Every year there are more pumpkin patches popping up so you wont have to
travel far in Essex to pose with a pumpkin or ghoul. This post is
probably
the most comprehensive round up of pumpkin patches in Essex and features
lots of ideas of where to go with children this Halloween Half Term. There is even a growing number of evening activities if you are
looking for something a bit more spooky.
The pumpkin patches are generally field based so wellies are recommended. The
Half Term activities are mostly outside so require appropriate clothing, but
many venues also encourage fancy dress.
Posts for 2024 (will be updated in September 2025):
To hear about the latest events then
follow us on Facebook
where we share child friendly events from across Essex.
|
| There is so much choice of where to go for pumpkins in Essex this year |
Halloween, Pumpkin Patches and October Half Term Activities for Children in Essex (and beyond) for 2025
This list will be updated regularly as more venues confirm details of what
they have planned. Where 2025 information hasn't yet been shared yet I have
kept the 2024 information to give an idea of what is likely to be happening,
this is clearly marked.
Events range from free to £££, check the organisers website or Facebook page
to confirm age suitability and latest availability. Last updated 3/09/25
Pumpkin Patches In Essex
2024 Last year their pick your own pumpkin event ran from Tuesday 24th
October until Thursday 26th October, from 10am until 3pm. There was the
opportunity to carve your pumpkin and face painting too. No booking
required, but wellies recommended when weather has been wet.
The Halloween Experience and Pumpkin Patch at Cammas Hall is available to
visit on weekends, half term and selected dates from Saturday 4th to 31st
October 2025 . They claim to have their biggest pumpkin patch to date plus
creepy props to pose with and The World's Only Erupting Pump-Cano. Booking
is required. Tickets cost £6.95 to £9.95 per person depending on the
date.
The Halloween themed Maize Maze has a 20% discount if booked at the same time as Pumpkin Patch or Resurrected tickets (otherwise £6 per person). Playground and catering facilities will be open.
The Halloween themed Maize Maze has a 20% discount if booked at the same time as Pumpkin Patch or Resurrected tickets (otherwise £6 per person). Playground and catering facilities will be open.
Cammas Hall Farm Resurrected - Halloween Nights are running selected
nights from Friday 10th October 6pm to 9pm (last entry at 7.30pm) if you
are brave enough to visit after dark. Visit the pumpkins and spooky goings
on. Live music 6.45 to 8.15pm features cover acts including Elvis, Amy
Winehouse and George Michael. Pre-booking required. Tickets cost £14.95
(adults), £9.95 (children) for nights, plus booking fee. Note that the
play area is not available during the night events.
|
| Choosing a pumpkin a Cammas Hall Farm PYO |
Cobbs Farm is a working farm which opens shortly before Halloween for a
Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch. Free entry and free parking, no
booking required. Open 10am-4pm on the weekends of 11th/ 12th and 18th/
19th as well as Friday 24th to Friday 31st October 2025. Expect no
frills, but all pumpkins are grown on site and normally range in price
from £1-£15. Last year refreshments were available from Tasha's Tasty
Treats, serving homemade cakes and hot and cold drinks (tbc for 2025).
2025 information not yet released, but they have confirmed they will be
open in October. This patch opens on Saturday 5th October 2024 and is open
every weekend in October as well as half term week. Activities
include: straw pyramid and an inflatable bouncy tractor, mini Maze Pumpkin
Puzzle and a Halloween Mega Maze. Refreshments and picnic area
available. Entry is £5 per child, £7 per adult and includes a free
small pumpkin.
Fobbing Farm Shop, Waterworks Lane, Fobbing, Stanford-le-Hope SS17 9HT
This pumpkin ‘palace’ in Stanford-Le-Hope gives you a chance to pick
your pumpkin while having photos with ghosts, ghouls and witches. They
even have singing pumpkins and a Halloween shop to look around. There is
also a 'Ghostbusters' magic show (at 20 mins past the hour). Open Friday
17th to Sunday 19th and Friday 24th to Friday 31st October. Open 10am to
4pm, early closing at 2pm on Sundays and on Fridays 17th and 24th they
are only opening evenings (4pm to 7pm).
