Halloween in Tavistock!

TAVISTOCK LOVES HALLOWEEN! It's a chance for everyone to dress up, release their inner monster, and have some spooky fun..!

This year, Halloween coincides with half term, so there are plenty of fun events and activities to keep your little horrors amused. On Saturday 27 October and Sunday 28 October, Morwellham Quay is hosting its Halloween Weekend. Have fun trick or treating around the Victorian cottages, where staff dressed to scare will be giving out treats! There will also be a scary train ride through the copper mine and delicious pumpkin dishes available at the Ship Inn.

On Wednesday 31 October, head off to Tamar Trails in Gulworthy for a Spooky Spectacular, when the Tamar Valley will be transformed into a coven of witches, wizards and monsters! Children and their adults are invited to dress in their scariest outfits for an evening of  fun including apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, creepy crafts, witches' brews and spooky snacks. As dusk arrives, there will be a trick or treat walk when you can search for treats and hunt for pumpkins in the woodland, and the evening will end with toasting marshmallows round the campfire. Arty kids will love the free Happy Halloween event at Plymouth Museum on Saturday 27 October, where they can take part in a variety of Halloween-themed crafts. And all week, Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre at Lifton is inviting visitors to dress up for their Shriek Week Halloween Special, with Ghost Train, magicians, circus skills and free competitions for the children.

We know you grownups will be dressed to kill, and what better way to get in the mood for an evening of spooky fun than joining a Halloween Ghost Walk through Plymouth? Haunted Plymouth Ghost Walk's guides will lead you through the city's ancient cobbled streets to hear tales of old haunted inns, phantom spectres and the stories of those who have encountered the darker side of Plymouth!  If you survive that, why not dine and dance the night away at Boringdon Hall, Plympton's own Haunted House on the Hill, where they're celebrating Halloween on Saturday 27 October by hosting  a Twilight-themed Halloween Party pitting werewolves against vampires!

If you're having a Halloween party yourself, you'll need to get the decor right, with atmospheric lighting, and suitably spooky decorations. Check out Clintons on Duke Street for affordable decorations to set the scene. We specially liked the skull tablecloths! You'll also need a nice big pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern... and remember to keep the flesh to make pumpkin soup for your guests! You'll find pumpkins at Market Garden  – while you're there, pick up some apples for the traditional apple bobbing.  Other traditional Halloween treats include toffee apples and cinder toffee – make your own (a great activity for keeping the kids busy) or look in the local stores. We saw a good selection in the Co-operative on Brook Street While you're shopping, don't forget to pick up some mini sweet packs or bars for any trick-or-treaters who call... or you may live to regret it! Stock up on a bargain bucket or two at Morrison's or Lidl.

And finally, you'll need to look the part – Clintons also has masks and costumes, or head over to Loopy Looks at Saltash for a fantastic choice of creepy clothing, masks, wigs and face paints, plus false nails, fangs and some great novelties. If you're on a budget, many of the local charity shops put out Halloween gear at this time of year, too.

Happy Halloween everyone – have a devilishly good time!

Do you know of any Halloween events in and around Tavistock? Let us know here – we're looking forward to seeing your Halloween photos, too!