The best spooky activities on the Isle of Wight this Hallowe’en

Visit the Isle of Wight this Hallowe’en to see a darker side of Wight, typically known for its sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes and fresh sea air.  The Isle of Wight has a long, spooky history and is world-renowned for its paranormal activity, earning the title of the UK’s most haunted island. Home to hundreds of ghosts and spooky happenings, from poltergeists and the souls of shipwrecked smugglers, to a haunted ghost train and phantom monks – the Island is teeming with supernatural goings on.

Throughout the month of October 2022, the Island will celebrate all things supernatural and will play host to an array of scary activities suitable for both adults and children of all ages. Plus, kids travel for free to the island during the school holidays with Wightlink, so you can enjoy a spooky visit for less.

For the littlest ‘ghouls and boils’, make your way to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for some wickedly, wonderful fun during half term at Wizard Week. Halloween fancy dress is positively encouraged, and there are daily prizes for the most spooktacular costume. Let your wild witches and vibrant vampires explore the station with the Halloween trail, discover the spooky woodland walk and trek to Train Story where more things go bump in the night. In a puff of steam back at the station yard you will feel like you’re off to wizarding school as you board the train. Tuck in to treat bags as you watch the countryside go by, but keep an eye out at each station for strange characters lurking on the platforms.

The UK’s oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, always has kids in mind as Frights & Sprites returns for another magical year during October half term. There are gooey goings on at Rumpus Mansion as you create a slime pet (parents will love that!), you can get your monster mash on at the spooky disco or join in creepy crafts all while wearing those hauntingly good Halloween costumes. All this plus the usual amazing attractions open across the site from Cowboy Town and Pirates Cove to seeing ‘real’ moving dinosaurs at Area 5.

If you have a mix of ages to keep entertained, that can seem like a horror in itself. Robin Hill’s Día de los Muertos, ‘Day of the Dead’ celebrations are coming to life through October 2022. Inspired by this traditional Mexican holiday, experience new light shows in never seen before walkways. Pass through the veil to the other side and dance the night away with a live mariachi band. Celebrate life as the park is transformed, sample the flavours of Mexico in this eruption of colour and make the most of it by painting your face in a traditional sugar skull style before you arrive.

Considered to be one of the most haunted buildings on the Island, Carisbrooke Castle has a rich history, including being the prison of King Charles I. The team at English Heritage are hoping to entice you into the castle this Halloween. Get set for a ghoulishly good day out during half term. Little monsters can pick up a tricky trail and solve creepy clues as they make their way around the grounds. Feeling brave? Explore the castle after dark on a special ghost tour and keep your eyes wide for any apparitions that may appear.

It would not be Halloween without a pumpkin and no matter what the teens say, everyone loves to carve a jack-o’-lantern. Tapnell Farm’s Pumpkin Patch does what it says on the tin. Gather up the troops and head west to pick your perfect pumpkin. Laid out across the fields you’ll have fun going from one to the other, choosing the one that will scare away the bad spirits come All Hallows’ Eve. Watch out for crazy characters and ghoulish games around the main site during half term.

Terror Island at Blackgang Chine is definitely the land of dark imagination at Halloween and is every bit as scary as it sounds and not for the faint-hearted. Make your way through three (yes three) terrifying mazes, each one with its own spine-tingling theme. There’s no Aquaman to save you at “Amphibious” as vengeful mythological creatures take over the lighthouse as their supply of souls have dried up thanks to the good work Magnus the lighthouse keeper has done… will you be feasted upon?

Meanwhile, “HEXcavation Demon Keeper” is centred around a primordial being that has been woken from his slumber by an archaeological dig and now a demonologist is sending unwitting victims into the labyrinth (and not the 80s film kind).

Finally, (if your nerves can stand it, this little piggy isn’t sure) there is “The Blood Shed”. Creep into the decaying Mill House and set upon a gory blood-fest where half human-half pig hybrids lurk behind the corners and are dying to MEAT you. Think Wrong Turn but dialled up! So do you feel brave enough to enter?