Fun and frights at Sewerby Hall and Gardens this October half term

The October half term holidays will see a full programme of events and activities at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, including fun and scary surprises at Hallowe’en.

Throughout the holidays, there will be a chance to try out the Hallowe’en Trail in the house and gardens – help the friendly ghost prepare for the big Hallowe’en party.

On Monday, 28 October, there will be a Rusticus Ghosthunting Adventure between 11.30am and 3.30pm. The crazy professor will be hunting for ghosts, who will be playing all sorts of tricks on him.

Active Coast will be offering pumpkin carving and Hallowe’en crafts on Tuesday, 29 October, between 1pm and 3pm. Create a scary pumpkin design, and Active Coast will provide the equipment and spooky ideas, in sessions suitable for ages six and above.

Hallowe’en Magic Day and Face Painting will be on Wednesday, 30 October. There will be spooky shows in the Orangery at 11.30am, 1pm, and 2.30pm, with face painting between 11am and 4pm.

On Hallowe’en itself (31 October), the daytime fun will be in the form of Witch Crafts and Potion Making between 11.30am and 3pm, a chance to mix potions and decorate Hallowe’en biscuits.

The evening of Hallowe’en will see a Halloween Night Time Spooktacular from

4.30pm - 8.30pm, featuring a Rusticus Ghost hunting adventure, Active Coast crafts, and Responsible Fishing spooky way markers

The crazy hapless professor will be on the hunt for ghosts, but the spooks and spectres are playing tricks on him! Help him make sense of his latest ghost-detecting invention and have fun making mischief in the woods, with a whole array of ghostly characters.

This will be an outdoor performance walk, with games and activities, lasting approximately 45 minutes. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should bring a torch, as the woodland will be dark in areas, and dress appropriately for the weather. Spooky lighting will help guide the adventure.

In The Clock Tower Café, from 5pm, there will be a chance to create Hallowe’en dream catchers, torches and lanterns to guide visitors through the spooky woodland walk, or light the way home.

The Rusticus Ghost-hunting Adventure will take place at 4.30pm, 6pm and 7.30pm.

Advance booking is required for the Hallowe’en evening event : tickets cost £5 per person (one free adult when accompanying a paid-for child). Book and pay through the Welcome Centre.

The following day, Friday, 1 November, will see a talk in the zoo about the Humboldt penguins at 11am, and a chance to make a penguin hat, and help  conservation work in Peru.

The house itself be open throughout the holidays and will feature the History of Chocolate exhibition, and there will also be a Craft Fair on Sunday, 27 October, with lots of local traders.

Admission prices during the half term period will be: Adults £6.20; Child £4.20; and family tickets £19.

For full details of opening times, admission prices, the gardens, the zoo, the Clock Tower Café and all the holiday events, visit www.sewerbyhall.co.uk