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.
If you looking for places to go with children and aren't so bothered about Halloween then check out my guides to Essex with children. I love to hear what people get up to so if you post on social media feel free to tag me @EssexKate (Instagram or Twitter) or @CountingToTenBlog (Facebook).
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| 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 2023
This list will be updated regularly as more venues confirm
details of what they have planned. Events range from free to £££, check the
organisers website or Facebook page to confirm age suitability and latest availability. Last updated 5/10/23
Pumpkin Patches In Essex
Calcott Hall Farm, Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9HS
Their pick your own pumpkin event is running from Tuesday 24th October until Thursday 26th October, from 10am until 3pm. There is the opportunity to carve your pumpkin and face painting too. No booking required, but wellies recommended when weather has been wet.
Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
The Halloween Experience and Pumpkin Patch at Cammas Hall is available to visit from 30th September to 29th October. Includes their biggest pumpkin patch to date and creepy props to pose with. Booking required. 20% discount on the maize maze (bookable on entry). Monster Mayhem Show will be running twice a day on weekends and every day during half term (book separately). Playground and catering facilities open.
SEN sessions available at 9am and 9.15am Sunday 8th October and 8.30am & 8.45am Monday 23rd October. Animated props are turned off in these sessions.
Cammas Hall Farm Resurrected - Halloween Nights are running selected nights from Friday 13th October 6pm to 9pm (last entry at 7.30pm). Visit the pumpkins and spooky goings on. live music 6.45 to 8.30pm
Prebooking required. Tickets cost from £4 to £6 (depending on date) for days and £9.50 (adults), £7 (childre) for nights, plus booking fee
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| Choosing a pumpkin a Cammas Hall Farm PYO |
Cobbs Farm, Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ
A working farm which opens shortly before Halloween for a Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch. Free entry, no booking required. Open 14th and 15th as well as 20th to 31st October 10am to 4pm. Expect no frills, but all pumpkins are grown on site. Refreshments available.
Farmer Johns Pumpkin Patch, Boydland Farm, Old London Road, Capel St Mary, IP9 2JU
Back for it's 3rd year this patch is open the weekends of 7th/ 8th and 14th/ 15th October as well as Friday 20th to Sunday 29th October, 10am to 4pm. Free Entry. Activities include: straw mountain, halloween trail, ride on tractors, tractor bouncy castle and farm animals. Refreshments (including pizza) and picnic area available.
Foxes Farm Produce. Basildon: Watch House Farm, Wash Road, SS15 4ER. Colchester: Green Lane, Aldham, CO6 3PR
Foxes run two pumpkin patches, one in Basildon the other in Colchester. They are open from 30th September and 1st, 7th, 8th and 14th to 29th October. They are also running twilight sessions this year at the Colchester location on 7th, 14th, 20th -22nd and 24th to 28th October 6.30pm- 9.30pm (last entry 8.30pm).
Prebooked ticket required for entry. Tickets cost £5 per person, or discounted if booking 4 or more.
Both sites have pumpkin picking and some games, but the Colchester location also has a maze, sandpit and licensed bar (Weekends only).
Twilight sessions cost £10 per person. Pumpkins and some activities cost extra.
Hatter's Farm Pick Your Own Pumpkins, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford CM22 6NP
This pumpkin patch is open on 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, and 21st to 29th of October as well as evening sessions (4pm to 9pm) on 21st to 23rd and 26th to 29th of October. Last year day time sessions varied starting 9.30 to 4.30pm and then moving to 10am to 5pm from 22nd October.
Activities include a pumpkin cannon (£), maize maze (£), hay mountain and maze, spooky fun house and roaming actors. Last year the Maize maze costs £3 per person and cannon £2.50 a shot or 3 for £7. Pumpkins ranged from £1 to £12. Read our review here. Prebooking required, £2 to £4 per person (depending on date) and evening session £5 per person. There is now a large undercover area for wet days. They also have night time sessions.
Hurleys Pumpkin Forest, Christmas Tree Farm, Woodham Road (Old Road), Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7QL
Open the weekends of 7th/ 8th and 13th to 15th October as well as 18th to 31st October, 9am to 4pm. There are also Twilight sessions. Activities (subject to availability) include: ring swing, witches maze, pumpkin bowling and welly wangling. Early bird peak tickets cost £10 for a car of up to 6 people, but some off peak days are £5.