£4.95 per child, pumpkins cost extra. Accompanying adults go free.
Foxes Farm Produce.
Basildon: Watch House Farm, Wash Road, SS15 4ER. Colchester: Bulbanks
Farm, Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, CO6 3PT
Foxes run two pumpkin patches, one in Basildon the other in
Colchester. They are open every weekend in October from Saturday 4th
October and from 18th to 31st October 2025. Although the website also
warns they might run out of pumpkins so wont definitely be open up to
Halloween. Check their website for key dates including dog friendly days.
Prebooked ticket required for entry. Tickets cost £7 to £8 per person with
discounted group ticket for 4. Includes a free munchkin pumpkin per
person.
Both sites have pumpkin picking and some games, but the Colchester
location also has a maze, sandpit and licensed bar.
Pumpkin Patch Nights run on 18th (live music), 24th, 25th (Adult only),
30th and 31st October select dates in October and start from 18:00,
tickets cost £18 per person. Pumpkins and some activities cost extra.
The Green Barn Farm Shop North Benfleet Hall Fishery, Benfleet SS12 9JR
At the The Green Barn Farm Shop this year they have 25 acres of pumpkins
to choose from (grown on site). Entry cost includes a pumpkin of your
choice and a ride on the pumpkin express (a tractor ride to the pumpkin
field and back). Say hello to the cows and goats, access the haunted barn
for refreshments and check out the stilt walkers. Try not to get
lost in the maize maze (included) or toast marshmallows/ get your face
painted (extra cost). Open 9 to 5pm every weekend from 4th October and
every day from Saturday 25th to 31st October. Adults £12.50, children £9
(plus booking fee).
This pumpkin patch is open weekends in October and every day from Thursday
23rd to 31st October. Pumpkin Nights are running from 17:00 to 20:30 on
the 18th/ 19th, 25th/ 26th and 28th to 31st October.
They have large pumpkin fields to choose your traditional pumpkins from and tables full of a variety or squash and gourds (over 75 different varieties on sale). Activities include a pumpkin cannon (£), maize maze (£), hay mountain and maze, Hatter's haunted mad house, indoor play area and roaming actors. The Maize maze costs £2.50 per person (if booked in advance or £3 on site) and cannon £2.50 a shot or 3 for £7. Pumpkins range from from £1 to £12. There are refreshments available at peak times. Read our review here.
They have large pumpkin fields to choose your traditional pumpkins from and tables full of a variety or squash and gourds (over 75 different varieties on sale). Activities include a pumpkin cannon (£), maize maze (£), hay mountain and maze, Hatter's haunted mad house, indoor play area and roaming actors. The Maize maze costs £2.50 per person (if booked in advance or £3 on site) and cannon £2.50 a shot or 3 for £7. Pumpkins range from from £1 to £12. There are refreshments available at peak times. Read our review here.
Prebooking required and entry costs £4 to £6 per person (depending on
date) plus booking fee and evening sessions are £9 per person plus booking
fee. There is an undercover area for wet days.
Hurleys Pumpkin Forest,
Christmas Tree Farm, Woodham Road (Old Road), Battlesbridge,
Wickford, SS11 7QL
Open weekends in October plus everyday from Thursday 23rd to 31st
October. Twilight sessions advertised, but details tbc. Activities
(subject to availability) include: Precious ring swing, witches maze,
pumpkin bowling and welly wangling. Early bird peak tickets cost £4-£6
per person with a discount for families of 4.
Open from 11th October until the end of half term. Tickets released early
September. Lathcoats have PYO Pumpkins, outdoor games, photo ops and
a Halloween Hunt. They also have their annual Apple Day on 18th October in
which the pumpkin patch is included within the Apple Day tickets.
Last year tickets for the pumpkin patch could be booked online for £2
per person plus £1.00 booking fee, under 1’s are free. The Halloween
hunt is charged separately at £4.50 per person when booked online and
includes an activity booklet, pencil and spooky treat. It is a small
trail that runs around the outside of the animal area.
For craft enthusiasts, they have Wicked Workshops last year this was a
Halloween mobile making workshop for children aged 7+ on Monday 28th
October- Tickets are £20.00 and include all the materials you need to make
a spooky, woven spider web decoration. You can read
more about visiting Lathcoats Farm here.
Every year the courtyard is filled with a display of pumpkins and gourds of
all size. Great for photo opportunities and buying beautiful and interesting
autumn products. Normally open from late September. If visiting from mid
October onwards the Christmas barn is also open with a beautiful range of
Christmas decorations to buy.
|
| For decorative pumpkins, squashes, gourds and even Christmas decorations (!) head to Norpar Flower Barns |
This pumpkin patch is on a working family farm in Braintree. They have
confirmed they will be open, but 2025 details not yet released. Last years
details: adults £5, children £3, Under 2’s are free (booking essential).
There was a decorated faraway forest with an interactive quiz, games area,
giant art board, loads of photo opportunities and hot and cold refreshments.
Open 29th September, weekends in October and everyday from 25th to 31st
October 9:30am – 5:00pm.
The Pumpkin Picking Village is back for 2025. If you plan to visit the
Halloween Festival at Marsh Farm (4th, 5th, 11th, 12th and 18th to 31st
October) you get free entry to the Pumpkin Picking Village, but you can also
visit the Pumpkins without paying the extra money for Marsh Farm entry. The
Village is open from 26th September to 31st October with the main aim to be
a brilliant backdrop to photographs, and maybe tempt you to buy a pumpkin or
two while you are there. There are a number of "Pumpkin Dog Nights" evenings
(from 5.15pm to 6.30pm on 4th, 12th, 18th, 25th, 26th and 29th October).
They also have some day dog friendly sessions and SEN sessions (first thing
in the morning 5th and 11th October).
The pumpkins are not grown on site and the village is entirely set up each
year for the purpose of entertainment. Standard entry £2.99 to £6.99 per
person (depending on date), nights are charged at £5.99 to £6.99 (plus
booking fee) per person if you prebook online. If you choose to buy a
pumpkin to take home they are priced between £3- £100. As well as the
pumpkin posing there is a Halloween shop to buy decorations and
refreshments.
|
| There are more twilight sessions than ever before at pumpkin patches in Essex this year |
This year they have introduced a £2.50 entry fee for over 16s, but no
booking is required and children are still free. This pumpkin patch on a
working farm is open Friday 10th to Sunday 12th October, Friday 17th to
Sunday 19th and Friday 24th to Friday 31st October from 10am to
4pm.
All pumpkins grown on site, prices tbc but previously have been £1 to
£10. Expect: Straw Bale Mountain & Slides, photo ops,
refreshments and over 20 varieties of pumpkins and squash. Dogs welcome.
Scott's Halloween Pumpkin Picking Barn,
Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre, Sutton Road. Rochford, Essex, SS4
1LQ
Open 1st to 31st October 9am to 5pm daily (Sunday 10am to 4pm), last entry
90 minutes before closing. Admission is £7.50 to £10 in advance, weekends
£15 on the door. Under 2s free.
Admission fee includes access to the Indoor pumpkin barn, outdoor pumpkin
patch (I don't think they are grown on site), maize maze plus a medium
pumpkin. They are dog friendly. Last year the had SEN sessions SEN
Sessions on Monday and Wednesdays, but there is no mention of these this
year and the time slots are available for general entry.
You can also book a Halloween themed afternoon tea package during October.
(Adults and vegans are £35 per person, children are £18 per person) or
their Haunted VR Ride which is open during weekends and half term in
October and costs £3 per person, suitable for 2yrs+.
Twilight Sessions run on 25th, 26th, 30th & 31st October from
6pm to 9pm cost £12 per person and are suitable for 8 yrs and up. These
feature a Halloween disco, games, spooky characters and a free
pumpkin.
