A liTtlE HAllOweEn spoOkiNesS There’s a huge amount on across the area for Halloween. At Barnsdale Gardens, near to Oakham, it’s the annual Scary Spooktacular. Take a walk in the weird woods, take part in a terrifying treasure hunt or carve your own petrifying pumpkin to take home – frightening fun for all the family! Garden admission: adult £8.50/£7.50, child £4.50 (free if they’re in fancy dress), family (up to 5) £25. barnsdalegardens.co.uk There’s the Hootingly Haunted Halloween at Rutland Water Reserve – carve a scary pumpkin or make a magical broomstick to take home. Discover what goes on under the cover of darkness with the dissection of owl pellets and take part in some spooky craft making. The best fancy dress costume wins a prize. Saturday 27 October, 2–4pm. Admission £10 Check out the Burghley Halloween Trail at Burghley House in Stamford between Saturday 20 October and Sunday 28 October. Tread through the crispy autumn leaves around the Sculpture Garden and find hidden spooks to receive a treat! It’s free with a house or gardens ticket (including annual passes). Spooky House Tours are also running, although these may be too scary for younger children. burghley.co.uk Easton Walled Gardens is hosting its Original Pumpkin Rolling Event from Wednesday 17 to Sunday 28 October. Roll your pumpkin as far as you can, sending it zooming from the magnificent terraces. Admission: £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children, plus an extra £2 fee for the halfterm activities. visiteaston.co.uk
Nene Valley Railway is running the Wizard’s Express on 26 and 27 October, heading from Wansford Station at 7pm to Peterborough via Wellwarts and back again (returning for about 9pm). Stick to the timetable or you’ll be turned into a (chocolate) frog! (Not really!) For more information, visit nvr.org.uk. At Riverford’s organic farm at Sacrewell Farm, just off the A1/A47, on Saturday 27 October (11am–4pm) there’s a family-friendly Halloween day. Tickets are £4 each (child tickets includes a pumpkin to carve); under 3s go free. Information at riverford.co.uk. Finally, at West Lodge Rural Centre, in Desborough, Halloween fun runs throughout half term and includes Witch’s House Tours, spooky tractor rides and pumpkins. There’s also a Ghost Hunt by Torchlight on Saturday 27 October (6–8pm). westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk
LIttLe livIng A look at what’s on for youngsters as we head towards half term and Halloween WORDS: CLARE PEEL
A liTtlE DAy out
If you’re looking for ideas for day trips for half term, what about a day in Birmingham? We recently went by train (it’s accessible direct from Oakham by train in just under an hour and a half each way and from Market Harborough with a change in Leicester) and packed in both the Legoland Discovery Centre (with rides, a 4D cinema, an incredible room with Birmingham in miniature – made of Lego, of course – and Lego build and play zones) and the National Sea Life Centre (home to over 2,000 creatures including penguins, sharks and seahorses and with the UK’s only 360-degree “Ocean Tunnel”). These attractions are located opposite each other in the city’s vibrant canal area, with lots of places to eat nearby, including the cool café in the architecturally striking Library of Birmingham. It made for a busy full day out, but my boys (6 and 9) loved it. birmingham.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk, visitsealife.com/birmingham/
A liTtlE ACtiVitY
If you’re juggling work with half term fun, looking for one day or need to book consecutive days for your child, the Rockblok team are here to help! Rockblok October Half Term Activity Club is for children aged 8 and older at Whitwell, Rutland Water, and is running from Monday 22 October to Friday 26 October – 8.30am–4.30pm (pick up 5pm). Fun-packed days will include climbing, high ropes, den and shelter building, team challenges, crafts, adventure games, soft archery and more. Make new friendships and enjoy action-packed days! My eldest son, Frank (9), tried it during the summer and had a fantastic time. The Rockblok Team are DBS checked with the appropriate first-aid qualifications and have a wealth of experience in providing supervision and fun activities for young people. Cost £30 per day, with a discount available when booking three days or more. Contact Rockblok for more information on 01780 460060 or visit rockblok.com
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A liTtlE CYclIng
Cycle the spooky half term bike trail between Rutland Cycling’s Whitwell and Normanton stores. Pick up a trail leaflet in store and start the hunt for clues, then collect your prize at the end! It’s a family-friendly cycle route, starting from either store. Bike hire is available at Whitwell and Normanton. The trail is running throughout the October half term (Saturday 13 October to Sunday 28 October) and is £1 per person (a charitable donation to the Sue Ryder Hospice Thorpe Hall). rutlandcycling.com/rides
RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING OCTOBER 2018
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