Land Of The Dead, Kings Farm, Margaretting Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3PJ
A Halloween pop up event running from 21st to 29th October. It is open 10am to 10pm, but maybe stick to day times if your children are easily spooked. There are lots of pumpkins to choose from, photo opps, a circus, fun fair and more. Advanced prices start at £7.50 entry for just pumpkin picking, £15.99 for a ticket including the rides or £25.99 for the circus too. Tickets cost more on the gate and after 26th October.
Lathcoats Farm, Beehive Lane, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 8LX
Open 14th to 31st October.2Pick Your Own Pumpkins, carve your own pumpkin (and leave the mess) or take part in their Halloween Hunt. They also have PYO Apples during October and a Farm Apple Day on 21st October. Tickets for the pumpkin patch can be booked online for £1 per person. If visiting on the 21st you need a special ticket (£2.50 adults, £1.50 children). You can read more about visiting Lathcoats Farm here.
Norpar Flower Barns, Navestock Hall, Navestock, Romford, RM4 1HA
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. Open from late September. If visiting from mid October onwards the Christmas barn is also open with a beautiful range of Christmas decorations.
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| For decorative pumpkins, squashes, gourds and even Christmas decorations (!) head to Norpar Flower Barns |
Otto's Pumpkin Patch, Long Green, Cressing, Braintree CM77 8DL
This was a new pumpkin patch last year and it returns for 2023. It is on a working family farm in Braintree. Booking required: adults £4, children £2. Other than the pumpkin field activities should be: decorated faraway forest with an interactive quiz, games area, giant art board and refreshments. Open 30th September and 1st October, 6th to 8th, 13th to 15th and 20th to 29th October 9:30am – 5:00pm.
Pumpkin Picking Village, Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5WP
The Pumpkin Picking Village is back for 2023. If you plan to visit the Halloween Festival at Marsh Farm 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 28th 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 Nights" evenings (14th, 21st to 24th & 26th to 28th October) which include access to fairground rides, dog friendly sessions (limited times 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 19th & 31st October) and SEN sessions (limited times 30th September, 8th & 15th October
Limited Times).
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 £5.99 per person (depending on date), nights £9.99 per person (plus booking fee). As well as the pumpkin posing there is a Halloween shop to buy decorations and refreshments.
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| There are more twilight sessions than ever before at pumpkin patches in Essex this year |
The Pumpkin Patch, East Bergholt, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6QU (opposite Elm Road)
No booking, free entry and free parking. This pumpkin patch on a working farm will returns for it's 3rd year and is open Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October and Friday 20th to Sunday 29th October
Open daily 10am to 4pm. All pumpkins grown on site. Expect: Straw Bale Mountain & Slides, photo opps, colouring sheets, refreshments and over 20 varieties of pumpkins and squash.
Scott's Halloween Pumpkin Picking Barn, Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre, Sutton Road. Rochford, Essex, SS4 1LQ
This pumpkin patch describes themselves as "indoors, weather proof and flat floor surface". Open 1st-29th October Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm & Sundays 10am to 4pm. They will have Ghostbusters visiting on 14th and 21st October. You can also book a Halloween themed afternoon tea package, their new Haunted VR Ride or their Twilight Sessions on 27th and 28th October which includes all these activities.
October Half Term and Halloween Activities In Essex
While many places have announced their Halloween activities early, there are lots more to announce so this will be updated.
Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, Church Road, Layer-De-La-Haye, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0EU
On Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th October there is a drop in pumpkin trail between 10am and 5pm. Pick up your trail sheet from the front desk (£2 per child), spot the wooden pumpkins hidden around, answer the questions and collect a prize.
Audley End House and Gardens, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
At Audley End this half term there are two Halloween events:
On Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th October, 10 til 4pm there is a fun family quest around the gardens. There will also be costumed performers sharing strange, supernatural and the downright silly tales. Entry included in normal entry price (free for members). £11.30 - £12.70 children, £18.10 - £20.90 adults if bought online (more on arrival).
In the evening on Friday 27th to Sunday 29th October in the evenings you can book on to a spooky woodland walk. This 45 minute walk is targeted at families with children aged 5 to 12 with ghost hunting story tellers. Book tickets online for the 5.30pm, 6.30pm or 7.30pm sessions. £14 Adults, £8.50 children, reduced price for members.
Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
The Halloween special event at Audley End runs from Saturday 21st to Tuesday 31st October. Head into the woodland on the train and travel to the witches house where you can catch the singing, dancing and making spells (maybe even conjuring up sweets).You will can also meet the woodland Wizard, William, the king of the woods. He will need your help performing his spook-tacular spell to keep the woodland creatures warm in the winter. There is also crafts, Fairy & Elf Walk and the adventure play area. Tickets must be booked and advanced, adults and children over 92cm – £17.00, children under 92cm – £8.50. This event will sell out. There are SEN Halloween sessions on 22nd, 25th and 28th October (28th already sold out).
The Halloween special event at Audley End runs from Saturday 21st to Tuesday 31st October. Head into the woodland on the train and travel to the witches house where you can catch the singing, dancing and making spells (maybe even conjuring up sweets).You will can also meet the woodland Wizard, William, the king of the woods. He will need your help performing his spook-tacular spell to keep the woodland creatures warm in the winter. There is also crafts, Fairy & Elf Walk and the adventure play area. Tickets must be booked and advanced, adults and children over 92cm – £17.00, children under 92cm – £8.50. This event will sell out. There are SEN Halloween sessions on 22nd, 25th and 28th October (28th already sold out).
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| Get the train to the witches house for an exciting Halloween event at Audley End Miniature Railway |
Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD
Halloween Fest is running at the farm park from Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th October. There will be story time with Witch and Cat as well as the chance to pick a pumpkin from the paddock to decorate. Enjoy a spooky walk through labyrinth, a ghostly trail, as well as all the usual farm favourites. £14.45 (tbc) for children and adults over 2 years old.
On Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th October visit Barleylands Spooky Nights from 6pm to 9pm. Enjoy toddler fairground rides, safe trick or treating around The Village, spooky disco with Skittleman, creepy critter handling, indoor play, animals and more. £17 for children and adults over 2 years old. Prebooking required.
Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre, Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre Broxhill Road, Havering-atte-Bower, Essex, RM4 1QH
More events may be announced, but currently there is a Halloween Potion Party on Thursday 26th October at 2pm, suitable for age 3 to 10, £7 per child.
Prebooking required for all events and adults must accompany children.
Prebooking required for all events and adults must accompany children.
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre,
Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea, SS9 4LR
There are a number of Halloween themed activities at Belfairs over half term including a Creepy Crawlies and Brilliant Beasties event on Wednesday 25th (£5, various times) and a twilight woodland session on for children up to 11, 4 to 6pm Wednesday 25th £8 per child. Book online for events.
Capel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ
Join in the Halloween activities at Capel Manor from Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th October, 10am to 4pm. There is a trail through the Gardens, interactive esperiences, disco, crafts and you can also visit their mini zoo. Additional fee for pumpkins and carvings, face painting and bouncy castle. Children £8, adults £11. Prebooking recommended. You can read our review of visiting Capel Manor with children here.
Chelmsford Museum, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 9AQ
This year for their Halloween event there are craft sessions themed on Spooky Shadows and Frightening Familiars. It is running from 23rd to 27th October at 10.30am and 1.30pm. The sessions (and the museum) is free, but prebooking is required for the crafts. They will also have some Halloween themed activities in the museum. Read more about what to expect at Chelmsford Museum and neighbouring Oaklands Park.
Colchester Castle, Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, CO1 1TJ
T here are lots of spooky goings on at Colchester Castle over half term including a creepy castle trail from 21st to 29th October. Suitable for age 4 and upwards the trail costs an additional £5 to the entry cost and includes a prize. They also have their sleepover event, Knightzzz At The Museum, on 21st October (prebooking essential, from £35 per person), on 25th and 26th there is an after hours tour suitable for age 12 and up and on 28th October there is a Halloween party for children from 6pm (prebook, £8 per child, £5 per adult).
Prebooking recommended for events on 01206 282939. Castle admission prices also apply for daytime events (£12.50 for adults, £6.95 for children, under 4s are free).
Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Colchester CO3 0SL
Join Shriek Week at the zoo from 21st to 29th October which includes face painting, creating wands and potions with the good witches and wizards at the Craft Coven (extra charges apply) or go to Scare School! Zoo entry is £20.50 for children, £27.50 adults on the gate (cheaper in advance).
They also have an evening event "Trail of Terror" for adults and children 12 plus (under 5s will not be admitted) on 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 27th and 28th October. This must be prebooked, prices start at £27. This event does not include viewing animals.
Daisy May's Farm, Hall Road, Elsenham, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6DN
Halloween activities are running at the farm 21st to 29th October. Prebooking required: adults £5, children £10 (tickets sold out last year). Includes: farm admission, animal feed, witch hunt (and prizes), arts & crafts, marshmallows, dance along, ball pit and pumpkin patch. Pumpkins, face painting, train ride and refreshments cost extra.