October Half Term and Halloween Activities In Essex for 2025
There are lots more events to be added to this section when 2025 details
have been announced, so check back closer to half term if you are still
looking for ideas.
Audley End House and Gardens, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
At Audley End this half term (Saturday 25th October to 2nd November),
10am to 5pm there is a fun family quest around the gardens. There will
be Victorian ghost hunters to take you on an adventure and tell spooky
tales (although they say they wont be too scary. This is included in
standard entry prices which are currently sharing strange,
supernatural and the downright silly tales. Entry included in normal
entry price (free for members). £14.50 children, £22.70 for adults if
bought online (15% more if purchased on arrival) weekdays in half term
are currently showing at off peak prices, but I think this is a
mistake.
It's worth noting that annual family membership is £82 for a one adult
family (up to 6 children) or £144 for a two adult family (up to 12
children) and you can get a 15% discount if you sign up to an annual direct debit by clicking on our affiliate link here and using code: EHAFF25.
Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
The Halloween special event at Audley End runs from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025. Head into the woodland on the train and travel to meet the woodland magician, William, who needs help performing his spook-tacular spells. There will be singing and dancing and each child will receive a gift. Next little ones will be able to make their very own potion and see a friendly with put on a lively potion show. This year they will also have pumpkins for sale too.
The Halloween special event at Audley End runs from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025. Head into the woodland on the train and travel to meet the woodland magician, William, who needs help performing his spook-tacular spells. There will be singing and dancing and each child will receive a gift. Next little ones will be able to make their very own potion and see a friendly with put on a lively potion show. This year they will also have pumpkins for sale too.
Don't forget to explore the Halloween decorations in the Fairy & Elf
Walk and finish off with a run around in the adventure play area. Tickets
will sell out so must be booked in advance, adults and children over 92cm are £19 or £20.50 (date dependent), children under 92cm are half price and under 1s are free. There are SEN Halloween sessions at 9.40 on 26th and 29th October and 1st November.
|
| Get the train to the witches house for an exciting Halloween event at Audley End Miniature Railway |
The Halloween Festival for 2025 runs between Saturday 25th October and Sunday 2nd November and has plenty of spooky activities. Pick a pumpkin from
the paddock to decorate in the Pumpkin decorating barn, enjoy a spooky walk through the Halloween maze, spooky magic shows with Skittleman the Entertainer and dance parties as all the usual farm favourites. Advance tickets £16.65 for
adults and children over 2 years old are £3.40 (more on the gate).
Day time sessions are 10am to 4pm, but the Spooky Nights sessions are back this year on 25th, 26th, 30th and 31st October, running from 5.30pm to 9pm. These include unlimited toddler
fairground rides, safe trick or treating around The Village, spooky
disco with Skittleman, creepy critter show, a halloween maze, Halloween themed characters, light displays, indoor and outdoor play
areas, animals and more. £18.50 per person, £5 for under 2s. Advanced booking required.
Brentwood Connected, Various locations
Brentwood Connected is a group supporting Brentwoods 3 high streets, they have organised 3 free events this Halloween with a Trick or Treat trail in Ingatestone on Thursday 30th between 10am and 4pm, Shenfield Spooktacular on Friday 31st October between 3pm and 6pm and a Festival of Frights in Brentwood on Saturday 1st November between 2 and 5pm. Details are still tbc so if you live locally it's worth following their Facebook page.
Brentwood Halloween Mega Fun Day Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Pilgrims Hatch, CM15 9NN
On Wednesday 29th October the Spook-tacular Mega Fun Day returns to the Brentwood Centre including a magic show, inflatables and games. This is an indoor event aimed at 2 to 11 year olds. The are 3 timeslots: 10.30am to 12pm, 1pm to 2.30pm and a 3pm to 4pm SEN event. Early bird tickets £6.99 (then going up to £9.49 then £10.99) per child, adults £1.50 plus £1 booking fee. SEN tickets reduced price.
