Halloween and Half-term activities

AUTUMN SPECIAL

HALF TERM & HALLOWEEN FUN

19 Oct

8pm Run or Dye GLOW Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG Run or Dye GLOW, the brand new laser-lit 5k and 3.5k night run and after-party will be lighting the night sky on a route through the grounds of Penshurst Place. Kicks-off with a Start Line Disco, followed by nine GLOW, Foam and Colour zones. Children must be aged 8 or over and accompanied by an adult. Info at www.runordye.co.uk

Daily- check website

Fort Amherst, Dock Road Chatham ME4 4UB Spooky ghost tours (age 8+) Enjoy a spooky ghost tour around one of Kent’s most paranormally active locations and hear tales of strange occurrences in the 300-year history of Fort Amherst. From the moment you enter the tunnel complex our tales begin, for there is not a single recess that has not been the scene of something unexplained!

Unsuitable for children under 8 years old. Tours are 1 hour. Info at www.fortamherst.com

12-27 Oct

(excl 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd) 11am-5pm Pumpkin Grotto and Pumpkin Hunt Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Riverhill, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RR Hunt for pumpkins around the garden followed by pumpkin carving in the grotto. Bring your own pumpkin (or available for sale). Info at www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

18 Oct – 3 Nov

10am-5pm Children of Scotney Halloween trail, £2 pp. Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8JN Be prepared to get a little bit spooky this half term when you take part in the Children of Scotney trail. Follow the clues around the garden to gather names to complete a ghost story. Info at nationaltrust.org.uk

19-26 Oct

10am-4pm Chislehurst Caves Caveside Close, Old Hill, Chiselhurst BR7 5NL Open every day during half term, lamp-lit guided tours leave every hour on the hour. Free car parking, gift shop and cafe. The caves are a labyrinth of manmade tunnels forming a maze covering over six hectares, 30 metres below the woodlands above. They were dug for chalk used in lime burning and brick-making for the building of London. Info at www.chislehurst-caves.co.uk

19-27 Oct

10am-5pm Half Term Family Fun Ightham Mote, Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT Kids can find out more about owls and try to complete the trail in the gardens. On 25 October there will be the chance to get up close with real owls from the Kent Owl Academy. Paid event. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ightham-mot

19-27 Oct

The Forgetful Witch, Witches and Wizards Spells and Tricks, and more... Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Tonbridge, TN11 8DG Halloween activities and events throughout the week including: The Forgetful Witch (Garden Trail & Crafts) 19 Oct - 27 Oct, 10.30am - dusk This Halloween can you help Willow the Witch find her magical items and unravel the hidden mystery within? The Wicked Witch of the Wild Wood (performances) 21 Oct - 25 Oct. Sessions at 1pm, 2.15pm and 3.30pm. Limited seating. The ugly witch of Penshurst Place emerges from her forest den to tell you a Halloween tale! Afterwards, you’ll be able to recover by roasting a marshmallow over the open fire. Witches and Wizards Spells and Tricks 26 Oct. 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm Please note that limited places are available and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Discover your inner sorcerer this Halloween as we welcome you to our Witches and Wizards lesson! Learn some spellbinding tricks before graduating your first magical class. Potion Masters From History 27 Oct. 12noon, 1.00pm, 2.00pm & 3pm. Please note that limited places are available and are allocated on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Spooky fun at Hever Castle

Ghostly storytelling, Halloween crafts, a scarecrow scavenger hunt and deadly delicious biscuit decorating workshops* take place during Halloween half term at Hever Castle (19-31 October).

The 700 year-old castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, also has the fantastic Tudor Towers adventure playground, the Water Maze (bring a towel!) and the 100-yearold Yew Maze.

