Hallowe'en: Five family-friendly half-term events

Here’s five frighteningly fun activities to keep the little darlings entertained at October half-term from pumpkin picking to wizard hunting

THE HALLOWEEN EXPRESS

Fangtastic fun awaits at Audley End Miniature Railway. Board the spooky steam train and chug deep into the woods, where you’ll encounter a coven of witches and playful monsters, chanting spells around bubbling cauldrons. Disembark to meet Belinda the fortune telling witch, perform an enchanting spell with William, the woodland wizard, and explore the petrifying play area. Why not dress up in all your Halloween finery? Suitable for all ages with a focus on fun over fright!

When: October 23 -31

Where: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JB, audley-end-railway.co.uk

PUMPKIN PICKING

What: Don’t be a lazy bones; visit Pumpkin Jim at his glorious patch in Ickleton, which is jam-packed with plump gourds, from big carvers to delicious squashes. There’s a range of children’s activities, a play area, and a variety of food trucks on patch serving delicious fare. For parents weary from pushing pumpkin-wielding little ones in wheelbarrows, the Fat Pumpkin café serves hot drinks. Pre-booking required.

When: October 23 - 31, 10am -3pm

Where: Pumpkin Jim’s, Grange Road, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, CB10 1TA, pumpkinjimspatch.co.uk

HALLOWEEN RIDE

Cambridge Bike Party invites you to join a eerie cycle parade across town, featuring a spooky soundtrack and cool lights. Speed along dressed as a skeleton or wend you way around the ‘cemetery route’ decked out as a wicked witch. Be sure to get off and get your groove on to the Monster Mash enroute! Suitable for kids and big kids alike.

When: October 30, meet 4.30pm, roll out 5pm

Where: Route TBC, visit cambridgebikeparty.com

RING QUEST

Hello My Precious! Are you ready to save Middle Earth? Then don your cloak and embark on ‘Ring Quest’ at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park. The popular Lord of the Rings themed family challenge, suitable from age 3 plus, celebrates 20 years since The Fellowship of the Ring hit the big screen. As well as finding one ring ‘to rule them all’, visit the huge spiders of Mirkwood, negotiate the dragon guarding its treasure, duck down to visit the Hobbit Hole and try your hand at archery.

When: October 23 -31, 10am – 4pm

Where: West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park, Icklingham Rd, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6HG

WEEK OF WICKEDNESS

What: Head to Skylark Maize Maze and Funyard for a spooktacular seven days of Halloween fun! Pick a gourd-geous pumpkin, carve it in the weather-proof marquee (meaning no mess to annoy mum), then marvel at magic tricks and balloon fun with Johnny Jaffacake. Dare to climb aboard the Phantom Blaster Tractor Ride, bounce on the jumping pillow and don your scariest outfit to triumph in the fancydress competition.

When: October 23 – 31, 10am – 5pm

Where: Skylark, Manea Road, Wimblington, March, PE15 0PE, skylark-events.co.uk