Halloween and bonfire night events in Gloucestershire

From a gruesome zombie walk in Gloucester, to spectacular pyrotechnics in Stroud, there are any number of ways to mark Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night in the county this year.

Whether you are looking for family-friendly thrills or spine-tingling chills, you will find something to suit you.

One event that will excite both young visitors and hardened horror fans alike is Frightmare at Over Farm.

By day the event offers tractor rides, pumpkin carving and a Halloween mask trail for children and by night it is transformed into a dark and disturbing underworld for adults - complete with three brand new scare attractions.

The Haunted Hayride, PANIC and Stage Fright combine fairground rides and live performers to provide a terrifying experience that is not for the fainthearted.

Matt Keene said: “During the day we have all kinds of things for families but after dark it gets very sinister. We have three new attractions the Haunted Hayride, PANIC and Stage Fright which is our marquee attraction.

“Because we are a working farm they aren’t all set up yet but we tried out PANIC during our music festival in the summer and it went down really well and gave people a good fright.”

PANIC –which is available in a milder form for day visitors – is set in a desolate Cold War landscape where children, adults and homeless people disappear without warning while Stage Fright tells the story of an abandoned theatre and the ghosts who now inhabit it.

The legendary Haunted Hayride is back for 2012 with a circus theme. Visitors are warned that once they take a seat on the trailer, there’s no turning back as they drive into the darkness not knowing what they might find.

Matt said: “There are other similar events around the country but I think we are the biggest in the South West. Some of them have a haunted hayride but I think we are the only one to have it as a real theatrical performance. There is a proper narrative to it and the live performers really bring it to life. They also share a bit of banter on the way round which adds to the fun.”

“We say over 14s but we don’t enforce that, it is up to parents to decide whether their children will be ok with it.”

For information on how to book tickets and for our pick of the other top Halloween and fireworks events in Gloucestershire this year check out the list below.

1. Frightmare Halloween Festival, Over Farm, Over, Gloucester, GL2 8DB, 01452 521014.

What: Fright-filled Halloween-themed rides and theatrical attractions.

When: October 20 to 31.

Suitable For: Families 10am-6pm. Older children (from 14 upwards) and adults after dark.

Tickets/price: From free during the day from £17 in the evening (includes entry to three main attractions) - booking advised.

The biggest event of its type in the south-west, Frightmare offers family fun during the day but is guaranteed to leave you quaking in your boots after dark.

From 10am-4pm there are a range of Halloween-themed children’s activities including trailer rides to the pumpkin patch and a mask hunt.

But from 6.30pm the festival unleashes three new scare attractions combining fairground rides and live performance.

They include the Big Top Bedlam Haunted Hayride which features a trailer ride and appearances from a petrifying cast of circus characters and Stage Fright which is set around an abandoned theatre.

Frightmare also offers a chance to sample a range of delicious local foods and buy your own Halloween gifts, including pumpkins galore.

2. Fancy Dress Candlelit Party, Clearwell Caves, Coleford, GL16 8JR, 01594 832535.

What: Fancy dress party in the famous caves.

When: October 27 from 8pm.

Suitable For: Over 18s only.

Tickets/price: £40 each (includes Clearwell Caves Club membership).

Held in an eerie candle-lit cavern 100ft under the ground, the annual Clearwell Caves Halloween party is surely the most atmospheric event of its type in the county.

Fancy dress is a must – the more gruesome the better – and the evening also includes live music, a disco and a choice of a hog roast or veggie burger.

3. Halloween Monster Mash, Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, Gloucester, GL1 5SH, 01452 338933.

What: Halloween craft activities and a Harry Potter day.

When: October 22 to 31.

Suitable For: Families.

Tickets/price: Free.

Gloucester Quays are offering younger visitors a magical way to spend Halloween with a series of Monster Mash events – including a Harry Potter Day.

The boy wizard, Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore will all be in attendance on October 22 along with owls from the Gloucester Barn Owl Centre.

Other visitors during the week include the monstrous Franky Stein, Jake Skellington and Dracula and his bride.

There is also a packed programme of free activities including pumpkin carving and a chance for children to dress up in ghoulish garb for a picture in the Halloween photo booth.