East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel Station, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS
On 28th and 29th October 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. The sessions now last all day so you can spend as long as you want there (for the last few years it has been divided into morning and afternoons)/ 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 £14.30 for children (2 to 15)
and £18.70 for adults. Prebooking required. Read my review of our visit to Day Out With Thomas here.
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| As an alternative to Halloween Half Term activities why not see Thomas and Friends in Essex? |
Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar and North Weald
Ride the Ghost Train at Fright Week on 25th to 28th October. Details to be announced, but expect spooky characters on and off the train and a magician. Prize for best costumes.
Last year tickets were Adult £18; Child £10; Family (up to 2 adults
and 3 children) £47. Under 3s free.
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester , Essex, CO5 7DN
On Monday 23rd October they have Spooktacular fun including pumpkin carving, potion making and a trail. Event running between 10.30 and 3pm (except for a lunchbreak between 12 and 1pm). You need to prebook tickets (£12 per child), but can arrive at any time. On Thursday 26th October there is a Halloween themed Woodland Fun session from 1.30 to 3.30pm, prebooking required (£7 per child).
Foxholes Farm, London Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7NT
Spooky Halloween Farm Fun at Foxholes from Saturday 21st October to Tuesday 31st October. Aimed at primary school age children and open from 10am to 4pm. Explore the ghostly farm Halloween trail in the barn full of farm games and spooky crafts. You will be able to feed (£1 a bag) and pet animals. Face painting available (extra charge) and each paying child can choose a pumpkin from the display. Prebooking recommended. Children £9.95, adults £4.95.
Get To Know Animals, Forest Lodge Commercial Complex, Epping Road, Epping, CM16 5HW
Visit the mini zoo and enjoy a 1 hour animal handling session for £15 per person during half term. Event has sold out, but they do similar activities in most school holidays so follow their social media to hear about events. Normal zoo visits and experiences still available. Read a review of our visit here.
Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre, Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay CM11 1WT
Halloween activities include: a Spooky Spells and Pongy Potions session on Wednesday 25th at 10am to 12pm (£7 per child) and an evening session for over 5s Thursday 26th October 5 to 7pm, £8 per person. Prebooking required.
The Harvey Centre, Harlow, Essex CM20 1XR
On Saturday 28th October The Harvey Centre shopping centre has a free Freaky Fair between 11am and 4pm. Enjoy games, take selfies and enjoy a sweet treat. No booking required.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET
Hyde Hall promises Spooktacular fun from 21st to 29th October, 10am to 6pm. Story telling (24th only) and an autumn trail are included in the entrance price, additional charge and prebooking required for crafts (25th), animal encounter (23rd) and face painting (25th). Garden entry £6.95 for children and £13.85 for adults.
North Weald & District Miniature Railway, Harlow Garden Centre, Canes Lane, Harlow CM17 9LD
Located in the garden centre (on the far side of the car park) and run by volunteers the miniature railway is running Spooky Specials on 3 dates: Sunday 22nd, Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October between 3 and 7pm. Pre booking required, £4 per person for this short train ride, but a fun Halloween activity.
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| Pick up a free pumpkin and take a selfie at The Harvey Centre shopping centre, Harlow |
Hasty's Adventure Farm, West Road, Clacton On Sea, CO15 1AG
As well as the traditional farm animals and lots of play activities there is a Halloween event running from Monday 23rd October to Friday 27th October which Halloween (child friendly) 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 staff to carve your pumpkin, a doughnut race and 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 £9.50 (on children's tickets only).
Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DJ
Visit Brightworth's School of Magic for young witches and wizards this half term. The 2+ hour sessions are aimed at children aged 3 to 14. Includes a magic wand, entry to the enchanted animal enclosure, potion and magic classes and a magic school certificate. From Sunday 22nd October to Thursday 26th October at 10.30am and 1.30pm. £13.95 adults, £21.95 children. You can even add a personal acceptance letter for £8.95 per person which will be sent to the door inviting your child to the school.
Hobbycraft (Various locations including Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow and Loughton-Epping Forest)
Most Hobbycraft stores are running craft sessions in store during the October half term including: maché pumpkin and haunted house decorating and clay bats and ghosts workshop. Sessions are £5-£10 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 preschoolers.
