed experience based on the hugely popular BBC Deadly franchise.

Join Steve as he embarks on a selection of heart-pounding adventures, ‘tackling daring stunts, mind-blowing experiments and cutting-edge science’. 

From big cats and birds of prey to Dinomania dinosaurs, snakes and more, the show features some of the world’s most formidable predators.

Utilita Arena Birmingham, Thurs 30 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, Thurs 30, Fri 31 October & Sat 1 November

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FIVE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOWS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE...

The Creative Craft Show, Sewing For Pleasure, Simply Christmas, Cake International and Bake International make a welcome return to the NEC this month - with visitors gaining access to all five shows for the price of just one. 

The Creative Craft Show is a haven for knitting, cross stitch, paper crafting, jewellery, dressmaking and stitching enthusiasts, offering all the latest supplies as well as festive ideas and inspiration...

Sewing For Pleasure, an ideal destination for sewing, knitting, patchwork and embroidery enthusiasts, features demonstrations, workshops and all-day masterclasses... Simply Christmas showcases bespoke and handmade gifts, unique Christmas decorations and festive food & drink... 

World-renowned cake decorating and sugar craft event, Cake International, will feature headline-grabbing cakes, a huge lineup of suppliers, top-class sugar craft artists and inspiring displays... 

Sister show Bake International provides visitors with the chance to explore a ‘baking paradise’, featuring everything from breads to sweet-treat pastries. 

And, as an added bonus, competitors from across the globe will be showcasing their skills in the world’s biggest cake decorating and baking competition.

NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 30 October - Sun 2 November