2025 event not yet announced, last years information: 2024 Join in the Halloween activities at Capel Manor from Saturday 26
October - Thursday 31 October 2024, 10am to 4pm. There is a trail through
the Gardens, interactive experiences, disco, crafts and you can also visit
their mini zoo. Additional fee for pumpkins and carvings, face painting and
bouncy castle. Tickets are yet to be released but keep an eye on their
website/socials for updates. Prebooking recommended. You can read our
review of visiting Capel Manor with children here.
Cherry Lane Pumpkin Carving Braintree, Coggeshall Road, Stisted, Braintree, Essex CM77 8AE
Cherry Lane Pumpkin Carving Hockley, Lower Road, Hockley, Essex SS5 5LE
Visit Cherry Lane Garden Centres in Braintree and Hockley on 31st October for a
pumpkin carving event. Children are invited to arrive in fancy dress for a
zombie dance off and will be treated to a cookie and witches brew while
carving their pumpkins. Event lasts about an hour and free parking is available. Children’s places cost £7.99 and up to two adults can accompany each child
free of charge.
Colchester Castle,
Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TJ
There are lots of spooky goings on at Colchester Castle over half
term:
The Mythical Creatures event continues to run (until February 2026) where you can meet mythical creatures inspired by medieval tales and from 25th October to 2nd November there will be various games around the museum as part of their Goulish Gallery Games event. These are included in standard admission prices. On 27th (10.30am to midday) and 28th October (3pm to 4.30pm) there are also sessions talking about medieval medicine
The above are included in standard admission prices.
They also have their sleepover event, Knightzzz At The Museum, on 25th to 26th October (prebooking essential, from £40 per person), 5 years and up, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Haunted History Family Tours are running on 27th to 31st October (11am or 2.30pm), suitable for 4+ and £3.75 in addition to general entry.
If you have older children (15+) there is a Dark Castle Tour in the evening on 24th and 30th October telling dark tails of the castle's history. £12 per person.
The Castle’s Spooktacular Family Fun Night is on 29th October 2025 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and includes: ‘thrilling games, eerie crafts, and a party bag packed with treats and surprises.’ Unsuitable for children under 4. Tickets are £12.50 per child and £5 per adult.
Prebooking for the sleepover is by calling 01206 282939 other special events can be booked online. Castle admission also needs to be purchased for daytime events (£13.50 for adults (or £12.75 if booked online), £7.50 for first child, £3.95 for additional children, under 4s are free).
Shriek Week at the zoo is from 25th October to 2nd November 2025. It includes Halloween party and parade, scare school, crafts, spooky adventures at pumpkin hollow, new spooky boxes at the Exploratorium and a runaway pirate train. Buy entry online for the best prices. Half term prices not confirmed at time of publishing but last year were £19.95 for children and
£27.08 for adults (plus booking fee).
The evening event "Trail of Terror" is back for 2025. Suitable for adults and children over 12 years (under 5s will not be admitted). It's running evenings of 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 27th, 29th and 31st October. Along a 1.5 mile route plus train ride there will be clowns, zombies and creatures from the swamps of New Orleans. There is also food and entertainment zones, This must be prebooked, prices £25.50 to £28.50 per person. This event does not include viewing animals.
Down Hall Hotel, Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Bishop's Stortford CM22 7AS
This hotel in Hatfield Heath is hosting a number of
Halloween events this year including Afternoon Tea with a specially
themed menu on 24th to 31st October. They also have a Halloween
cinema weekend on 25th to 26th October with Casper and Beetlejuice showing on
the different days at 5.30pm and Jaes and Scary Movie showing later in the evenings. The hotel is just over a ten minute drive
from Cammas Hall Farm so why not combine it with their popular pumpkin
patch for a Halloween day out? They even have staycations on offer with pumpkin patch tickets and
Halloween activity included.
Afternoon tea for adults is £45 with children half price. The cinema weekend tickets start at £10 (+£1
booking fee) per person. Staycations start at £269.
