23 Spooky Halloween & October Half Term Activities in Gloucestershire
Spooky season arrives in Gloucestershire with pumpkin patches, haunted castles, ghostly trails and after-dark thrills.
This October, the county transforms with Halloween fun and October Half Term activities. Families and thrill-seekers can enjoy pumpkin picking by lantern light, immersive trails, spooky storytelling, wildlife encounters and eerie evenings in castles and caves.
For those searching for Cotswolds Halloween events, family days out in Gloucester, October Half Term activities in the Forest of Dean, or spooky nights in Cheltenham, the choice is bigger than ever. From family-friendly fun to hair-raising nights, there’s something for everyone this spooky season.
Running from Friday 3 October to Saturday 8 November 2025, highlights include Over Farm’s after-dark experiences near Gloucester, spooky trails at Sudeley Castle and Painswick Rococo Garden, ghoulish crafts at the Dean Heritage Centre in the Forest of Dean, and spine-tingling theatre at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre.
1) Pumpkins After Dark at Over Farm
Pumpkin picking under the stars — an autumn dream with a cinematic glow. Wander Over Farm’s vast patch by night and snap atmospheric photos among twinkling displays and towering stacks of gourds.
Beyond the pumpkins, enjoy fire jugglers and live music providing the soundtrack to the season, while a “food wall” of independent vendors keeps everyone fuelled. A fully stocked bar rounds off the evening, making this as perfect for grown-ups as it is for families.
Discover Pumpkins After Dark at Over Farm
2) Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Over Farm
Would it really be autumn without a pumpkin-patch pilgrimage? Over Farm’s classic PYO delivers pumpkins of every size and shape, plus backdrops tailor-made for the grid.
Visitors can roam the 17-acre patch at leisure, then refuel with seasonal food and drink on site — ideal for families, friends and anyone keen to embrace the cosy season.
More Info About Pumpkin Picking at Over Farm
3) Pumpkin Picking at Primrose Vale
PYO pumpkins at Primrose Vale — entry redeemable against your pick.
Primrose Vale’s ticketed pumpkin picking returns across key weekends and half term. Entry is redeemable against your chosen pumpkin, so you only pay for what you pick.
Plan ahead: sturdy footwear is recommended (it can be muddy), gloves help with vines and prickles, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs aren’t permitted on the trail or pumpkin fields.
Plan Your October Pumpkin Pick at Primrose Vale Here
4) Go Ape Sundown Adventures
As darkness falls, the Forest of Dean’s treetop courses shift into after-hours adventure mode. Expect ziplines and high-rope challenges set against twilight skies and rustling canopies.
Whether returning to the trees or tackling them for the first time, the night-time twist adds extra thrill to a proven family favourite — perfect for Halloween or half-term energy to burn.
Check Out This Halloween Treetop Adventure
5) Time-Travelling Scarecrow Hunt at Painswick Rococo Garden
Scarecrows through the ages in Painswick’s playful 18th-century landscape.
Journey across centuries — and into the future — meeting Roman gladiators, steampunk explorers and robot gardeners on a charming community-made scarecrow trail.
Little discoveries await around every corner: get lost in the maze, spot hidden Georgian follies, and refuel with light lunches, freshly baked cakes and barista-style coffee.
Discover This Family Friendly October Half Term Trail
6) Spectral Nights at Clearwell Caves
Ghost hunting beneath the Forest of Dean at Clearwell Caves.
Descend into the caverns for a night of séances, vigils and high-tech investigation. Seek out presences from the mines’ long history — perhaps even the fabled Old Man.
Guided sessions use REM pods, dualports, hexcoms, IR and thermal imaging to help capture unexplained activity. Join smaller groups — or go lone wolf if you dare.
Dare to Explore This Ghost Hunting in the Forest of Dean - Find Out More
7) Pumpkin Picking at Bibury Trout Farm
Gourd-geous pumpkins and photo ops in the Cotswolds.
Pick by size, wander through seasonal displays and grab spook-tacular photos. Booking is required for a 1-hour timeslot, and each ticket covers up to eight guests.
It’s an easy autumn win for families and friends alike — simple, seasonal and very snap-worthy.
Book Your October Pumpkin Picking Slot Today
8) 2:22 A Ghost Story at the Everyman Theatre
Danny Robins’ smash-hit supernatural thriller brings jump-scares, sharp humour and late-night chills to Cheltenham after record-breaking runs across the UK and beyond.
Belief clashes with scepticism as secrets unravel and unexplained events mount. The clock is ticking towards 2:22 — and a truth no one is ready to face.
Find Out More & Book Your Seats Today
9) Halloween Farm Trail & Pumpkin Picking at Primrose Vale
Spooky farm fun with treats at the finish line.
Choose between two routes tailored for younger and older children (ages 3–15), with a little treat waiting at the end. Timed tickets keep parking smooth and numbers comfy.
The Potting Shed Café serves hot drinks and light bites, with a marquee providing covered seating. Pumpkin picking is a separate, bookable activity across the road.
Explore This Family October Half Term Halloween Trail
10) Glow in the Park at 270 Climbing
Thrilling Glow in the Park adventure on high and low ropes under the stars.
This October Half Term, thrill-seekers can take on Glow in the Park — a night-time ropes adventure under the stars.
Choose Low Ropes (1 hour, ages 5–8, Leap of Faith finish) or High Ropes (2 hours, Freefall Tower Jump). 270 Climbing Park, Bentham, near Gloucester and Cheltenham. Open daily in school holidays.
Check Out This Glow-in-the-Dark Half Term Adventure Near Gloucester
11) Halloweek at Sudeley Castle
Autumn colour and Halloween magic at Sudeley Castle.
