Here’s our selection of Halloween in and around the area – do check details on the various links and websites and have a great time – let us know if you enjoyed and any great events we missed?
Kensington Palace after dark
The dark secrets of the Palace are revealed (so long as you’re over 12) in the dusk tour of our local royal hideaway.
6.45 every evening Oct 28th to 30th
Halloween at Osterley Park and House
Our family favourite – Osterley push out the boat a bit at this time of the year with all kinds of pumpkin carving, spooky tours and so on – Good value and if you’ve not been to Osterley, a great introduction.
Noon-4pm Oct 29 & 30
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-osterleypark
Just how scary are bats?
The Wetlands centre as ever do the right thing and host the chance to meet bats and their friends from the Bat Conservation Trust to correct some of those Halloween stories..
If that isn’t exciting enough – the British Tarantula Society will be there…guess what with…?
Seems to be all week 9.30 – 6.00 (except inexplicably shifts to 5pm on the 30th). Have a look at their slightly useless website http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london or give them a ring 020 8409 4400
They put great events on but their communication is for the birds..
Who will save your bacon at Ham House?
Apparently London’s most Haunted House..(really?).. Ham House near Richmond gets in on the Halloween action.
Quoting from Time Out
“Free entry for kids wearing fancy dress (Oct 24-27), as well spooky tours for families that take visitors into the house's atmospheric nooks and crannies (11.30am Oct 24-27; £8.50, £6.50 children: booking essential on 0844 249 1895). For grown-ups there are after-hours, torch-lit tours on which you can look out for the Duchess of Lauderdale and her pet spaniel, who have been reported to haunt the halls, followed by drinks and canapés in the orangery to calm the nerves (6-8pm & 7.30-9.30pm Oct 29, 30, 7.30-9.30pm Oct 31; £26; booking essential).”
Website here http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hamhouse
Chiswick House Pumpkin Party
We saw the prep for this last weekend and it looks great - Family Pumpkin Party.
Saturday 29th October 4.30pm - 7pm
http://www.chgt.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=400
I quote their website: “Back by popular demand, our spooky fun-filled pumpkin party entertains all the family. The theme is anything to do with pumpkins from Halloween to Cinderella with prizes for the best carved pumpkin and the best fancy dress! There will be games including pumpkin skittles and a camp fire plus tasty and creative pumpkin themed refreshments on sale to keep us warm.”
Tickets
£5 for a family (up to 2 adults, 2 children, or 1 adult, 3 children) £3 for a family of 2 (1 adult, 1 child) Extra tickets are £1 for an extra adult or child.
Dressing-up?
If you really want to get in the spirit (kids) then ask mum and dad if you can go to lovely local business Circus Circus on Wandsworth Bridge Road - they have the lot when it comes to Halloween (and the prices aren’t scary…she forced me to say that!)
http://www.circuscircus.co.uk/category.php?parent=40
Ghost Bus Tours
A classic Routemaster bus completely transformed for Halloween, sets out for haunted palaces, graveyards and other spooky locations around town. A skilled cast to guide you and some special effects to scare you. Bookings for under-16s are made at parental discretion.
http://www.theghostbustours.com
From 6pm 24th – 31st October
Halloween Themed Sea Adventure at the Natural History Museum
Fascinating (and a bit scary) creatures from deep in the oceans are the subject of this Halloween themed event.
Natural History Museum
12.30 and 2.30 30th October
Halloween Night safari also at The Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum experts reveal the secrets of Halloween including what really goes in a witches brew and how to mummify a mummy. Not cheap (£28 to non members) but absolutely brilliant we’re told.
7-10pm Monday 31st Oct.
And of course - don't forget - making some cupcakes according to valeri's recipe's is guaranteed to make the evening go with a scare (albeit a rather tasty one)
Have a look at our other blog posts or at Queen of Hearts