On 25th and 26th October 2025 Day Out With Thomas is back at the
railway museum. Not a Halloween event, but great fun for fans of trains
or Thomas the Tank Engine. You can take unlimited train
rides behind Thomas, Percy and Daisy. Meet Toby, Henrietta, Rusty, Dusty
and Sir Topham Hatt. Also enjoy the miniature railway and train themed
playground. Tickets cost £16.50 for children (2 to 17) and £20.90 for
adults. Prebooking required. Read my
review of our visit to Day Out With Thomas here.
|
| As an alternative to Halloween Half Term activities why not see Thomas and Friends in Essex? |
Ride the Ghost Train during Fright Week on 25th, 26th and 29th to 31st October 2025. Expect spooky characters on and off
the train (a steam hauled train journey from North Weird) and a magician. Prize for best costumes. Start your journey on their vintage bus from Epping station for the best experience.
Tickets are Adult £20; Child £10. Under 3s free.
On Monday 27th October they have Spooktacular fun including pumpkin carving, potion making, wand whittling and a trail. Event running between 10.30am and 3pm (except for a lunch break between 12 and 1pm). You need to prebook tickets (£12.99 per child inclusive of booking fee), but can arrive at any time and ticket price includes the pumpkin.
George Yard Pumpkin Patch, George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree, CM7 1RB
In 2024 George Yard in Braintree were running a free pumpkin patch event
on 31st October. In addition to picking a pumpkin (while stocks last)
they had face painting, a selfie spot and more. TBC for 2025
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre, Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay CM11 1WT
Halloween activities include: Sorcerer Seekers and Wand Whittlers sessions on Wednesday 29th October (age 6+, £8.80 a session) and Spooky Spells and Pongy Potions
session on Friday 31st October (age 5+ £5.64 a child). Prebooking required and parents should accompany children.
|
| Pick up a free pumpkin and take a selfie at The Harvey Centre shopping centre, Harlow |
As well as the traditional farm animals and lots of play activities
there is expect to be a Halloween event running in half term. Last year they had child-friendly Halloween mini games, The Happy
Ghost trail and themed selfie areas to enjoy. You can add on the option to
take a pumpkin home or upgrade to the VIP package also includes help from
staff to carve your pumpkin, a sweet treat and a goody bag. Prices
start at £5.95 toddlers and £9.95 everyone else plus booking fee. The
pumpkin upgrade is £2.50 and VIP upgrade an extra £9.50 (on children's
tickets only). 2025 prices and details will be updated when announced.
Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DJ
During half term the normally have Brightworth's School of Magic for young witches and wizards, however this hasn't yet been announced however on Friday 24th October (7pm to 9pm) they have a candle lit performance of Ghost Stories by M. R James in the Norman Keep. Suitable for 14 years plus. £18 per person.
Hobbycraft (Various locations including Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester and Harlow)
Most Hobbycraft stores are running craft sessions in store during the
October half term including: maché pumpkin and haunted house decorating
and clay halloween character keyrings workshop. Sessions are £6 to £12 each and are
bookable via
ClassBento. If you want to try some Halloween crafts at home then check out this
Halloween bunting
which is great to make with pre-schoolers.
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Farm, Sawyers Hall Lane, CM15 9BZ
2025 information tbc, last year Halloween Half Term saw Hopefield Animal Sanctuary open 10am to
3pm between Saturday 26th to Sunday 3rd November. Entry includes a
Haunted Barn, trick or treat trail, arts and crafts, meet the creepy
crawlies, general admission to the sanctuary as well as a pumpkin to
take home. Adults £8, children £12, under 2’s are free.
Read about
what to expect from visiting Hopefield here.
|
| There is lots of choice for a Halloween themed day out in Essex in October Half Term |
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET
2025 information not yet available. Last year Hyde Hall promised Spooktacular fun from 26th October to 3rd
November, 10am to 5pm. Story telling (29th only) and an wicked plants
trail are included in the entrance price, additional charge and
prebooking required for crafts (28th and 30th) and face painting (28th
and 30th). Garden entry £7.95 for children over 5 and £15.85 for
adults.