By day, follow the Pumpkin Trail through glorious gardens — from the Queen’s Garden to the Tithe Barn and Mulberry Lawn — with a Halloween treat for trail-completers.
On Fri 31 Oct (10am–4pm), step into Tudor All Hallows’ Eve with costumed spirits, ghostly tales and superstitions brought to life inside the castle walls. Fancy dress is encouraged.
Plan Your Halloweek at Sudeley Castle
12) Spookyard Halloween Festival at Over Farm
Ready, set… SPOOK! A full-day festival of silly scares and pumpkin-powered fun. Ride the enchanting trailer, meet hobgoblins Glom and Gloria, and dive into craft corners.
Highlights include costume comps, monster duck races, crafts, face painting, pumpkin foot golf and a feast of food options. Tickets include access to Countryside Adventure.
See Full Spookyard Half Term Details
13) The Great Sudeley Pumpkin Trail
Seek pumpkins in Sudeley’s most enchanting corners.
Armed with a trail map, explore Sudeley’s nooks and crannies to find pumpkins hidden in surprising places — from regal parterres to ancient ruins.
Young explorers who complete the trail earn a Halloween treat, adding extra sparkle to a wholesome autumn adventure.
Start Your Sudeley Pumpkin Quest
14) Trick or Treet Week at Birdland and Jurassic Journey
Feathered fun and spooky enrichment at Birdland.
Keepers hide creepy-crawlies inside pumpkins to showcase natural foraging skills during daily talks — educational, adorable and a little bit spooky.
Follow the Halloween Trail through aviaries and woodland paths, spotting feathered friends as you go. Included with admission.
See What’s On This October Half Term
15) Tudor All Hallows’ Eve at Sudeley Castle
Spine-tingling Tudor lore brought to life.
Step into the shadowy world of the Tudors with ghostly encounters, gruesome tales and macabre traditions echoing through Sudeley’s ancient halls.
Discover how superstition, ceremony and fear shaped All Hallows’ Eve — perfect for history-hungry families and the brave-hearted.
Uncover Tudor Tales at Sudeley Castle
16) Halloween at Berkeley Castle
Historic halls meet Halloween chills at Berkeley.
Marvel at majestic owls swooping through the Great Hall, soak up spooky storytelling and, if you’re brave, head to the cellar to meet the Old Wise Woman.
With centuries of history woven into its walls, the castle sets a pitch-perfect scene for family-friendly frights — and it’s all included with admission.
Explore Berkeley Castle’s Halloween Activities
17) Halloween at The Dean Heritage Centre
Spooktacular creativity in the Forest of Dean.
Creepy crafts in the Craft Hut (11:00–13:00 & 13:30–15:30), a Ghoulish Ghost Trail and pumpkin carving in the Mill Shed (£3 donation). Book online in advance to save on carving.
All Craft Hut activities are included with general admission. The Gruffalo Trail adds extra forest fun for little explorers. Also check out the Monster Tea Party.
Plan Your Family Day this October at Dean Heritage Centre
18) Halloween Play in a Day! at The Roses Theatre
From idea to applause in a single spooky day.
Create, rehearse and perform a Halloween-themed play in one whirlwind workshop led by theatre-maker Sam Strachan.
Perfect for ages 7–13 — confidence-building, creative and seriously good fun with new friends on stage.
Details for This One-Day Kids Workshop at The Roses Theatre
19) October Half Term Holiday Activities at Nature in Art
Inspiring half-term makes in a unique art setting.
Creative daily sessions: Yoga & Peg Worry Dolls (Tue), Spooky Owl/Howling Cat Masks (Wed), Halloween Lanterns (Thu) and Haunted House Modelling (Fri).
Hands-on crafting with expert guidance in the world’s first museum dedicated to art inspired by nature. Places are popular — plan ahead.
See the Half Term Schedule & Activities at Nature in Art
20) Phantoms & Fireworks at Sudeley Castle
Ghostly wonder and spectacular fireworks on Halloween night.
As dusk falls, meet mischievous walkabout characters, follow a haunted trail to shadowy dungeons and let little ghouls loose at the Ghoul Skool Disco.
The night ends with a frightful fireworks finale over the castle. Food stalls serve pizzas, sweet treats and warming drinks — the perfect Halloween celebration.
All the Details for Halloween Night in the Cotswolds
21) Halloween Cinema at DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds
Big-screen Halloween thrills in Cheltenham.
Two screenings: a magical family matinee of Hocus Pocus, followed by late-night chills with A Nightmare on Elm Street (15). Seating is first-come, first-served.
Expect hot food, cinema snacks and a full bar on site — gather the coven and make a night of it.
Check Times & Tickets for Halloween Cinema in Cheltenham
22) Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts at the Everyman Theatre
Morse and Lewis tackle a case that stirs ghosts from Morse’s own past in the first-ever stage adaptation of the legendary detective. Intelligent, atmospheric and tense.
Perfect for fans of classic crime drama — expect twists, revelations and that unmistakable Oxford mood.
Discover More & Reserve Your Seats
23) Spectral Nights at Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Search for Sudeley’s spirits after dark.
Adults-only (18+) paranormal investigation from 7pm to midnight across multiple locations including St Mary’s Chapel, the dungeon, Richard III ruins and the family library.
Use electronic equipment, regroup for breaks and (optionally) join a Ouija session as you chase Sudeley’s storied spirits. Dress warm, wear sturdy footwear and bring a handheld torch.
Join This Adults-Only Paranormal Night at Sudeley Castle
With such a fantastic October line-up across Gloucestershire — from pumpkins and trails to theatre and ghost hunts — there’s something spooky for everyone this season.
Events in Gloucestershire are being added to our What's On in Gloucestershire Guide daily.
Explore Gloucestershire
30 September 2025
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