Monster guide to 50 things in Norfolk to scare your family silly for Halloween 2017

Spooky City Hallowe'en lantern parade set to be a highlight in Norwich. Photo: Denise Bradley (Image: Copyright: Archant 2014)

SHOWS

Halloween Spooktacular

Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, October 20-31, various times, £20-£16 (£17-£15 cons), £12-£10 children, discounts for families, 01493 844172, hippodromecircus.co.uk

Yarmouth Hippodrome's spooky experience is a whole new adventure that has been written by comedy partnership and Hippodrome favourites Jack Jay and Johnny Mac. They will be joined by an amazing cast of international acts as they look to throw the biggest Halloween party ever. Jack said 'Since the starting our Spooktacular, each year it has grown and grown, this year will boast the biggest spooky theatrical set we have ever seen, with all the action happening in an desolate fairground. We have also seen more and more people coming along in fancy dress and that's what makes this show so special to us. So this year me and Johnny are calling on everyone from toddlers to grandma's to grab a costume and get involved' The show runs daily at 2.30 and 6.30pm, with times varying on Sundays (1pm and 4pm). On Oct 30-31 only 6pm performances.

Horror Theatre and Radio Drama From The Golden Age!

The Garage, Chapel Field North, Norwich, October 27, 7.30pm, £8 (£5 cons), 01603 598646, thegarage.org.uk

A rare chance to experience examples of historical horror performance that are as legendary as they are influential. As part of the Annual Norwich Hallowed Histories festival, a team from the UEA will perform examples of horror radio in the tradition of golden age broadcasting with live sound effects, performers and musicians weaving total terror before your very ears!

M.R. James Ghost Stories

Fisher Theatre, Bungay, October 28, 7.30pm, from £10, 01986 897130, fishertheatre.org

Strange Fascination Theatre presents their adaptations of two of M.R. James' most chilling short stories. Oh, Whistle and I'll Come To You My Lad and A Warning To The Curious both present people at the very limit of their understanding, faced with the darkest reaches of the supernatural. Dare you venture into this strange world?

The Curse of the Black Death

Bungay Castle, October 28, 7pm/October 31, 6pm, £4 per person, 01986 897130, fishertheatre.org

UpShoot Theatre Company present an immersive theatre production. The Curse of the Black Death is a combination between theatre and horror-maze. The 20-minute production puts the audience at the centre of the story. Performed within the historic ruins of Bungay Castle, the choices participants make during the show will ultimately determine the immersive play's ending. There is a toned down version available for young children and families on booking.

Frankenstein and The Dunwich Horror

Seagull Theatre, Pakefield, Lowestoft, October 29, 7pm, £3, 01502 589726, theseagull.co.uk

The Old Time Radio Club present an original radio play version of Mary Shelley's story of Victor Frankenstein who creates a grotesque but sapient creature and The Dunwich Horror, a short story by H. P. Lovecraft. The group use voice actors, live sound effects, live music and authentic advertisements, all performed under strict 'broadcast' conditions.

Ghost Talks

Sheringham Little Theatre, October 31, 7.30pm, £8, 01263 822347, sheringhamlittletheatre.com

Halloween; the perfect time to spend an evening at the theatre in the company of local storyteller, actor, and ghost walk host Steve Banks. Join Steve as he explores local myths, mysteries and legends, and looks into the history of our love for frights and things that go 'bump' in the night. Suitable for those 14 and up, and not for the faint-hearted, this promises to be a fright-night to remember.

LIVE EXPERIENCES

PrimEvil

Dinosaur Adventure, Lenwade, until October 31, 6pm-11pm, online book prices £18.95 peak/£22.95 prime, primevil-scare.com

Norfolk's biggest scare experience returns ahead of Halloween and is once again guaranteed to scare you silly as it heads into its eighth year of haunted horrors. The scare fest is the usual terrifying mix of clowns, dolls and beasts in an array of attractions, all set within the eerie woods of the park. For 2017, it offers guests five 'scare attractions', including a Carnevil of Terrors, Forest of Fear and the Mayhem Manor Hotel. The nightmare inducing horror walk is incredibly popular, so brave visitors are advised to book in advance so as to avoid missing out on the creepy creatures, zombies and killer clowns that await them. It is not recommended that those aged under 12 attend the event and under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.

