Halloween comes to Holkham Hall

Behold the witching hour is almost upon us and there are plenty of terrifying adventures to scare you out of your wits this Halloween. SIMON PARKIN picks some highlights.

PRIMEVIL

Dinosaur Adventure, Lenwade, October 26-31, 6pm-11pm, 01603 876312, www.primevil-scare.com

The hugely popular PrimEVIL event is back to Dinosaur Adventure with its mix of live action thrills and scrares being bigger, better and even more terrifying than last year’s event which saw visitors scared witless by chainsaw-wielding mutants, crazed hospital inmates and all manner of supernatural ghouls. New this year will be Creepy Cabin, a ski lodge from which no one ever returns, and The Dark, which offers a journey into an all pervading blackness through which you must live the nightmares of your own imagination. Back again are the Insitorium and its incredibly strange ‘inmates’, DinoHaunts, featuring ghouls, witches, ghosts and werewolves, and the Circus of Terrors. Spooky’ tickets (£9.95) cover Dinohaunts and Creepy Cabin; ‘Terror’ tickets (£15.95) are for all five attractions and are not recommended for under-12s.

NORWICH GHOST WALKS

Adam and Eve, Bishopsgate, October 26-31, 7.15pm/9.30pm, £6, 07831 189985, www.ghostwalksnorwich.co.uk

Twilight creeps through the narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards of the old city disturbing the sleep of the long departed and the City of the Dead stirs once more into ghostly life. Experience these special Halloween tours on foot guided by The Man in Black. This year new stories from around the world are told in an area around Cow Tower. In 2011 over 1200 people enjoyed five nights of ghostly tales in a really spooky setting. The Halloween specials are not recommended for under-8s or those of a nervous disposition. The location of the event is guaranteed to give the ghost team the maximum opportunity to terrify all who dare to attend.

GHOST TRAINS

North Norfolk Railway, October 27-31, rover tickets £10.50 (£9.50 cons), £7 children, under-5s free, £35 family, 01263 820800, www.nnrailway.co.uk

Horror on the rails at the Poppy Line with a week-long series of events full of treats and more than a spooky trick or two. Ghoulies and ghosties abound. At Weybourne Station, if you’re feeling brave enough, you can enter the spook-laden Halloween Hall, hellish haunt of witches, warlocks and shuddering spiders. There’ll be spot prizes for the best-dressed Halloweenster (age limit 15). And, of course, there’ll be a Ghost Train. On Halloween itself, October 31, it will leave Sheringham at 6.30pm for a trip to Halloween Hall and back (not suitable for under-8s) Fares £9.50, £5 children, including a refreshing little surprise.

HOLKHAM HALLOWEEN

Holkham Hall, until October 27-31, 10am-9pm, £7, £3.50 children, £19 family, 01328 713111, www.holkham.co.uk

Plenty of Halloween fun to be had at Holkham this year. Are you brave enough to join the Victorian ghost hunter as he unlocks the secrets in the cellars beneath Holkham Hall (5pm-8pm, £10, £7 children). In the courtyard and Bygones Museum you’ll discover spooky skeletons, wicked witches, sinister silhouettes and things that go bump in the night! Mix a potion with our wizard and create a spell, listen to the ghoulish story-telling or watch the fire juggling. Each day a creepy lantern parade will be led by a wizard that’s guarantee you’ll be spellbound! There are also spooky basement tours on October 27, 29 and 31 (4pm-8pm/£10, £7 children). Do you dare to investigate?

HALLOWEEN SPOOKY TRAIL

Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden, October 31, 6pm-8pm, £5.50 (£5 cons), £3 children, 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

Scare yourself silly at the haunted trail at Fairhaven. This is their 13th Halloween event (spooky huh?) and will again feature magic, music and strange happenings. Thundermental fire artists will be in action, there will be children’s entertainers and The Rockin’ Monks will be back with a selection of spooky songs. Watch out for Dracula appearing from his coffin, the Grim Reaper and zombies, mummies and witches on the trail, along with a firework finale at 7.45pm.

