THINGS GET SPOOKY IN STRATFORD!
The spooktacular array of half term Halloween celebrations taking place in Stratford this October is sure to give everyone a frightfully good time.
With many families forgoing the usual trick or treat activities, thrill-seekers will be looking for other ways to get a Halloween hit, and the town’s businesses, including Magic Alley, Tudor World, The Butterfly Farm, Everyman Cinema, Hoorays and even The Guild Chapel have delivered.
Magic Alley is running a series of spooky events, kicking off with The Haunting - a month-long invite for adventurers to enter the Enchanted Manor and complete a Halloween quest by torchlight. And for the really brave, there’s The Haunting After Dark events on 30 and 31 October. The shop will also play host to Experience the Magic After Dark on 24 and 28 October, where magical entertainers Jester Styles and Sylvia Sceptre will intrigue and delight as guests are taken on a journey into the depths of tarot cards, voodoo dolls and witchcraft.
Throughout half term, entry to the terrifying Tudor World will include a Halloween Trail and a gruesome prize for children. Visitors can even find out their future with Zoltair the Mystic. The fear factor turns up a notch during the museum’s spine-tingling evening activities, where visitors can join a live ghost tour of this eerie building or take part in a real Victorian séance. Even Jack the Ripper makes an appearance when the autumn of 1888 is recreated at special events dedicated to his victims.
There are enough creepy crawlies and pumpkins to keep the whole family entertained at Stratford Butterfly Farm this half term. Visitors can discover scary spiders, predatory beetles, a desert hairy scorpion and the latest inhabitants in Minibeast Metropolis – three Dying Poison Arrow Frogs which are among the most toxic animals in the world. Children are invited to join the Butterfly Farm team by dressing up as their favourite Halloween character on 30 and 31 October!
The Guild Chapel is reopening its doors on 20, 27 and 28 October for some Halloween ghoulishness. Death and the afterlife are central to the Guild Chapel’s fascinating medieval past and visitors are invited to spot the demons within the chapel paintings and find out about The Dance of Death. Visit www.guildchapel.org.uk/visiting for booking details.
Everyman Cinema is showing a host of hair-raising films over the Halloween weekend, including family favourites Frankenweenie, Hocus Pocus and The Adams Family, and the latest in the Halloween franchise for the grown-ups.
And for those looking for as a tasty treat, a creepily decorated Hooray’s British gelato kitchen is currently offering 12 spooky new flavours, including Spider Web, Frankenstein and Witches Potion. Kids also have the chance to win a prize in their Halloween colouring competition.
Here’s a full list of the Spooktacular activities:
The Haunting Halloween quest, Magic Alley, throughout October from 11.15 pm. Suitable for ages 6+. Tickets cost £8 and can be prebooked at www.magicalleystratford.com. Use of strobe lighting.
The Haunting After Dark, Magic Alley, 30 and 31 October from 6.30 pm. Suitable for ages 13+ but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Group tickets only from £40 which can be prebooked at www.magicalleystratford.com. Use of strobe lighting.
Experience the Magic After Dark event with Jester Styles and Sylvia Sceptre, Magic Alley, 24 and 28 October. Suitable for ages 13+ but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets cost £15 and can be prebooked at www.magicalleystratford.com
Halloween Trail, Tudor World Museum, 17 October to 1 November from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Suitable for children. Museum entry costs £6.75 adults, £5.75 concs, £3.50 children, £17.50 family (2A+2C).
Zoltair the Mystic fortune teller, Tudor World, 24 and 31 October from 10.30 to 5 pm. Suitable for children. Tickets cost £3 and can be purchased on the door or at www.tudorworld.com.
Jack the Ripper evening, Tudor World, 30 October and 6 November from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Adults only. Tickets cost £22.50 which can be prebooked at www.tudorworld.com
Victorian Seance, Tudor World, Friday 23 October from 8 pm to 10 pm for £20, and Saturday 31 October from 10.30 pm to 00.30 pm for £25. Adults only. Tickets can be prebooked at www.tudorworld.com. Victorian dress encouraged.
Virtual Ghost Tours, Tudor World, every night from 6 pm. Suitable for ages 14+. Tours take place every 10 minutes. Tickets cost £6.75 and are available from www.tudorworld.com.
Special Halloween Night Terror ghost tour, Tudor World, 31 October. Tickets cost £8.50 and are available from www.tudorworld.com.
Halloween fun, Stratford Butterfly Farm, 24 October to 1 November from 10 am to 5 pm. Creepy Crawlies on display. Suitable for all ages. Entry to the farm costs £6.25 for children and £7.25 for adults and should be prebooked at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk.
Halloween fancy dress with hidden messages from the grave, Stratford Butterfly Farm, 30 and 31 October from 10 am to 5 pm. All ages encouraged to dress up. Entry to the farm costs £6.25 for children and £7.25 for adults and can be prebooked at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk.
Reopening of spooky Guild Chapel, 20, 27 and 28 October from 11 am – 2 pm. Suitable for children. Entrance is free. Visitors will be allocated a 15-minute time slot on arrival. Check visiting details before arrival at www.guildchapel.org.uk/visiting. Best
Halloween fun at Hoorays, throughout October from 10 am to 6 pm. For more information visit www.hooraysgelato.com.
Spooky films at Everyman Cinema Stratford, 29 October to 1 November throughout the day. To book tickets, visit www.everymancinema.com/stratford-upon-avon
Sam Jenkins, Events Manager of Magic Alley said “Halloween is one of our favourite times of the year and this year we have something magical and spooktacular for everyone! All our events are timed entry and socially distanced to help you enjoy the spooky season even in these strange times”
Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at Stratford Butterfly Farm said “As Halloween approaches and the veil between the world thins, we’re welcoming people to experience this spooky time in style by visiting our scary insects, which are safely behind glass. We do hope our younger visitors will dress up to celebrate Halloween - the spookier the better! Adults are welcome to dress up too.”
Tor Wilkes, Marketing and Events Manager of Stratforward BID which also organises Stratford FEASTS said: “Many Stratford’s businesses are embracing this time of year and organising special events to attract people into town and give locals and visitors things to smile about.
“Halloween half term fun comes straight off the back of Stratford FEASTS – a celebration of Stratford’s fantastic food and drink scene. These are strange times and activities like these helps bring a little light relief.”
There are lots of other fun activities in Stratford over half term at venues such as the Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the MAD Museum and Escape Live and through Stratford Town Walks. Opening times vary so it’s best to book in advance.
For more information about what’s happening in Stratford this Halloween, visit www.stratfordhalloweenfestival.co.uk or www.stratforward.co.uk.
Notes
Stratforward is Stratford’s Business Improvement District (BID) which represents 420 shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and businesses in Stratford town centre.
For news and information about the town’s events, visit stratforward.co.uk or @Stratforward on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
For further information contact: Karen Welsh on 07969 992416 or karenpwelsh@gmail.com or Tor Wilkes at tor@stratforward.co.uk 07766 494435