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| There is lots of choice for a Halloween themed day out in Essex in October Half Term |
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Farm, Sawyers Hall Lane, CM15 9BZ
Halloween Half Term sees Hopefield Animal Sanctuary open 10am to 3pm between Saturday 21st and Sunday 29th October. Includes a Haunted Barn, Spooky Trail and Slime factory as well as a pumpkin to take home. Adults £7, children £10.
Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach , Hornchurch, RM12 6DF (Sat Nav RM12 6TS)
As well as a drop off day on the Tuesday Ingrebourne Valley have a Potion Party on Thursday 26th 10 to 12pm. Activities include wand whittling, potion making and pumpkin carving. £7 per child, prebooking required.
Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock Way, West Thurrock, Grays RM20 2ZP
From 21st to 27th October you can pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch inside the shopping centre (open 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am-5pm). Prebooking recommended, but walk ins may be accommodated. You can take selfies and choose a pumpkin to take home. Find the patch on Level 1 in the Central Atrium, in between Primark and M&S. Make sure you pick up a scavenger hunt map from outside the patch and look for all the eerie icons in shop windows. If you return your completed map you could win a prize bundle worth £250.
Langdon Nature Discovery Park, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, SS16 6EJ
There are lots of events running at half term at the home of the Peter Rabbit Trail including: Halloween Spooktacular session at 1.30pm on Monday (£10 per child), an evening walk at 4.30pm on Monday (£10 per child suitable for age 5+) and a Room on The Broom Storytime session at 10am on Friday (£7 per child). Prebooking essential.
Lambourne End, Centre for Outdoor Learning, Manor Road, Lambourne End, Essex,
RM4 1NB
From Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October there is an
Adventure Academy for children over 8. It is £50 a day with
discounts if you book for a full week. On Tuesday and Thursday there is a farm session in the morning and and all age session in the afternoon which are suitable for all ages, but under 5s must be accompanied by an adult. £25 for 1/2 day, £50 for full day (plus booking fee). Prebooking essential.
Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF
The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th October. Enjoy Halloween themed shows, Hocus Pocus Spell Classes and Day of The Dead Disco as well as the normal animals and play areas. Free small pumpkin with each child ticket. Tickets £19.99 per person, 6 months to 2 years
£4.99 on the door, cheaper in advance.
Loughton The Royal British Legion, 118 Church Hill, Loughton IG10 1LH
The Fairy Tale Face Painter is having 2 Halloween Parties on Saturday 28th October. The 10 to 12pm session is aimed at children 5 and under, then there is a Glow In The Dark Disco 2pm to 4pm aimed at age 6 plus. Both sessions will include free facepaint, magic, dancing, soft play and bubbles. Tickets £5 adults, under 12 months free, 1 and 2 year olds £15, children 3+ £18.
Marks Hall Estate, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, CO6 1TG
Marks Hall Estate have stepped up their Halloween offering this year. Last year they just had a pumpkin trail in October half term, but this year from 23rd to 27th October they have a Day of the Dead Themed Activties including learning Spanish to complete a crossword, crafts and story sessions. You also get fish food included in your admission price. Admission is £9 adults, £4.75 children. Also worth noting they have a prebookable SEN area where activities can be completed in a calmer setting.
They have announced a Kids Halloween Disco on 27th October in the Coach House from 6 to 7.30pm costing £7.50 per child (must be accompanied by an adult). Prebooking required and booking fee applies.
Marsh Farm,
South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
The Marsh Farm Halloween Festival is running 14th/15th October and from 21st to 29th October. Entry includes fair rides, pumpkin picking patch, adventure play, bouncy pillows, spooky 3D cinema, Trick or Treat Hunt and shows. Free small pumpkin per paying child. You can even warm up in the soft play. Tickets cost £19.99 for everyone over 2, £5.99 for 6 months, save money by booking in advance online.
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| Posing with Pumpkins at Marsh Farm when visiting the Halloween Festival |
Mersea Boating Lake, Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, C05 8SX
Their Pumpkin Patch is back this year from 20th to 29th October. They also have a trail around the lake, pond dipping, crabbing and more. 10am to 3pm. Children £10 and they will receive a pumpkin and other treats. Adults free. They also have a Fright Night which is suitable for 12 year upwards. It's £10 per person and on 27th October 4 to 10pm.
Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted CM24 8SP
The Halloween event runs from Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th October. Prebooking NOT required. Opening hours 10am to 5pm with last
admission at 4pm. General entry prices £16 for adults, £12.50 for
children 3 to 13. An additional £1 per person to enter the haunted mansion. Full details to be announced but the poster promises close encounters with dragons and witches.
Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield, EN2 9HG
There is a free pumpking trail around Myddelton House Gardens 23rd to 29th October between 10 and 4pm. Count how many pumpkins you find and return to the tea room for a treat. The gardens are small and nice to explore. Entry is free, but onsite parking is paid for. It is just down the road (and walkable) from Forty Hall where there is limited free parking and it also has a Halloween Trail the 26th to 29th October. Forty Hall trail costs £4 and needs to be prebooked. These are both in the ULEZ zone so check if you need to pay.
The Naze Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8LE
Book on to activities during half term at Naze Discovery Centre including Messy Magic Sessions on Tuesday 24th October for age 4 and upwards (£7 per child), Pumpkin carving on Friday 27th (£7 per child) and a drop in, self led Creepy Nature Trail on Friday (£3 per child, collect from the Visitors Centre). Other than the trail prebooking is required.
The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 21st to Tuesday 31st October. Activities include: magic school, meet a dragon, go on a ghost trail, stories, pumpkin patch (free pumpkin per child), arts and crafts, halloween tattoos and more. Entry to the park includes unlimited rides
and costs: £19.50 for adults, £20 for children (under 2s free), save
50p by booking in advance online.
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, Parndon Wood Road, Harlow, Essex, CM19 4SF
A special spooky evening will take place on Saturday October 28th between 5.30pm and 8pm. There is a spooky trail, fortune teller, Halloween games, crafts and refreshments. £5 per person, book here (the earlier arrival time has sold out).
Pets' Corner, Town Park, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2QG
The small farm in Harlow Town park is running some activities from 24th to 28th October. The farm entry is free, but there is a small charge for activities. Prebooking not required. There is a Halloween Ghost Hunt from 12 to 2pm on Tuesday and 12 to 3pm Wednesday to Saturday (prize every time). Creepy Freaky Animal Interactions are at various times Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and craft sessions on Thursday. Check out the post on their Facebook page for more details. Nearest car park is School Lane.
Rainham Hall, The Broadway, Rainham, Havering, London, RM13 9YN
Halloween at Rainham Community Garden includes a Ghostly Garden trail and pumpkin carving. Prebooking not required. Open 11am to 4pm, £4 per person doing the activity, card payments only. Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th October.
There is no on site car park, but there is parking nearby in Tesco (3 hours free for customers) and a pay and display car park nearby.
Chigwell Meadows Nature Reserve, Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve Grange Farm Centre, Grange Farm Lane, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6DP
On Monday 23rd there is a Creepy Creatures session at 10am and on Tuesday 24th there is a Woodland Magic session at 1.30pm. Both events are suitable for age 3 plus, require prebooking and are £7 per child.
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY
On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th the Royal Gunpowder Mills are open for a Halloween event between 11am and 5pm. Entrance to the grounds and Halloween market is free with separate timed booking required for each activity including: a science workshop (£13.50), magic show (£9.50) and Ghostly Express Train ride (£9.50).
Runwell Sports and Social Club, St Lukes Way, Wickford, SS11 7QA
On Monday 23rd October Party Monsters are hosting a Halloween Glow Party for all the family at The Runwell Social Club in Wickford. There are 2 sessions running: 11am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm. Includes magic show, puppet show, bubbles, balloons, snow, sensory play and more. Tickets £3.50 for infants, £8.50 for 2 to 16 year olds, £4 for adults plus booking fees.
Thameside Theatre, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX
Nicky Trix presents Halloween Howls at 2pm on Thursday 26th October. A Halloween themed family comedy magic show. £14 a seat.
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking, Stanford Le Hope SS17 0RN
There are several activities happening over October Half Term, but the more Halloween themed ones are: Spooky Science at 10am on Wednesday (5+) and Woodland Magic at 1pm on Friday (3+). £7 per child, prebooking recommended.
Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre, Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA
Halloween Pick and Play 90 minute obstacle course sessions are running throughout half term at 10.30am. Monday to Friday the sessions are children only (different sessions for children 6 to 10 and 11 plus). Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th parents can take part with their children in the obstacle fun with a free pumpkin to take home. £23, prebooking required.
Wyvernwood, St. Osyth Road, Alresford, Colchester CO7 8AP
Halloween adventures will be taking place at this magical lost kingdom (aimed at children 2 to 12) from the 21st to 29th October between 10am and 5pm. Gate tickets £22 per person, but great early bird discounts are available if you book in September.
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.
Thank You
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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!
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