SNAGGLEFANG’S SPOOKY SPECTACULAR

Bewilderwood, Hoveton, October 27-November 4, normal admission prices, 01603 783900, www.bewilderwood.co.uk

Bewilderwood is promising its best ever Halloween. The bats are descending from their roosts, the lanterns are bigger and better, the pumpkins are glowing and there’s an unexplained rustle in the trees. Make your own masks and lanterns and join Snagglefang’s famous end-of-day Luminous Lantern Parade if you dare on October 27 (6pm) and 28 (5.30pm). This year, at the end of each day, there will also be the chance to gather round the Boggle fire where the Twiggles will tell you a little story before heading towards the Wood Witch, Swampy and other characters and the Treacherous Trail.

SPOOKY EXPRESS

Aylsham Station, October 27-November 4, 9am-5pm, £12 adult return, two children free with fare-paying adult, 01263 738882, www.bvrw.co.uk

Bure Valley Railway offers some Halloween fun aboard the Spooky Express. A children’s competition to see how many spooky items can be spotted on the train journey, a colouring corner and a decorated Whistlestop Café add to this Halloween themed event.

SPOOKY TALES

Great Hospital, Bishopsgate, Norwich, October 27, 4pm-6pm, free admission, www.norwich12.co.uk

Free family event with storytelling by The Word Wizard at 4.30pm for young ones and another at 5.30pm for older children. There will also be a Halloween craft corner. Dress up for the occasion and there will be a prize for the ‘best Halloween costume’ in both age categories. Some puppets from Norwich Puppet Theatre will be on display and there will be the opportunity for tours of the Eagle Ward.

SPOOKY SEAFARERS

Nelson Museum, South Quay, Great Yarmouth, October 31, 10.30am-3.30pm, 01493 850698, www.nelson-museum.co.uk

Half-term family fun at the Nelson Museum includes a treasure trail and colouring crafts but on October 31, the Halloween Special with include spooky face-painting, crafts and haunted treasure trail.

REAL HALLOWEEN

Holt Hall, October 27-28 (12.20pm-6pm), £6, under-3s free, extra charges for some activities, www.fairylandtrust.org

The Fairyland Trust’s Real Halloween celebrates all that is magical about Halloween and late autumn. Throughout the weekend children can take part in the ever popular workshops, Witches Pets, Wizard Shields and Magic Potions and of course carve a pumpkin to take home. Anyone can try their luck at Apple Bobbing, Sugar Beet Shot Putt, Broomstick Javelin and the like in the Wizard Games. Each day ends with a lantern parade and the telling of the Real Halloween story by candlelight

SPOOKY TALES

Norwich Castle Museum, October 29, 11am-3.30pm, £2.40 (£2.10 cons), £1.80 children, (over-5s only), 01603 495897, www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

Due to popular demand, spooky dungeon tours returns at Norwich’s Castle. Pop along to hear frightening tales of past prisoners and other Norfolk stories. First come, first serve on the day.

WITCHES IN THE WORKHOUSE

Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, October 27/28, 10am-4pm, £9.10 (£8.10 cons), £6.10 children, under-4s free, , 01362 869251, www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

After a successful inargural Witches in the Workhouse last year, this spooky event at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse returns in an extended form over two days. The witches’ bottle is broken. Almost anything could be lurking in the museum corridors! Find items of good and bad luck in Cherry Tree Cottage and have a go at rag rugging. Discover objects of superstition from the museum collections and spot the bats hiding in the collections gallery. There are seven bats, can you find them all? Take a ghostly tour and hear chilling tales in the dark corridors of the workhouse.

