The Isle of Fright and other horrors this Halloween

With Halloween on the horizon, venues and attractions all over Britain are competing to put on the most spooktacular events this half-term. Discover Britain investigates ‘ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties’…

One of the most haunted islands in the world, the Isle of Wight has teamed up with new cinematic release Paranormal Activity this autumn to create the Isle of Fright Ghost Trail throughout October and November.

Visitors can navigate the island’s chilling ‘cold spots’, where it’s said its ghosts abide and hear their eerie tales from a paranormal expert. All you need is your smartphone or tablet and your wits about you. Using the downloadable app, visitors will be guided to one of 13 cold spots, where they can stand and listen to the story of the ghost that dwells nearby.

Journey back in time this half-term and delve into Nottingham’s horrible history during Freaky Fortnight at the Galleries of Justice from 17 October to 1 November. Visitors can come face-to-face with creepy characters including Hangman, the local surgeon and the infamous Body Snatchers in this new actor-led tour. Explore original prison cells, caves, dungeons and Victorian courtrooms as you wander through what was once Nottingham’s most notorious County Gaol. This tour is suitable for children aged five and over.

Halloween Hoot at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, from October 24 to November 1, includes a Halloween trail through the house with man traps, a 16th-century book of spells and more. In the garden, find hidden pumpkins, dare to enter the abandoned tunnel and listen to spooky storytelling. There will also be spooky crafts and fright flights in the farmyard and adventure playground, guaranteeing plenty of Halloween fun all week.

Hop onboard for Harry Potter Wizard Weekend at the Watercress Line in Hampshire on 30–31 October.  Walk in Harry Potter’s footsteps over the railway footbridge where he received his Hogwarts Express ticket in the famous film and take part in spooky goings-on in your best witch, wizard or spooky fancy dress.

Treetop Trek in the heart of the Lake District is celebrating Halloween with its Trek or Treat event on 30 October from 4.30 pm, by offering a free zip wire ‘flight’ for all little witches and wizards (broomsticks not required!). Children over the age of five that come dressed as witches or wizards will be treated to a zoom down one of Treetop Trek’s 250m zip wires, completely free of charge. Treetop Trek’s location at Brockhole means there’s plenty to do, with a free ghoulish scavenger hunt, spooky stories and Halloween crafts on offer.

For other things that go bump in the night you might like to try the Ghost Race Spooktacular 2015 in Portsmouth on 30 October, Screamland at Margate from 16 to 30 October and Boo at the Zoo week at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo from 24 October to 1 November.