Where To Go In Essex This October Half Term

If you are looking for places to go in Essex with children this half term then check out this list. There are lots of special events on at the best love attractions. Most, but not all, are Halloween themed. This list includes inside and outside activities. Although some schools have 2 week half terms most of the events are running between 26th October and 3rd November.

You might also want to check out these posts:

Where To Go In Essex With Children This October Half Term

Children in Halloween fancy dress posing with some witches with pumpkins in the background
The Halloween event at Marsh Farm


Adventure Island, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1EE

The seaside theme park is back open for half term between 26th October and 3rd November. The rides will be open as well as: Trick-or-Treating, Halloween Treasure Hunt, entertainment, free face painting and best dressed competition.  Little ones can warm up in the soft play while older ones can warm up in the arcade. Book in advance for the best price. 

Adventure Island in Southend, Essex, at night with the rides lit up
Adventure Island opens for half term with Halloween themed extras



Audley End House and Gardens, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF

At Audley End this half term there are two Halloween events: 
Between Saturday 26th October and Sunday 3rd November, 10am to 4pm, there is a fun family quest around the gardens. There will be costumed performers sharing strange, supernatural and the downright silly tales. Entry included in normal entry price (free for English Heritage members) £11.30 for children, £18.10 for adults if bought online (15% more if purchased on arrival).
If you fancy something a little spookier they have a creepy woodland walk running early evenings on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October & Thursday 31st October. This 45 minute walk is targeted at families with children aged 5 to 10 with ghost hunting story tellers. You need to book tickets separately online for the 5.30pm, 6.30pm or 7.30pm sessions which cost £14 Adults, £8.50 children. Members may be free this year, but last year it was 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 26th October to Sunday 3rd November. Head into the woodland on the train and travel to the witches house where you can catch them singing, dancing and making spells (maybe even conjuring up sweets). Next little ones will be able to make their very own potion pouch to take home before it's on to meet the woodland magician, William, who needs help performing his spook-tacular spells.
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 £19.50 or £20.50 (date dependent), children under 92cm are £9.75 or £10.25. There are SEN Halloween sessions on 27th, 30th October and 2nd November.

Audley End Miniature Railway Halloween train ride and witches house
Get the train to the witches house for an exciting Halloween event at Audley End Miniature Railway

Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD 

The Halloween Festival for half term runs between 26th October and 3rd November with plenty of child friendly spooky activities. There will be Witch and Cat dance parties as well as the chance to pick a pumpkin from the paddock to decorate. Enjoy a spooky walk through the labyrinth, a ghostly trail, as well as all the usual farm favourites. £14.45 for adults and children over 2 years old. Under 2's are £2.55.

Spooky nights are running at the farm park on 26th, 27th, 30th & 31st October 2024 from 17:30 to 21:00. Enjoy unlimited toddler fairground rides, safe trick or treating around The Village, spooky disco with Skittleman, creepy critter show, indoor and outdoor play areas, animals and more. £17 for adults and children over 2 years old, £13.60 for members, £3 for under 2. Prebooking required. 

Brentwood Halloween Mega Fun Day Brentwood Centre, CM15 9NN

On Monday 28th October there is a Spook-tacular Mega Fun Day at the Brentwood Centre including a magic show, inflatables, games and a disco. This is a 90 minute indoor event aimed at 2 to 11 year olds. The are 2 timeslots starting at: 10.30am and 1pm and a shorter 3pm SEN friendly session. Tickets are very limited now but there are a few left, £9.99 per child plus £1.00 booking fee and adults are £1.50 plus £0.75 booking fee. 

Capel Manor Gardens, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ

Join in the Halloween activities at Capel Manor from Saturday 26th to Thursday 31st 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 cost £11 for adults and £8.50 for children. Prebooking recommended. You can read our review of visiting Capel Manor with children here.

Chelmsford For You Out of This World, Chelmsford City Centre

Back for a second year Chelmsford For You are hosting free events between Monday 28th and Sunday 3rd November. There are various actvities running each day including slime, origami, bath bomb making and shows. There is also a trail to complete. Download the trail sheet and programme from their website. 

Chelmsford Science Festival, Various locations

Runnning from 22nd to 29th October the final events of this year's Science Festival will be in half term. Check out the Family Science Days on Saturday and Sunday at the Chelmsford Campus of Anglia Ruskin University which have lots of fun activities. Free, but tickets need to be prebooked.