THE GRAVEYARD WALK

Fisherman’s Hospital, Great Yarmouth, October 31, 2pm, pre-book on 01493 846346

Great Yarmouth Minster and its graveyard is the setting for this spooky walk. Meet at the Fishermen’s Hospital gates at the northern end of the market to hear fascinating stories about characters laid to rest in this large consecrated area next to the medieval town wall. There’s the tomb of a sailor killed by pirates and a ghost story about an Egyptian princess. See the monument commemorating those who died in the suspension bridge disaster of 1845 and discover the bricked up gate where some of Nelson’s sailors took their final journey.

www.heritage-walks.co.uk

AFTER THE END

Sainsbury Centre, UEA, October 31-November 2, 5.30pm, £5, 01603 508050, www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk

By Any Other Name theatre company will perform a darkly comic psychological horror by Dennis Kelly in an intimate and claustrophobic underground space. In the aftermath of a nuclear explosion, Louise wakes up to find herself trapped in a bunker with Mark, who has saved her life. Mark has prepared for the worst and has everything he thinks they need to survive now they just need to wait until it’s safe to go outside. Can they survive the attack? Suitable for 16+

GOTHIC TALES

Sheringham Little Theatre, October 31, £8, under-16s £5, 01263 822347, www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com

An evening of supernatural dread and psychological suspense from Redheart Theatre, A sceptical young man spends a night in a haunted room to prove there are no such things as ghosts, a lonely railway worker is visited by a mysterious spectral figure and a madman is driven to murder: from the golden age of gothic horror, three tales written by some of the greatest authors of the Victorian era. Adapted and directed by Justin Butcher, performed by professional actor Rupert Mason.

TRICK OR TWEET

Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, October 27-November 4, 10am-5pm, normal admission prices, 01328 851465

A spine-chilling self-guided trail around Pensthorpe Nature Reserve will offer a fright for all the family, including learning more about the natural and mystical beasts that are related to this frightening time of year. To get into the spirit of Halloween, why not get dressed up in a scary outfit? Children in the best fancy dress will be in with a chance of winning a shiveringly good prize. The reserve will also be decorated for Halloween, with pumpkins and lanterns adding to the atmosphere.

www.pensthorpe.com

GO GREEN HALLOWEEN/THE TREE HAVE EYES

Hickling Broad, October 28/31, 1pm-3pm, £6 (one accompanying adult free), pre-book on 01603 625540, www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

Take an (un)naturally good Halloween tour around Hickling Broad Nature Reserve with expert natural artist Tim Willey to create a marvellous green man mask. Look out for wildlife as you collect materials before creating your own work of art to scare people with on Halloween. Then on October 31, The Tree Have Eyes (1pm-2.30pm/£3.50 per child, accompanying adults free) offers a spooky afternoon of arts and crafts fun. Make faces on the trees using natural materials and clay.

HALLOWEEN TRAIN

Dereham Station, October 31, 7pm, £12, £8 children, 01362 851723, www.mnr.org.uk

Mid-Norfolk Railway will be running a “spooky” Halloween Train tomorrow night from Dereham to Wymondham Abbey station and back. Come in costume and look out for the ghosts and witches on the train and along the journey through Norfolk countryside. Bring your own food and drink and prepare to be spooked!.

HALLOWEEN AT THE HALL

Blickling Hall, October 27, 6pm-9pm, £9, £4.50 children, £25 family, pre-book on 0844 8004308, www.nationaltrust.org

Join an unnerving tour around BLickling Hall if you dare. There will also be family spooky goings on in the garden and a fancy dress competition for all ages. Seasonal, gruesome food in the restaurant.

SCREEN HORROR

The darkened cinema is always a great place to scared out of your wits on Halloween. This year’s horrific cinematic shockers includes Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (out from October 31) sequel to the 2006 horror film, based on the popular video game series. Masked psychopath Michael Myers returns to multiplexes for one night only on October 31 in John Carpenter’s classic 1978 horror Haloween. Another welcome re-issue is Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, showing at Cinema City on October 31. And there’s horror with laughs as Tim Curry, Richard O’Brien and Susan Sarandon do the Time Warp again as Richard O’Brien’s cult cross-dressing musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show struts back into cinemas just in time for Halloween.