Halloween in Dorset: Three country parks where the kids can crack a mystery

Looking for a family-friendly Halloween activity in Dorset? This October, three of Dorset’s country parks are inviting young detectives to solve a very important case… the giant Halloween pumpkin has vanished!

The Great Halloween Mystery is taking place daily from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at Avon Heath Country Park, Moors Valley Country Park and Durlston Country Park, giving families plenty of opportunities to pull on their coats, grab the wellies and head out for some autumn adventure.

The mystery is the same at each location, but the setting, and the rest of your day, can be very different.

Avon Heath Country Park – Halloween among the heathland

At Avon Heath Country Park, children aged 4–11 can become Agent Webbs, the newest recruit to the Cobweb Crew, following clues around the park, collecting evidence and decoding a secret message to uncover what happened to the missing pumpkin.

Trail packs cost £3.50 and include a prize, with packs available from the Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm. Younger detectives can team up with their grown-ups, so it’s a great option for a family autumn walk with a little extra purpose.

And once the mystery is solved? There’s plenty of heathland to explore. Avon Heath has three waymarked circular trails, including the 1km Short Wander, which is suitable for pushchairs and those looking for a gentler stroll, as well as the longer 3km Viewpoint Trail for families wanting more of an adventure.

Moors Valley – Make a whole day of it

At Moors Valley, the Great Halloween Mystery runs from 1 October to 1 November, with trail packs available from 9am to 5pm. But this is the place to head if your Halloween outing is likely to turn into a full day of family fun.
There’s also the Room on the Broom Halloween Trail running throughout October, while the park’s bigger Halloween Experience returns from 23 October to 1 November, transforming the woodland after dark with an illuminated trail, eerie encounters and spooky surprises.

During October half term, there are even more options, including Halloween suncatcher making, autumn-themed clock workshops, Halloween laser tag and the return of the Moors Valley Railway from 24 October to 1 November. There are also evening Go Ape Sundown Adventures for older children and adventurous grown-ups.

Durlston Country Park – A Halloween mystery with sea views

Down in Swanage, Durlston Country Park gives the Great Halloween Mystery a rather spectacular backdrop.
The 340-acre country park combines walking trails, wildlife, fascinating geology, the Great Globe and Durlston Castle, with spectacular views across the Dorset coast.

The Halloween trail follows the same missing-pumpkin mystery, with children taking on the role of Agent Webbs and following clues, collecting evidence and decoding the secret message.

Trail packs cost £3.50, including a prize, and are available from Durlston Castle between 10am and 4pm.
It’s a particularly good option if you fancy combining the children's Halloween mission with a proper autumn walk – and perhaps a stop at the café afterwards. And if you happen to be visiting on 31 October, Durlston also has a stargazing event that evening, with the Wessex Astronomical Society exploring Saturn and autumn deep-sky objects from 7pm.

So, which Halloween adventure will you choose?

The beauty of the Great Halloween Mystery is that you don't need to wait for Halloween itself. The trail runs throughout October and into the first few days of November, making it an easy addition to an autumn family day out.

Whether you're exploring the heathland at Avon Heath, making a full day of the activities at Moors Valley or combining clues, coast and castle at Durlston, there's a good excuse to get the family outdoors this October.
Just remember: the pumpkin has vanished. Dorset's junior detectives have work to do…

Always check individual venue websites before travelling, particularly for bookable Halloween Events.

Avon Heath - Dorset Council
Halloween at Moors Valley – Moors Valley
Plan Your Visit | Durlston Country Park