Spooky surprises fill the forest at Moors Valley

Get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. Venture into the woods after dark, if you dare, for an illuminated trail filled with spooky surprises and unexpected encounters. You can also get creative at a Halloween craft session, follow the clues and crack the code in The Great Halloween Mystery and seek out the magical cauldrons whilst you help Witch collect ingredients for her spell, in the Room on the Broom Halloween trail.

Things get off to a spine-tingling start with the return of Moors Valley’s illuminated trail, bringing brand-new thrills for 2026. From Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November, the woodland will become an eerie world of shifting shadows, theatrical characters and mysterious happenings. Make an appointment with the Demon Barber, navigate the treacherous Carnivorous Garden and witness a mysterious Forest Ritual.

Timed entry slots allow visitors to choose the experience that suits them best. Earlier sessions offer a fun, atmospheric adventure for younger guests, while later slots ramp up the thrills for braver visitors.

Seasonal food and drink will be available along the way, including the Pumpkin King Burger, the Grave Digger and Frankenstein’s Finger. Kids’ meals and meat-free and gluten-free options will also be available. For a sweet treat, enjoy a marshmallow cone with chocolate or toffee sauce or warm up with an indulgent hot chocolate.

Tickets start at £15 for adults, £9 for children aged three to 16 and £44 for a family of four. Dogs on leads are welcome. Forestry England members and Moors Valley season ticket holders receive free parking. More information on how to book tickets can be found at
https://moors-valley.co.uk/events/halloween-experience-at-moors-valley/

More Halloween fun follows in the Ranger Den. Make your own working autumn-themed clock in the Wall Clock Creation Workshop on Tuesday 27 or Thursday 29 October at 10:30am. Sessions cost £7 per person.

Alternatively, create some Halloween magic for your window at home with the vibrant suncatcher craft session, taking place on Wednesday 28 October at 10:30am and 11:15am, costing £4 per child. Advance booking is required for all craft sessions. https://moors-valley.co.uk/online-bookings/

Further excitement awaits with the Great Halloween Mystery. Agents are being recruited to crack the case, by following clues around the woodland, collecting evidence and decoding a secret message hidden among the trees. To sign up and solve the crime, pick up an activity pack from the Visitor Centre between 1 October and 1 November. Packs cost £3.50 and include a prize.

There’s more spooky fun with the Room on the Broom Halloween trail. Help Witch find her lost hat, bow and wand, and collect the special ingredients she needs to complete her spell. But beware of the dragon! Seek out the magical cauldrons along the route, solve the clues and complete a puzzle to earn a special sticker reward. Trail packs are £4 and include a craft project and lots of extras.

Find out about Halloween at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest by visiting
www.moors-valley.co.uk/halloween 

Natalie Crabb, Recreation Manager for Forestry England at Moors Valley, said:

“We're excited to be welcoming visitors back for another unforgettable Halloween at Moors Valley. With so much happening across the forest, there's something for everyone, from creative activities and spooky adventures to our illuminated Halloween trail, which returns with brand-new thrills and surprises for 2026. Whether you're visiting during the day or venturing into the woodland after dark, you'll discover unexpected encounters and magical moments in the forest this Halloween.”