The Best Halloween Breaks For Families In The UK In 2024
Wondering what to do this October half term? Halloween breaks for families just add a little extra spooky fun to your October half term holiday so why not give one of them a go?
There are now lots of places around the UK where you can have a fun Halloween holiday with the kids.
Getting in on the Halloween family break action are theme parks, holiday parks and even castles. They are putting on all sorts of spooky Halloween events for families to enjoy during their stay.
See also things to do in London at Halloween with kids.
If Halloween is coming to an end, it might be time to start thinking about Christmas. Here are some great Christmas breaks for families and some festive Santa Sleepovers.
*Please note that the 2024 Halloween break details will be updated when their information is released*
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Halloween breaks in the UK for families at Theme Parks
Merlin Attractions run most of the major theme parks in the UK and they go all out at Halloween. If you are planning on visiting more than one Merlin attraction during the year, it is worth bearing the Merlin Annual Pass in mind. It could help you save a decent amount as a family.
With an annual pass, you can save up to 20% on short breaks (see the Merlin Holiday Club for details).
Warwick Castle
You may think that Warwick Castle deserves to be under the castle section below but it is more of a theme park than a castle really – and you don’t get to stay in the castle itself as part of the Warwick Castle Halloween break.
Nevertheless there is plenty of haunted Halloween fun to be had. Their Halloween breaks include an overnight stay in the castle grounds with breakfast, one-day entry to Warwick Castle and additional evening entertainment) over and above ALL of the spooky goings on included in your entry ticket.
Halloween at the Castle is on from 26th October to 3rd November. See here for details on the spooky Halloween fun – including the Haunted Castle, mysterious maze, spooky school and a visit to the castle dungeons (although this is recomended for age 10+).
And for truly fearless families – how about visiting the castle after dark? This is also recommended for age 10+!
Location: Warwick Castle, Castle Lane, Warwick, CV34 4QU.
Book your stay: You can book on the Warwick Castle website here.
Chessington World of Adventures at Halloween
The Halloween break at Chessington World of Adventures includes an overnight stay in a themed hotel (with breakfast and early ride time), evening entertainment, and 1 day entry to the park with animal meet and greets.
During your stay you will be able to enjoy the hugely popular Howl’o’ween which runs from the beginning of October to the 3rd of November.
There are theme park rides at dusk, spooky fancy dress and the Vile Villagers in the Wild Woods.
Just going for the day? Buy your Chessington tickets here. And read our guide to visiting Chessington which is packed with advice and tips.
Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE.
Book your stay: You can book on the Chessington website here.
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort at Halloween
The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Brick or Treat break includes an overnight stay with breakfast and 1-day park entry with early access. If you stay in a LEGOLAND Windsor Resort hotel, you also receive a free LEGOLAND gift and can experience character meet & greets.
If you are just looking to visit for a day, they are running Brick or Treat from 27th September to 3rd November 2024. There will be special events including a Monster Jam show, haunted house party and Monster Street. Buy your LEGOLAND Windsor tickets here.
Location: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY.
Book your stay: You can book on the Legoland website here.
You might find our guide to visiting Legoland with young children helpful.
Alton Towers Resort at Halloween
Alton Towers Scarefest
The October Half Term break at Alton Towers includes an overnight stay with breakfast, golf and 1 day entry to the park.
If you just want to visit for a day, they are running Scarefest from 11th October to 3rd November 2024.
New for 2024 is the Amigos in the Afterlife which offers spooky fun based on the Dia de los Muertos celebrations (for age 6+). There are rides after dark and more themed entertainment for older kids (12+). Find out more about the award winning Scarefest here.
And if you’re just planning on visiting for the day, buy your Alton Towers tickets here.
Location: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB.
Book your stay: You can book on the Alton Towers website here.
Thorpe Park Resort at Halloween
Overnight Frights at Thorpe Park include an overnight stay in the Thorpe Shark Cabins and park entry with access to all rides and free entry to scare maze.
If you just want to visit for a day, they are running Fright Nights from the beginning of October to 3rd November 2024. It includes nighttime rides, scare zones and creepy entertainment. Buy your Thorpe Park tickets here. Recommended for age 13+.
Location: Thorpe Park Resort, Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PN.
Book your stay: You can book on the Thorpe Park website here.
Paultons Park
Halloween Breaks at Paultons Park
Short breaks at Paultons Park include one night stay in a nearby hotel with with breakfast and 2-day park entry. This event is running from 17th October to 4th November 2024.
Guests can enjoy Halloween shows (on selected dates). Late-night rides will be available on 29th, 30th and 31st October. The fairy gardens are getting a Halloween themed makeover as well as Peppa Pig World.
Location: Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6AL.
Halloween breaks for families in the UK at Holiday Parks
Parkdean Resorts Halloween breaks
An incredible 66 Parkdean Resorts around the UK are offering Spooktacular October half term breaks with Fangtastic Halloween fun!
These breaks are incredibly resonable with prices for 3 nights starting from £109. Great if you’re looking for cheap Halloween breaks for families.
From 25th October to 3rd November (England and Wales) and 11th to 20th October (Scotland) there will be half term breaks – although the actual Halloween activities will be offered from 4th October to 3rd November across all resorts.
It will include pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts, ghostly walks, a Monster Ball and a Wizards and Witches Academy.
See here for locations. Warmwell in Dorset is our favourite location in a woodland setting with an indoor pool with slides, ski slope and great selection of activities.
Forest Holidays Halloween breaks
Forest Holidays have 13 sites around the UK located in forests and are a great option for your October half term holiday if you’re looking for more of a peaceful break.
The lodges are lovely and blend in well with their forest surroundings. Unlike Bluestone or Center Parcs, Forest Holidays sites don’t have pools but each lodge has a hot tub. Great if you’re loking for Halloween breaks for families in the UK with hot tub.
