From spooky trails to creepy crafts – there’s a frightfully fun-packed half term on offer in Medway.
Cllr Nina Gurung, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “It is always fantastic to see how much there is for families to do in Medway during the school holidays, and this October half term is no different. Whether you’re brave enough to tackle the spooky Autumn trails at our heritage sites, head to one of our youth sports camps, fancy trying your hand at the Halloween-themed arts and crafts sessions or joining one of our free events like Welcome to Medway – there’s loads to see and do in Medway - enjoy!”
Halloween heritage fun
There is plenty happening at Medway’s heritage sights this October half term.
Four of our iconic heritage sites, Rochester Castle, Eastgate House, The Guildhall Museum and Upnor Castle, will be hosting our Autumn Trails.
First up is the Medieval Mythical Monster Trail at Rochester Castle – try to spot all of the creatures hiding as you explore one of the country’s tallest and finest Norman castles.
If you visit between Tuesday, 21 October and Friday, 24 October you will also see the famous Yarnsmith of Norwich, who will be spinning magical tales of dragons, ogres, mermaids and more.
The trail continues at The Guildhall Museum with the Guildhall Ghosts Trail, make sure you keep an eye out for the ghostly visitors as you look around the museum! You will also be able to take part in Day of the Dead themed arts and crafts at The Guildhall, or even make your own bat Halloween decoration.
Eastgate House has also been taken over by ghosts for the Glow in the Dark Ghost Hunt Trail. The Elizabethan town house has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, so pay attention as you explore to find them all.
Eastgate House will also be hosting Classic Ghost Stories evenings after half term over the Halloween weekend, taking place each night between 5pm and 7pm on Friday, 31 October, Saturday 1 November and Sunday, 2 November. If you are up for a fright, join us to gather around the fire for a night of spine-tingling tales in one of Medway’s most atmospheric settings. Tickets must be booked in advance for the ghost story evenings. You can book online or by calling 0333 666 3366.
Finally, over at Upnor Castle, on the banks of the River Medway, we have the Skeleton Scurry trail. Skeletons have been scattered across the castle – be brave and keep an eye out for them as you explore the impressive fort.
There will be some other visitors to Upnor Castle over the half term week too. On Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 October you will have the opportunity to step back in time and come face-to-face with Guy Fawkes and discover the story behind Bonfire Night in an immersive drop-in experience.
On Thursday, 23 October, the WW2 Bomb Squad will be on site, and you will have the chance to learn about life as a child during WW2, how to join the bomb squad and what kind of jobs they would do to keep everybody safe.
All of the trails are running over the half term week in line with each heritage site’s regular opening times. The trails are free to take part in, but admission charges to the sites apply.
Child-Friendly Medway treats this Halloween half term
Child-Friendly Medway will be delivering free Halloween fun for Medway’s children and young people throughout half term.
To kick things off, the team will be hosting a free Trick or Treat event at MidKent College on Monday, 20 October. Spaces need to be booked in advance, and two time slots are available from 10am to 12noon or 1pm to 3pm. To book your spot email: ChildFriendly@Medway.gov.uk.
Head to The Pentagon Shopping Centre on Thursday, 23 October from 10am to 2pm for Child-Friendly Medway’s soft play event for children aged between 0 and 5-years-old. As well as the soft play, there will be character meet and greets taking place. There is no need to book - you can just turn up.
Finally, on Saturday, 25 October, there’s this year’s Scarefest event at The Pentagon Shopping Centre. With trick-or-treating inside the shopping centre, spooky shows and fun craft activities there is loads to enjoy. The fun starts at 10.30am and runs until 3.30pm. The craft activities need to be booked in advance, which you can do through The Pentagon Shopping Centre’s Eventbrite.
Medway’s Mini Youth Sports Camps return
Mini Youth Sport Camps for children aged seven to 11 will be running at Medway Park this half term, from Tuesday, 21 October to Friday, 24 October. Run by experienced sports coaches, there will be fun activities on offer across the week including cricket, athletics, swimming games, nerf wars and much more – including Halloween crafts on Tuesday, 21 October and Thursday, 23 October.
Places must be booked, and full day and half day sessions are available. Premier Members get a 20% discount, and you can find the full information for dates, times, prices and how to book on the Medway Council website.
Cozenton Park Sports Centre will be hosting a Halloween pool party on Friday, 31 October between 6.15pm to 7.30pm. Inflatable sessions will also be running a Cozenton, Stroo and Hoo sports centres over half term – there’s no need to book for the inflatable sessions, and you can check out the pool timetables for each centre on our website.
There are also holiday swimming crash courses running throughout half-term Cozenton Park Sports Centre. They are perfect if you want to top-up or improve your own or your child’s swimming skills! You can find out more on our website and can book your course by emailing SwimLesson@Medway.gov.uk.
There is fun to be had for Medway’s adults at Medway Park this half term too – with the opening of our brand-new fitness studio from Tuesday, 21 October. A two-hour session with four fitness classes will be running between 6pm – 8pm on the day to mark the opening, with Zumba at 6pm, Bokwa at 6.30pm, Pilates at 7pm and Yoga at 7.30pm.
Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.
Lots more to do this half term
The next Welcome to Medway event on Wednesday, 22 October and running from 10am to 1pm at the Deanwood Wellbeing Centre, Rainham.
Whether you are new to Medway or have lived here for years, our Welcome to Medway events are an opportunity to meet new families and expand your support network. With activities for children of all ages, giveaways and refreshments, these free events are always popular.
Find out more about Welcome to Medway.
Medway’s libraries will also be hosting regular events throughout October, including over the half term break. From Halloween-themed arts and crafts, story sessions, Lego club and more – there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Medway’s Libraries.
You can see what’s happening, including dates and times, here.
You could also uncover the incredible history of Strood town centre with the Strood Walking Trail this half term. The 1.2mile loop takes you around the Strood Esplanade, high street, St Nicholas Church and other historical sites. You can also download the new audio guide, narrated by local historian Rob Flood, who provides incredibly insight and tales at each location. You can find out more by visiting: Medway.gov.uk/StroodTrail
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is running events over the half term too – including their Yuck Yard: The Curse of the Medway Phantom event.
Running from Saturday, 18 October to Sunday, 26 October, prepare for ghostly trail and exciting live show packed with fun. Children are encouraged to come along in their spookiest fancy dress to bring the adventure to life, as they explore the Dockyard they will need to piece together clues to discover the truth about the Medway Phantom – a warship that vanished after a violent storm.
This October, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is also running a series of after-dark tours which will give you the chance to explore one of Medway’s most iconic sites in a way many have never done before.
Uncover eerie tales and chilling truths from the sites past as you are guided by torchlight around the dockyard. The tours are running on selected dates from Thursday, 9 October to Sunday, 8 November. For full information, including ticketing details, visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham website.
Visitors to Fort Amherst are also in for a scarily good time with their Halloween Horrors event.
Hallow Horrors features live actors, horror mazes and immersive set pieces set in the fort’s underground Napoleonic tunnels.
There are three separate events taking place, one aimed solely at those aged 13 and over for the full experience, and family experience for those ages 10 and over and a children’s experience for those aged two and over.
For full information, including dates, times and ticket prices, visit the Fort Amherst website.
To see what else is happening in Medway, visit: VisitMedway.org.
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