Pleasurewood Chills

Pleasurewood Hills, October 21-29, from 10am, dated ticket £20 online/£22 gate, under-11s £17 online/£19 gate, 01502 586000, pleasurewoodhills.com

Pleasurewood Hills is transformed into Pleasurewood Chills once again with lots of free Halloween activities planned for your little monsters. Fun attractions include Woody's Spooktacular Shows in the Castle Theatre daily, pumpkin carving, trick or treat, mask making and Woody's spooky parades. People are also being encouraged to wear your in your best spooky attire for the chance to win some great fancy dress prizes. The end of the season wouldn't be complete without the firework spectacular on October 28.

Quarantine

Elveden Estate, October 26-28, 6.30pm-9.30pm, £26, limited tickets, details at 07840 380004, explore-4x4.co.uk/quarantine

Will you survive your apocalyptic journey? Explore 4x4's terrifying Halloween experience like no other. Elveden Estate's grounds contain an old military base, now isolated and out of bounds it is overrun with the infected. Can you find the courage to help us neutralise the threat? During this over-14s adventure you will experience zombie weapons training, a 4x4 off road night drive as well as a stroll in the woods…

Halloween at Holkham

Holkham Hall, October 26-29, 10am-5pm, £15-£7, £7.50-£3.50 children, £41-£19 family, 01328 713111, holkham.co.uk

Lots of 'spooktacular' fun at Holkham. Follow the fun trail around the hall to discover frightening factoids and creative crafts and have a spooky time solving the macabre murder mystery. Jump on board the Halloween Express over to the wicked walled garden. Encounters with their real-life owls. A storyteller will be there too, enthralling you with spell-binding and mystical tales. Go dressed for the occasion and join the fancy dress parade, get gory grazes or weeping wounds with our face painting and test your powers of pumpkin carving. There's bewitching poetry, spooky skulls and a creepy quiz to keep you on your toes – beware scares galore! Some activities will incur an extra charge.

Halloween Ghost Walks

Adam and Eve, Bishopsgate, Norwich, October 27-31, 7.15pm/9.30pm, £8, 07831 189985, ghostwalksnorwich.co.uk

Norwich Ghost Walks provide another scarefest in the area around Cow Tower for Halloween. This year's theme is Man in Black's best stories' and there are 15 stories drawn from tales previously told over the last 10 years. Expect magic and effects together with an enhanced troop of ghouls. Performances will be at 7.15pm every night with additional 9.30pm performances on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday.

Spooky City

Norwich City Centre, October 31, 6pm-8pm, free admission, norwich.gov.uk

As the fright-filled day itself rolls around, what better way to celebrate than with thousands of other eerie beings as they take part in Norwich's Spooky City Parade. Don your finest fancy dress and prepare for an evening of tricks and treats. Meeting outside The Forum from 6pm, the parade will head through the city streets finishing in Chapelfield Gardens, where a range of ghoulish activities will be taking place. No booking is required for this fangtastic event, simply turn up and take part.

MORE HALLOWEEN

Jurassic Journey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade

The Tower, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, October 18-31, 6pm, full details at 01493 852239, jurassic-journey.co.uk

A family friendly Halloween parade begins at 6pm, entry is included with a standard day ticket, with Prof. Possilfossil guiding you around the different exhibits with spooky surprises around every corner, you will meet other members of the Possilfossil Family and interact with there latest experiments. Don't forget throughout the day to make your lantern for the parade.

Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade

Bewilderwood, Hoveton, until October 29, 10am-5.30pm, normal admission, 01692 633033, bewilderwood.co.uk

If you're looking for something a little less fearsome and a little more fun this Halloween, head on over to Bewilderwood and celebrate with Snagglefang the bat, wicked witches, Slitherigrubs, Thorneycold Spiders and Swampy as part of the adventure park's Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade. Children will be able to spend the day exploring the woodland, discovering the fangtastic decorations, listening to a special Bewilderbats storytelling session and build and decorate their own lantern for the parade itself.

Halloween on Junior Farm

Wroxham Barns, October 20-29, 10am-5pm, £6.50 per person, under-2s free, 01603 777102, wroxhambarns.co.uk

Halloween activities include following the spider trail to win a small prize. Face painting plus spooky arts and crafts and appearances by Barny and Bella.

Horrible Halloween Trail

Sheringham Park, October 20-29, 10am-4.15pm, £2.50, pre-book 01263 740008, nationaltrust.org.uk

Scare yourself silly with goulish ghost stories and local legends. Find the clues to finish the trail and get a Halloween treat!

Spooky I-Spy'

Wells & Walsingham Railway, October 20-29, 10.30am-4.45pm, £9 return, £7 children, under-4s free, wwlr.co.uk

There's some frighteningly good fun happening at the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, which is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary. Spot the hidden potion ingredients on the line, but watch out for the ghoulish characters on the way.

