Looking for ideas to entertain your kids over the October half term holidays? Below you’ll find a round up of the best Halloween in Gloucestershire events, handpicked by me, a local mum. I’ve summarised all the info you need to know on one page. (Anyone else hate having to flick between a hundred pages to get the info you want?!)
I’ll continue to add events to this list as I find them so please share with your local friends, bookmark this page and keep checking back for October half term fun.
**Please click-through the links highlighted in blue to the attraction websites to check dates/details have not changed before you travel**
Click here to enter our giveaway to win a family pass to Warwick Castle over the October half term holidays
Table of Contents
Spooktacular Halloween at Cattle Country
Open daily during the half term holidays
One of our fave places to head to for Halloween fun. My boys love the tractor & trailer rides (extra fee), Hansel & Gretel’s spooky wood, the scarecrow trail, pumpkin carving and marshmallow toasting. Cattle Country cater for Halloween fun really well. If you book online you save 10%. Online prices £9.99 per adult, £10.99 per child (4-17) & toddler (2-3) £6.99.
Halloween Land at Cotswolds Farm Park
Thurs 18 October – Wed 31 October 11am – 4pm
The local farm is promising cauldrons of spooky fun at Halloween Land. Kids invited to pick their own pumpkin, decorate it and take home as a souvenir. Other extra activities inc. face painting (20-28th Oct only), woodland hunting, a maize maze and a Witches & Wizards ‘Phantomime’.
All Halloween activities inc in normal admission. Book online to save money. Online prices from £13 per adult, £11.50 per child, £8.50 per toddler.
Halloween Farm Trail at Primrose Vale
Fri 19 Oct – Wed 31 Oct 9am – 4pm (last entry)
For a budget friendly Halloween themed day out you can’t beat the Halloween Trail at Primrose Vale. We’ve been every year for the last few years. My boys and their friends love it. Suitable for children of all ages, although they suggest the event is best for 3 – 15 year olds. The trail takes you around the farm to try out various challenges, tasks and puzzles. My top tip – wear wellies, it does get very muddy!
Tickets available in advance from the farm shop for £5 per child, on the day – £6 per child.
Gloucester Zombie Walk in Gloucester City
Saturday 27 October, 3pm – 5pm.
Once again hundreds of Halloween fans in fancy dress are set to take a spooky stroll through the historic city centre. This event is fun for the whole family including pooches! The event starts from Greyfriars Green near Café Rene. It’s free to take part with all donations going to a fabulous local charity, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. Telephone (01452) 309340.
Spookyard & Frightmare at Over Farm, Gloucester
Sat 20 October – 28 October 10am – 4pm
A popular annual event which features tractor trailer rides, pumpkin picking (one free pumpkin per paid entry), live interactive shows, chance to hold reptiles, Scarecrow trail, balloon modelling, fancy dress parade, face painting and more. General ticket: £12, concession ticket (1-2 year olds and 63+): £6. The only thing I wasn’t keen on at this event is that some activities cost extra.
Older children (12+) who are looking for something more scary may enjoy Frightmare, the evening event at Over Farm.
Autumn Family Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum
Open daily 9am – 5pm
Ok so I’m sneaking the arboretum into my list although they don’t officially have any Halloween events on. Westonbirt arboretum is the most stunning place to visit in autumn so a definite place to add to your must visit list. My kids love the autumn family trail. This year they have the option of an adventure with James and the Giant Peach (kit costs an extra £7.50), Birt’s ‘I Spy Adventure and meeting the Gruffalo and his friends in the deep dark wood! (Inc. in entry price). Prices £10 per adult, £4 per child, cheaper for members (annual passes are great value for money if you visit a few times a year).
Giant Bionic Bug Trail at WWT Slimbridge
Sat 6 Oct – Sun 4 Nov 9.30am – 5pm
Instead of ghosts and ghouls Slimbridge is offering the chance to get up close to giant animatronic bugs and minibeasts this half term. Meet a 6ft long dragonfly, a 4ft buzzing bee, and a 6ft long hopping grasshopper amongst others, brought to life with animatronics and sound effects.
Book online to save 10%. Online prices £11.86 adult, £6.95 child, under 4’s free.
Halloween Children’s Wednesday at Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe
24 October from 10am
A team of archaeologists need help to unravel the gruesome secrets of their bone boxes, and concoct a Medieval cure. Other activities inc. arts and crafts inspired by skeletons and bones and getting up close to Denzel the Dinosaur.
