With the spooky season officially in full swing, we’re looking forward to monster-sized Surrey adventures with ghoulishly good days out on our doorstep.
From picking the perfect pumpkin, braving spine-tingling ghostly train rides through the vines and Fright Nights at the farm, to mysterious trails, seasonal crafts, and so much more, don your creepiest costumes for happy Halloween adventures with your mini ghouls’n’witches at fang-tastic local events offering fun-filled eeriness for the whole family to enjoy.
CELEBRITY HALLOWEEN
But first, here are my exclusive interviews with a couple of famous faces about Fright Night, their childhood memories of Halloween & more!
Spooked-out ‘Made In Chelsea’ star Amelia Mist is among our regular models at Surrey Fashion Week.
“I actually don’t like Halloween because I’m such a wimp!” Amelia admits to me. “But I do enjoy getting dressed up and enjoying events on certain occasions such as Halloween, as everybody comes together and dresses up to the best of their ability… some more than others!!”
“When I was a lot younger, my parents and I had lots of parties with all my friends,” she continues. “I remember my dad used to dress up in something long and black and cover his head and grab one of the palm tree leaves, stick it in his collar and make us jump. And we went trick-or-treating around the crescent.”
What really spooks this popular reality TV star? Pretty much everything! I am petrified of most Halloween–related things because I am a wimp, as I said… Ha ha! However, I feel after going to the Fright Night event I have conquered my fear of being made to ‘jump’. Just make sure you have a glass of wine beforehand – it makes everything smoother!!”
Her fave spooky characters? “I actually can’t tell you any because I am unable to watch anything spooky!”
I also caught up with ‘Ted Lasso’ star Kola Bokinni, who plays Richmond Team Captain Isaac on the Emmy Award–winning Apple TV+ series and is also known for his roles in Netflix’s ‘Topboy’ and ‘Black Mirror’, along with ‘Celebrity Bear Hunt’ and ‘Race Across the World’.
What does Kola love most about the spooky season? “Dressing up! As I do in my job… I love the fantasy part of it, and going all out with the costumes and, of course, the parties!!”
Photo: ‘Ted Lasso’ & ‘Top Boy’ star Kola Bokinni – credit Olufemi Bokinni
What spooks the TV star? Spiders! I once googled ‘spider eyes’ by accident and haven’t quite recovered yet… Ha ha!!
His fave spooky character? “Freddy Krueger – it’s something about invading peoples’ dreams… He takes it too far!”
And Kola’s childhood memories of Halloween? “My mum was really big on it, so, the party was doing the whole house up, turning it into a spooky nightmare… we went BIG on Halloween!!”
HALF-TERM HALLOWEEN FUN
My son Harry and I always go BIG on Halloween, too. Here are a few of our fave ghoulish places to visit in Surrey for half-term Halloween fun:
SPOOKY TRAIN RIDES & CREEPY CRAWLIES AT DENBIES
Denbies’ Spooky Halloween Train Ride through the stunning Surrey Hills and the Creepy Critters Workshop with up-close creepy crawly encounters come complete with a Halloween passport.
Also boasting an autumn market and Halloween disco, plus a snakes, spiders & snails show by Zoolab, where you and the kids can face your fears and find out fun gruesome facts about Venoms, Poisons, Fangs, Claws, Webs, Slime & Poo in this not-so-spooky Halloween animal encounter!
BONE-TO-PICK TRICK OR TREAT AT GATTON PARK
Historic Gatton Park in Redhill will be rife with Halloween Wizards’n’Witches over the half-term hols.
With themed activities in Gatton Hall which are perfect for younger kids, will you risk the Bone-to-Pick trick or treat? Autumn apple-juicing demos and tractor rides around the Pleasure Garden are also available at this stunning Surrey attraction.
THE SECRET LIFE OF PUMPKINS & PALOOZA AT WISLEY
While at Wisley we can’t wait to discover the secret Life of Pumpkins at the RHS Estate, where
ghoulishly good Halloween fun for all awaits.
The Hocus Pocus Bug Hunt offers hauntingly hands-on encounters for curious little critters, with mini-beasts such as Siro the scorpion. Get set for pure autumn magic and discover the history of pumpkin carving, along with Halloween science workshops, spooky scarecrows, plus delicious pumpkin recipes and more – it’s all jolly gourd couldrons of fun!
HALLOWEEN PARTY AT LIQS
Celebrate the ‘Dia de loa Muertos Fiesta!’ by immersing yourself in rich culture with vibrant decorations, a live DJ and themed cocktails inspired by the ‘Day of the Dead’ for Halloween on November 1st at the Liqs Club in Ashtead. Stay in touch with all the Liqs Club news by following @liqsclub on Instagram.
PLAYFUL MISCHIEF AT PRIORY FARM
Dive into the spirit of the spooky season at Nutfield’s Priory Farm, promising a wonderful Discovery Land world full of playful mischief, mild spookiness and outdoor adventure, where nature, magic and farmyard fun are sprinkled with the perfect mix of laughter seasonal magic.