4. Halloween Bat Trail, Puzzlewood, Perry Grove Road, Coleford, GL16 8QB, 01594 833187.

What: Halloween-themed treasure trail and sculptures.

When: October 24 to 31.

Suitable For: Families.

Tickets/price: Adults £6, children (4-16) £4.50, family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £20.

With its winding pathways, shadowy hollows and unnerving stillness, Puzzlewood is the perfect place for a Halloween adventure.

Children face the challenge of exploring the magical maze and searching for the bats hidden there before claiming a prize from the cafe’s cauldron.

The woods are also alive with a selection of spooky sculptures courtesy of artist Ed Elliot.

5. Gloucester Zombie Walk and Cirque Du Macabre, Cafe Rene, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1TP, 01452 309 340.

What: Fancy dress charity walk and Halloween-themed party.

When: October 27.

Suitable For: Zombie Walk all ages, Cirque Du Macabre over 18s.

Tickets/price: Free.

On October 27 the streets of Gloucester will come alive with the terrifying spectacle of hundreds of un-dead making their way through the city.

The annual charity Zombie Walk is open to all ages - and even dogs - as long as they stick to the bone-chilling dress code.

Following the event Cafe Rene is putting on a gloriously ghoulish night of magical wonders and live music.

Folk-punk band Captain Hotknives and DJ Dr Tim will provide the soundtrack for a party that features the freshly chopped delights of the The Family Butchers, the horrific Back Street Dentist and potions from The Farmacy.

6. Howl-o-Ween, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, OX18 4JP, 01993 823006.

What: Halloween Bat trail and sculpture.

When: October 27 to November 2.

Suitable For: Families.

Tickets/price: Adults £13, children (3-16) and concessions £9.

The Cotswold Wildlife Park is offering a whole host of animal-themed ‘Howl-o-ween’ fun over the October half term.

There will be special Wolverine feeds, a spooky train ride – complete with terrifying tunnel – and a whole host of pumpkin activities.

The garden team has carved the giant vegetables into everything from lanterns to witches standing their cauldrons.

There will also be a special trail where you can learn about the spookier side of wildlife including owls, bats, snakes, spiders, wolves and wolverines.

7. Fireworks at Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH.

When: November 3 from 5pm.

Tickets/price: £6 adults, £4 children.

One of the South West’s biggest and best fireworks displays, thousands of people are expected to flock to Cheltenham Racecourse again this year to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night.

As well as the spectacular pyrotechnics there is also a fairground, live stage show and plenty of places to pick up refreshments.

8. FERN Bonfire and Firework Display at Speech House, Speech House Road, Coleford, GL16 7EL.

When: November 3 from 5pm.

Tickets/price: £5, under 11s free.

Located in the heart of the Forest of Dean the Speech House field offers one of the most idyllic places to watch a firework display in the county.

The gates open at 5pm and from 6pm a giant bonfire will be set alight. The fireworks start at 7.30pm and there is also a fun fair, and refreshment stalls.

To add to the spectacle every child will receive a free glowstick.

9. Gloucester Docks’ Firework Display, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2ER.

When: November 3 from 6pm.

Tickets/price: Adults £6, children £4, on the gate, advance and family tickets also available.

Set at Gloucester’s historic Docks the annual bonfire night spectacular offers you a chance to see the fireworks overhead and reflected on the water.

There will also be live music, an appearance from a local radio station, refreshments and stalls with a range of Guy Fawkes Night treats.

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10. Ebley Firework Display, Marling School Playing Field, Cainscross Road, Stroud, GL5 3EW.

When: November 3 from 6pm.

Tickets/price: Adults £6, children £3.

The Ebley Firework Display has been running for more than half a century and remains the most popular place to celebrate November 5 in Stroud.

The spectacular show is run by one of the UK’s top pyrotechnicians Star Fireworks. The firm, who use the latest computerised firing system synchronised to music, were national champions in 2010 and have provided displays for everyone from the The Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chilli Peppers to TV shows Blue Peter and Big Brother.

Other attractions on the night include a giant bonfire and a fun fair.