Read more about
what to expect from a visit to Hyde Hall here.
Kids Play Bouncy Castles Stay and Play, Debden Park High School, Willingale Road, Loughton IG10 2BQ
Last year in October half term they took over a large hall in the Debden Park High School Kids Play Bouncy Castles set up a main area of inflatables for 4 to 11 year olds and a smaller area with inflatables and soft play for children age 6 months to 3 years. Running from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November there are 3 bookable timeslots lasting 2 hours (9.30am, Midday and 2.30pm) . £13 per child, prebook online. 2025 details to be confirmed.
King George's Play Fields, 1-3 Hartswood Pavilion, Brentwood, Essex CM13 2FD
There is a special Haunted Ninja Tag session on Thursday 30th October at 6pm. It costs £7.50 pp. Ninja Tag is ideal for children 8 to 15. It's a bit like a soft play where you have to get around and hit targets as quickly as possible. This special session can be booked by calling 01277 598886, but normally you can book via the Everyone Active app/ website.
There are a few events running at half term at the home of the Peter Rabbit Trail including:
Langdon Spooktacular on Monday 27th October, sessions include outdoor science experiements, treats on the fire, wand whittling, potion making and bug hunting. Book online, £10.88 per child, 2 1/2 sessions at 10am and 1.30pm.
Wednesday 29th October from 10am and 1.30pmis the Halloween Special Nature Tots session
where young children between 18 months and 5 years can participate in bug
hunting and some spooky crafting. Tickets are £8.80 per child.
Wizarding Wands for families are 1 hour sessions running on Friday 31st October. Recommended for 5 plus. Unlike the normal events all attendees must have a ticket which are £5.64 per person.
The Halloween Festival is running weekends of 11th/ 12th, 18th/19th and 25th to 31st October. Enjoy Halloween themed shows, haunted walk through, pumpkin patch, character meet and greets and the normal animals
and play areas. Tickets
£13.99 per person in advance, 6 months to 2 years £4. Tickets are more expensive
if purchased on the door.
Monkey Puzzle at Madison Heights, Maldon, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ
An After Dark Fright Night Follow The Maze event is running in the soft
play 24th, 25th and 30th October. time slots from 6.45pm, £8 per person.
Contains actors, flashing lights and tight gaps. Suitable for age 10 to
adults. Book on 01621850222
Maldon Promenade Zoo, Maldon Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon CM9 5JQ
Head to the small zoo this October for Boo at the Zoo which includes
animal talks, spooky music, potion making, a hidden pumpkin search,
meerkat meet and greet (go in the enclosure) and Halloween gift. It's
running Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October with time slots at 10,30,
12.30 and 2.30 and costs £15.95 per participant (book here). Non participating adults pay £11.95 on arrival
Last year Marks Hall Estate were hosting Witches & Wizards – Halloween
Percy’s Adventures from Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November
2024, 10:00 - 16:00. Details for 2025 are tba.
Marsh Farm,
South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
The Marsh Farm Halloween Festival is running weekend of 4th/ 5th, 11th/ 12th and from 18th to 31st October. Entry includes child friendly fair rides, pumpkin picking
patch, a Halloween Hoedown, Slime it live game show, adventure play, bouncy pillows and Trick or Treat Hunt. You can even warm up in the soft play. Tickets online in
advance cost £18.49 for everyone over 2, £4.50 for 6 months plus, tickets are
more expensive on the door. The Toddler Halloween event (20th to 24th) is cheaper at £11.49 a ticket and £5.50 adults (advance price), but there will be less activities.
|
| Posing with Pumpkins at Marsh Farm when visiting the Halloween Festival |
The Halloween event runs from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025. The details are tbc, but last year included a Pumpkin Trail and Catapult Firing (2pm daily) You can also enter the
Haunted Manor, if you dare (extra cost). Entry costs £18 for adults and £14 for children (buy on arrival)
Museum of Power, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon CM9 6QA
2025 information not announced. Last year this museum in Maldon was running half term activities from
Wednesday 30th October-3rd November with Halloween arts, crafts and
more. On 31st October they have ‘Professor Dean the Steampunk
Scientist and Magician’ with Spooky Science fun. The miniature railway
(extra charge) and Astaria Model Village are also open on 31st October
and 3rd November.
