ONLY the brave can face the spooky shenanigans planned at a host of Hampshire attractions this Halloween.
There's lots of frightful family fun to be had and children will be entertained all half-term by everything from a ghost train to a watery treasure hunt.
They're all treats, not tricks. Here's our pick of four of the best.
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway
Visitors will be treated to a new-look ghoulish woodland trail at Exbury Gardens this half term, along with spooky mini garden making, pumpkin carving and an interactive Halloween ghost train ride.
For the first time, the staging of Exbury’s Halloween garden trail will switch from the Rock Garden to the much larger Witcher’s Wood so youngsters can adventure through beautiful autumnal woodland to seek out a witches’ den, gruesome graveyard and spidery lair.
Visitors can climb aboard Exbury’s steam railway, transformed into a Halloween ghost train, to meet its crew of ghoulish fiends who will be haunting the steam train, tracks and tunnel, entertaining families with their slapstick comedy performances - with a few frights along the way!
Youngsters will be able to get creative with pumpkin carving, and learn how to make a spooky mini garden in workshops specially designed for family groups.
For those looking for their autumn to be much less scary, Exbury Gardens’ 200 acres in full autumn colour can be explored.
Tickets from exbury.co.uk
New Forest Activities
With a variety of adventure activities, there will be something to keep all your little monsters enchanted in The New Forest this October. From water to land there’s a whole host of Halloween hubble bubble toil and trouble to choose from.
Gather your crew and take to Beaulieu River on canoe Halloween treasure hunts for Red Beard’s missing candy, or enjoy moonlit Spooky River Tours.
For the land lurkers, New Forest Activities will be running their popular archery pumpkin shooting sessions for another year as well as a new spook-tacular laser tag activity; BattleZone: Apocalypse! See if your troops dare brave the blood-curdling battlefield to come out victorious.
Dressing up is encouraged!
Paultons Park
The friendliest, most frightful family Halloween event is now underway at Paultons Park.
Peppa Pig World has had a spooky makeover, Tornado Springs boasts Halloween decorations from way out west and don't miss The Legend of Paultons Manor show, an all-singing and dancing extravaganza.
Also, meet Pickles the Pumpkin and the rest of the spirit squad characters on the first weekend of the festivities.
There are late night openings until 7:30pm on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of half term with so much spooky fun to be had!
The Watercress Line
During Wizard Week, The Watercress Line will transform into a place of magic and mischief for Halloween.
Children of all ages are invited to dress up as their favourite scary character – little monsters, ghosts, witches and wizards are welcome.
There are prizes to be won at the fancy dress competition, to be held each day, plus some spine-tingling treats.
Ghouls and guys can ride the Wizard Express steam trains throughout the day and hop on and off as they wish to explore the four heritage stations. Stock up on some weird and wonderful sweet treats at Ropley Station, take part in flying lessons and be spooked by some creepy creatures.
Longdown Activity Farm
Enter the Haunted Barn at your peril!
Howl with laughter at Halloween-themed comic capers when Crazy M visits (on Thursday) and see real-life barn owls and creepy creatures with the Creature Teachers on Sunday October 30. T
he Pumpkin Quest promises to be fun for all the family too – everyone will enjoy spotting the mischievous orange faces around the farm as they discover each naughty pumpkin in unexpected places.
After all the scary stuff, calm down with the friendly farm animals, and join in with a full schedule of farm activities throughout the day.
Book at longdownfarm.co.uk
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