Halloween in London and Surrey

Spooky season is upon us and even though things might be a bit different this year there’s no need to miss out on any Halloween fun!

Kick back and enjoy Halloween at home with online events or get out and treat yourself to some frighteningly good food and drinks before scaring yourself silly at a cinematic extravaganza…

Happy Hallow-queen! Uncover Ghostly Goings-on at Hampton Court Palace (pictured top)

From 24 October you can follow an all-new self-guided trail in one of Britain’s most haunted buildings, Hampton Court Palace. The trail offers creepy stories and ghostly encounters in a place that has been witness to 500 years of drama, danger…and death. Look out for the ‘Grey Lady’, ‘’Skeletor’ and two of Henry VIII’s wives. Book online at www.hrp.org.uk/Hampton-Court-Palace

Love Wimbledon’s Ultimate Halloween Pumpkin Hunt

Join the Ultimate Halloween Pumpkin Hunt, a free game you can play with family and friends whilst exploring Wimbledon Town Centre. Form a team (no more than 6), take on the challenges and compete for a chance to win great prizes. Play in your own time and as often as you like – fancy dress optional! Just download the app, visit the pumpkin hotspots and complete the tasks. 17 October – 1 November. Suitable for all aged 5+  Details Lovewimbledon.org

Virtual Pumpkin Parade

Friends of Tooting Common are hosting a virtual version of their ever-popular pumpkin parade on 31 October. There will be classes for the funniest, scariest and most artistically carved pumpkins. Participants will be asked to send photos of their pumpkins by 5pm on the day and results will be released from 10pm.

Frighteningly Good Food and Drink:

Day of the Dead at Winterland, Fulham

From 30 October-1 November Winterland is hosting two nights of spooky fun and a devilish brunch all featuring creepy cocktails, face-paints, fondues and a photo-booth. Tickets at NeverlandLondon.com. Entry starts at £19.00 for two people.

Northcote Road Biscuiteers Halloween Decorating, Battersea

Throughout October Biscuiteers has been running an informal Halloween biscuit decorating experience for all the family. For £18 guests receive a tutorial and are then left to create their own creepy cookie masterpieces! If you’re not comfortable being out and about you can also purchase a DIY Sugar Skulls Biscuit Tin on the website so you can try it at home.

Halloween Afternoon Tea at Oatlands Park, Weybridge

How about a scream tea? Oatlands Park in Surrey is putting on a special Halloween afternoon tea (26-31 Oct) offering devilish delights such as meringue ghosts, gravestone brownies and bug cakes alongside the usual scones and jam. Prices start from £26.95 for adults and £15 for children.

Halloween Afternoon Tea at Woodlands Park, Cobham

Another cream tea with a twist is on offer at Woodlands Park. This special afternoon tea is available on Saturday 31 October only. Amongst the many treats on offer are pumpkin scones, raspberry bavarois spiders and orange skull choux buns. Frightfully fancy! Price is £26.50 per person.

Get in the spirit

Head for a themed cocktail at Kingston’s The Grey Horse, which is serving up Zombie Horses and Cyanide Sours, or try The Ivy in Wimbledon Village for a Toffee Apple Martini.

Cinematic Scares:

The Luna Drive-In Cinema at Thorpe Park, Surrey

The Luna Cinema is offering ‘The Ultimate Spooky Drive In Experience’ coinciding with Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights. Family-friendly films like Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters and The Addams Family will take early evening slots whilst true horror fans can watch cult classics such as Blair Witch Project and recent releases such as IT late at night.General admission for one car with 2 people is £35.00. £5 for extra passengers. 29 Oct – 1 Nov. Book tickets at www.lunadriveincinema.com

The Forbidden Forest Cinema, Peckham

From 23 October-8 November, independent cinema Pop Up Screens is taking over Peckham’s Bussey Building for a collection of immersive fright night Halloween screenings.

Visitors will walk through an indoor forbidden forest before discovering an eerie woodland cinema where they can watch horror classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street and recent rippers like The Invisible Man and Us. More family friendly films such as GhostBusters and The Lost Boys will also be shown.

Tickets start at £19.50. popupscreens.co.uk

More Halloween fun – top pumpkin patches in Surrey