As the leaves turn golden and the nights grow longer, Dorset transforms into a playground of spooky delights. Whether you're looking for family-friendly frights, eerie entertainment or just an excuse to dress up and eat sweets, Halloween in Dorset offers something for everyone. From haunted trails to science shows with a spooky twist, here’s your ultimate guide to celebrating Halloween in Dorset.
Pumpkin Patches in Dorset
The first thing you need for Halloween is, of course, a pumpkin and here in Dorset you’re spoilt for choice! Pumpkin picking has become a yearly tradition for many families and marks the start of spooky season with muddy boots, crisp autumn air and that all important wheelbarrow pic!
Some of our favourites include Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins with its haunted house and Halloween Party, Farmer Parmer’s Farm Park for spooky fun for little ones, Gorcombe Pumpkins for a traditional PYO experience and Dewflock Farm for animal meet and greets and pumpkin carving.
Family Halloween events
There are plenty of family friendly events at attractions around the county offering lots of Halloween-themed fun.
All aboard the Halloween Ghost Train to Exbury Gardens. Gruesome characters will be guiding guests through the gardens on their ghoulish ghost train, entertaining visitors with their panto-esc comedy. You might also hear some ghastly singing and see some dreadful dancing along the way. There'll be pumpkin carving too!
This autumn half term at Lulworth Castle, seek out the pumpkins and find the funny bones on the autumn trails as you explore the Park. Practice your sporting skills with the themed pitch’n’putt and traditional lawn games, or get crafty at the activity table and complete your quizbooks for a prize. PLUS back by popular demand - the ZOMBIE BARN! Will you be brave enough to enter?
Made for Halloween, get yourself down to the woods near Dorchester for Zombie Archery. Unleash your inner zombie slayer and hone your archery skills to see who will top the scoreboard for hitting the most targets.
And Monkey World are offering FREE entry for children in FULL Halloween fancy dress on 31st October.
Fright Nights & Ghost Tours
For those who love a good scare, Dorset doesn’t disappoint. For teens and adults, the Nothe Fort’s ‘Nothe of the Living Dead’ combines jump scares and escape dungeon-style challenges and puzzles in an hour-long experience that sees participants take on a chilling quest to save the world from an undead takeover.
In Dorchester, will you brave the eerie river path past Hangman’s Cottage after dark, descend into the haunted dungeons of Shire Hall or take part in a chilling paranormal investigation at the infamous Dorchester Prison?
Over in Weymouth, the shadows of the past come alive on the Haunted Harbour Tour - if you dare to walk among them. And in Wimborne, the spirits of centuries past may stir as you explore the 16th-century museum after hours on a ghost hunt that’s not for the faint-hearted...
Haunted houses in Dorset and ghost stories
There's nothing like a good ghost story to scare everyone at Halloween and Dorset has its fair share of spooky goings on.
We dare you to visit some of Dorset's most haunted locations this Halloween! Can you hear the ghost of the ape at Athelhampton House? Are you brave enough to walk along the Roman Road at Thorncombe Woods or visit Knowlton Church as night falls? For more terrifying tales and places to visit, read our Haunted Dorset blog - just don't turn off the lights! Mwah ha ha...
Halloween Movie Nights and Discos
Several venues across Dorset host outdoor or indoor Halloween movie nights. Expect classics like Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Bring blankets, popcorn, and your bravest friends!
A Halloween disco is always a great chance to get dressed up in your spooky best and party with your pals.
At Freshwater Holiday Park, you can be guaranteed a fang-tastic time with their Halloween Show and disco – don’t forget there are prizes for the best costume!
More Halloween events in Dorset
Halloween and October half-term events are still busy brewing and more details will be added soon - watch this space for up to date info!
Don't forget to check out our things to do guide for a huge range of attractions, activities, shopping and more. Make sure you're following our lively Social Media channels for up to date info, holiday inspiration, competitions, picturesque Dorset imagery, events and everything else in-between.
