IT’S that time of year when bonfires are burning, chills run down your spine and things go bump in the night – it must be Hallowe’en!

The atmospheric houses, gardens and wider estates of the National Trust are perfect locations for ghoulish goings on – for kids and adults alike - from Hallowe’en trails and pumpkin workshops, to night-time ghost tours and macabre theatre.

There are all sorts of autumnal treats on offer too, such as the Mottisfont’s woodland Land Art challenge, and of course kids can continue to take part in the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ challenge.

Walk through spectacular autumnal landscapes when you visit – past orchards laden with ripe apples and hedgerows brimming with fruit right for picking.

Our woods are transformed into canopies of rich leaf colour in shades of buttery yellow, red and orange – a great place to search for shiny conkers and edible chestnuts.

For autumn treats and ghoulish goings on in Hampshire take a look at our highlights:

  • Hinton Ampner, near Alresford SO24 0LA, tel: 01962 771305 Halloween trail 24 October – 1 November, 11am – 3pm, normal admission charge plus £3. 

Enjoy a spooky adventure at Hinton Ampner, with free entry for those children in fancy dress. Find the pumpkins hidden around the estate and collect a treat if you succeed.

In the house, the popular Hinton Bunnies are preparing for a fancy dress competition; see if you can find where they’re hiding!

  • Victorian gothic ghost story theatre, Hinton Ampner, 26 October (+16 years only), £15, 7.30pm start, book on 0844 249 1895

Don’t Go Into The Cellar! Theatre Company presents: ‘Old Haunts – An Audience with M.R. James – an original one man show based on those vintage spine-tinglers: ‘Oh, whistle, and I’ll come to you my lad’ and ‘Casting the runes’.

An atmospheric and unsettling adaptation of two timeless tales of terror by Britain’s finest practitioners of theatrical Victoriana in a macabre vein!

  • Tudor ghost tour, Hinton Ampner, 31 October, 7pm, £25 (+16 only), book on 0844 249 1895

Discover the truly awful ghost story of Hinton Ampner that, until recently, lay buried beneath the ground.

Summer excavations have now revealed the foundations of the original Tudor house and on All Hallows Eve, you can find out what really happened at this place so haunted it had to be demolished.

  • The ‘Tree-mendous Trail’, Mottisfont, 24 October – 1 November, 10am – 5pm, suggested donation of £1, for ages 5 to 10

Pick up a Halloween tree trail this half term and find out how spooky Mottisfont’s trees really are! Inspired by the new trees exhibition in the gallery, this trail packs in crafts, physical activities and creative fun.

  • The Vyne, near Basingstoke RG24 9HL, tel: 01256 883858 Welcome to the Castle of Otranto! 24 October – 1 November, normal admission charge plus £2 for children’s crafts

This Hallowe’en, The Vyne celebrates famous Gothic novel, the Castle of Otranto, said to have inspired horror writers Bram Stoker and Edgar Allen Poe.

It was written by Horace Walpole who was a regular visitor to The Vyne in the 18th-century.

Find out what happens to the lord of the castle on the day of his son’s wedding, as you follow the story trail through the house.

There’s more spooky fun for kids, with guided storytelling and bat-themed walks through the woods, plus Hallowe’en-themed craft activities.

  • Winchester City Mill SO23 0EJ, tel: 01926 870057 Pumpkin carving, story-telling and scary trails 24 October – 1 November, 10am – 4pm, normal admission charge only

This working water mill is the place to go for all sorts of Hallowe-en-themed fun throughout the half term.

Bring your own pumpkin to the Mill’s pumpkin carving workshop, and follow scary trails crawling with cobwebs!

  • Exbury Ghost Train, Exbury Gardens, October 26-November 1, 10.45am-3pm

A Hampshire tourist attraction is getting into the spirits of Halloween by running its annual ‘Ghost Train’.

Children visiting Exbury Gardens over half-term can take a hair-raising and rib-tickling ride on the narrow gauge railway encountering skeletons, scarecrows and other ghoulish characters en route.

Free goody bags are available for all children and after their journey aboard the ghost train they can follow the new spooky trail to discover mysterious sounding plants such as the Chinese Coffin Tree, the Ghost Tree and the Devil’s Walking Stick! 

Pre-booking is essential so call 023 8024 5750 for more information.
 

  • Hallowe’en- and apple harvest-themed baking demonstrations and tastings 24 & 31 October, 11am – 3pm, normal admission charge only

Pop into this atmospheric medieval mill and find out how to make delicious Hallowe-en-themed baked treats on 31 October.

The team at the Mill use their own freshly milled stone-ground flour, combined with other local produce to make seasonal and fun biscuits and buns.

Taste the results after the demonstrations and take home free recipe cards.

  • Foxbury, New Forest SP6 1EF, tel: 01794 344020 Wild Play Day 27 October, 10.30am – 1pm, children £5, adults £2.50, book on 01794 344020

Come to the ‘wilds’ of the New Forest for a day of outdoor adventures, from bug hunting and fire lighting to loads of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenges.

Kids can work on their den-building, mud pie-making and wild art skills, before tucking into toasted marshmallows around the camp fire.

  • Hallowe’en fun at Foxbury 30 October, 10.30am – 1pm, children £4 (suitable for ages 4-8), book on 01794 344020

Get into the Hallowe’en spirit in the heart of the ancient New Forest, and be thoroughly prepared for the Big Night.

You can try bobbing for apples and toasting yummy marshmallows around the open fire, before settling down to a spot of spooky storytelling.

We’ll even show you how to make your very own witch’s broom!