Like to scare yourself silly? From creepy castles to terrifying tours, we’ve picked out the best Halloween happenings around the UK for guaranteed family fun:

Scarefest at Alton Towers, Staffordshire
Adrenaline junkies should head to Scarefest at Alton Towers this Halloween for thrills, chills and a whole lot of fun. Scarefest 2012 will see the return of old favourites including Terror of the Towers and travelling circus Carnival of Screams as well as a new attraction – The Sanctuary, a new scare maze that invites guests to book an appointment at an abandoned facility, but a terrifying twist awaits… With the theme park open until 9pm every night, guests can also experience a host of adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions in the dark. Scarefest runs from October 13-14th and October 19-31st at the Alton Towers Resort. Tickets cost from £33.75 for adult tickets and £27 for a child ticket. 

Up at the O2 – Climb of the Cursed, London
One of London’s newest attractions is set to get a whole lot more thrilling. A must-do at Halloween, Climb of the Cursed will take visitors on a spooky journey from the eerie base camp and along the tensile fabric walkway above the O2 arena, suspended 52m above ground level. Along the way there’ll be tricks, treats and surprises and at the summit, climbers will be given a gothic-style spooky map of London enabling them to pinpoint and view some of the many horror hotspots of the capital. A ‘You’ve Survived’ personalised certificate completes the experience on return to ground level. Ideal for intrepid youngsters above 10 years of age. Adult and child (10+) tickets cost £22 – £28. O2 customers can get 15 per cent off the ticket with O2 Priority Moments.  

Halloween Lantern Carnival, Liverpool
Sefton Park will be brimful of lanterns, magic and mysterious sightings on Sunday October 28th, as the Lantern Company once again light up the park with the enchanting Halloween Lantern Carnival. This year sees the French masters of the surreal, Delirium Lumens’ giant floating ‘Dreamer’ as well as the spectacular annual lantern parade, in which hundreds of people from all over Liverpool take part.

Freak Week at The Hop Farm, Kent
Freak Week is back at The Hop Farm, after winning the Screamie award for Best Seasonal Scare Event in 2011. Raising scare tactics to the next level, Freak Week brings an element of immersive theatre to Halloween and this year the event runs from October 25th to 31st. Those that are brave enough can enter Freak Week's dark, twisting labyrinths teeming with nighmarish characters that are bound to make you jump out of your skin. Even when just walking around the park, beware of scare actors lurking nearby, ready to pounce at any second…Freak Week is not suitable for children and those under 15 need to be supervised. Tickets cost £25; earlybird tickets £19.50.

Ghosts and ghouls at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
Little horrors can scare themselves silly this autumn half term with creepy crafts, spooky activities and ghost hunting galor at Carisbrooke Castle. Families can take part in a knee trembling trail around the grounds of the castle – where King Charles I was once imprisoned – to find the hidden tomb and discover who lies within. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £5.40 for children. 

Deadly London Dungeons, London
Be sure to visit the self-professed ‘home of Halloween’, the London Dungeons, to meet the latest mischievous Halloween character, The Trickster. Giving a whole new edge to Trick or Treat, The Trickster will be making The London Dungeon his home from September 29th – November 4th, scaring, tricking and if you’re lucky – treating visitors. There’s also the chance to meet some freaky favourites – from Sweeney Todd to Jack the Ripper – starring in 14 shows that bring to life 1,000 years of London’s dark past. Tickets cost from £19 for adults; £13 for children.

The Haunted Castle, Warwick
The Haunted Castle in Warwick is designed shock, scare and surprise visitors at Halloween. The Witches of Warwick, a new attraction this year, delivers a new level of fright in Warwick Castle Dungeon’s final room as visitors – or shall we say ‘victims’ – journey through hag history, hearing horrid tales of black magic and shocking truths regarding a witch from the Castle’s past. Exclusive for Halloween is a visit to Guys Tower, where a paranormal investigator will play some of the weird sounds that have been recorded within the Castle. Not only that, the castle itself will stay open until 9pm every night. 

Zombie Walk, Brighton
Brighton’s world-renowned zombie walk, now in its 6th year, starts from Brighton’s West Pier and attracts thousands of Halloween-lovers who dress up and stagger the length of the city’s famous beach at a zombie’s pace. Taking place on October 20th, the spooktacular spectacle takes approximately two hours and it’s free to watch or join in. The event is followed by a ‘80s Zombie Prom After party at Concorde 2, costing £3 per ticket, with a spine-tingling DJ line-up from 4pm.  

A ‘hole’ lot of witches, Somerset
Let your imaginations will run wild when stepping inside the fantastical collection of 50,000 year old caves at Wookey Hole in Somerset, once home to Ice Age beasts. Creep around the witch’s parlour, the witch’s kitchen and the great hall, all drenched in neon colour and echoing with cackles and the dreary drips of the mysterious river. The Witch of Wookey Hole will be lurking about and will be happy to take you on a tour of her ancient lair – if you’re brave enough that is… Tickets cost £12. 

Sweeney Todd tour, London
Walk in the footsteps of one of the capital’s most notorious serial killers –Sweeney Todd – on a free walking tour with In Mid Town. This tour will transport you back to eighteenth century London and you’ll even visit the site of his barber shop and the place where his victims were made into meat pies. The tour starts by the orange information kiosk outside Holborn Station on October 24th 1-2pm. 

Spooky afternoon tea, London
Celebrate All Hallows’ Eve this year with spine-tingling delights at London Hilton on Park Lane. From October 26th – November 5th, guests can feast on a selection of scary sandwiches, creepy cupcakes and chilling chocolate. The Halloween Afternoon Tea costs £32.50 per person or £39.50 with Champagne. 

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