Spooky Strolls
When spooky season comes around, these spine tingling walks will interest all of the family. Read on to discover haunted ruins, creepy crypts, abandoned churches, pumpkin patches and enchanted woods. These walks epitomise ‘trick or treat’ as the eerie locations are also matched with charming countryside and welcoming cafes.
This derelict church was formally a school, but now stands eerily abandoned in a West Sussex woodland. There are miles of woodland surrounding the church so it makes a great place to explore.
You can’t get much spookier than a crypt! The church’s foundations and the subterranean crypt are all that survive. It is easy to access on a visit to The Yard as part of this walk.
Imagine standing on the spot where three men were hung for murder? Well, you can do exactly that on this walk around the Devil’s Punchbowl and Hindhead Common. It is actually a pretty stunning viewpoint now!
There is no denying that the ancient wood of yew trees at Kingley Vale is dark and atmospheric. The trees are some of the UK’s oldest living organisms and it is therefore no surprise the wood has centuries worth of legends surrounding it.
If Sussex’s most haunted location leaves you feeling unnerved, the second part of this walk passes a charming country tea-room to warm your soul again!
The abandoned medieval village of Hartley Mauditt is a favourite haunt of ghost hunters. When we posted this walk on social media a couple of years ago, locals were quick to message me with tales of spooky figures seen walking along the road…
There are various tales of spooks at the Cowdray ruins, including a mysterious curse cast upon the previous inhabitants. Also keep your eyes peeled for the grey lady wandering the grounds…
The original Tudor Manor house that stood on the site was said to be the most haunted building in Hampshire with slamming doors, chilling cries, screams and moans and footsteps. It was so bad that the previous tenants were forced to move out and the house was eventually pulled down. Not only that, the nearby civil war battlefield, also on this walk, is apparently haunted by an entire ghost army!
Pumpkin Patch Walks
Enjoy some pumpkin picking and Halloween decorations at Durleighmarsh farm as part of this walk to the beautiful Durford Wood.
This is another walk where you can pick some pumpkins on the way. There is also a brilliant play area to be found on this walk across Compton Down near Winchester.
The discovery trail gets even better in October when you can add on a Halloween trail, pick-your-own pumpkins and tractor and trailer rides.
Halloween Trails for Half Term 2024
Hampshire
Itchen Valley Country Park - Spooky Spells Halloween Trail
Queen Elizabeth Country Park - Creepy Creatures Trail
Royal Victoria Country Park - Spooky Wordsearch Trail
Lepe Country Park - Who Stole Halloween Trail
Staunton Country Park - Spooky Staunton Outdoor Trail
Chawton House - Villains and Superpowers Trail
Alice Holt - Creepy Crawley Bug Hunt
River Hamble Country Park - Hallo-bingo Trail
Hinton Ampner - Halloween Potions Trail with Wilma the Witch
Eling Tide Mill - Pumpkin Trail
The Vine - Halloween Pumpkin Trail
Gilbert White’s House and Gardens - Pumpkin Trail
Mottisfont - Pumpkin Parade
West Sussex
Cowdray - Spot the Jackdaw Halloween Trail
Petworth - Academy for Witches and Wizards Trail
Pulborough Brooks - Wicked Wild Wednesday
Nymans - Halloween Half Term Trail
West Dean Gardens - Happy Hauntings Trail
Leonardslee Gardens - Funky Fungi Halloween Trail
Surrey
Winkworth Arboretum - Sarah the Spider Halloween Trail
Claremont Lanscaped Garden - Enchanted Claremont Trail
Hindhead Commons - Halloween Trail
Hatchlands - Pumpkin Trail
Box Hill - Bat Spotting Trail
Painshill - Zoolab Trail
Watts Gallery - Flower Fairies Trail
Dorset
Moors Valley Country Park - Venom Valley
Avon Heath Country Park - Spooky Serpents and Creepy Crawlers