Hallowe'en Trail

Museum of the Broads, Stalham, October 20-29, 10am-4pm, £5.50 (£5 cons), £2.50 children, £14 family, 01692 581681, museumofthebroads.org.uk

The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are a mysterious and haunted place. There are many tales of ghosts, ghouls, witches, and even a black dog that inspired the Hound of the Baskervilles. Explore Broadland's ghostly history with this fun trail. Win a creepy prize but beware of the Wroxham Witch...

Half Term Halloween

Park Britannia, Waterloo Park, Norwich, October 21-27, full details of events at cafebritannia.co.uk/halloween

To celebrate the opening of the new Park Britannia cafe at Waterloo Park, a whole host of free Halloween events have been planned including a Halloween party, potion making, face painting, crafts and more.

Halloween Hoot

Hirsty's Family Fun Park, Yarmouth Road, Hemsby, October 21-25, 10am-4pm, £5, £8 children, under-3s free, hirstysfamilyfunpark.co.uk

Activity-packed Halloween event for all the family with a frightening amount of things to do, with pumpkin carving, Halloween-inspired crafts, face painting, maze fun, and much more. All paying children will receive a pumpkin grown on Hirsty's farm and a free lantern kit.

Halloween Puzzle Room - Curse of Black Shuck

Deepdale Backpackers, Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale, October 21-29, 5pm-9pm, £10 per team for no residents, 01485 210256, deepdalebackpackers.co.uk

Can you break the curse of Black Shuck? Deepdale Puzzle Room tests whether you are up to the task of completing Professor Mann's research. Teams of up to five people can take part and have 30 minutes to solve the puzzles and break the curse. Teams who fail the Halloween Puzzle Room will be cursed...

Spooktacular Halloween Trail

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, October 21-29, 10am-4pm, £3.50, £1.50 children, under-5s free (one child per family goes free), 01603 715191, rspb.org.uk

Ghoulish family fun on this self-guided trail to discover the secrets of spooky wildlife. Trick or Treat prizes for the brave families doing spine-chilling challenges. £1 per trail sheet.

Spooky Express

Bure Valley Railway, October 21-29, 10am-5.30pm, normal fares, 01263 733858, bvrw.co.uk

Popular Spooky Express returns for half-term. A children's competition to see how many spooky items can be spotted on the train journey, a colouring corner and the railway's resident Bear will be dressed up for the occasion at Aylsham Station. Free travel to every child when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (maximum two children per adult).

Halloween on the North Norfolk

North Norfolk Railway, October 21-29, 10am-4pm, normal fares apply, 01263 820800, nnrailway.co.uk/halloween

Weybourne Station becomes the home to ghosts and ghouls galore for this child-friendly spooky Halloween attraction. Complete your special Halloween quiz and escape the witches and wizards spell free. Then it's all aboard the Ghost Train with each compartment revealing a scene of Halloween spookiness. Meanwhile the special Spooky Express departs Sheringham on October 27 (5pm/8pm, £12.50) with fearful tales, fearsome characters and creatures that could be lurking around the very next corner. Not for the faint-hearted.

Eerie Explorer

Pensthorpe Nature Park, October 23-31, 6pm-7pm, £5 per person, 01328 851465, pensthorpe.com

Have you heard the legend of the haunting of the Black Shuck? A fearsome, large black dog with piercing red eyes who roams the Norfolk countryside? Set out on this daring Halloween mission ain the brave the dark forests of Pensthorpe to seek the Black Shuck and scare him away once and for all with a secret weapon: Tulu the barn owl.

Harry Potter and the magical Pumpkin Patch

Arc Shopping Centre, Bury St Edmunds, October 23, 11a,-3pm, free, arc-burystedmunds.com

Fun filled Halloween inspired day for the kids. It includes an opportunity for kids to design their own wand inside a giant inflatable pumpkin, perfect for Halloween. Children will also have the chance to meet Harry Potter and wonder at his magic, as he performs magic tricks. Go in your best fancy dress and your scariest Halloween face for a chance to win a £50 voucher.

Horrid Halloween Half Term

Norwich Castle Museum, October 23-27, free with normal admission, 01603 495897, museums@norfolk.gov.uk

Creep to Norwich Castle astle for a week of Halloween fun. Join a spooky dungeon tour, hear the story of Black Shuck from actor Neil Parris, find out about mummification in ancient Egypt; plus quizzes, Magic Susie's School of Wizardry, crafts and much more.

