Family-friendly Halloween adventures in your campervan

Whether your gang is easily spooked or made of stronger stuff, Halloween is a fantastic time of year for family road trips in your campervan. You’ll find a plethora of ghostly locations and spellbinding events across the UK and plenty of fun to be had along the way.

The best part is that having a campervan allows you to make a holiday of it. You could stop over in one area for a few days or aim to fit in as many spine-chilling sites as possible. Whatever pace you prefer to move at, your campervan will offer a safe refuge from all the spooky goings-on!

So where will you head to first? Read our round-up of the best family-friendly adventures out there this Halloween, with eerie ideas for teens as well as younger children.

Terrifying towns

Be it fact or folklore, some towns just have an undeniably ghostly air about them.

The Scottish capital of Edinburgh might be a city, but its Old Town has a rightful reputation as one of the most haunted areas of Britain. One attraction, Mary King’s Close, is where plagued 17^th-century townsfolk were sealed up during the Black Death. Its graveyards, meanwhile, pay tribute to the likes of William McGonagall, Thomas Riddell and Elizabeth Moodie – names that are said to have inspired former resident and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling.

The village of Eyam in Derbyshire also tells the tragic story of Black Death victims after the entire population was quarantined for 14 months from 1665. Eyam is located deep in the Peak District national park, so you could make a spooky stop off in-between wholesome treks.

No list of terrifying towns in the UK would be complete without Pluckley. As well as being exceptionally pretty, this hamlet in Kent holds the Guinness Book of Records title as the most haunted village in Britain. Keep a beady eye out for its 12 resident ghosts, including an angry highwayman, the ambling Red Lady and a spectral coach and horses.

Creepy castles

Whether playing soldiers or building forts, castles capture the imagination of children like few other structures. But come the 31^st of October, certain strongholds reveal their more mysterious past.

Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is one such location and is thought to be the UK’s most haunted castle. It’s hosted many bloody battles in its long history and now offers family ghost tours to give visitors a glimpse of its deceased inhabitants.

Alternatively, drive south to Derbyshire and stop over around Bolsover Castle. The staff here keep a record of visitors’ ghost sightings – including a little lonely boy who might try to hold your hand…

Warwick Castle, meanwhile, hosts a week-long Halloween event that’s perfect for younger kids. The famous Witches of Warwick make a spell-binding guest appearance, while the Horrible Histories Maze is easy to lose a few hours in.

Or if a Scottish road trip appeals to you this October, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to creepy castles. Cawdor Castle in Nairn has a connection to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, while Glamis Castle in Angus is also said to have inspired the great fable. There’s also Stirling Castle, with its pink lady who conjures up a suspicious scent of roses when wandering by.

The ghostly great outdoors

If you’d prefer to get outside while you can and make the most of Autumn, the UK has more than its fair share of spooky woods and forests to explore.

Set your GPS for the Great Wood of Blickling Estate in Norfolk and take a misty stroll through its oak and beech trees towards the Mausoleum, built to commemorate the 2^nd Earl of Buckingham. The estate was home to the Boleyn family and is said to be haunted by both Anne and her father, Sir Thomas.

To the west, Wenlock Edge in Shropshire sits high above the surrounding landscape and offers miles of creepy woodland to get lost in. Look closely around its gnarled tree trunks and you could spot the figures of 13^th-century highwayman Ippikin or Major Smallman, who fought in the English Civil War.

If a haunted woodland walk sounds a little out of your comfort zone, you can’t go wrong with pumpkin picking. Windmill Animal Farm in Lancashire grows over 20,000 each year, while Piglets Adventure Farm in York has a dedicated pumpkin carving tent to put your creative skills to the test. Pembrokeshire Pumpkin Farm and Secretts in Surrey are also worth a drive-by.

Eerie events

Alternatively, why not plan a road trip that incorporates one or two big Halloween events? The Halloween calendar is packed with spectacular showcases at much-loved locations around the UK.

Scarefest at Alton Towers will get any adrenaline junkie’s heart racing. You can hop on your family’s favourite rides after dark and enjoy a wide range of hair-rising live entertainment, from the CBeebies Monster Ball to the more grown-up Trick o’ Treat Town.

A new mega-event on the Halloween scene is Fairground Frights at Great Yarmouth’s iconic Pleasure Beach. This award-winning event for over 10s features creepy characters and ghoulish rides, making for a fun stop-off on a tour of the Norfolk coast.

Or in Yorkshire, the famous Hallowscream returns at York Maze this year with five live-action haunted house attractions and over 100 convincing actors. Its sister event Hallowtween, meanwhile, caters towards younger thrill-seekers (and more nervous adults!).

Get covered and stay safe this Halloween

The Halloween period is a perfect opportunity for family adventures in your campervan. Driving shouldn’t be the part that tests your nerves, but our campervan insurance or motorhome insurance will make sure the only frights you experience are the ones you go looking for. 

Having the right cover in place will help you protect your pride and joy and keep it on the road. We’ve provided reassurance to drivers for over 30 years and can support your family adventures throughout Halloween and beyond.

Call 0208 984 0666, email info@comfort-insurance.co.uk or contact us via our online form to learn more about getting covered.