It’s that spooky time of year where pumpkins start to pave our streets and weird-looking creations start to wonder around in the dark of night. And if you’re someone who enjoys dressing up and scaring the wits out of those who don’t, there’s no doubt that you have a lot planned over the next couple of weeks to get you into the Halloween swing of things.
Here’s a snippet of what’s happening around us. Some may be local, and some you may require a drive – but either way, we thought we’d gather some together for you to consider.
26 October: Halloween Cake Class (GC Cakes, Beaminster)
“Learn how to create and decorate the Halloween Drip Cake in the photo!
This class is great as a 1-2-1 or a group class… I preferably can only hold up to 3 people at a time in my unit space so spaces are very limited!
In this class you will learn…
1. How to fill and stack a 6” round cake.
2. How to cover and scrape buttercream around the cake to create a smooth finish.
3. How to make the perfect drip consistency to drip around your cake.
4. Finish off by piping and decorating in Halloween treats!”
Price: £35.00 per person for 2 hours.
More information
27 October – 31 October: Mapperton’s Halloween Trail & Fun Days
“Come to Mapperton for a hair-raising Halloween this half-term!
Children young and old will enjoy the spine-chilling trail around Mapperton Gardens. Watch out for the spider lair, brave the rats and spooky graveyard to solve the clues and receive a ghoulish treat. For the truly fearless, join us on the Fun Days and discover the Witch’s Cottage – knock on her door if your dare! There’s also free face-painting for all brave witch hunters.
The Coach House café will be serving spooky meals including children’s lunches, cakes and treats, hot and cold drinks and ice-cream.”
Price: Ticket prices are £9 each for adults (includes free garden entry) and £5 each for children aged 3-15 years old. Book online for £1 discount per ticket:
Halloween Trail: 27-31 October, 10am to 5pm
Halloween Fun Days: 30 and 31 October, 10am to 5pm
Half-term at the Dorset Falconry Park
There are all kinds of things happening at the Dorset Falconry Park this half-term, and if you’re planning to visit on Thursday 31 October, then there’s a special treat in store. Children can come free if they bring in a halloween themed picture featuring an owl they have drawn! These will then be entered into a competition for a free animal adoption amongst other prizes (age categories – Preschool & KS1, KS2)
If you want to find out more about the events taking place, head over to their website.
29 October: Halloween Pumpkin Carving & Cooking Competition at Washingpool Farm Shop
Choose & pay for your pumpkin at the shop, then simply design and carve it, leaving all the mess behind. They provide tools and tealights so go and create your favourite spooky creation, from 10am – 4pm. If you’re in the mood to cook, bring your favourite creation and wow them with your favourite pumpkin / squash-based creation, with prizes being awarded too!
25 October: Kids Halloween Disco at Loders Village Hall.
Entrance of £3 gets you into this disco from 5 – 6.30pm with prizes for best costume and lots on sale. Enjoy the spooky treats like Hot Dogs, Skeleton Popcorn, and more. Just make sure you take a parent with you.
Half-Term Chocolate Fun at Aleksandras Chocolate Cafe in Bridport.
Running throughout half-term, make sure you give them a call to book your place and enjoy making things like edible slime, witches hats and campfire s’mores. There are prizes for fancy dress and your entrance of £14.95 gets you in, and gives your mom or dad 1 free drink too.
Call them on 01308 458770
Halloween Half-Term at Corfe Castle (Dorset)
“There will be plenty of fun activities on offer this half-term. Take part in the Great Escape (teddy bear zip wire) and watch missiles launch from the castle’s medieval siege engine. Celebrate the colours of autumn with the family castle quest and crafts in the Outer Bailey.”
Price: normal admission prices apply
More information
27 October: Pumpkin Festival 2019 (Somerset)
“Join us to celebrate summer’s bounty at our annual Pumpkin Festival.
The special day will include many activities for adults, children and families including games, storytelling performances, face painting, talks and workshops. Live music will be performed throughout the event by some of the South’s most talented acts. You are invited to bring along your homegrown pumpkins, squash or gourds and enter them into the following competitions:
The Grand Pumpkin & Squash Competition:
The Baking Competition:
This is a free event, but registering is recommended.
More information
23 October – 31 October: Halloween Half-Term at Forde Abbey & Gardens (Somerset)
“As the days get shorter and the nights get darker, all sorts of things come out of the wood work for Halloween half term at Forde Abbey.
Join us for a spine tingling week of Halloween fun in the grounds of the Abbey over the October half term. Pick a homegrown pumpkin from the kitchen garden to suit your style and size and try your hand at pumpkin rolling on the main lawn. We’ll be dishing up scoops of ‘Spooky Road’ ice-scream in the tea rooms (white chocolate rippled with blood red raspberry coulis, studded with nuggets of squiggly marshmallows and chunks of popping candy) and there’s fun and games for all the family. This year’s bumper crop of gourds and squashes has to be seen to be believed!”
26 October: Westfest HALLOWEEN – UK’s biggest indoor electronic music festival
Something more for the adults than the kids, Westfest is the UK’s biggest indoor electronic music festival, and it’s taking place on Saturday 26 October at the Royal Bath & West Showgrands in Shepton Mallet.
Price: Varied
More information
Halloween Maize Maze at the Toy Barn (Sherborne)
“Explore the Halloween Maize Maize this Half Term. Find the pumpkin patch in the Maze so you can take a pumpkin home with you. There is also a Spider Turret and a Bat Bridge to discover and information sheets to complete about various bugs and insects.
Children will have access to the outdoor play equipment and the go-kart track.
Doodles Cafe will be open for hot drinks, snacks and cakes for your intrepid explorers to enjoy!
It’s a great day out for the whole family.
Some walkways in the maze are narrow therefore wheelchairs and pushchairs are not recommended due to the uneven and soft ground.
It is advisable to wear wellingtons and waterproofs as the paths can get a bit muddy.
Price:
£7 per person (Aged 5 years +)
£24 for a 4 person group ticket – must include 1 adult
£3.00 per child (aged 1 to 4 years old)
Free for under 1s
