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23
Oct 2021
Creepy caves, pumpkins and witches: half-term fun in the district
With Halloween falling during October half-term, there is a seriously spooky theme to this year's family activities across the district.
And with last year's Halloween celebrations being pretty much cancelled due to the pandemic this year's spooky season is bigger and better than ever.
So whether you fancy a trip to some dark, scary caves, some pumpkin picking on a farm or some ghostly fun in Harrogate town centre, we've put together a list of five places to take your little witches and wizards for some Halloween fun.
Birchfield Farm Pumpkin Festival
When Birchfield Farm launched its Pumpkin Festival on October 2, I think most of Harrogate visited. My social media feeds were jam-packed with pumpkins in wheelbarrows and smiling faces.
Fortunately there are plenty of pumpkins to go around and you can visit everyday until Halloween.
A firm favourite with families across the district, including my own, there are also lots of activities to do on the farm so you can make a morning or afternoon of it.
After you have picked your pumpkin from the patch - and there really is a huge selection of all shapes and sizes - you then have the option of visiting the farm for £5 per person. Then take your kids for a homemade ice cream at the farm's café, which is currently serving takeout food and drinks.
Activities include:
- A huge carving barn where you can create your pumpkin masterpieces
- Bouncy castles
- Play equipment
- A 6-acre maize maze
- Woodland and den building
- Animals
- A giant bale mountain
HarroScream 2021
- A supernatural-themed interactive trail on the loyalfreeapp
- A mysterious pop-up photobooth in the Victoria Shopping Centre
- Ghostly street entertainment
- A sinister, live radio show with Your Harrogate
- Petrifying prizes to be won throughout
Mother Shipton's The Witching Hour
It’s the witching hour at Mother Shipton's. Deep in the spooky forest where the world-famous prophetess was said to have been born during a terrifying thunderstorm, the spirits are flying high. You may hear the cackle of old souls wandering the ancient woodland or feel a shiver down your spine as you step into the Haunted Halloween Village.
Suitable for all ages, watch out for witches, ghosts, and creepy skeletons around every corner. There’s frightful fun to be had with photo opportunities and fancy dress competitions. Share your spooktacular photos and inventive costumes on social media using the hashtag #mothershiptons to be in with the chance of winning prizes and tickets.
See the incredible Petrifying Well as it turns items to stone as if by magic. Become spellbound as you make a wish in the wicked wishing well, warm-up with refreshments and hot drinks served from the vintage-style coffee kiosk.
The park has scenic picnic areas alongside the River Nidd, an adventure playground, and a museum, featuring petrified celebrity items. Access to the adventure playground is subject to weather conditions.
Stump Cross Caverns Halloween Half-term
Spooky family films, including Casper and Scooby Doo, will be shown in the cinema room daily, with food and drink served from the Time Café to your seat for the ultimate Halloween experience.
From 3pm to 6pm every day during half-term and on Thursday until 8pm, you can also experience the caves as you have never seen them before with a self-guided torchlit ultraviolet tour.
Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure
Stockeld Park is another firm family favourite and the Halloween festivities are always great fun.
As always, there will be lots of spellbinding surprises in store in the Enchanted Forest, and little ones will love to exploring the pumpkin patch and will be able to pick their very own pumpkin to take home. Every paying child will get to choose a free pumpkin.
Spooky real live characters will be dotted around the park, providing photo opportunities and fun interactions for families.
New for this year, skeletons have taken over Stockeld with the skeleton trail. You can also try your luck with a spot of graveyard golf – the attraction's brand new Halloween mini golf, which is undercover so you can play whatever the weather.
There’s something suitably scary for all ages.
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