Spellbound Festival
For those who are feeling brave, bring your little monsters along for a whole host of Halloween events running from Thursday 25 October to Friday 2 November. There’s something to keep everyone entertained from face painting, haunted tours, a monster mash disco, storytelling, lotion, potion, smells & spells demonstrations, arts & crafts, owls, fancy dress competition to lots more ghoulish activities.
Key highlights of the festival are listed below:
Lotions, potions, smells & spells demonstrations, 27 & 28 Oct. A selection of reptiles and creepy crawlies will be visiting giving you the chance to get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures. If you prefer your creatures to be on the fluffier side the Owl Man will be here on the 28 & 31 Oct. Amongst the demos we also have Castle Hill Candles, Cornucopia4U, Healing Herbal clinic and a pumpkin carver. Halloween games, craft activities and self guided trails will also run throughout the weekend and duration of the festival. Times vary so please check the website.
Bring the little ones along to the Drumlin Theatre and show us your moves at the monster mash disco. Running from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, suitable for up to 12 years old. Over the weekend we also have a series of workshops, so join us for a walk on the wild side to collect your plant allies and to make your lucky charm bag with hedge-witch Marian Partridge, who makes all her medicines from plants with care and love. Takes place at 2pm.
Haunted tales, creepy crafts & magic candle stick workshops (27 - 31 Oct) - Kids can enjoy making jelly monsters, mallow ghosts and have a go on the Halloween printing press. Visit Eric Bloodaxe the Viking in the Crannog and hear stories of dark foreboding legends, while toasting marshmallow over the fire. Journey round the reserve to the Limekiln Observatory and join our friendly witch to hear tales of the moon and take part in a magic candle stick workshop. Refer to website for times.
Face painters will be on hand to help you get ready for your Halloween parties on the 30 & 31 Oct from 12.30 to 3.30pm. Kids don’t forget to come dressed up on the 31st for our fancy dress competition. There will be a prize for the best dressed little monster, judging at 2pm.
Family fright night, 30 Oct - Travel the deep, dark, and somewhat dank woods of Castle Espie with a terrified guide, to overhear the whispered stories that have made Castle Espie one of the top 10 most haunted places in Northern Ireland. Cost £10 for adult and £5 for children. Tours take place at 7pm and 8.30pm, booking is essential.
These events will make Castle Espie the favourite fright destination for all the family throughout Halloween half term, so don’t miss out! Cost is included in price of admission and free to WWT members.
