Spooks and scares - Halloween in the West Midlands

Pumpkin picking and carving are just two of the activities available

Half term is fast approaching and it might be time to start looking at Halloween-themed activities.

We have been taking a look, to pull together this guide.

Shropshire

Blists Hill Victorian Town will transform into a Victorian Ghost town for its Ghostly Gaslight event on 1 November, with costumed characters roaming the streets.

The Severn Valley Railway, which also stops in Worcestershire, is putting on Ghost Trains from 30 October to 1 November. For the over-18s there is a spookier 'Scream Train' on the same dates.

For pumpkins, you could visit Apley Farm near Shifnal to pick your own or ride the tractor-driven Pumpkin Express. The rides are available between 25 and 31 October and the pumpkin patch open on selected dates throughout the month.

Shrewsbury Prison is offering Halloween ghost tours during half term and on Wednesdays throughout October, exploring some of its dark and spooky stories.

Attingham Park near Shrewsbury is running a School of Magic trail between 18 October and 2 November, with a book of spells for people who complete it.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Berrington Hall has a Georgian-themed Halloween trail for visitors between 25 October and 2 November, featuring gruesome facts from the era.

Croft Castle has a spooky trail around the building and gardens during half term and 24 October and 1 November. An After Hours Ghost Tour features its most chilling tales.

Ralph Court Gardens has an alien-theme to its display and Spooky Evening Adventures from 23 October to 1 November.

From 18 October, West Midlands Safari Park will be decorated for Halloween, with a Monster Mystery Trail and spooky characters roaming. On 31 October and 1 November, an evening Monster Ball offers prizes for the best costumes.

Hartlebury Castle has a witches and wizards school from 28 to 31 October. Children are encouraged to dress up and take part in spell-lessons.

The Commandery in Worcester has events for the under-10s on 31 October and 1 and 2 November, where children can decorate eye-biscuits and make dancing ghosts.

Alton Towers is among a number of attractions which are opening into the evening

Stoke and Staffordshire

Alton Towers is putting on Scarefest between 27 October and 2 November, remaining open after dark. Special attractions include spooky mazes, a CBeebies Monster Ball and ghostly pirates.

Drayton Manor will also open late for Halloween with visitors again able to go trick-or-treating to collect sweets.

From 25 October to 2 November, Trentham Gardens has Gandeys Circus's Halloween Spooktakular. There will also be a pumpkin trail, roaming performers and silent disco for fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters and Wednesday Addams.

Lower Drayton Farm claims to have Staffordshire's biggest pick-your-own patch. You can pick and carve a pumpkin on selected dates from 27 September.

World of Wedgwood invites visitors to paint a pumpkin, instead of carving one, throughout October.

The Dorothy Clive Garden offers a ghost trail, storytelling and a pumpkin-carving competition on 30 October.

Coventry and Warwickshire

One of the more unusual events is a Halloween dog parade at Coventry's Halloween Makers Market on 25 October. Owners are invited to dress up their pups, with prizes for the best ones.

Warwick Castle offers a range of entertainment, including singing and dancing with the Witches of Warwick, schools for young witches and wizards and the headless horseman.

There will be a Halloween Market in Warwick on 31 October, with traders dressing up to look the part.

For something a bit different, the Charlecote National Trust property is displaying knitted, crocheted, and hand-crafted pumpkins, available to see now.

Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is putting on Halloween in the Woods, with games, magic potion-making and information about nocturnal animals.

St Mary's Guildhall in Coventry is offering a bone-collecting trail and Halloween crafts, then on 30 and 31 October visitors can see "quirky ghosts", Wailing Willow and Mistress Moaning Mary.

A number of ghost tours explore the spooky history of towns and cities, including Birmingham

Birmingham

On weekends throughout October, participants in ghost tours at Sherborne Wharf can learn about Birmingham's darker history and folklore.

Visitors to the city's Key Hill Catacombs can enjoy a spooky underground tour on 25 October.

On 5 October, there is an opportunity to explore the Gothic side of the Jewellery Quarter, with a guided walking tour.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens welcome a Goths Playground Pop-up Market throughout half term.

Between 30 October and 1 November, there is also a candle-lit ghost tour around Aston Hall.

Wolverhampton and the Black Country

Himley Hall has outdoor screenings of The Lost Boys, Hocus Pocus and Scream on 3, 4 and 5 October, and a Halloween craft and gift fair on 19 October.

On 25, 26, 30 and 31 October, the Black Country Living Museum is promising trick or treat, a costume competition and an underground tunnel experience.

You can go pumpkin picking at Essington Farm any weekend in October and throughout half term, with tractor rides and pumpkin carving also on offer.

Sandwell Valley has a Halloween Market every Saturday in October and horror shows performed by Twisted Pumpkin, with separate performances for children.