Celebrate autumn in Shakespeare Country
Celebrate Halloween and a host of spectacular events and attractions with an autumnal break in Shakespeare Country. Take part in ghost hunts, explore dungeons, carve pumpkins, celebrate the English apple with ‘Apple Days’, stroll through vibrant autumnal gardens, enjoy theatrical performances or just relax in front of log fires in traditional inns.
No visit to the area is complete without seeing a performance by the world famous Royal Shakespeare Company. Catch a performance of Twelfth Night which runs from 15 October – 21 November and sees Gregory Doran direct Richard Wilson in his RSC debut in the role of Malvolio.
This new production of Shakespeare’s comedy will perform a straight 5 week run at the award winning Courtyard Theatre.
Rumoured to be the haunting ground for many a tortured soul and with nearly one thousand years of history, Warwick Castle is the perfect venue to spend Halloween.
From 17 October, thrill-seekers can explore the ‘Haunted Hollows’, a walk filled with creepy crawlies, cobwebs and skeletons. Visitors will be dared to follow the ‘Pumpkin Trail’ around the grounds – a perilous path of over a thousand pumpkins.
From 24 October – 1 November, the ‘Haunted Castle after Dark’ experience will offer ghost-hunting guests the opportunity to tour the Castle by torchlight before entering the depths of The Castle Dungeon.
Spend Halloween at Kenilworth Castle from 24 – 31 October and help solve the Castle’s spooky mystery; follow the trail of clues, then report to the Dungeon Master to claim a prize.
From 27 – 31 October take part in an eerie ghost tour around the castle and gatehouse. Hear tales of dark deeds, ghostly apparitions and scary happenings.
Wander around an ‘Apple Day and Autumnal Fair’ at Mary Arden’s Farm on Sunday 27 September and sample locally brewed ciders, organic fruits, preserves and cakes. Enjoy music, dancing, sheep dog trials, a hog roast, archery demonstrations and over 20 stalls showcasing unique crafts and local produce.
During the October half term, take part in daily spooky story telling at Mary Arden’s as well as pumpkin crafting workshops. Hear folklore and storytelling in the enchanted gardens at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and take part in special treasure hunt and basket making workshops. At Nash’s House discover how the Tudors celebrate Halloween and take part in an orienteering style quiz and quest to find ghoulish teddy bears hidden around the house.
Enjoy late colour in the garden on 14 October at Ragley Hall. Pick up tips from the Head Gardener on how to extend the season in your garden then enjoy a two course lunch and a stroll through the gardens.
From 26 October – 1 November see the house full of spooky decorations. Take part in a Halloween treasure hunt, face painting and pumpkin carving. On 7 November enjoy a bonfire with a spectacular fireworks display set to music with refreshments and children's entertainment.
Autumn is a colourful season at Warwick's Hill Close Victorian Gardens with its fine display of flowers and varieties of old fruit trees. On Sunday 20 September enjoy a special Aster Study Day with talks from experts on the history and growing of asters and a guided tour of the gardens.
Celebrate the apple harvest over the weekend of 17 & 18 October and enjoy a wide range of apples, fruit, juice and apple cake plus advice on growing apples. On Sunday 4 October a Harvest Thanksgiving service will take place with a display of produce.
Wander around a food exhibition at Upton House on 31 October in the restored 1930s Squash Court. Follow the ingredients for a dinner party from the garden, farm and sea, to the kitchen, with ideas and recipes to try at home.
Discover the history of soup and the part it played in the development of the first restaurants; see the winter vegetables growing, share tips on growing your own food and plan your vegetable plot for next year. From 19 – 23 September see the National Collection of Asters in their prime in the glorious gardens from 11am - 4pm. ‘It’s Civil War’ takes place on 25 October from 11am - 4pm with ‘Family Fun for Halloween’ from 31 October - 1 November from 1pm - 4pm.
Enjoy an autumn ramble and hearty lunch at Hidcote Manor Gardens on Saturday 7 November or a pudding passion day on Friday 20 November. Sulgrave Manor will celebrate the English Apple on 10 & 11 October with over 300 varieties on display plus apple pressing, rural crafts, fruit trees & plants, apples & cider for sale and entertainment.
Celebrate Pumpkin Week from 24 October - 1 November at Hatton Country World. Children can enjoy daily carving competitions and a Pumpkin Hunt with a free pumpkin.
Wander around ‘The Heart of England Bead Fayre’ on 12 & 13 September and enjoy a range of bead products. The largest American car club in Europe hosts the ‘American Auto Club UK’ event on 19 & 20 September. A selection of great cars will be on show on Saturday with their popular “Show ‘n Shine” day with trophy presentations on Sunday.
Ghostly goings-on are happening at Blenheim Palace this Halloween half-term with a ghost trail in the Pleasure Gardens. Ghost hunters can explore the gardens and enjoy face-painting and pumpkin carving. Spooky family tours of the State Rooms will entertain the family. Have a go at pumpkin making in the Pleasure Gardens Café by purchasing your own pumpkin to gouge out and create a spooky design to take home.
Heart FM’s Heart Angels will be on hand providing free spooky face painting or scare your friends and family by decorating your own piece of scary pottery with ‘Pottering about’ from 11am – 4pm.
Enjoy a special ‘Halloween Ghost Walk’ on 31 October with Stratford Town Walk around historic Stratford with magical entertainers. The evening includes a visit to the 'haunted' Legacy Falcon Hotel for a Falconry display and glass of warming winter pimms and ends at the famous Dirty Duck pub.
Alternatively spend an evening on the River Avon with a Halloween Ghost Cruise on 1 November with ghostly stories and magical entertainment.
Spend Halloween in one of the most haunted buildings in England at The Falstaff Experience. On Saturday 24 October from 10pm - 3am, take part in a Halloween Ghost Hunt with guest mediums Sue Treanor and Michael Smith.
On 30 & 31 October, follow the grim reaper around the haunted building on a ghost tour at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm & 9pm. On Saturday 31 October from 11am - 4pm, learn how to carve a perfect pumpkin and from 10pm - 4am, take part in a Halloween ghost hunt as well as special psychic classes.
On 25 October, the Heritage Motor Centre plays host to the ‘Large Model Aircraft Show’ with over 100 aircraft on display including a Wellington, Lancaster and Vulcan aircraft plus RAF bombers. Also featured will be modelling demonstrations and an aircraft and radio-controlled aircraft simulator.
From 24 October - 1 November, enjoy go karts, a miniature roadway and the 4x4 experience daily throughout half term. On 1 November, the Heritage Motor Centre will be invaded by characters from Dr Who and Star Wars who will wander the museum with photo opportunities and a chance to buy merchandise from the trade stands.
Travel back to the 1940s for this year's Memories weekend at Compton Verney on 19 & 20 September. This year’s event focuses on World War Two, with period costumes, music, dancing, family activities, vintage cars and a Hurricane and Spitfire flypast. An artist will be building a full size Spitfire decoy in the grounds and talks will cover the history of the Spitfire and wartime rations and food. The Artist’s Studio opens on 26 September, offering an insight into the way artists have represented their working spaces.
The exhibition will include various depictions of studios, as well as footage of and objects used by famous artists in their studios. The ‘artist in residence’ will be working in her studio within the exhibition and a range of activities are offered, inspired by The Artist’s Studio, from adult workshops and specialist talks to family events.
Enjoy a free family event at the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum on Tuesday 27 October from 2pm - 4pm. Using camouflage skills, children can hide a soldier in their own collage picture.
For theatre and attraction tickets, accommodation, brochures, special offers and more information visit the official website: shakespeare-country.co.uk
