Looking for the best Halloween immersive experiences in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London in 2026? From haunted castles and spooky illuminated trails to terrifying scare mazes and after-dark adventures, there are plenty of ways to get into the Halloween spirit this October. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly Halloween day out, something spooky for older children and teenagers, or a genuinely scary Halloween experience for adults, we’ve rounded up 10 immersive Halloween events worth knowing about.
We’ve included the age rating, venue, location, ticket information and what to expect, as well as details of food, drinks and additional Halloween activities where available.
1. Halloween at Kew, London
Dates: 16 October-1 November 2026
Venue: Kew Gardens
Location: Kew Gardens, London
Age rating: Family friendly; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: From £19.50 for adults and £14 for children aged 4–15 off-peak; peak tickets are £24 adults and £18 children. Family tickets are also available.
If you’re looking for an immersive Halloween experience in London for all ages, Halloween at Kew is one to put on your list. The gardens are transformed into a 1.5km illuminated Halloween trail featuring eerie encounters, live performers, fire artists, Dracula’s Lair, a Cursed Tomb, a Medieval Dungeon and the mysterious Forest Ritual.
There are different levels of spookiness depending on when you visit. Daylight sessions are recommended for younger children, while Twilight and Moonlight sessions gradually become darker and scarier. The event remains family friendly across all sessions.
There is also plenty of Halloween food and drink, including freaky fries, hot chocolate, toasted monster marshmallows and hot toddies for the grown-ups.
Good for: Families, tweens, teenagers and adults.
2. Halloween at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026
Venue: Hampton Court Palace
Location: East Molesey, Surrey
Age rating: Family friendly
Tickets: Included with palace admission; members go free.
Fancy exploring a genuinely historic haunted palace at Halloween? Hampton Court Palace gets a spooky makeover for October half term, with atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects, magical spells and ghostly figures appearing throughout the palace. You may even encounter the ghost of William Shakespeare as you explore the historic corridors. Outside, younger visitors can follow an autumn trail through the Wilderness featuring pumpkins, scarecrows and seasonal surprises.
There are also daily Halloween storytelling sessions, making this a great option for families who want atmosphere without an overly frightening scare experience. The palace café also offers Halloween-themed treats, so you can refuel after your spooky adventure.
Good for: Families, younger children, tweens and history-loving teens.
3. After Hours: Haunted Hever Castle Tours, Kent
Dates: 29–31 October 2026
Venue: Hever Castle
Location: Hever, Kent
Age rating: Recommended 14+
Tickets: £42.50 per person plus booking fee.
For older teens and adults wanting something much more atmospheric, Haunted Hever Castle offers an immersive theatrical Halloween experience after dark. Once the castle has closed to daytime visitors, you’ll be taken through its historic rooms with a guide, encountering mysterious characters, ghostly tales and unexpected surprises along the way.The experience is staged using live actors and storytelling inspired by the history and folklore of Hever Castle. It lasts approximately 50 minutes, with tours departing at 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm.
Your ticket includes a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a soft drink alternative in the Moat Café before the tour. Be aware that the experience includes steep stairs and a short outdoor section and is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Good for: Adults, older teenagers and Halloween date nights.
4. Quex Halloween Fest, Kent
Dates: 2026 Halloween season-check individual event dates when booking
Venue: Quex Adventure Farm Park
Location: Birchington, Kent
Age rating: 14+
Tickets: Advance tickets available online; prices vary by session.
If you want proper Halloween scares, Quex Halloween Fest is one for older teens and adults. For 2026, Quex is introducing three brand-new scare mazes packed with live actors, cinematic special effects, haunting soundscapes and unexpected encounters.The three attractions include a creepy cursed woodland, a sinister farm and the Carnival of the Damned. The organisers describe the experience as being designed for thrill-seekers aged 14+, with darker scares and jump scares.
There is also a new VIP Halloween Lounge for 2026. VIP guests receive a welcome drink and access to the lounge area. If you’re visiting with younger children, Quex also runs a separate family-friendly Trick or Treat Trail, which includes a Halloween treat, pumpkin for each child, the Slime Blaster Express and access to the farm park facilities.
Good for: Older teens and adults. The separate Trick or Treat Trail is better for younger children.
5. Horrible Histories Halloween at Leeds Castle, Kent
Dates: 17 October – 1 November 2026
Venue: Leeds Castle
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Age rating: Family friendly
Tickets: Included with castle admission. Explorer tickets are currently from £34.50 adults, £24.50 children and family tickets from £87 when booked online.
Step back in time for a Horrible Histories Halloween at one of Kent’s most spectacular historic attractions. Leeds Castle will be filled with Halloween-themed Horrible Histories entertainment during October half term, while your admission also gives you access to the castle, gardens, maze, children’s play areas, bird of prey displays and 500 acres of grounds. It’s a particularly good choice if you have children who like their Halloween a little silly rather than seriously scary.
There are food and drink options across the estate, including child-friendly choices, making it easy to turn the Halloween experience into a full day out.
Good for: Families, younger children, tweens and Horrible Histories fans.
6. Halloween at Knockhatch Adventure Park, Sussex
Dates: October 2026 –check the venue for specific Halloween dates
Venue: Knockhatch Adventure Park
Location: Hailsham Bypass, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3AB
Age rating: Family friendly
Tickets: Standard Knockhatch admission applies; check the venue directly for 2026 Halloween pricing and seasonal activities.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Halloween day out in East Sussex, Knockhatch Adventure Park is a great option for younger children who want some spooky fun without the frightening scares of a traditional Halloween attraction. During the Halloween season, Knockhatch combines its usual mix of indoor and outdoor play, rides and animal experiences with seasonal Halloween entertainment, giving families plenty to enjoy throughout the day. It’s a particularly good choice for younger children who might not be ready for live scare actors or scary mazes.
