From The Big Draw to one of the biggest spook-fests on the south coast at Drusillas Park, there is plenty to keep the little horrors happy this half term at VisitEastbourne.com.
Launching with a weekend of creative fun at Towner, The Big Draw embraces the world’s biggest celebration of drawing with a free event on 27 - 28 October, centring around the campfire with youngsters invited to create their own Towner Tale in a variety of story making zones.
The return of Shriek Week from 27 October to 4 November at nearby Drusillas Park conjures up some spook-tacular fun. Visit Winifred the Witch, as she plays hide and seek in her creepy cobwebbed Haunted Cottage and meet some mini monsters at Creepy Crawlies day on 28 October from hissing cockroaches and giant millipedes to large fanged tarantulas.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “It is fantastic to see so much going on this half term for kids, and a great chance for Mums and Dads to enjoy a bit of seasonal fun too. With some great special offers on accommodation and attractions at VisitEastbourne.com, this is the perfect place to take a break, explore the national park and enjoy some late Autumn sunshine.”
The half term week kicks off with the Beachy Head Marathon on 27 October, one of the UK’s biggest off-road sporting spectaculars and a great opportunity to explore the stunning national park route.
Also on 27 October, Princes Park’s brand new Pistachios in the Park café offers some theatrical fun with Wendy the Sneezing Witch, for an hour of stories and spooky silliness, followed by a free Diddi Dance class on 30 October and a guest appearance by Monkey Music on 2 November.
Knockhatch Adventure Park brings more Halloween fun with face painting, a ghost hunt and guess the weight of the pumpkin, to name but a few, and at Sharnfold Farm, get prepared for a fright-fest with a Wicked Witch Hunt and pumpkin carving, with both attractions running events from 27 – 31 October.
For historic fun, complete the Halloween trail at the Redoubt Napoleonic Fortress & Military Museum with a prize for every child at the end, or nearby Herstmonceux features a beautiful 15th century moated castle in Elizabethan gardens and parkland, the perfect setting for the Treasures by the Moat antiques fair on 28 October.
Head to the South Downs, explore the Seven Sisters Country Park and follow the Gruffalo’s Child on 29 October through the woods to meet a scary mouse and some of the other animals living in Friston Forest. Organised by Sussex Wildlife Trust, children can take part in hands on activities around a camp fire, or join the Autumn Camp on 30 October to find out how to light a fire, cook your own food and build a shelter.
For a rainy day escape, hop on the magic carpet for a Disney double bill of The Jungle Book Kids and Aladdin Jr at Devonshire Park Theatre from 31 October – 3 November, featuring high energy productions of two of Disney’s best loved classics.
For genuine haunts, head to Michelham Priory, from TV’s Most Haunted, for Hallowe’en fun on 31 October with Punch & Judy, stories, drama, arts and crafts, face painting and spooky trails through the house and gardens. Pevensey Castle is also a must for ghost hunters with dark dungeons and a resident ghost – ‘the Pale Lady of Pevensey’.
VisitEastbourne.com offers a range of half term special offers on accommodation and downloadable vouchers for discounted entry to attractions all year round, including 2 for 1’s and kids go free.
For a full round up of Halloween and half term events or to download special offer vouchers, visit www.visiteastbourne.com.
