OCTOBER HALF TERM EVENTS

Delapré Abbey will be open for general admission alongside a fun events programme this season. Play, explore, and touch every object in the historic rooms. Try on a helmet, fire a bow and arrow and create a crest! On 27th October, Preacher the Storyteller will be in the Abbey’s Library sharing family-friendly spooky stories. On 30th October take your little monsters to the Delapré Spooktacular. Discover an array of magical light installations throughout the grounds with the Winter Light Trail, enjoy a great day out at the Christmas Fair, plus meet Father Christmas and his elves at Santa’s Grotto. You’ll have to be quick though as the Abbey’s popular family events sell out fast. See dates, times, and book tickets online. W: www.delapreabbey.org As the nights draw in, it’s time for some half term fun with spooky events, creative costumes and plenty of tricks and treats! This season, get ready for creepy trails and tales and pumpkins galore! And if friendly-frightening is not for you, there are plenty of destinations, without the scares! Read on for our pick of the best half term entertainment.

Families are invited to a Thunderbowl Halloween Party on Sunday 30th October from 10am-5pm, where everyone is welcome to dress up and enjoy the atmosphere! There will be scary ghosts and zombies, lights will be off and in a spooky mood and the music on full scare mode! There will be competitions to win and fancy-dress prizes to be won. Prizes range from a fun-filled day of Thunderbowl activities including bowling, golf and darts and proceeds will be donated to the Cransley Hospice in Kettering. They are offering the Family Ticket deal from £26.00 for a family of 4, between 10am and 5pm. Call them directly or go online to book your lane! T: 01536 414004 W: www.thunderbowl.co.uk

If you’re looking for a thrill, head off to Wicksteed! Brace yourselves for Twilight Zone – their night-time event where you can challenge yourself to rides in the dark! Galaxy Invaders, Paratroopers, Dodgems, Rocky River Falls and of course, Dinosaur Valley will all be available to enjoy by moonlight. Hunt around the park on The Halloween Trivia Trail for clues to crack the Halloween code to claim your treat. Not only that - all those who take part are automatically entered into a competition for a FREE family ticket to Magical Wicksteed! Don’t forget to party in your best crazy costume and show off your dance moves at Wicky’s Halloween Monster Mash party filled with lots of fun and entertainment! W: www.wicksteedpark.org

Sulgrave Manor are delighted to invite you to celebrate Halloween with them for some fiendish good fun! Go along and join them for a Halloween trail, craft activities, pumpkin painting, roasting marshmallows along with house talks and free flow tours. Only £6 per child and £8 per adult. W: www.sulgravemanor.org.uk/whats-on

Join the Favell Fun Club team on Saturday 22nd October from 11am – 3pm and design a tasty Henna cookie. Then on Wednesday 26th October from 11am – 3pm, enjoy the story of Diwali before making a stained-glass lantern to decorate your home or colouring your very own Rangoli designs. Finally on Saturday 29th October from 11am – 3pm, learn how to dance like a Bollywood movie star with an experienced dance tutor before creating a Rangoli scratch art decoration to hang at home. W: www.westonfavellshopping.com

On Saturday 29th October, Santa Pod Raceway hosts the spectacular and spooktacular Flame and Thunder! The on-track action is set to provide a magnificent flame show with FIVE fire-breathing jets thundering down the track. You’ll see a selection of weird and wonderful vehicles, including drag karts, a world record breaking jet kart, and the quickest original mini in the world! The Live Action Arena sees stunt extraordinaire Terry Grant providing a showstopping performance of precision driving, Team Maximum Lock performing their synchronised, close formation driving and much more! Family entertainment is plentiful, including Monster truck rides, Halloween disco, funfair, drift rides, and live shows. As night falls, Andrew Pleszko’s sensational Jet Mini will be setting the bonfire ablaze before the spectacular firework extravaganza explodes into the skies above! Day tickets start from £30 in advance (plus booking fees) Kids £5, under 5’s go FREE. To book tickets, call or visit them online. T: 01234 782828 W: www.santapod.com

Northampton & Lamport Railway have some fiendish fun planned for their passengers! Running on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October, pop on your best scary costume and creep down for a day of Trick or Treat Trains with friendly ghosts and ghouls, suitable for all ages. For an additional fee, there’s a new children’s activity bundle including creepy crafts and slimy games! They also have two special Fright Night Trains, running after dark on the Saturday – but beware, these are aimed at slightly braver souls! Their ‘Platform 3 Buffet’ will be open throughout, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and freshly prepared hot food. T: 01604 820327 W: www.nlr.org.uk

Get wrapped up and ready for a spooky themed Forest School at Sulgrave Manor! Would you like to make a magic potion? Hear a ghostly story? Toast marshmallows around the campfire or build a den in the dark afternoons? At Sulgrave Manor this half term they shall be getting muddy and crafty whilst playing games, climbing trees, and using what’s around you. Prices are £30 for a full day (10.30am to 4pm) and £18 for a half day (10.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm). W: www.sulgravemanor.org.uk/whats-on

There’s so much spooky fun going on at West Lodge! Choose your perfect pumpkin and head to the Carving Barn where you can scoop out the inside, design a face and they’ll carve it for you - leaving the mess with them! Wander through the Cauldron Corridor to Daisy the Witch’s House, enjoy an interactive Ghost Story, have a go at wand making, jump on the ghostly Tractor Ride and enter the Spooky Maze if you dare! You’ll find all the usual fun stuff too - animal petting sessions, free barrel rides, plus the outdoor and indoor adventure play areas to let off steam. W: www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk

The Witches of Rockingham are back! This October, the Witches will gather at Rockingham Castle to have their annual Halloween party on 22nd & 23rd, 25th-27th October. The Witches plan for this year’s Halloween is to be the biggest and best yet, in celebration of the 950-year anniversary of Rockingham Castle! Don’t forget to take part in their pumpkin rolling contest, with a prize awaiting the winner for each day of competition. Make sure you do the most “fa-boo-lous” roll to be in with a chance of winning! Book tickets online. T: 01536 770240 W: www.rockinghamcastle.com