With booby-trapped Mud Monsters, trick trap doors, illusion tricks and silly surprises around every corner, this colourful celebration of nature offers an autumn adventure like no other, with an immersive Halloween trail for pumpkin-filled fun in the fields, before heading over to the Hay Bale Maze to explore the exciting House of Pumpkins.
SPELLBINDING MAGIC AT SPECTACULAR HAMPTON COURT
For eerie happenings combined with exciting history lessons, explore Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted home where a spellbinding adventure at Surrey’s Hampton Court Palace awaits. With creepy sound effects, magical projections and a brand-new bewitched outdoor trail, enter the ultimate Halloween setting where history, magic and the supernatural collide – if you dare!
Step into a spellbinding spooky spectacle cloaked in magical spells and secrets, where the twists’n’turns of the shadowy corridors lead to chilling encounters with the ghosts of famous figures including Oliver Cromwell.
With atmospheric projections casting mystical illusions and ghost detectors on the hunt for
prowling ghouls, discover the spectacular palace and grounds rife with roaming spirits and otherworldly figures lurking in dark corners, welcoming brave souls of all ages to explore the historic site.
Lose yourself in atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects as the palace and gardens are transformed by magical spells. Immersive Halloween-inspired installations unearth stories of the Palace’s past residents, with bubbling potions and the summoning of spirits in the Wise Woman’s Hut; be sure to tread carefully past the wandering eyes of glaring gargoyles, ghostly figures and crumbling ruins – a harrowing haven for bats and creepy crawlies – and beware the skeletal horse & carriage, whose spooky riders keep eternal watch.
Walk into The Spider’s Lair where a tangled web of cobwebs and cocoons await in the depths of the Palace’s wine cellar, and wander into The Wilderness where sinister inhabitants await in the Haunted Garden before listening to spine-tingling storytelling sessions in the Guard Chamber of William III’s Apartments.
Tiptoe through the eerie winding corridors, restless spirits and infamous ghosts hiding around every corner, keeping an eye out, of course, for King Henry VIII himself!
CELEBRITY SHOCKTOBER!
A short hop over the Surrey border to Sussex takes us to Tulleys – SHOCKTOBER – Europe’s Largest Scream Park!
The ‘Home of Halloween’ is the go-to for celebs, including ‘Harry Potter’ star Rupert Grint, Rag’n’Bone man, Gemma Collins, footballer Declan Ross who calls it “Phenomal!”, Molly Mae-Hague who says “It’s SOOOO spooky…”, Jonathon Ross who reveals “It’s a Ross family tradition”, Jax Jones for whom it’s “The Best Night!” and Joey Essex who says “It’s creepy sick!”
Home to the UK’s no.1 Pumpkin Festival and award-winning attractions, too, take to the skies and soar to impressive heights on a scenic ride on the panoramic Pumpkin Farm Observation Wheel, marvel at live roaming musicians as you munch on mouthwatering street food and toasted marshmallows by the fire, step into the Americana-themed Pumpkin Bar and indulge in spooky cocktails at the Boozy Cauldron, all while being entertained with live music & DJs offering vibrant festival vibes for a truly immersive experience.
The perfect Halloween adventure for friends and families alike, dogs are welcome here, too!
MONSTER-SIZED ADVENTURES AT GODSTONE FARM
Finally, Halloween is always a spook-tacular occasion at Godstone Farm – which I have nominated for ‘Best Family Fun’ at the Surrey Awards in the past.
Make magical memories on a fang-tastic family-friendly day out with the kids which is perfect for little ones as it’s friendly, not frightening, with a monster-sized Halloween adventure you, your family & friends will remember forever.
Hot-off-the-heels of Halloween, Guy Fawkes’ Night follows with a dazzling display of firework fun. In the run-up, the farm’s all-new Mini Fireworks Festival takes place on Sat 25th & Sun 26th Oct – perfect for little and sensitive ears and offering fabulous festival feel!
Taking place for the first time this October, the farm will be filled with thrilling entertainment, offering an exhilarating toboggan run (‘til dusk), sparkling ‘low-noise’ fireworks, lasers, captivating fire acts, towering stilt walkers, glowing LED butterfly actors and jugglers, a kids’ mini disco, plus a chance to experience the huge outdoor playground after hours.
Photo: Harry & Viola get hands-on at Godstone Farm
Maintaining its proud heritage and family business feel, this fab farm set in the stunning Surrey Hills is home to over 500 animals and is accommodating to all, also running exclusive SEND sessions in the Play Barn – Surrey’s biggest soft play centre – for those with special sensitivities and needs.
Discover, explore and play at this fantastic farm park, offering animal interactions, a dinosaur trail, sand pits, plus a massive adventure playground.
Following our fun visit, I sent a ‘herogram’ to Caroline and Andrea in the team, who went out of their way to welcome us and kindly gave my son Harry and his friend Viola special hands-on ‘VIP’ treatment, allowing them to assist with placing animals, reptiles and birds back in their pens after petting time. This was such a special treat for Harry, who absolutely LOVES animals and is keen to be a vet when he grows up. For affordable, free-range family fun come rain or shine, visit this local gem for a top family farm adventure!
By Angela Sara West
