Halloween in South East England

South East England is a great place to enjoy some family fun this October half term and Halloween. The region is packed with a number of great attractions and events that will keep the whole family entertained throughout the week long break.

During the half-term week (24th October to 1st November 2009), children can enjoy a family racing day at Ascot, view a firework spectacular at Beaulieu, experience family fun in the eighteenth century at Waddesdon Manor and have a hauntingly good Halloween at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

For more information on any of the attractions listed below, or for recommendation for places to stay, see funfamilydaysout.com.

Halloween fun at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
24th October – 1st November 2009
There are ghostly goings-on at Blenheim Palace this Halloween half-term with a ghost trail taking place in the Pleasure Gardens, as well as face-painting and pumpkin carving. Spooky family tours of the Palace's State Rooms will entertain (or petrify!) the whole family and you can meet the ghosts of the Palace's intriguing past in 'Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story'. Find all 15 ghosts throughout the Palace, fill in the ghost trail activity sheet and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a free family ticket to the Palace.
blenheimpalace.com

Indiana Jones Fireworks Show, LegoLand Windsor
24th, 25th, 30th and 31st October 2009 (Fireworks are also on the 1st and 7th November)
Billed as LegoLand’s most spectacular event of the year, this half-term’s fireworks show takes place over four days and takes on an Indiana Jones theme. Whilst at LegoLand, families can enjoy over 50 interactive rides, shows and attractions as well as a new ‘Kingdom of the Pharaohs’ land to explore.
legoland.co.uk

Half-term at the City Museum, Portsmouth
24th October – 1st November 2009
For a free day out with the children, why not pop into Portsmouth’s City Museum to learn more about the city and its history? Themed talks and displays will be on offer throughout the half-term, from robots to outer space, as well as a fascinating insight into the works of Charles Darwin.
visitportsmouth.co.uk

Halloween Monster Madness at Painshill Park, Surrey
26th - 31st October 2009
Visit Painshill Park in Surrey this half-term for a spooky family Halloween. The ‘Monster Madness’ adventure is suitable for children aged between two and 11 and includes pumpkin carving and a spooky monster hunt through the park. There is also a crystal grotto in which a storyteller will tell ghostly tales. A family-led trail is also available for those want to follow the clues and find their own monsters! Fancy dress is optional, booking is essential.
visitsurrey.com

Halloween week at Basildon Park, River Thames
26th - 31st October 2009
Take a day trip to historic Basildon Park in Berkshire this half-term and take part in a whole week filled with Halloween themed activities and events. Enjoy a variety of spooky trails through the grounds, ghostly storytelling and creative arts and crafts, where children can create their own scary Jack O’Lantern.
visitthames.co.uk

Firework spectacular at Beaulieu, Hampshire
Saturday 31st October 2009
Beaulieu’s annual Fireworks Spectacular, one of the largest in South East England, is an explosive and dynamic fireworks display that will this year be set to a spine chilling theme - scary music from movies such as ‘Psycho’, ‘Halloween’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’. Admission to the fireworks is from 3pm and entry includes complimentary admission to the National Motor Museum, as well as its latest exhibition, ‘Jaguar Jamboree’, plus the James Bond Experience. Live music will also be provided throughout the day and everyone is invited to get in the spirit of the night, with prizes for the best fancy dress.
beaulieu.co.uk

Firework Family Day at Ascot, Berkshire
Saturday 31st October 2009
Ascot Racecourse presents its fourth Family Day this year during the half-term break with the opportunity to experience the first meeting of the new 2009/2010 jumps season, followed by a spectacular fireworks display and fun fair. Children will love trying out the carousel, dodgems, waltzers and ghost train before settling down to watch the 6pm fireworks display. A Halloween themed BBQ, as well as magician, balloon sculpture and juggler will also be on hand to make sure the children are kept entertained.
ascot.co.uk

Eighteenth Century Family Fun Day at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
1st November 2009
On Sunday 1st November 2009, Waddesdon Manor has a packed programme of events and activities, all designed to take visitors back to the 18th century. Children can meet Queen Marie-Antoinette, take part in traditional games, watch a duel, meet men and women from the 18th century and even learn to dance a minuet in this fun event that’s suitable for all ages.
nationaltrust.org.uk

Discounts and Offers

Kids go free at Four Pillars Hotels, Oxfordshire
24th October 2009 – 1st November 2009
Families looking to get away this half-term can pick up a great deal from Four Pillars Hotels in Oxford which is offering dinner, bed and breakfast rates from as little as £40 per person, per night. What’s more, kids can stay and eat for free. Four Pillars Hotels in Oxford are wonderfully located nearby to all the main attractions of this scenic city. Oxford Spires Four Pillars for example is located just half a mile from the centre of Oxford, whilst Oxford Thames Four Pillars is set in 20 acres of parkland just twenty minutes from the city. Finally the Abingdon Four Pillars hotel is located just 6 miles South of Oxford, in the heart of the Thames Valley.
four-pillars.co.uk

Free children’s ferry travel to the Isle of Wight
Half-term until 31st December 2009
This half-term, Wightlink is offering some great family ferry deals to the Isle of Wight. Visitors to southeastoffers.com can download as many vouchers as they like, allowing free ferry travel for kids under the age of 15. Two full fare paying adult foot passengers can take up to five children with them at no extra cost. The same offer is available for two full paying adults travelling by car.
wightlink.co.uk
souteastoffers.com