A forest full of frights, pumpkin parades and ghostly tours are just some of the things your little one can experience with the National Trust in the North East this Halloween.
And with tales of intrigue and gruesome artefacts on display there’s plenty to give the whole family the jitters this half-term.
Why not try and locate the ingredients needed for our special Gruesome Gruel while you’re out and about on your adventures? Amongst the list is a kangaroo paw, a shark’s tooth and devil’s toenail but will you be able to find them all? Download the recipe card, marking them off as you find them and then send us a photo of you discovering each one.
For the not so brave there’s also the chance to tick off a few of your 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ challenges and discover our dazzling autumn colours along the way.
At Wallington adults will need to bring along a courageous child if they dare enter the Forest of Frights. This terrifying trail, taking place on October 31, will be full of strange happenings and spooky characters.
Also at Wallington try your hand at the 50 things to do before you’re scared to death event, which will include all sorts of spooky activities. But will you finish the trail of terror before sunset?
Throughout half-term visitors to Gibside will be able to take part in a Potion Trail through the woods where youngsters can pick up their very own ingredients to be added to the pot in the witches’ cave. And on October 26, 27, 30 and 31 join Gibside’s resident witch to hear eerie tales and take part in the pumpkin and lantern parade at 3pm on each of these days.
Ever heard of a Boggle? Thomas Bewick who lived at Cherryburn wished he hadn’t. He was both scared and fascinated by these supernatural creatures from Northumbrian folklore, so much so that he drew them a lot. Some of the scarier pictures will be on display in Cherryburn’s exhibition room throughout half-term.
There’s also Pumpkin carving and scary face painting as part of the Chilling Cherryburn event on October 26, 27 and 31.
Take a trip back in time at Seaton Delaval Hall for the Halloween Happenings at the Hall event on October 31. You’ll be invited to the Grand Opening of the “new” stables where you’ll get to see preparations underway for the great feast, but who will be eaten and will the white lady make an appearance.
But if all of this is too scary for you, then half-term is also the perfect time get out and discover new places. Our gardens and woodlands are ablaze with autumn colour so why not wander through the tree-lined Avenue at Gibside, or delight in the bold displays of Dahlias at Cragside, or keep your eyes open for our red squirrels at Wallington.
Autumn is also the best time to complete some of the 50 things on our adventure list. Try catching a falling leaf whilst on an autumnal walk, or challenge your friend to a game of conkers, or pick blackberries growing in the wild.
There are also a number of organised events to help you finish all 50 including, making your own Bird Boxes and Bird Feeders at Seaton Delaval Hall on October 28 and November 1 or hunting for bugs whilst on the Autumn Watch Nature Walk at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge also on November 1.
For more information on these or any other events, or to download the Gruesome Gruel recipe card go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northeast
Share your photos of your half-term adventures on Instagram, use #nthalloween and we’ll feature our favourite in the next edition of our newsletter.