The October half-term holiday is nearly here. That means for many families finding things to do for the week at a time of year when the weather may not necessarily be very kind. It also means Halloween! So whether you are holidaying in the Shropshire Hills or looking for a family-friendly stay in Shropshire, what is there to do across the county this October half-term?
National Trust
Here is a roundup of the spooky goings on at the National Trust properties in Shropshire across the week:
Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury
Spooky Secrets Family Trail: no booking required. Why has Herbert the Gardener disappeared? Follow the Mile Walk, collect the clues and solve the mystery. There are activities along the trail and a sticker sheet prize at the end. Trail costs £2.00, normal admission charges apply.
Berrington Hall, near Leominster
Murder Mystery half-term trail: calling all budding detectives to work out who murdered the Head Gardener. Trails cost £3 plus normal admission charges, prize at the end.
Potion Marking Workshop, Thursday 31 Oct: if your children are Harry Potter fans, they might like to have a go at making their own magic potions using herbs from the walled garden. Cost £1.00 plus normal admission charges
Croft Castle, near Leominster
Paranormal Investigator Trail: are you brave enough to go ghost hunting around the castle and gardens? Trails cost £3 on top of normal admission charges with a prize at the end of course.
Broomstick agility course: calling all amateur witches and wizards, bring your own or borrow a broomstick and have a go at the free agility course on the front lawn. Don’t fall off!
Ironbridge Gorge Museums, near Telford
A great place to visit at any time of year and always so much to do whatever the weather. Here is a run-down of the events specifically running over the October half-term holiday.
Blist Hill Victorian Town: It’s Shrieks & Treats at Blist Hill this half-term holiday. Lots of spooky activities across the museum, fancy dress competition, sweep-the-rat, spooky printing in the printing shop and a Gothic Literature Trail for older children. Small additional charge on top of normal admission.
Coalport China Museum: Potions & Notions – a drop-in event, children can make their own spooky pots for their magic potions which they can take home and paint later once dry. Cost £2 per person as well as normal admission charges.
Enginuity: Detective Science Workshop – test the evidence using science experiments to solve a who-done-it mystery. No booking required. Cost £3 plus standard admission price.
Ludlow Castle
It’s Creepy Crawlies at the Castle this October half-term Follow the trail around the castle and grounds, finding out fun creepy crawly facts as you go. Collect the letters and solve the puzzles. Free trail but normal admission charges to the castle apply. No booking required.
Up-Close Animal Encounters, Sunday 27th October and Saturday 2nd November: a chance to get up close to a variety of animals such as snakes, snails and spiders. This is an indoor activity, Cost £3.00 and sessions must be pre-booked.
Stokesay Castle, near Craven Arms
There’s a Halloween trail at Stokesay castle this half-term. Solve the fiendish clues and carry out the ghastly tasks then listen to the storytellers as they beguile their audience with ghostly tales and frightful folk stories. Fancy dress optional. Free event included in normal ticket price.
Black Country Living Museum, near Dudley
Crime & Capers: unleash your inner Sherlock Holmes and help the detectives work out who robbed the bank! Pick up a “top secret” case file from the Visitor Centre. Explore the streets to find out about crime and punishment through the ages. Have a go at fingerprinting, dress up in police uniform and decide whether real-life historical characters were guilty or not guilty. Free event included in normal ticket price.
Halloween Nights: tickets are selling out fast for the museums special Halloween themed evenings. A chance to visit the museum after dark with lots of spooky events and activities for the whole family. With spooky characters, a fire show, disco and costume parade there will be something to keep everyone entertained.
We hope that has given you plenty of ideas of things to do if you are holidaying in Shropshire or staying at St Milburga Chapel over the October half-term holiday. Have lots of spooky fun!