What's on this half-term: 16 events for families in Shropshire this spooky season
From fear-filled festivities to crafty excursions to the local library, there's plenty to keep the kids busy over the half-term holiday.
Just like that, another six weeks of school have flown by.
October half-term can be frightening for all sorts of reasons – spooky season aside, it's a wonder what to do with the kids as the weather turns and the nights draw in.
From pumpkin picking to spooky stories and curling up with cats to watch a movie in Shrewsbury, you don't have to look far from home for inspiration - here are some of our selections.
Booking is required for some of the events we've included, so be sure to check online or contact the venue for more information.
Libraries in Shropshire are planning to keep their little readers busy over half term. Halloween craft events are planned for all over the county including Much Wenlock, Church Stretton and Oswestry libraries. Shrewsbury Library will also be hosting an exotic animal experience. The team at Market Drayton are hosting a Halloween party with a fancy dress parade on the big day. For more information visit shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/library-events.
Take a trip back in time at Blists Hill. From October 21 to November 5, Victorian Vermin will see the town host a series of rat-themed activities, including a sweep-the-rat contest and rat decorating. Over Halloween weekend, the town will be transformed into a Victorian Ghost Town on October 27 and 28 from 6pm to 9pm. There will be the chance to try candle dipping and poster printing, shop for handmade Halloween items at the Morbid Market and meet reptiles from a local reptile rescue organisation at the Spooky Zoo. For children, there will be a special trick-or-treat trail and a lantern parade to the fairground, where they will be able to sing, dance and take part in a costume competition. Costumed performers will sing live on the streets. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £5 for children.
Play with potions and pottery at Coalport China Museum. 'Potions and Notions' is a daytime drop in event that will be running from October 21 to November 5 from 11am to 3pm. Kids will be able to conjure up spooktacular clay creations to hold their imaginary potions and spells. With the help of demonstrators, they will make unique containers from air dry clay, which they can take home and will be able to paint a few days later. Standard entry fees apply with an additional charge of £2 or free to 'Pass Plus' holders. Suitable for all ages from two and above. All equipment will be provided.
Curl up with a movie and some cats at Shrewsbury's cat cafe. A range of films including Coraline and Hocus Pocus are being shown at Paws Cafe on Mardol. Curl up with one of the 11 resident felines to watch a freaky flick. For more information visit pawscafe.co.uk.
Pick up your perfect pumpkin at farms across the county. Gone are the days of picking up your pumpkin from the supermarket - head down to one of many venues across the county to pick your own. Northwood Pumpkin Patch, Holly Farm Nurseries in Whitchurch, Apley Farm Shop and many more fields are full of pumpkins awaiting the big day.
Discover the magic of museums at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. Spell-writing, wand-making and a trove of magical festivities are on display at Shrewsbury Museum. The event runs on October 28 and 29, tickets are £10 per child. Prizes for the most magical fancy dress costumes. Booking is available online at shropshiremuseums.org.uk/event/museums-are-magic.
Stokesay Castle is featuring spooky storytellers throughout half-term. Described as a "bewitchingly brilliant day out", the historic venue (recently featured in the Amazon film Catherine Called Birdy) is also hosting a Halloween quest, where little witches and wizards hunt for magical potion ingredients, solve clues and complete activities to become a wicked witch's apprentice. English Heritage members visit free, standard admission fees apply for non-members. The same event is also being held at Boscobel House. Save 10 per cent by booking at english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stokesay-castle.
Enjoy an autumnal stroll through Attingham Park. The stunning stately home near Shrewsbury has many walking trails suitable for little and large legs to take in the autumnal scenery. The 'Mile Walk' wanders through the woods, while the longer 2.5 mile 'Wildlife Walk' will give amblers the chance to see the deer, ducks, swans and otters that call the gardens home. National Trust members go for free, non-members pay £10 for adults and £5 for children for access to the grounds.
Serve up some spooky science at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. From 1pm to 2.30pm on October 30 to November 3, children can take part in some Halloween-themed science. £4.50 per accompanied child, booking is essential and can be done by phoning 01588 676060.
Take a Halloween trail through Wellington High Street. From October 21 to November 5. Pick up a free Halloween trail map from The Orbit and take a stroll through Wellington High Street. Follow the map to discover the clues and visit some of the town's best shops along the way.
PumpkinFest at The Cut, Shrewsbury. Carve up your perfect pumpkin at the home of Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Templates and carving equipment will be provided, plus free craft activities and refreshments to purchase. Pumpkins are available to purchase for £2.50. Runs throughout the day from 10am to 4pm on Friday, October 27 to Tuesday, October 31.
Fright-fans are are in for a treat at Alderford Lake. This year sees the return of the haunting Nightmare Island, an attraction not for the faint-hearted, the immersive horror experience promises to strike fear into even the most seasoned of fear-lovers. For the slightly younger, or those not-so-brave, the first of two new events will see a second maze on Spooky Island, set to be filled with unexpected twists and turns speckled with slightly smaller frights. And for the teeny witches and wizards among us, the return of Witchcraft Woods will provide a magical crafting workshop for those under 10. The lakeside attraction is also hosting a drive-in cinema, where visitors can drive up and enjoy a spooky flick on the big screen, with food and drink served directly to cars. Screenings of Hocus Pocus, Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family are available for family viewing, while Scream, Annabelle and Texas Chainsaw Massacre will get older viewers into the spooky spirit. For more information, and for booking, visit alderford.com.
Get up close and personal with some creepy crawlies at Telford's Exotic Zoo. The beloved Telford attraction is hosting a half term full of frightful fun from October 21 to November 5. Bug eating, a creepy crawly cave and pumpkin picking in their haunted woods will be accompanied by a deadly animal stage show led by owner, Scott Adams and herpetologist Mark O'Shae. Standard admission applies, for more information visit facebook.com/telfordzoo.
Find the jolly jesters hiding in the gardens of Shrewsbury Castle. Come to Shrewsbury Castle grounds this half term and see if you can find the Jolly Jesters hiding around the gardens. Trail cards can be purchased from the castle shop. Fill in the matching activity on the back of the card and when you've found them all, pop back into the shop to claim your reward. Trail Cards are £1.50 each.
Kids4£1 activity sessions are taking place at council venues across Telford and Wrekin. The weekday and weekend activities which include £1 tobogganing, golf, ice skating and bike rentals run from Monday, October 30 to Sunday, November 5. More information is available at telfordandwrekinleisure.co.uk/kidsforaquid.
Trick or treat at Telford Wonderland's Halloween Extravaganza. Daytime trick-or-treating is available by day from October 28 to November 5 from 11am to 4pm, while the frightfully fun evening extravaganza will run from October 28 to 31 from 5pm to 9pm. Booking and more information is available online at wonderlandmidlands.co.uk/halloween.