Spooky Dungeon Tours

Norwich Castle Museum, October 23-27, various tours from 10.30am to 3pm, £3.70 (£3.30 cons), £3 children, 01603 495897, museums@norfolk.gov.uk

Are you brave enough to follow into the castle dungeons? Hear about the history of punishments past, and find out about the fate of criminals. Places limited so book on arrival. No advanced bookings. Suitable for ages 5+

Halloween Adventure

RSPB Titchwell Marsh, October 23-29, 10am-4pm, £2 per child, 01485 210779, titchwell@rspb.org.uk

Escape to the land of the Wild Things this Halloween and have an epic adventure at Titchwell Marsh reserve. Grab a treasure map and find your way through shadowy woods, enchanted reedbeds and spooky trails. Solve all the clues to break the spell that binds your Halloween prize.

Spooky Stories

Framlingham Castle, October 23-29, 11am-4pm, £8.90 (£8 cons), £5.30 children, £23.10 family, 01728 724922, english-heritage.org.uk

Fearless souls required for a thrilling family adventure that will see you come face-to-face with the dark side of children's tales. Storytellers reveal the terrifying truth behind the bedtime fairytales, meet the Barber Surgeon and find out the gruesome details of Tudor medicine, surgery and teeth pulling! Fancy dress competition, films screenings, witch and wizard hat making and more.

Pumpkin Fest

Brandon Country Park, October 25, 11am-3pm, free entry, small charges for some activities, brandoncountrypark

Autumnal activities at this third Pumpkin Fest. Tesco in Brandon will be providing 250 pumpkins for a pumpkin-carving stall, as well as giving out a free 'Trick or Treat' goody bag full of tasty sweets. Shoe String Theatre will be performing some 'spooktacular theatre' amongst the grave stones, and MB Street Dance will showcase their very own Halloween dance moves to visitors. Also Halloween story-telling, a spooky trail, Dusk till Dawn falconry, and a prize for the best fancy dress.

Furry Familiars and Wicked Witches

Elizabethan House Museum & Tolhouse, Great Yarmouth, October 25, 11am-4pm, event free, normal admission prices, 01493 855746, nationaltrust.org.uk

Discover a time of witches at both museums for a day. Where the simplest suspicion could turn into a witch hunt, hear tales of real life toil as well as those that could come straight from a fairy tale. Create your own familiar fiend just in time for Hallows eve!

Halloween Family Fun Workshop

Great Yarmouth Market Place, October 25-27, 11am-3pm, free entry, gytcp.co.uk

Family fun on Yarmouth market includes pumpkin carving, face painting and turning innocent wooden spoons into frightening puppets. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Creepy Cromer

Cromer Museum, October 26, 7pm, normal admission prices, pre-book 01263 513543, cromer.museum@norfolk.gov.uk

Make creepy Halloween decorations and hear spooky local stories. Family drop-in event 10am-12.30pm & 1pm-3.30pm.

Hallowe'en House

Ancient House, Thetford, October 27, 5pm-7.30pm, £4 per person, 01842 752599, ancienthouse@norfolk.gov.uk

Spooky stories, ghostly crafts and the chance to explore the Ancient House museum after dark.

North End Ghost Tour

True's Yard Fisherfolk Museum, North Street, King's Lynn, October 27, 6pm, £5, pre-book 01553 770479, truesyard.co.uk

Discover the ghostly history of some of King's Lynn's most iconic places and go on a behind the scenes ghost tour of the museum, Pilot Street, Tuesday Market and St Nicholas' Chapel yard. True's Yard is reported to have over 30 ghosts in residence. Numbers limited so book.

Halloween Roller Disco

Retroskate, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, October 27, 6.30pm, 01493 854349, retroskate.net

A Halloween-themed roller disco. A range of prices are up for grabs including a free skate pass for the best fancy dress. Early arrival is advised and entry costs £1. Skate hire is an additional £1.

Halloween Party

Jump Warehouse, Main Cross Road, Great Yarmouth, October 27, 7pm-9pm, £8 per person, 01493 853389, facebook.com/jumpyarmouth/

A night of scary frolics and games including apple bobbing, design your own pumpkin, ghost sack race, pin the boo on the ghost, witch hat toss and best dressed boy and girl Halloween competition. Over-5s only.

Fright Night

Pavilion Theatre, Cromer Pier, October 27, 8pm/11.30pm, £35, pre-book 01263 512495, www.cromerpier.co.uk

The Pier is well known locally for being the most haunted site in Cromer, and consistently shown signs of paranormal activity over the years. It eatured on Most Haunted in 2009, due to the numerous reports of ghostly manifestations and poltergeist activity! Perfect for Fright Nights Cambridgeshire and medium Michael Ryan to hosts this spooky night with a history and hauntings talk, mediumship, ghost hunting equipment, experiments including seances and glass divination, ghost vigils in the dark and more. Over-18's only.

