Halloween and half term = fun for everyone

Where oh where did the first half of term go? Half term always catches me by surprise, but thankfully lots of people in Exeter have been busy thinking ahead and planning a host of half term activities to entertain your children and at the same time probably give you a bit of a breather. This coming week is, of course, also Halloween, providing even more opportunities to get active in and around the city.

 

We will have daily updates next week, but to get the party started, here is a selection of fun things to do during half term and for Halloween.

 

HAVE A SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEK AT CREALY ADVENTURE PARK

From 27th October to 3rd November

Join Crealy Devon, situated just a few minutes from Junction 30 on the M5, for a spooktacular week of eerie storytelling with readings by special guests throughout the week. These include TV and Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers, author of the Bradley Baker books, David Lawrence Jones, celebrity chef Michael Caines and Exeter City Football Club’s James Vittels.

Visit the Crealy Witch in her grotto, take part in spooky games and have a go at pumpkin carving. On Friday, Exeter City Football Club’s James Vittels will be hosting a special football traning session and on Saturday Crealy hosts a fundraising fireworks evening in aid of Families for Children, which will be opened by Caroline Quentin. Tickets for the charity fireworks display are £5 and are only available on the door from 4pm. www.crealy.co.uk/devon

 

HALLOWEEN AT BELMONT PARK HUT

27th October

Newtown Halloween returns for the third year in a row at the hut in Belmont Park on 27th October 2012.

The event, organised by Newtown Community Association is from 4pm-8pm and includes storytelling, mummy dressing, a cafe, and lots more.

Children are invited to bring along their carved pumpkins to enter a competition. For more information visit www.newtowncommunity.org.uk

 

ACTIVITY WORKSHOPS AT BICTON PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS

Until 31st October

Join the activity workshops in the Orangery at Bicton Park Botanical Gardens and meet the Bicton Witch, who can be visited at her cauldron at no extra charge. The park combines 18th century tranquillity with modern amenities to provide year-round enjoyment for all ages including historic glasshouses, a countryside museum, the Bicton Woodland Railway train ride, nature trail, maze, mini golf, indoor and outdoor children’s play complexes, restaurant and shop and is open 10am-4.30pm throughout the winter. Visit  www.bictongardens.co.uk for further information.

 

GARDEN TRAILS AT KNIGHTSHAYES

Until 31st October

Join one of the bat-themed garden trails throughout the week at Knightshays Court, Tiverton, 11am-4pm, £1.50 per child. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes-court

 

SPOOKY FUN AT THE DONKEY SANCTUARY

Until 2nd November

There is a range of spooky goings on at The Donkey Sanctuary this week with an evening of ghoulish family fun on All Hallows’ Eve itself.  There will be daily Halloween holiday haunts, pumpkin carving and face painting during the Halloween Fun Day  (Wednesday 31st October, 11am – 3pm). 

Spider Day (Thursday 1st November) will give visitors the chance to come face to face with amazing local species of these creepy crawlies, while freaky flying mammals are the theme of the Build a Bat Box day on Friday 2nd November, where participants can make their own bat box (£7 per kit) to encourage more wildlife into their own gardens.

For further event details visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/calendar

 

KILLERTON GREAT BRITISH WALK WEEK

Until Sunday 4th November

Every day throughout the autumn half-term the Killerton Discovery Centre will be open 11am-4pm. For more details call 01392 881345 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

 

GHOSTLY GOINGS ON AND HALLOWEEN FUN AT EXETER'S UNDERGROUND PASSAGES

Until 2nd November

For those who want to experience the spooky atmosphere of the Underground Passages, throughout the October half-term holidays (27th October – 4th November, excluding 31st October), there will be special Witches & Wizards Tours of Exeter’s famous medieval Underground Passages.

Children are invited to explore under the city’s streets on guided tours and discover ingredients for magic spells. Using ingredients found, young adventurers are challenged to concoct their own magic spell and enter it into a competition with the opportunity to win one of many fantastic prizes.

On 31st October, the Underground Passages will be running special ‘Gory Story Tours’, highlighting some of the more unsavoury tales from Exeter’s turbulent past. Children can have a go at writing their own ‘Gory Story’ and again have the chance to win a fantastic prize.

Access for children under 5 years, wheelchairs and pushchairs is to the exhibition only. For more information about the amazing Undergrund Passages, please visit the Exeter City Council Website: http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2914

 

SEATON'S TRAM OF TERROR

Until 31st October

Travel if you dare, on Seaton’s Tram of Terror to Colyton and back with lots of spills and thrills on the way. There will be horrible Halloween games at Colyton, revolting refreshments at the Tramstop Restaurant and lots of other children’s entertainment and activities. 

10.30am, noon, 1.30pm and 3pm daily, until 31 October, tickets are £9.95 adult, £7.95 children aged 3-16 and £4.95 under 3s. For more information and to book tickets call 01297 20375 or visit www.tram.co.uk

 

SPOOKY TOURS AND MORE AT POWDERHAM CASTLE

28th October – 1st November

Take a thrilling tour with Powderham Castle's housekeeper or butler through the castle rooms, followed by a spooky session with the Castle's Mad Scientist. Spooky Tours run at noon, 1.30pm and 3pm and must be booked in advance on 01626 890243.

Regular tours are available throughout the day too for the faint-hearted. Follow the pumpkin trail around the grounds to win a prize. Other attractions open as usual. Normal admission applies: adult £10.50, senior £9.50, child £8.50. www.powderham.co.uk

 

OTTERY ST MARY TREASURE HUNT

28th October

Follow the clues around the town to complete a fun treasure hunt starting at 2pm on the Land of Canaan. For more details call 01404 813964.

 

FUNGI FORAY

28th October

Ashclyst Forest Fungi Foray with Nigel Pinhorn of Devon Nature Walks, 11am-1pm, £7 adults, £3.50 children. More details: 01392 881345.

 

JUNGLE JIM AT EXMOUTH PAVILLION

28th October

Jungle Jim is back from the jungle with his crazy creatures, animal antics and more madness at Exmouth Pavilion. Suitable for all ages, the show starts at 3pm. For tickets call 01395 222477. 

 

More half term activities will be published next week, alternatively visit http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/whats-on/listings for a full list of what's on near you. 

 

If you have a half term activity that you want to highlight, contact us on TED@thedailyuk.com