Event included within admission ticket. Buy tickets online to save 10%. Adult £16.50, 3-15 year olds £7.50, under 3 free.
Halloween Hunt at Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean
22 to 31 October 10am – 3.30pm last entry
Search the eerie woods for witches, pumpkins and goblins. Small prize for each child. Fancy dress encouraged. Normal admission prices plus £1.50 per Halloween trail. Check out our review of Puzzlewood and top tips for visiting.
Spooktacular Halloween at Berkeley Castle
Sunday 21st to Wednesday 24th October
Creep down into the castle cellars to meet witches and wizards. Snap a magical selfie with the resident Wizard and his owls in the Great Hall. Cosy up and enjoy spooky stories from Cassandra, the friendly witch. Get creative carving scary faces into Jack o’ Lanterns (small extra fee) before putting on your wellies for a spooky adventure around the grounds and finishing with toasted marshmallows in the Wild Play area. Tickets adult £12.50, child (3-16) £7, child under 3 free.
Half term activities & Pumpkin Festival at Dean Heritage Centre. Forest of Dean
Half term activities 22 – 26 October 10am – 4pm
Pumpkin Festival 27 – 28 October 10am – 4pm
The attraction is promising ‘a week of family friendly activities celebrating pumpkins and local myths and legends with a few spooky additions!’ The weekend is reserved for ‘celebrating pumpkins and will feature pumpkin carving, pumpkin art, a halloween trail, face painting, raffles, crafts and a local produce sale plus chance to go inside a spooky cottage. Spot prizes for great costumes’. Admission from adult: £7.20, children: £5.40 (3-16 years), under 3: free, family ticket: £23.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children). After 12.00pm entry for the Pumpkin Festival will be just £5.50 Adults and £3.30 for children.
Check out our review of the Dean Heritage Centre and top tips for visiting with kids.
Room on the Broom Trail & Story at Orchard Berry Hill, Forest of Dean
Sunday 28th October 10.30am
Local mums, Ashella and Gemma, from 143 Sensory are planning another outdoor story sensory adventure trail. Perfect for young kids who love outdoor messy play and the Room on the Broom story. Price £7.50 per child. Full details not announced yet. Keep checking the 143 Sensory Facebook page for more details.
Halloween Party at Gotherington Village Hall
Friday 26th October 2.15pm – 3.45pm
The launch event of Party Nannies! Expect arts, crafts, games, fancy dress prizes and more. £6 per child including snack and drink (3-9 years old). To book call Tracy on 07973 631427.
Myths & Legends at Birdland Park & Gardens, Bourton-on-the-Water
20 October – 4 November 10am – 5pm
Birdland are hosting a special Halloween themed ‘Myths & Legends’ week over the half term holidays. Amongst many other activities kids will get to discover why owls are considered to be wise, where the legend of the phoenix came from, take part in trails and enjoy close encounter & feeding sessions. Admission 10% cheaper if you book online (also worth using Tesco club card points to book your tickets). Online prices adult £8.96, child (3-5 yrs) £6.26.
For more daily kid friendly event ideas in Gloucestershire check out – Entertaining kids on a budget in Gloucester facebook page.
**Please click on the links above and visit the attraction websites prior to travel as dates and activities may change.
Looking for October half term fun further afield?
Check out our UK family friendly attractions handpicked by local mums. This helpful article includes recommendations for the best theme parks, parks, castles, beaches and forests throughout the UK, from local mums in the know! Also check out the Halloween events guides below from some of our favourite travel bloggers…
25 UK Halloween Events – 2018
100+ events and days out for kids across North East England, October 2018
Halloween in Devon – frightful events for families 2018
Top 12 Halloween events in and around West Yorkshire 2018
Things to do with kids at your local National Trust this Autumn Half Term
30 + Best Halloween Events East Midlands 2018
Last Minute Halloween Ideas & Activities For Spooky Fun
For Christmas in Gloucestershire ideas check out my round up – 30+ Christmas events in Gloucestershire 2018 inc. best places to visit Santa!
Do you know of any other Halloween events in Gloucestershire? Share the information with other local parents by commenting below!
Pin for later – What’s on in Gloucestershire, Halloween 2018
This is so handy. Thank you Lisa
Ooh – Berkeley Castle sounds fun! There’s all sorts of things to do near you. Great list x
Fabulous round up! We’re spending Halloween at Blackpool Pleasure Beach this year so I’m praying it won’t be too chilly!