The great thing about visiting Knockhatch for Halloween is that there’s plenty to do beyond the spooky activities. Children can enjoy the park’s play areas and meet some of its animal residents, making it easy to spend a full day here. Food and refreshments are available on site, so you can stop for lunch or a snack during your visit.
Is it child friendly? Yes! Knockhatch is particularly suitable for families with younger children and primary-aged children looking for Halloween fun without the full-on scares.
Good for: Families, younger children, primary-aged children and tweens.
7. Sundown Adventures at Alice Holt, Surrey
Dates: Autumn 2026; selected dates
Venue: Go Ape Alice Holt
Location: Alice Holt Forest, near Farnham, Surrey
Age rating: 6+
Tickets: From £31.95.
Want to do something completely different this Halloween? Go Ape Sundown Adventures takes high ropes into the darkness. As the sun goes down, the forest comes alive with illuminated high ropes, crossings and zip lines. It’s not a traditional Halloween scare event, but the combination of darkness, forest and glowing lights makes it a fantastic autumn adventure for anyone who wants something a little different.
Sundown Adventures are available for ages 6+, with a minimum height of 1.2m. There are also selected 18+ adults-only sessions at some locations on 16 and 23 October, making this an option for groups of friends looking for an after-dark adventure without the children.
Good for: Families with adventurous children, teenagers and adults.
8. The London Dungeon: Screams & Spirits, London
Dates: Selected dates throughout 2026
Venue: The London Dungeon
Location: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Age rating: Recommended 12+
Tickets: Current tickets from around £33; Screams & Spirits tickets include a cocktail or mocktail.
If you’re looking for a scary Halloween experience in London for teenagers and adults, The London Dungeon is hard to beat. The attraction combines live actors, theatrical sets, special effects and storytelling as you travel through some of London’s darkest history. The Screams & Spirits experience adds a drink at The Tavern after your Dungeon experience, with adult tickets including a cocktail and child tickets including a soft drink. Current listed prices are £41 for adults aged 16+ and £35 for children aged 5–15, although prices vary by date.
The recommended age is 12+, and under-5s are not admitted. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+.
Good for: Teenagers 12+, adults, couples and groups of friends.
9. Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London,
Dates: Until 8 November 2026
Venue: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Location: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Watford
Age rating: Suitable for all ages; under-16s must be accompanied by an adult
Tickets: From £97.
Harry Potter fans can experience the Studio Tour with a distinctly darker twist during the Dark Arts Halloween takeover. The iconic film sets are transformed with Halloween details, including pumpkins hanging in the Great Hall, Death Eaters appearing around Diagon Alley and special effects displays. It’s an immersive experience rather than a traditional scare attraction, making it a good choice for families who love Harry Potter but don’t necessarily want jump scares. The Dark Arts experience is included with general Studio Tour admission during the Halloween period.
The Studio Tour is suitable for all ages, with children aged four and under admitted free, although they still require a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult aged 16+.There’s also plenty of food and drink available, including the famous Butterbeer, alongside the Studio Tour shops and interactive experiences.
Good for: Harry Potter fans, families, tweens, teenagers and adults.
10. The Enchanted Cauldron Crawl, Kent
Dates: 31 October – 1 November 2026
Venue: Shorne Woods Country Park
Location: Shorne Woods, Kent
Age rating: Recommended 3+
Tickets: £13 per person.
For younger children who want a magical Halloween experience without the scares, the Enchanted Cauldron Crawl at Shorne Woods is a lovely option. This interactive Halloween adventure takes families into the woods with witches and wizards, where children can make their own wand, learn spells and search for three secret stations.Along the way you’ll meet friendly witches, hear stories, collect treats and eventually finish the adventure around a woodland fire with toasted marshmallows.
It’s specifically described as a scare-free outdoor experience, making it a good choice for younger children who might not enjoy traditional scare mazes. The route can be muddy and uneven, so wellies and suitable outdoor clothing are recommended.
Good for: Young children, families and anyone looking for a gentler Halloween adventure.
Which Halloween experience is right for you?
With so many Halloween events in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London, the best choice really depends on how much fright you’re looking for.
🎃 Best for younger children
The Enchanted Cauldron Crawl, Drusillas Shriek Week and Hampton Court Palace all offer Halloween atmosphere without being focused entirely on scares.
👻 Best for families
Halloween at Kew is a particularly flexible option because you can choose a daylight, twilight or moonlight session depending on the ages and bravery levels of your group.
🧙 Best for tweens
Harry Potter: Dark Arts, Leeds Castle and Drusillas offer plenty of Halloween atmosphere alongside other activities, making them ideal if your children aren’t quite ready for full-on scare attractions.
😱 Best for older teens
Quex Halloween Fest and The London Dungeon offer much more intense experiences, while Haunted Hever Castle is a great option for teenagers aged 14+ who enjoy theatrical scares.
🍸 Best for adults
For a Halloween date night or evening with friends, consider Haunted Hever Castle, The London Dungeon: Screams & Spirits or an adults-only Go Ape Sundown Adventure session.
Whatever your age, Halloween 2026 is shaping up to be a spooky one, with everything from magical family adventures and illuminated trails to live actors, haunted castles and full-on scare mazes across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London.
Top tip: Halloween experiences are often timed-entry events and popular dates can sell out, so always check the official venue website before travelling and book ahead where possible.
