The half term holiday is a great time to visit The Suffolk Coast; Explore with an outdoor adventure, enjoy a day out at an award-winning attraction and embrace the season at a spooky event.
1. Follow the Spooky Trail at Landguard Fort
One of England's best preserved coastal defences, with a history spanning almost 450 years, Landguard Fort is also the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England in 1667, and the first land battle of the Royal Marines. The current Grade I listed Fort was continuously occupied through both World Wars and up until 1956.
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday throughout October, families can enjoy completing the spooky trail, passing through the Halloween themed rooms to collect letters which spell out a mystery word.
Usual admission charges apply (adults £5.50, concessions £4.50, children (5-15) £2.50, under 2s free). Timed admission slots can be booked online at http://www.landguard.com/what-s-on/
2. Halloween Fun on the Farm
Families can experience life on the farm with a day at Easton Farm Park this Halloween. After you've met the resident animals including cows, pigs, alpacas, donkeys, Shetland ponies and horses you can complete the spooky trail before heading to the barn to make a wand and a broomstick. Be sure to complete the quiz too, to receive a spooky prize. The Pizza Parlour will be open, serving freshly made pizzas plus a range of hot drinks and snacks.
Entry costs £6.50 (under 2s free). Prebooked entry can be made online at https://www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk/halloween
3. Pumpkin picking at Southwold Maize Maze
A Halloween tradition, head to Southwold's Maize Maze to pick your own pumpkin. Kids will love searching the pumpkin patch to find their own their own, be it large or small, weird or wonderful, orange or green.
The play park will also be given a spooktacular makeover and you can warm up with a hot chocolate, coffee and lunch or cake in the Cafe afterwards.
4. Walk the castle walls at Framlingham
Little monsters can enjoy a ghoulish day out at Framlingham Castle this half term.
Throughout the week, there will be live story tellers recounting spooky stories and you can follow the trail and solve creepy clues. Dress up in your frightful fancy dress and join in the fancy dress competition.
During your visit, walk the 10.5-metre high castle walls which offer views across Framlingham and the Suffolk countryside and afterwards, take a welly-walk in the surrounding nature reserve.
5. Conker collecting at National Trust Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is a great place to explore and see autumn in all it's glory on The Suffolk Coast. The trails will enable you to discover the resident wildlife, you can put your bushtucker skills to the test and build a shelter and hunt for bugs in the 'bug basements'.
Home to some mighty oaks, the forest is the ideal place to find the ideal conker. Look for conkers that are not cracked, symmetrical in shape and feel hard. You can test the quality of your conker by putting it in a bowl of water; If it sinks to the bottom, it’s perfect for your game. If it floats, discard it as it is likely to crack easily. Thread it with string and you're all set for your own conker tournament!
6. Blustery walks at Southwold
Wrap up warm and pay a visit to Southwold for a walk along the quintessential promenade and beach. Make your way past the pastel-coloured beach huts towards the Edwardian Pier. Here you can walk out to sea to watch the waves crash beneath you, and warm up in the restaurant with lunch, or tuck into hot fish and chips from the cafe.
The sand and shingle beach is perfect for building sandcastles, flying kites and throwing stones in the sea - no matter what the weather!