With Halloween being one of my favourite holidays, I wanted to make the most of the spooky season by exploring the range of things to do in the North East this month. Whether you prefer thrilling live-action scare mazes or something a little bit more light-hearted like pumpkin-picking photoshoots, the North East really provides something for everyone.
1. Pumpkin Picking at Brockbushes
This farm shop in Northumberland, near Corbridge is a firm family favourite so when I heard they were putting on their pumpkin-picking events again I was very excited to go. With over 90,000 pumpkins of various shapes, sizes, and colours you definitely will not be leaving empty-handed. The Pumpkin Patch will also have interactive games (such as pumpkin bowling) and, of course, lots of photo opportunities to get that perfect October Instagram shot!
2. Open Air Cinema at Herrington Country Park
Aptly named the 'Scream Halloween Open Air Cinema', Adventure Cinema has lined up some spooky films to project onto this stunning backdrop at Herrington Country Park. Scary films include classic horrors such as 'Scream' or spooky but child-friendly masterpieces like 'Ghostbusters' and, my personal October favourite, 'Hocus Pocus'. Make sure you wrap up warm and pack a flask of tea as it is out in the open but this only adds to the creepy Halloween atmosphere.
3. Gingerbread baking The cosy October nights are not the same without a sweet treat to go with a hot drink to end the day. Gingerbread is usually associated with Christmas but the warming, spicy flavour seems to be perfect for adjusting to the cold weather that is imminently approaching. To make these gingerbreads more on-theme you could pipe Halloween-themed shapes in the icing, for example, coffins, ghosts, and pumpkins.
4. Harry Potter marathon
Now, this one shouldn't necessarily be restricted to October in my opinion, but it is a perfect solution to movie nights with those who don't enjoy horror films. Of course, to enjoy this it is important to get themed snacks such as toffee apples, jelly beans, cinnamon rolls, and Butterbeer, to keep the energy up and make sure you make it all the way to the Battle of Hogwarts in the 19th hour!
5. The Addams Family at Whitley Bay Playhouse
The Whitley Bay Operatic Society are putting on a hair-raising show this Halloween weekend of 'The Addams Family'. This spooky musical spectacular is guaranteed to be both mysterious and kooky.
6. Psycho path
Being known as the biggest 'scareground' in the UK, Psychopath, at Lintz Hall Farm, had to be featured on this list. There is something for everyone here but it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The map you are handed as you enter features a 'fear scale' letting you know how terrifying each scare maze is meaning that you can choose to navigate your experience depending on how brave you're feeling. At the top of the fear scale is 'Crawl Space', where you must crawl on your hands and knees through small spaces to get to the end, and 'Isolation', which you can only face alone. As well as the mazes, there are bars and food vendors dotted throughout in which you can take a well-needed relaxing break, but watch out for the live actors swarming around outside...
7. Halloween Evening at Beamish
Beamish is an iconic Open-Air Museum in the North East and is fun for all the family on a regular day but Beamish's themed events really go above and beyond to immerse the audience into the Victorian atmosphere. Upon visiting the oldest original building in Beamish after dark, Pockerly Hall, you may encounter a few ghosts roaming the halls and, in the pit village and the town, there are more than a few creepy inhabitants. With themed spooky decor and live scare actors, this night is sure to be one to remember.