Cherry Lane Pumpkin Carving, Coggeshall Road, Stisted, Braintree, Essex CM77 8AE

Visit Cherry Lane Garden Centre in Braintree this Halloween (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. Children’s places cost £6.99 and up to 2 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:
Colchester Castle’s Medieval Trail is running from 26th October to 3rd November, a creepy trail in the eerie setting of Colchester Castle. Tickets are £5 each (in addition to castle entry) and include a prize at the end.  Suitable for children aged 6+. Castle admission for daytime events £12.75 for adults, £7.50 for first child, £3.75 for additional children, under 4s are free. Read our review of the castle here.
The Castle’s Spooktacular Family Fun Night is on 29th October and includes: ‘thrilling games, eerie crafts, and a party bag packed with treats and surprises.’ Suitable for children aged 4+. Tickets are £10 per child and £5 per adult.
They also have their sleepover event, Knightzzz At The Museum, on 26th October (prebooking essential, from £40 per person), 5 years and up, children must be accompanied by an adult. 
Prebooking for events can be done by calling 01206 282939. 

Colchester Fringe, various locations

Colchester Fringe runs from 25th October to 3rd November with a wide range of events for all ages. If you check out their webpage you can filter events by age suitability. 

Colchester ZooMaldon Road, Colchester CO3 0SL

Join Shriek Week at the zoo from 26th October to 3rd November 2024 which features 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 online and in advance is £19.95 for children and £27.08 for adults (plus booking fee). Read tips for visiting the zoo here.

They also have an evening event "Trail of Terror" for adults and recommended for children 12yrs+ (under 5s will not be admitted) on 18th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 28th and 30th October 2024 . This must be prebooked, prices start at £24. This event does not include viewing animals.

Cursed EssexBCM Productions Ltd, Crouch Valley Showground, A1245

With 5 themed horror mazes and with scary actors or ‘Cursed roaming rotters’ to interact with, plus immersive scenery. There are food and drinks also available to purchase including loaded fries, a bar and hot chocolate. The Cursed Village Fright Nights are running from 17th October to 2nd November 2024 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 £20.00 and £30.00 plus booking fee per person dependent on the date.  

They also run Cursed Twilight which is intended for under 16’s and those who will find the full event too frightening (age 8 plus) on Tuesday 29th October 5pm to 9pm, tickets are £20 per person. 

Daisy May's Farm, Hall Road, Elsenham, CM22 6DN

From Saturday 26th October to 3rd November, 10am to 4pm, you can enjoy the Halloween event at the farm. Ride the Halloween train (£2 extra per person), get your face painted, enjoy marshmallows around the fire, meet & feed the animals, have lots of messy art & craft fun, pick your own pumpkin and more. Aimed at children age 2 to 10. £10 per child, £5 per adult. You can prebook online. Read more about visiting the farm here


Down Hall HotelMatching Road, Hatfield Heath, Bishop's Stortford CM22 7AS

This hotel is hosting a number of Halloween events this year including Afternoon Tea with a specially themed menu on 25th October to 1st November. They also have a Halloween cinema weekend on 26th to 27th October with Ghostbusters on Saturday and The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands on the Sunday. 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 or on 28th October with piñata making and a treasure hunt, which includes childcare.
Afternoon tea for adults is £40 mid week, £42.50 at weekends with kids going for half price. The cinema weekend tickets start at £10 (+£1 booking fee) per person. Staycations start at £249.

East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel Station, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS

On 26th and 27th October 2024 Day Out With Thomas is back at the railway museum. Great fun for little train fans and those who love 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 £15.40 for children (2 to 17) and £19.80 for adults. Prebooking required. Read my review of our visit to Day Out With Thomas here.

Thomas the tank engine at East Anglian Railway Museum in Essex
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 26th, 27th and 29th to 31st October 2024. Expect spooky characters on and off the train and a magician. Prize for best costumes. Tickets are Adult £18, Children £10.  Under 3s free.

Essex Country Parks, various locations 

A free Monster Mysteries Trail is now running at various parks in Essex including Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury, Great Notley, Thorndon, Weald and Cressing Temple Barns. Download it from the website and follow at your own pace. It's essentially just a series of signs to look out for and fill in on a trail sheet, but it might help some children on an Autumnal walk. The trail and entry is free, but car parks are chargeable. 

Essex Fire Museum, Grays Fire Station, Hogg Lane, Grays, RM17 5QS

There are two open days at the fire museum running over half term: Sunday 27th and Tuesday 29th October, 10.30am to 4pm. Free, but email to let them know you are coming (time and number of people) on museum@essex-fire.gov.uk.  Read about what to expect in this post.