For Halloween, they are offering Halloween staycations. Halloween breaks in the Forest will include a pumpkin carving kit in your lodge (25th and 28th October bookings only).
Location: Blackwood Forest, Cropton, Deerpark, Delamere, Forest of Dean, Keldy, Sherwood Forest, Thorpe Forest, Ardgartan Argyll, Glentress Forest, Strathyre, Beddgelert, Garwnant.
Sandy Balls Holiday Village Halloween Breaks
Surrounded by the beautiful New Forest National Park in Hampshire, Sandy Balls Holiday Village offers a similar holiday to Center Parcs.
The Halloween Breaks at Sandy Balls run from 30th September to 3rd November and include spooky activities such as a Trick or Treat trail, Ghoul School, pumkin carving and more. See here for more details.
During October, they are running a spooky October half term breaks at Sandy Balls and other select sites. See below:
- Cleethorpes Pearl
- Golden Sands
- Mill Rythe
- Newquay Bay
- Lakes Rookley
- Sandy Balls
- St Ives Bay
- Tattershall Lakes
- Whitecliff Bay
- Appletree
- Newperran
- Swanage Bay
- Retallack Resort
- Bude
- The Bay Colwell
- East Fleet Farm
- The Bay Filed
- Mersea Island
- Barmouth Bay
Sandy Balls is our favourite though. Accommodation at Sandy Balls is a mix of caravans and lodges – some with hot tubs. There’s always lots going on for families.
Location: Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Southampton Road, Fordingbridge, The New Forest, Hampshire, SP6 2JZ.
Bluestone October half term breaks
Set in the beautiful Pembrokeshire National Park, Bluestone offers a very similar style of hoilday to Center Parcs with lodges in a rural setting.
Their Halloween breaks include some really fun looking Halloween entertainment.
See what’s going on at Bluestone at Halloween here.
Some of the activities are:
- Spooky Science Workshop
- Scare school
- Pumpkin Carving
Location: Bluestone Resorts Ltd, Canaston Wood, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, SA67 8DE.
Center Parcs at Halloween
As you would expect, Halloween is big at Center Parcs. goes all out with its Halloween offerings. Halloween breaks at Center Parcs include all of the usual activities and some added Halloween fun.
Additional Halloween activities at Center Parcs (which are available late October) include:
- Halloween cupcake making
- pumpkin carving
- monster making
- spooky science class
- broomstick making
- Halloween Party
Location: Whinfell Forest, Sherwood Forest, Elvedon Forest, Woburn Forest, Longleat Forest and Longford Forest.
Ribby Hall Village Halloween breaks
Set in 100 acres of Lancashire countryside between Blackpool and Preston, Ribby Hall Village offers a 5-star holiday village experience.
There are loads of indoor and outdoor activities available for families as well as a tropical pool.
You can check the Ribby Hall Village Halloween activities here which include a pumpkin extravaganza and Halloween themed entertainment at The HIVE..
Accommodation is self-catering but there are dining options available.
Ribby Hall Halloween breaks are from 11th October to 1st November 2024.
Location: Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Rd, Kirkham, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2PR.
Butlins Halloween breaks
Enjoy Spooktober breaks at all of the Butlins sites from 7th October to 1st November 2024.
There will be pumpkin carving, spooky entertainment and late nights at the Scareground (their fairgrounds with a spooky makeover)!
See here for more details on their 3, 4 and 7 night breaks.
Location: Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness.
More October half term breaks for families
Haven
Haven are offfering a great range of Halloween activties this Half Term across their sites with pmpkin carving, fancy dress, Halloween nature trails and more.
Searles Leisure Resort
Searles are offering Autumn breaks on the beautiful north Norfolk coast with Halloween themed daytime activities and evening entertainment.
See here for our favourite family-friendly north Norfolk beaches.
Halloween breaks for families in the UK at Castles
Personally I’m not sure about staying in a creepy castle – especially at Halloween!! But if this is your thing, then these are the castles to visit this Halloween.
As well as offering a spooky overnight stay, they also have Halloween events to enjoy during your stay.
Warwick Castle
Stay at Warwick Castle – an overnight stay in the castle grounds with breakfast, one-day entry to Warwick Castle, breakfast and evening entertainment.
Location: Warwick Castle, Castle Lane, Warwick, CV34 4QU.
Leeds Castle
Stay at Leeds Castle at Halloween where they are offering so much for families this October half term. From 26th October to 3rd November there will be pumpkin trails, ghost stories, spooky fun and games and more. See here for more details on Halloween at Leeds Castle.
Location: Leeds Castle, Leeds, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PD.
Chillingham Castle
Chillingham Castle is supposed to be Britain’s most haunted historic castle. Are you keen to find out if it is? Ghost tours and ghost hunts run all year round here so it doesn’t have to be just a Halloween break.
Find out more about a stay at Chillingham Castle here.
Location: Chillingham Castle, Chillingham, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 5NJ.
Hever Castle
There are loads of spooky Halloween activities on at Hever Castle including a Halloween themed word puzzle and Halloween themed crafts – all among the pumpkin decorated grounds of Hever Castle.
Location: Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG.
Castle Kennedy
Stay at Castle Kennedy and enjoy their Halloween festival from 19th to 31st October 2024.
Location: Castle Kennedy, Stair Estates, Scheuchan, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 8SL.
Kelburn Castle & Estate
Stay at Kelburn Castle and enjoy their Halloween Pumpkin Party or the Haunted Forest experience. From 12th to 20th October 2024.
Location: Kelburn Country Centre, Fairlie, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA29 0BE.
So these are some of the best Halloween breaks in the UK for families. If you have any more suggestions, please get in touch.