(*small additional charge)

Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG Events included in general admission fee. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

19-27 Oct

10am-4pm Half Term & Halloween Fun at the Farm The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, TN12 6PY Indoor Halloween entertainment including pumpkin carving, Best-Dressed Competition, face painting, creepy storytelling, magic shows and more. Info at thehopfarm.co.uk/events

19-27 Oct

10am – 5pm (last admission at 4pm). Halloween Spooktacular Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU Kent Life is transformed for the spooky season! Family friendly Halloween event including pumpkin carving, creepy cuddle corner, spooky farm rides and daily fancy dress competitions. Are you brave enough to come along and trick or treat in our historic houses? You never know who’s lurking behind the doors! Info at www.kentlife.org.uk

19-31 Oct

Halloween Half Term Fun Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG An array of events at the castle for all the family including spooky storytelling, Halloween craft activity, and a scarecrow scavenger hunt around the grounds. Events included in general admission fee. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

20 Oct

10am-3:30pm Musical Day: Frozen Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP Singing and dance tutors help to create a musical medley in just one day. The medley will then be performed to an audience of parents and friends at the end of the day. Info at www.trinitytheatre.net

21-27 Oct

Brand new! Monster Academy at Leeds Castle Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL Explore the Castle grounds and complete spooky classes as you go, winning stamps from each teacher to graduate from the Academy. Activities will include learning to move like a monster, perfect your scare technique and complete an obstacle class. There will also be a spooky trail through the grounds as well as daily ghoulish games and a frightful fancy dress competition. Entry fee. A small additional charge applies for the Monster Academy booklet. Info at www.leeds-castle.com

22-25 Oct

Half Term Make It craft workshops at Maidstone Museum. St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH For age 4+. Workshops at 10.30-11.30, 12-1, 1.30 - 2.30, 3-4pm. £3 per child Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

23 Oct

5pm-8pm Kent Life After Dark Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3AU Come along and join us after dark to explore the spooky sights that Kent Life has to offer. Venture on a spooky guided tour if you dare or visit the Ugly Bug Ball. Take a ride on our Land Train and hear a ghostly tale or two. (Please note the guided tours are suitable for under 8’s between 6pm and 7pm and 8+ between 7pm and 8pm). Info at www.kentlife.org.uk

23 Oct

9.30am- 1.30pm Halloween Frightful Fingers Music Workshop By Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes The Drive Methodist Church, Sevenoaks TN13 3AB Come and waggle a witchy finger or five at our workshop this half term! Our half-day music workshop is a brilliant all-round introduction to the electronic keyboard for 4-8 year old beginners. It’s a carefully devised fun-packed four hours which incorporates reading and writing notes C-G alongside learning basic keyboard technique. Wrap this around Halloween inspired activities and you have the perfect day of music making that little ones love, all with a spooky twist! All equipment and workbook provided. PLEASE BRING OWN SNACK & LUNCH. £35 for first child, £30 subsequent siblings. www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100

27 Oct

12pm-7pm Halloween Magic Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford, DA4 0JA Pumpkin carving, spooky house, garden tours and Halloweeninspired light bites in the cafe marquee – fun for all the family. Kids under 15 go free. Info at www.lullingstonecastle. co.uk/events

until 26 Oct

2pm Walking with Goats Experience Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats, Wierton Road, Boughton Monchlesea, Maidstone, ME17 4JW Lead your own personal goat on a leisurely stroll along the various footpaths around the sanctuary. Suitable age 12+. Paid event (booking required). Info at www.buttercups.org.uk

30 Oct

Halloween Ghost Tours for kids at Maidstone Museum. St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH Suitable for ages 7-11, tours at 4pm & 5pm. Max of 15. Paid event, Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

31 Oct

Halloween Ghost Tour for Teens at Maidstone Museum St Faith’s Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH A Museums at Night event, at 6pm. Suitable for 12-16 years Max of 15. Paid event, Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

A Touch of Clay ceramics studio

A Touch of Clay ceramics studio offers half-term holiday crafts. All sorts of creative activities are available, from pottery painting and craft activities, to creating hand and footprint mementoes in clay and silver. Try throwing a pot on the wheel. To book a slot call Jackie on O7796878371. A Touch of Clay, 61 St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks, TN13 3NY www.atouchofclay.co.uk

CREATIVITY FOR ALL AGES

PARTIES, WORKSHOPS, DROP INS

✱ Keepsake Handprints

✱ Fun with Clay

✱ Pottery painting

✱ Mosaics & lots more

✱ Make a pot on the wheel

✱ Adult evenings and hen parties

www.atouchofclay.co.uk O7796878371

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