Spooky half-term fun in South Cumbria

The final weeks of October also mean that it is half-term for Cumbrian children and there are plenty of ways to fill up their days away from school.

October and November are always magical months for children because they bring with them the much anticipated, sugar-fueled trick or treating of Halloween and toffee apples and fireworks galore on Bonfire Night.

So, if the children get tired of collecting conkers in the autumn leaves, here is your go-to list of half term activities, including some spooky surprises...

The Dock Museum, Barrow

Wednesday October 26 - Karen Hall and her Craft Workshop. Children will be making ghostly decorations and Halloween cards to take home . These workshops are held on a walk-in basis from 11am with last entry at 3pm, and tickets are £2 per child.

Thursday October 27 - Animal Handling Workshops at the Dock Museum from 10.30am. Not for the faint-hearted, this time we are hoping to meet a range of spooky animals.

READ MORE:

Animal handling a real treat at Barrow's Dock Museum

Pumpkin Ball at Preston Street, Barrow

Thursday October 27 - Preston Street Working Men’s Club are holding a fantastic Halloween Family Fun Night which will include competitions, tombola, raffle, DJ & Disco a fancy dress competition for kids and pie peas and hotdogs.

The Newton Arms, Dalton

Monday October 31 - the pub will hold its first ever Halloween Kids Party.

Hawcoat Park, Barrow

Sunday October 30 - a family Halloween party with Marvellous Events.

The Red Rose Club, Ulverston

Friday 28 October - A spooky disco and pumpkin carving competition in aid of Church Walk Nursery.

The Cottages Club, Barrow

Friday 28 October - Family Halloween Ball.

Holker Hall & Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel

Thursday October 27 - Halloween party for children up to 10 years old.

Saturday October 29 - a guided Wicked Walk within the award-winning gardens.

Thursday 27 - Sunday October 30 - enter the Loathsome Lantern Competition or follow the Halloween Trail through the gardens at your leisure – but beware of the spooky shadows.

Muncaster Castle

Muncaster Halloween Week returns with a packed programme of spooky events, including a firework display, twilight owl display, a monster cabaret, and of course, the famous scary maze and tours of the stately home.

READ MORE:

Haunted Muncaster's Halloween week programme for 2016

Ravenglass

Terror on the train tracks

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway will once again be running Halloween Ghost Trains. Travel the line in darkness and keep those eyes peeled for some of ghoulish fiends.

The Lakes

Evening bat walks

In daylight hours, the Langdales are one of the most picturesque valleys in the Lakes. However, come along at dusk to see something a bit different this Halloween week – bat spotting! From Tuesday 25 – Thursday October 27, join a National Trust ranger on an evening bat walk around Langdale. The evening will be followed by food cooked around the campfire and a spooky film.

Witches, wizards and spiders

Where better to spend Halloween than in a castle full of spooky goings-on around every corner? From crafting spooky spiders to decorate a giant web, to creating broomsticks a ‘la the wicked witch of the north, the mock-gothic Wray Castle on the banks of Windermere is the place to be. Pumpkin lantern carving sessions are also available every day during half term.

Tunnel of terror

The Victorian viewing tunnel at Allan Bank in Grasmere will undergo a bit of a spine tingling makeover this Halloween and not everyone will have the courage to step inside! For those not brave enough to enter the tunnel of terror, there’s a more sedate woodland pumpkin trail.

For more information on how to book the activities in the Lakes you can visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk or for more information on all local events visit: www.cumbrialive.co.uk.

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