Tickets for children under five are £1, over five are £5 and adults
are £8.
The Crafty Cabin: The Museum of Power is also home to The Crafty Cabin, which last year ran a
Wizarding School on 26th, 30th and 31st October. These craft
sessions involve wand making, slime potions and Day of the Dead tea
lights. £15 per child.
The Naze Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8LE
Visit the Naze Centre on Tuesday 28th October for their Magic, Wands and Potions session where children can whittle a wand and make their own smelly potion to take home. £6.64 per child, is best suited for children aged between 4 and 12 years and tickets can be booked online.
Visit the Naze Centre on Tuesday 28th October for their Magic, Wands and Potions session where children can whittle a wand and make their own smelly potion to take home. £6.64 per child, is best suited for children aged between 4 and 12 years and tickets can be booked online.
The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 25th October to
Sunday 2nd November 2025. Activities include: magic school, haunted house (selected days only), Halloween show, go on a ghost trail, pumpkin patch (free pumpkin
per child), arts and crafts, Halloween tattoos and more. Entry to the park
includes unlimited rides and prices are cheaper if buying online and in
advance. Advance tickets for anyone over 2 £18.70 per person.
Rochford Halloween Mega Fun, Clements Hall Leisure Centre, Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell, Hockley SS5 4LN
As well as their Brentford event there is a similar event in Rochford on Wednesday 29th October which includes a magic show, inflatables and games. This is an indoor event aimed at 2 to 11 year olds with 2 timeslots: 10.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 2.30pm. Early bird tickets £6.99 (then going up to £8.99 then £9.99) per child, adults £1.50 plus £1 booking fee.
On Thursday 30th October at 1pm there is an hour long show "Villains Unleashed" with songs and dancing, includes free meet and greet with cast afterwards. Tickets £14 per person.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking, Stanford Le Hope SS17 0RN
On Wednesday 29th October there is a Woodland Witches and Wizards session at 10am and an evening event at 4pm. The earlier event includes want and potion making and storytelling (£8.80 per child). The Halloween in the Woods event is from 4pm to 6pm. It has a haunted trail, lantern making and stories round the campfire (weather dependant), this is £8.80 per person (adults and children). Both sessions should be booked in advance online.
The Village of the Cursed Essex, BCM Productions Ltd, Crouch Valley Showground, A1245
6 themed horror mazes and 2 additional experiences, with scary actors and immersive scenery. There are food and drinks also available to purchase. The Village of the Cursed is running from 15th October to 1st November 2025 from 7pm to 11pm, this event is for over 16’s only due to the content and under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets range between £28.50 and £35 + booking fee per person dependent on the date.
Halloween adventures will be taking place at this magical lost
kingdom (aimed at children 2 to 12) from the 25th to 31st October 2025 between 10am and 5pm. Advance tickets currently £18.49 per child, £17.49 per adult. Includes meeting the wicked witch, storytelling, warrior workshop,
spellcasting, heroes and villains and much more.
All information correct at time of publishing. I am not affiliated with
any of the venues and I can't provide any information about the quality of
the events. If you spot any errors or know of any other events please
email me or add to the comments below. I always recommend checking the
social media and websites before visiting incase there have been changes.
Thank you
You may also be interested in these related posts:
Things to do with children in Essex and Over 150 places to go on rainy days in Essex
Things to do with children in Essex and Over 150 places to go on rainy days in Essex
Check out these
great Halloween finds on Etsy
from UK small businesses.
Great recommendations! Thanks for sharing these Halloween activities in Essex!
ReplyDelete