It’s time to get your spook on with some top Halloween events taking place here in the New Forest. From creepy trails to follow through to ghoulish rollercoaster rides, you’ll find plenty of entertainment for all ages this Halloween.
Here are some of our top Halloween events taking place in the New Forest:
Spooky Halloween River Tour
The Beaulieu River takes on a whole different feel with its dark waters. Paddle your way along the river with New Forest Activities (various dates, including Halloween apply) and hear ghoulish ghost stories from your night-time guide, on a Spooky Halloween River Tour. Dress up in your best Halloween outfits and enjoy some warming hot chocolate and Halloween sweeties too. Pre-booking essential.
New Forest Activities will also be running land-based events for Halloween including pumpkin archery and BattleZone Apocolypse.
Image - New Forest Activities
The Exbury Ghost Train returns
Are you brave enough to step aboard the Exbury Ghost Train? Running daily from 28 October to 3 November, the train is a perfect way to explore Exbury Gardens in a whole new way.
Added to this, Exbury Gardens will be running pumpkin carving and a fantastic Gruesome Garden trail featuring a spooky spider's lair, witches' den and haunted graveyard.
Take a frightful tour of a farm
Enter the Haunted Barn at Longdown Activity Farm over the October half term week. And on Halloween itself, encounter real-life barn owls and creepy creatures with the Creature Teachers.
Keep your eyes open for hidden pumpkins in unexpected places in the family-friendly Pumpkin Quest too.
Image - Longdown Activity Farm
Treasure trail and Henry VIII ghost maze
Muster your courage and head to historic Hurst Castle this Halloween, and if you’re brave enough, descend deep into the castle’s basement and escape the Henry VIII and his six ghosts maze!
As well as the thrilling maze, there will also be a treasure trail and arts & crafts to get involved with.
Image - Hurst Castle
Discover spooky species and design your own pumpkin
Get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween at the New Forest Wildlife Park! From October 26th - November 3rd, discover fascinating "Spooky Species" through daily stops around the park. Get hands-on with animal artefacts and learn amazing facts from the education team.
Unleash your creativity in the pumpkin design competition and craft creepy creatures and whimsical woodland friends in our daily craft sessions.
Step into a Halloween themed delight and enjoy a spooky afternoon tea
The Lodge at Balmer Lawn Hotel has turned into the spookiest venue in the New Forest, with decorations and characters that will make you jump out of your seats. (Trick or) treat yourselves to a Halloween themed afternoon tea and take part in the scary trail through the hotel.
Image - Balmer Lawn Hotel
Step into the Forest of Light
Venture into the hauntingly beautiful nightscape of Forest of Light, Halloween, a spooky delight adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and effects that go bump in the night at Sandy Balls Holiday Village this October.
Running throughout the month, this event is exclusive to guests staying at Sandy Balls.
Find out more about Halloween in the New Forest
There’s plenty more taking place across the New Forest, including spooked-up rides at Paultons Park, Halloween activities at Beaulieu and broomstick flying and lots more at Marwell Zoo. Take a look at our Halloween page for other events taking place in the lead up to and on Halloween itself and if you have children off for October half term, be sure to check out our October half term page with lots of other ideas for activities and events taking place at this most spooktacular time of the year.
Don’t forget to share your Halloween adventures with us on socials, you can find us at @thenewforestuk on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X.