Half a term has whizzed by and we are in a bit of denial that it isn't still summer! However, Halloween will soon be here and, whether you all enjoy the thrill of being frightened or are looking for something a little more sedate, there are plenty of great days out in and near Tavistock to keep the brood entertained this October half term.
Tavistock Halloween Trail .
Tavistock BID always puts on a pretty ghoulish adventure for spook hunters. This year you have been tasked with finding all the ingredients to the Witches Brew Potion so that you can earn your ghastly goody bag. What’s more there are games to play along the way that could earn you a £15 Tavistock Gift Card to spend in town. The best bit… it’s FREE to take part!
Dates: 21st – 28th October (not Sunday 22nd).
Location: Tavistock Town Centre – collect trail sheets from Guildhall Visitor Information Centre; Toy Cupboard on West Street; Kaleidoscope Toys on Brook Street. Or download online. Estimated duration is 2 hours.
Times: Shop Opening Hours.
Cost: It’s FREE!
Find out more: www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/town-trails
Eversfield Organic | Halloween Adventure Quiz
Take part in this thrilling and ghostly journey through Tavistock. Answer some eery questions about the historic town and complete some spooky tasks to earn a FREE pumpkin back at the shop.
Dates: 21st – 28th October.
Location: Eversfield Organic, 2 West Street, Tavistock PL19 8AD
Times: Trail open during normal visiting hours - 9am to 5:30pm
Cost: FREE and you get a pumpkin once completed Find out more: https://eversfieldorganic.co.uk/
Tavistock Library | Curious Crafts
Loads of family-friendly workshops are taking place in the library over October half-term. Some are spooky, some are fascinating - all are FREE!
Location: Tavistock Library, The Quay, Tavistock PL19 8AB
Date: 21st October
Times: 10:30-12:30.
Info: Curious about Microgreens? Learn about the wonders of this tiny plant with Learn Devon. Click to book
Date: 24th October
Times: 10:30-12:30.
Info: Curious about Puffins? Learn about these wonderful creatures and take home a puffin windmill with Learn Devon. Click to book
Date: 26th October
Times: 10:30-12:30.
Info: Curious about time? Work together and make a fabulous wall clock with Learn Devon. Click to book
Date: 27th October
Times: 10:00-12:00
Info: The Crafty Cook CIC leads pumpkin carving and cooking for children age 8+.
Date: 28th October
Times: 10:00-12:00.
Info: Autumn Crafts - prepare to get messy. No booking required.
Tavistock Guildhall Gateway Centre | Arsenic Themed Crafts
The Guildhall Discovery team is holding a Family Activity drop-in session on Wednesday 25th October in the Courtroom. Offering 3 craft activities suitable for primary age children on the spooky theme of arsenic poisoning!"
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: 25th October
Location: Tavistock Guildhall Gateway Centre, Tavistock PL19
Times: 10:00-13:00
Cost: Suggested donation of £1 per child.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/tavistockguildhall
Alex’s Oak Tree | Halloween Goodie Bags
Introducing Alex’s Oak Tree Halloween goodie bags, helping to conjure up Halloween half term fun.
Each bag includes:
1 x wooden Halloween hanging decoration (6 designs to choose from), 1 x plain pumpkin, 6 x pots of Halloween-themed colour Frenchic paints, 2 x paint brushes, Sweets, 1 x reusable Halloween hessian bag.
Dates: 21st - 28th October
Location: Unit 3, 23 East End Stores, Pannier Market Perimeter, Tavistock, PL19 0AL
Times: Shop Opening Hours
Cost: £5.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/AlexsOakTree
The Garden House | Autumn Trail & Lantern Parade
Pick up a trail pack and follow the Spooky Autumn Trail around these beautiful gardens. Take part in a fancy dress and lantern parade around the arboretum from 4.30pm-6.30pm on Tuesday 31st October with FREE entry, and our cafe will be open for hot chocolate and cake. Dress up as scarily as you dare, and bring your own lantern or torch. It will be a scream!
Dates: 21st – 29th October *Lantern Parade on 31st October from 4:30-6:30pm.
Location: The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton PL20 7LQ.
Times: Trail open during normal visiting hours - 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm).
Cost: Normal admission applies (members have free entry and includes up to 3 children for free). Pack costs £3.50 – mask, sweet goodies, a glow stick and more! Entry to the lantern parade is FREE!
Find out more: www.thegardenhouse.org.uk/whats-on
Buckland Abbey | Wicked Water Sprites
Explore the gardens for wonderfully watery Halloween trails. The smallest visitors can spot fairy doors hidden around the garden, while older children will enjoy learning the legends of different water sprites as they explore. Halloween costumes encouraged!
Dates: 14th – 29th October
Location: Buckland Abbey, Yelverton, Tavistock PL20 6EY
Times: 10am - 5pm
Cost: FREE with property admission
Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey/families-at-buckland-abbey
Tamar Trails | Halloween Trail & Haunted Hollow
Follow spooky clues through the woods, spot haunting figures and scary sights as you go. Then explore the Haunted Hollow if you dare.… Afterwards enjoy frighteningly tasty treats in the Beech Café. Pick up your clues sheet from the Tamar Trails Centre, £2 per person includes a sweet treat at the end.
The main Halloween Trail is an adventurous trail through the haunted forest on rough and rocky tracks, not suitable for bikes or buggies. There is a shorter option for little legs and buggies, which is about 1km long and much flatter.
Dates: 21st – 29th October
Location: Tamar Trails Centre, Woodlands, Tavistock PL19 8JE
Times: 10:00-17:00.
Cost: £2 which includes a sweet treat at the end. Booking online is essential.
Find out more: www.treesurfers.co.uk
For everything else that is happening in Tavistock see: