Enjoy Thrills and Chills at the Treasure Houses of England!

There’s a host of fiendish fun to be had at the Treasure Houses of England over the October Half Term Holidays.

From spectacular fireworks displays to spine-tingling tours and celebrations of all things autumnal there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness.

Treasure Houses of England is a consortium of 10 of the country’s finest palaces, historic houses and castles.

Here’s just a selection of what’s on offer:

 

Beaulieu

One of the largest displays in the south, this year’s Beaulieu Fireworks Spectacular goes Back to the Eighties for its choreography to ‘80s hits on Saturday 27th October.

Arrive early to enjoy traditional fairground rides, including a big wheel and gallopers, children’s swing boats and a coconut shy, as well as the Wave 105 stage and hot food and drinks for all the family. Beaulieu is set to make this a firework party to remember.

 

Blenheim Palace

Enjoy a spooktacular fireworks display as part of a brand-new Halloween celebration at Blenheim Palace on the 3rd November 2018.

In addition to the pyrotechnics illuminating the Great Court and frightful light projections, the eerie evening will include plenty of thrills and chills with lots of terribly exciting paranormal activities.

Watch a witch take to the sky on a broomstick as she ‘flies’ across a trapeze, discover a levitating gargoyle human statue lurking amongst the crowd and be wowed by terribly tall Halloween stilt walkers featuring skeletons, zombies and even the Grim Reaper himself!

 

Burghley House

During October why not join Burghley for the Halloween Trail around the Sculpture Garden from Saturday 20th October – Sunday 28th October. Tread through the crispy autumn leaves and find the hidden spooks to receive a treat. Or perhaps experience one of Burghley’s frightfully popular Spooky Tours,, with local ghostly expert Martin Tempest, from Wednesday 17th to Wednesday 31st October.

The tours are designed to be scary but fun. Although not recommended for children under 11.

 

Castle Howard

Visit Castle Howard this October half term for a Halloween experience like no other as they celebrate Pirates v Zombies from the 27th October 2018 to Sun 4th November 2018.

The House and Grounds have been taken over by a gang of ghostly pirates and ghoulish zombies and they’re on the lookout for new recruits!

Hidden deep within Castle Howard’s burnt out wing lies the ancient cure to zombification. While somewhere among the twisting woodland paths is a hoard of lost pirate treasure waiting to be unearthed. There’s about to be an epic clash between the two camps of the living dead. Which team will you join: #TeamPirate or #TeamZombie?

Families of all ages can enjoy a day of indoor and outdoor trails, solving clues along the way, taking part in craft activities and joining fun workshops to learn the ways of the zombies and the pirates, before a daily battle commences.

 

Chatsworth

If you can be tempted by an array of terrible treats, evil entertainment and devilish delight then Chatsworth is the place to be this Halloween. Experience fiendish fun finding hidden pumpkins, dare to enter the abandoned tunnel and listen to spine-tingling storytelling in the garden.

Bring your little monsters to the farmyard to meet the witching web weaver and join in with creepy crafts. If you’re feeling brave, dare to ride the Fright Flight into Warlock Wood, to come face to face with a dastardly array of characters.

 

Harewood House

Join Harewood for this year’s Autumn Glory, the grand finale to the series of Autumn Festival events taking place from Saturday 27 October – Sunday 4 November 2018.

Perfect for families and lovers of the outdoors, October half term week at Harewood celebrates autumn in all its glory. Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities and explore the beauty of Harewood in its autumn coat. It’s a great way to spend crisp autumn days with your family.

Take in the smells of autumn cooking with Seasonal Cookery Demonstrations, wrap up warm and take a walk around the lakeside on an Autumn Trail, help to grow the Giant Sculptural Forest, and get crafty in the Courtyard and make your very own autumn hanging mobile.

 

Holkham Hall

A Murder Mystery Adventure takes place at Holkham Hall this October from Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th October, 10am-5pm.

On a dark and stormy Halloween night

A murder at Holkham gave us a fright 

Whodunnit we ask can you help us to find

The murderer who fled leaving a body behind

 

There are trails and quizzes that need to be solved

Pumpkin carving and crafts will get you involved 

Decorate a cookie for a Halloween treat

Search Holkham Hall as there is a ghost to meet

 

Come join us for some spooky sports

Parents and kids it takes all sorts

Halloween at Holkham there’s so much to do

It’s frighteningly good – look forward to seeing you!

 

Leeds Castle

This October Half Term help Monster Hunter Valerie Van Helsing on a quest through the Castle grounds to investigate ‘The Case of the Halloween Monster’ but watch out for Halloween bandits along the way!

Find our characters hiding across the estate from 11am to 1pm and again from 2pm to 4pm. Look out for Vinnie the Vampire and Frank Frankenstein amongst others! Complete your trail card and claim your chocolate reward.

A fun new haunted trail will also guide younger visitors through the Woodland Walk (small additional charge applies).

At 12pm and 3pm, dance in the outdoor children’s ‘Monster Mash Ball’ and take part in the daily fancy dress competition at 2pm with prizes for the best costume. There will be lots of ghoulish games and frightening fun to be had at Leeds Castle this half term.

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