What's on this Halloween in north Northamptonshire - spooky stories, scare mazes and Halloween haunts headline half-term activities

Plenty of activities are happening in north Northamptonshire during October and into the half-term, with a host of free events as well as trips to local attractions promising something for everyone this Halloween.

Firstly, Dr Frights will once again return to White’s Nurseries in Earls Barton this October, promising an evening of gory glee as the attraction hosts its ‘Terror Trials’, beginning tonight (October 15).

In Kettering, a free Hallowe’en Trail around the town centre this October half-term will see people search around the town to find hidden spooky shapes by grabbing a trail sheet from any of the participating venues and then following a map. Organised by Kettering Town Council, the trail will take place from Friday, October 23 until Saturday, October 31.

Wicksteed Park will hold a series of Halloween-inspired activities from October 24 until November 1 with Halloween Haunt Chapter 3, Zoolab’s spooky potions show in Wicky Bear’s Theatre and the chance to solve a mystery in the park’s outdoor trail area.

Regular parking charges apply throughout half-term, and wristbands granting access to all Halloween activities as well as rides at the park cost £16 for children under-16 and £10 for adults.

Chester House Estate will launch its Halloween programme on Saturday, October 24, hosting events on the historic site such as a pumpkin patch and carving station, a hay bale tractor maze, ghost hunt trails and face painting. All spooky-inspired activities are family-friendly, and quieter SEND sessions are also available at the attraction.

Morning sessions will take place from 10am until 1pm and afternoon sessions from 2pm until 5pm. The SEND morning session starts at 9.15am. Entries cost £7 per child and parking on site is free.

Taking place in Swanspool Gardens in Wellingborough, an evening delving into the history of the local area titled ‘The Great Fire of Wellingborough Paranormal Investigation’ will give attendees the opportunity to take a journey through time to learn about the devastating fire that swept through Wellingborough on July 28, 1738.

The 30-minute sessions will run between 6pm and 9pm on October 30, which are open to anyone over the age of 11.

Tickets cost £3 per person and can be booked online here.

Wellingborough Museum will host a talk from Adrian Perkins ‘The Ghost Detective’ on the evening of Halloween from 7pm until 9pm.

A museum spokesman said: “The Ghost Detective has investigated and written about some of the most spine-chilling cases of ghost sightings and spirit activity in the county, with some even within Wellingborough itself. His thirty-year career has put the Ghost Detective series of books he writes at the top of the must-read list for paranormal enthusiasts.”

Doors open at 6.30pm with the talk starting at 7pm and tickets costing £5, bookable either in advance by calling 01933 276838 or reserved and paid for on the night.

Activities at the Swansgate Shopping Centre in Wellingborough on October 28 include face painting, spooky-themed party games and a creepy crafts corner where kids can make eerie decorations to take home.

No booking is needed for the activities. Those at the shopping centre can visit from 11am until 3pm to take part.

A spokesman for Swansgate Shopping Centre said: “Make a full day of it! Enjoy hassle-free local shopping, grab a bite to eat at our family-friendly eateries, and let the kids burn off energy with our free half-term entertainment.

Rushden Lakes is celebrating Halloween with its ‘peculiar pumpkin patch’ for ‘two days of spooky-silly Halloween fun.’

Visitors to the shopping complex on October 29 and 30 will have the chance to enjoy spooky games, meet peculiar Halloween characters and pick their own mini pumpkin or squash to take home.

The activities take place in Rushden Lakes’ central boulevard and admission is £3.50 per participating child. Accompanying adults go free. Tickets can be booked in advance here.

Also based at Rushden Lakes, Nene Wetlands will host its October half-term drop-in crafts in its community garden, giving passers-by the chance to decorate a Halloween ceramic tealight and enjoy pine cone crafts on October 26, 28 and 30.

A spokesman said: “This October half-term, join us for a range of drop-in crafts and activities at the community garden. You won't need to book these - just pop by at a time that suits you. Crafts will be individually priced between £2 to £6. There will also be an autumn trail you can have a go at.”

More information can be found on the Nene Wetlands website.

Hall Park in Rushden will host spooky sessions during the October half-term as well as a letter trail in the High Street on on October 30.

Six 30-minute sessions featuring ‘a range of exciting experiments where attendees will have the chance to craft colour-changing potions, bubbling potions, flammable bubbles, elephant toothpaste and enjoy dry ice demonstrations.

The workshops will take place throughout the day, beginning at 10am and running through to the final session at 1.45pm.

A Rushden Town Council spokesman said: “Taking place during the October half-term, the Spooky Science Halloween Workshops will offer children the chance to enjoy a series of entertaining and educational science demonstrations, with plenty of Halloween-themed experiments along the way.”

Rushden Transport Museum and Railway will also once again host its annual Ghost Train at Rushden Station on Friday, October 30 and October 31.

The spooky train rides start at 4pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday, running at 45-minute intervals. Admission also includes sweets and the ride is suitable for all ages.

One day before on October 29, a Halloween Afternoon Tea will take place at the Buffet Carriage at Rushden Station, taking place in the station’s 1930's Gresley Buffet Carriage.

Spaces cost £3 per child and £6 per adult for the ghost train, and £17.25 for adults or £11.86 for children under 13 for the afternoon tea. Both events can be booked online here.

West Lodge Farm Park near Desborough has created a pumpkin patch offering seasonal vegetables starting at just £1.

Admission to the patch, which starts on Saturday (October 17) includes wand making with willow and wool, Daisy’s Potion Room, a panto-style ghost story, small animal petting, barrel rides, adventure golf, and indoor and outdoor play.

More information about the activities happening at the farm can be found here.

Corby is celebrating the spooky season with a Halloween party at the Grampian Club in Patrick Road. From 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, October 25 the Grampian will offer a host of Halloween activities, music, treats a raffle and tombola and a fancy dress competition, all backed by spooky tunes from DJ Stewart McMillan.

Wednesday, October 28 to Saturday, October 31 will see Rockingham Castle launch its Halloween half-term schedule, featuring ‘ghoulish games and a terrifying trail’ as well as ‘gruesome guides beneath the Castle Towers’ and an opportunity for visitors to pick their own pumpkin.

The grounds of the castle open at 11am with the castle opening half an hour later. Last entry to the castle and grounds is 3pm.

Entry to the castle, gardens and event and gift shop costs £19.25 for adults, £17.70 for seniors over 65 and students, £13 for children aged four to 15, and free for children up to three-years-old.

More information as well as online bookings can be found here.

A pop-up pumpkin patch is returning to Willow Place in Corby on October 31 from 11am to 3pm. The event is free.

A spokesman said: “Come along and pick your very own pumpkin to carve and take home, perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.

“And while you’re here, keep your eyes peeled! Some spooky roaming visitors will be making their way around the centre, bringing a little extra Halloween magic to your visit.”