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester , Essex, CO5 7DN

There is an event on Monday 28 October which includes 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 (£12.99 per child inclusive of booking fee), but can arrive at any time and ticket price includes the pumpkin.

Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre, Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay CM11 1WT

Halloween activities include: a Spooky Spells and Pongy Potions session on Wednesday 30th October, £7.73 per child and parents must accompany. If you are not out trick or treating they are also running an evening session for over 5s on Thursday 31st October 5 to 7pm, £10.88 per person where children can search for creepy crawlies, make potions and enjoy the woodland scenery. Prebooking required.

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 Wednesday 23rd October to Sunday 3rd November 2024. With 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 which 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).

Haunted Circus, Colchester Business & Seedbed Centre, Wyncolls Road, Highwoods, CO4 9HT

Join the team at Together AAT for a Haunted Circus every weekend from 19th October to 2nd November. Complete challenges alongside the ringmaster to enter the circus then meet the therapy animals, such as bunnies and snakes and even join in with the show. Refreshments of hot chocolate, biscuits and cake are included. Tickets for children and adults over 2 are £15 each and under 2 are £7.50.

Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DJ

Visit Brightworth's School of Magic for young witches and wizards this October half term. The sessions are aimed at children aged 3 to 14. Tickets include: castle entry, a magic wand, entry to the enchanted animal enclosure, potion and magic classes, 2024 diary and a magic school certificate.
From Sunday 27th October to Saturday 2nd November 2024, the classes will run in two sessions: 10.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Entry is £13.95 adults, £21.95 children. You can even add a personal acceptance letter for £9.95 per person which will be sent in a wax sealed envelope to the door inviting your child to the school if you book early. 

Herts & Essex Community Farm, Fold Croft, Harlow, CM20 1SE

There is a Halloween Hunt at the community farm on Sunday 27th October between Midday and 2pm.  £3 for children. There is also a fancy dress competition, refreshments and games (extra cost). Prebooking not required.

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 pre-schoolers.

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Farm, Sawyers Hall Lane, CM15 9BZ

Half Term sees Hopefield Animal Sanctuary open 10am to 3pm between Saturday 26th and Sunday 3rd November. Entry includes a Haunted Barn, trick or treat trail, arts and crafts, meet the creepy crawlies and general admission to the sanctuary as well as a pumpkin to take home. Adults £8, children £12, under 2’s are free.

A spooky set up showing a chapel and gravestones at Audley end miniature railway
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

Hyde Hall promises 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.

Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach , Hornchurch, RM12 6DF (Sat Nav RM12 6TS)

A spooky special on Friday 1st November includes: wand whittling and potion making. Suitable for children aged 3-10, £7.73 per child, prebooking required.

Kids Play Bouncy Castles Stay and Play, Debden Park High School, Willingale Road, Loughton IG10 2BQ

Taking 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 each day lasting 2 hours (9.30am, Midday and 2.30pm). £13 per child, prebook online. 

A bouncy castle and 2 inflatable slides at a stay and play in Loughton in half term
Inside bouncy fun in Loughton this half term


Langdon Nature Discovery Park, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, SS16 6EJ

There are a few events running at half term at the home of the Peter Rabbit Trail including: The Spooky Secrets of Langdon Halloween event on Monday 28th October at 5pm, 6pm or 7pm time slots. This involves a guided walk around the reserve after dark whilst you learn about the park plus spooky stories and some wildlife. Suitable for 5 years and above. £12 per person. On Wednesday 30th October at 10am  is a 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 £7.73 per child. Prebooking required.

Lambourne End, Centre for Outdoor Learning, Manor Road, Lambourne End, Essex, RM4 1NB

From Monday 28 October 2024 to Friday 1 November 2024 there is an Adventure Academy for children over 8. £25 half day, £50 full day . On Tuesday and Friday 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. 

Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF

The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 26th October to Friday 1st November. 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 £14.49 per person, 6 months to 2 years £5.50. Tickets are more expensive if purchased on the door. Wrap up warm as it's mostly outside.

Markshall Estate, Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, CO6 1TG 

Markshall Estate are hosting a pumpkin trail from 28th October to 1st November (10am to 4.30pm). Find the 20 pumpkins around the arboretum and enjoy the autumn plants before collecting a munchkin pumpkin. Also on 28th October to 1st November there is a Witches & Wizards event with children's activities, there are limited tickets available for this event.

