With only a few weeks to go until the scariest time of the year, attractions and businesses across Cornwall are hosting their own Halloween events.
A variety of events, for all ages will take place across the Duchy in the lead-up to Halloween on Tuesday, October 31.
From dressing up dogs to creepy crawlies - here’s our round-up of Halloween-themed events taking place in Cornwall over the next few weeks.
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
October 24- 28
Inspired by the sea the shadow stories will be told using specially made puppets and the large sail of one of the museum’s boats as a screen. Stories include a whale with a greedy appetite for pesky pirates and a menacing skeleton crew who lure unsuspecting sailors aboard their ship with sausage sandwiches.
To compliment the storytelling the museum is hosting crafting workshops where families can create shadow puppets and use them to tell their own shadow puppet stories. In addition, there will be a museum trail for visitors to join and discover all the hidden monsters throughout the building.
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
October 21 – 29
From October 21 to 29 October Halloween half term will see little horrors able to join in a host of different themed activities at the castle.
Storytellers will be ready to enthral and scare them silly with tales from history. They will also be brewing up potions in a cauldron – all based on real, bizarre medicines from olden times.
There will also be a Halloween Quest, where adventurers can complete challenges and clues to become a witch’s apprentice.
This is all included in the standard admission price.
Young visitors are encouraged to come in costume to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Simply take a photo and post it to the castle’s Facebook page to be in with the chance of winning an English Heritage kid’s bundle. For full terms and conditions, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/halloween-photo-competition/.
Castle Beach Falmouth
October 29, 2023
The ‘Howlaween Parade’, hosted by Castle Beach Café, will take place at 1pm on Sunday, October 29, alongside other family-friendly activities, including Wookie’s Cookies fortune-telling booth.
Costume contest entry is £1, with proceeds going to Pawprints to Freedom Dog Rescue. There will be prizes on offer for the most paw-somely dressed pooches.
Newquay Zoo, Newquay
October 24 and 26 3pm – 4.30pm.
During the event, visitors will be treated to a selection of spooky animal tales from Newquay’s Rangers. They will share fascinating facts about some of the zoo’s creepiest creatures and explore the clever behaviours they’ve developed to avoid predators and capture prey.
In addition, there will be craft activities, biscuit decorating and a range of tasty Halloween-themed snacks to enjoy.
The Spooky Tea and Tales event is available for children under the age of 16. Tickets cost £12.50 per child or £10.50 for members. Entry to the zoo must be purchased separately.
A maximum of two adults per child are allowed to attend, and refreshments will be available for adults to purchase from Newquay Zoo’s Lemur Café.
For more information, and to book tickets, go to: https://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/events/spooky-tea-tales/.
Newquay
During the Spooky Newquay week, terrifying treats are on the menu as the iconic five-star hotel introduces the ‘Wickedly Witchy Afternoon Brew’, running from October 1 until October 31. It is the first time the themed afternoon tea will be hosted in the stunning Restaurant RenMor, which opened at the luxury hotel in May after a major renovation to The Samphire.
Elsewhere in the Cornish resort Zombie Pirates are ready to abound and only the bravest buccaneers need apply for one of Cornwall’s most unique terrifying Halloween set of ‘Fright Nights.’. At Pirate’s Quest, horror fans are in for a treat as they take on an adventure mini golf course in the dark of night!
Those brave enough grab a glow-in-the-dark golf ball and descend into the daunting depths of Davy Jones’ Locker, a creepy graveyard of lost ships and souls that serves as a final resting place for history’s most dastardly seafarers!
Then the grand freak-all finale will be what’s thought to be the South West’s only Zombie Crawl. On Saturday 28th October
The 2023 Spooky Newquay Zombie Crawl experience will begin with multiple rolling workshops for families to enjoy, happening throughout the town including freaky face painting for all the family, Zombie outfit making sessions, pop-up scary moves dance classes and ongoing entertainment in preparation for the creepy Crawl. All of these sessions are free of charge for everyone to attend and will be situated in businesses and locations right throughout the town.
The Headland Hotel, Newquay
October 1 until October 31.
The menu includes wonderful cakes and treats, including white chocolate mice, pumpkin cheesecake, treacle tart and blackberry and apple trifle, alongside scones with clotted cream and jam, and some delicious autumnal sandwiches.
On selected dates, diners will have to pay extra attention to their manners as a witch prowls Restaurant RenMor, adding to the spooky occasion.
The Wickedly Witchy Afternoon Brew is priced at £45 per adult and £22.50 for children.
To book, visit https://www.renmor.co.uk/book
Flambards, Helston Saturday
October 21 – Tuesday October 31
Visitors will be able to pick up a Pumpkin Hunt sheet and hunt for clues throughout the park. For those who pick all the pumpkins, they will win a treat. Or for those who want to take on something a bit spookier, Flambards is inviting guests to tackle the ‘Penny Dreadful Quiz’ or the ‘Mystery Trial’ in the Victorian Village.
The popular Fireworks display will return to the park on Wednesday, October 25.
To find out more or to book tickets, visit https://www.flambards.co.uk/october-half-term-cornwall
The Fire Engine Inn, Marazion
October 29
The Fire Engine will host a Halloween party between 5pm and 7pm. There will be games, a costume competition, scary decorations, and a buffet.
The price is £6 per child which will include a full buffet and drinks, games, and prizes.
For more information, call 01736710771 or email info@fireenginecornwall.com.
Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell
21-29 October
This October, Heligan’s Home Farm barn welcomes back spiders, snakes and other creepy creatures for a wild encounter. The fun family experience will be running throughout half term as well as some crafting fun in the reserve yard.
As well as this, Heligan has partnered with Sand in Your Eye to offer thrill seekers Carved Pumpkin Trail with Giant pumpkins like never seen before. All creatively carved into characters sure to give a Halloween thrill! There will also be a family trail by day or at dusk, as giant spiders bring this Halloween Garden tale to life.
On October 26 and 28 between 5pm and 7.30pm, younger visitors are invited to Heligan’s Halloween Fancy Dress Parties. The evening starts with a spooky candlelit pumpkin trail through the eerie twisting branches of the woods, before retiring to Heligan’s Haunted Chamber where the team (and one of two giant spiders) wait for a ‘fang-tastic’ party.
Hot dogs (a vegan option also available) and a drink are both included in the children’s ticket price and will be served throughout the evening. The bar will be open for grown-up refreshments and sweet treats will be available to purchase.
Price: £16.50 per child & adults free of charge when accompanying a child. Tickets are to be purchased in advance.
If you have an event you would like to be added to this round-up email kate.lockett@newsquest.co.uk
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