All Aboard Halloween

East Anglian Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, October 28, 2pm-7pm, £9 (£7 cons), £6 children, 01502 518459, eatransportmuseum.co.uk

Dare you ride after dark? East Anglian Transport Museum is no open longer into October, but does make an exception to offer you some spooky happenings. They are having a witch hunt for the children and there will be prizes for all little ones in fancy dress. Trams, trolleybuses and trains will be running into the evening will be a chilling experience for all as the woods come alive with the spirits of All Hallows Eve!

Trick or Treat Weekend

intu Chapelfield, Norwich, October 28-29, full details at intu.co.uk/chapelfield

Free-ky Halloween activities at Chapelfield shopping centre. Little monsters are invited to grab a Halloween bucket and enjoy Trick or Treating. Collect sweet treats from participating retailers and get into the spooky spirit with a super-scary costume. Those looking to get crafty are also invited to make their own Halloween bat clips, perfect for holding your spooky bits and pieces together. There is also pumpkin carving from Oct 27-20.

Halloween Market

Downham Market Town Square, October 28, from 12pm, admission free, downhammarkettowncouncil.org.uk

Halloween games, face painting, indoor crafts and fancy dress parade at 1pm. Wear your spookiest outfit and you might win a treat.

Wanda the Witch

Bistro Britannia, The Guildhall, Norwich, October 28-31, free, cafebritannia.co.uk/bistro-britannia-guildhall

Little monsters are invited to visit Wanda, the witch of Guildhall, in her spooky lair above the Bistro. Dress up and be brave and you'll collect a treat and enjoy a spooky story too, all for free. Timings are 1-4pm on Oct 28-29 and 3pm-6pm on Oct 31.

Green Halloween

Wymondham Abbey, October 28, 5pm, free entry, 01953 607062, wymondhamabbey.org.uk

Try something different for Halloween as Wymondham Abbey hosts a special nature themed event for all ages. No trick or treating, but plenty of creepy crawlies, bats, warming soup and fun craft activities. You'll also be able to find out more about the origins of Halloween. Free but donations welcome

Creatures of the Night

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, October 28, 5pm-7pm, £10, £5 children, 01603 715191, rspb.org.uk

Are you brave enough to venture into our woods in the dark? There's nothing to fear, just the wonderful sounds of the creatures of the night. Find out what goes crunch in a barn owls lunch before venturing out on a spooky, family walk you won't forget in a hurry! Return to the campfire to toast marshmallows and enjoy a hot chocolate.

Pumpkin Event

Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough, near Swaffham, October 28-29, 10.30am-4pm, normal admission charges, 01366 328258, nationaltrust.org.uk

Explore the grounds finding the Oxburgh grown pumpkins, discovering their hidden secrets. Featuring bats, beasties and ghouls. Find your way to the decorated Armoury and join in with the craft activities.

Cromer's Legends & Ghosts

Cromer Museum, October 29, 2.30pm-4pm, £3, pre-book 01263 513543, cromer.museum@norfolk.gov.uk

Join a local expert for an informative and entertaining walk around historic Cromer. Listen to legends and ghostly tales whilst discovering Cromer's atmospheric sights. Advance booking essential.

Gravestones & Tombstones

Great Yarmouth Minster, October 29, 2pm, £6.50, £4.50 children, under-7s free, 01493 846346

A guided walk around Great Yarmouth Minster to hear some fascinating stories about the characters laid to rest in this large graveyard the Medieval town wall. Discover the bricked up gate through which some of Nelson's sailors set sail for the final time and visit the town cemetery where sailors, merchants and circus owners lie side by side.

Halloween Wood

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, October 31, 6pm-8pm, £9, £5 children, pre-book 01603 270449, fairhavengarden.co.uk

Are you brave enough to take a walk in the woods at night where witchy malevolence cackles behind every tree? Stay on the path and do not be lured into the wood as curiosity killed the black cat. Hot dogs and potions at The Cackling Cauldron, spellbinding live music and wicked children's entertainers. Frightful firework finale. Ticket only event.

Bungay Pumpkin Party

Bungay Castle, October 31, 4.30pm, free entry, 01986 897130, fishertheatre.org

A free community event with children and families in mind, there will be party games, fancy dress, ghost stories for little ones and will feature a pumpkin display created by local businesses.