Children looking at a sign and a wooden pumpkin shape
A pumpkin trail and other bookable activities this half term at Markshall Estate


Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5WP

The Marsh Farm Halloween Festival is running 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th and 26th October to 1st November. Entry includes fair rides, pumpkin picking patch, adventure play, bouncy pillows, Trick or Treat Hunt and shows.  You can even warm up in the soft play. Tickets online in advance cost £15.99 for everyone over 2, £5.00 for 6 months, tickets are more expensive on the door.

Children posing next to a skeleton backdrop at Marsh Farm, Essex
There will be plenty to keep children entertained (inside and out) at Marsh Farm this half term

Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted CM24 8SP

The Halloween event runs from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 and includes a Pumpkin Trail. Children can look for the hidden pumpkins around the castle and House on the Hill museum and win a prize for completing the trail and enter the Haunted Manor, if you dare (additional cost). Entry costs £17 adults, £13.50 children.

Museum of Power, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon CM9 6QA

This museum in Maldon is running half term activities from Wednesday 30th October to 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 is running a separate 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.

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 Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October between 4pm and 7pm. Pre booking required. It's £4 per person for this short train ride, but a fun Halloween activity for children that love trains. 

A miniature train being looked at in the rain
This miniature railway needs to be prebooked for their Halloween special


Old Macdonald's Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY

The Halloween Festival is running from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024. Activities include: magic school, haunted house, 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 prices are cheaper if buying online and in advance. Adults tickets range from £17.00 to £20.00, between £17.40 and £20.50 for children over 2 (under 2s free).

Pets' Corner, Town Park, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2QG

The small farm in Harlow Town park is running some activities from Monday 28th October to Saturday 2nd November 2024. The farm entry is free, but there is a small charge for activities. There is a ghost hunt every day between 11am abd 3pm, Spooky Crafts on 28th and 2nd, Animal meet and greets 28th to 1st and Creepy Crawly Lair 26th and 31st October as well as Pumpkin competition and fancy dress competition. Check out the post on their Facebook page for more details. Tickets available on the day.  Nearest car park is School Lane.

Runwell Sports and Social Club, St Lukes Way, Wickford, SS11 7QA

On Monday 28th October 2024 Midday to 2pm The Runwell Social Club in Wickford are hosting a Halloween themed event with a children's entertainer, games, costume contest and prizes.  Tickets £5.00 for adults, £9.50 for children and £4.50 for under twos. Tickets available at the bar.

Southend Pier & RailwayWestern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE

From 26th October to 3rd November there is a monster hunt on the pier. Get an activity sheet for £2 (in addition to pier entry prices, which vary depending on if you walk or get the train along the pier). Claim a prize from the Royal Pavilion when completed. 

Stubbers Adventure Centre, Ockendon Road, Upminster, Essex, RM14 2TY
Half term is pumpkin week at Stubbers. General entry is £3 for adults, £4 for children and includes a Pumpkin Discovery Trail as well as the adventure playground. You can also prebook inside/ under cover actviities including caving in their artificial caves (£8pp), clip and climb (£8pp) and target sports (from £16pp).

The inside Climbing walls at Stubbers Adventure Centre
Book climbing at Stubbers to warm up after their Pumpkin Trail


Thameside Theatre, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX

Nicky Trix presents Halloween Howls on Monday 28 October at 2pm. This Halloween themed family comedy magic show costs adults £14.50, under 16 £12.50, Family of 4 £45.50.

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: Thameside Halloween in the wood, (Wednesday 30th October 2024 5-7pm) for a night time walk around the reserve, creepy crawly hunt and scary stories around a camp fire- this is aimed at 5yrs+ and is £10.88 per child. Thameside Witches and Wizards is taking place on 31st October 2024 from 10:00-12:00 where little ones can ‘craft their very own magical wands, design fairy houses using nature-inspired materials, and enjoy mixing up potions and a story.’ £7.73 per child.

Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre, Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA

A 90 minute, muddy, obstacle course (but with a trick or treat twist?!), these sessions are taking place on the 26th, 29th and 31st October 2024. Children aged 6+. Saturday 26th October is a family event where adults can get involved too however the other two dates are kids only. £20 pp plus booking fee.

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 26th October to 3rd November 2024 between 10am and 5pm. Gate tickets £22 per person, but cheaper in advance. Includes meeting the wicked witch, storytelling, warrior workshop, spellcasting, heroes and villains and much more. Make sure to dress for the weather as cover is limited.

Children looking at a Wyvernwood character
Enjoy the magical world of Wyvernwood as they have their special Halloween event



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

Check out these great Halloween finds on Etsy from UK small businesses.

2 comments

  1. Thank you for putting all of this information together for parents and grandparents, it is very much appreciated and extremely helpful.

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