Winchester is your one-stop shop for all things spooky this October half term
Winchester is the ultimate destination for Halloween adventures this October half-term. The city’s diverse offering provides all the necessary thrills this autumn with a bumper programme of events that guarantee fiendish fun for all the family.
Winchester Science Centre’s ‘Science Spooktacular’ promises a Halloween day out with a difference. Running from Saturday 20th October to Monday 4th November, the event includes a trick or treat trail with Skully The Skeleton, educating families with fun science facts as they search for Skully’s lost bones.
Visitors are also invited to a mini monster disco where little ghouls, witches, and werewolves, put on their best costumes and hit the dancefloor. All Halloween activities are included in Winchester Science Centre ticket admission price.
The Science Spooktacular is complete with live chemistry demos in the free live science show, ‘Potions Science Lab’ and the opportunity to tour the solar system in the attraction’s Planetarium.
Don’t miss Winchester Science Centre’s Starlight Cinema experience, screening a Halloween classic, ‘Hocus Pocus’, under the stars in the Planetarium on Sunday 27th October. ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ will also be shown on Thursday 30th October as part of the After dark evening event, Science Explained: Spells and Potions. Tickets must be purchased separately from admission and start at £6 for children and £8 for adults.
Experience ghost stories by candlelight at The Great Hall on Halloween. Winchester’s most mysterious ghost hunter and their eager apprentice share chilling stories from past adventures with the ‘other side’. Families with children aged eight and above are invited to step into the shadows of The Great Hall for an evening of spine-tingling tales at 7:30pm on All Hallows’ Eve (Thursday 31st October).
Rachel Gander, tourism marketing & development manager at Visit Winchester, said: “Winchester is a diverse city that has such a versatile offering for all seasons. However, the city really does come into its own at this time of year with its cosy nooks, historic landmarks dressed in autumnal colour, and its vibrant range of activities that complement our heritage.
“Our attraction partners have worked hard to deliver a well-priced range of events for those looking to visit the city this autumn. We have a lively programme that appeals not only to children, but their parents and grandparents too. We’re proud that Winchester continues to attract a broad range of visitors due to our city’s much-loved culture.”
Marwell Zoo has plenty of devilish delights in store this October half-term. Lowedolf, Marwell’s resident wizard teaches little ghouls, ghosts, and witches how to fly on a broomstick. The children will learn the magical commands needed to make their broom move in different directions before embarking on our test course. Once budding wizards have earned their level one flying badge, they can celebrate with s’mores toasted on crackling fire pits.
Marwell Zoo makes for the perfect half term day out with more than 140 species of rare and endangered animals, five adventure playgrounds, and 140 acres of park to explore. Families visiting will also be able to meet the Zoo’s newest and youngest animals. A Rothschild’s giraffe calf, Grevy’s Zebra foal, sitatunga foal, addax calf, and a mountain bongo have all born in recent weeks.
In the city centre, Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting a ‘Spooky Winch’ Halloween-themed Word Hunt. The free, fun-filled trail invites little explorers to uncover the mysterious and eerie cobbled streets of Winchester to seek out nine Halloween-themed words displayed in the windows of local businesses across the city.
All completed trails will be entered into a prize draw to win a Halloween-inspired hamper filled with treats from local businesses.
The ‘Spooky Winch’ trail sheet is available from The Visitor Information Centre, The Arc, or Winchester City Museum, from Saturday 19th October to Sunday 3rd November.
For more information visit www.visitwinchester.co.uk to see a list of Winchester’s attractions and the latest deals available for families this autumn.