Spells, Stories and Spooky Fun This Halloween at Penshurst Place & Gardens

Families are invited to step into a world of Halloween magic at Penshurst Place & Gardens this October half-term, with a packed programme of enchanting activities from 18 October to 2 November 2025. From spellbinding storytelling and hands-on crafting to a fun garden trail full of magical surprises, there’s plenty to keep children entertained – and all included in the price of admission.

“We’re delighted to welcome families back for another Halloween full of stories, crafts and adventures,” says Ben Thomas, General Manager at Penshurst Place & Gardens. “Our events are designed to combine imaginative fun with a touch of history, so children enjoy spooky surprises while discovering something new.”

Alongside the activities, visitors can experience Penshurst Place’s atmospheric seasonal displays, with pumpkins and autumn colour throughout the gardens, and the Halloween Gift Shop transformed into an eerie spectacle, brimming with haunting decorations and pocket-money treats.

The Halloween programme runs until Sunday 2 November, after which Penshurst Place & Gardens will be closed for the winter (with the exception of special ticketed events). The Gift Shop and Porcupine Pantry Café remain open year-round.

What’s On during October half-term at Penshurst Place

Halloween Garden Trail – The Penshurst School of Sorcery and Spells: Cloak disaster! 

• Dates: Daily, from 18 October – 2 November | 10am – 5pm
• Included in admission to Penshurst Place

The Penshurst School of Sorcery and Spells recently visited Penshurst Place for a school trip. However, several students got so distracted whilst honing their magical skills that they left their cloaks in the gardens!

This half-term, wander through the garden rooms and help track down lost cloaks using a free code-cracker trail sheet. Match up the symbols with the letters and discover who each of the lost cloaks belongs to before returning to the Gift Shop, where completed lists can be popped into the Penshurst School of Sorcery and Spells ‘lost-property box’ in return for a little celebratory treat.

Spooky Crafting

• Dates: Daily from 18 October – 2 November | 11:30am – 3:30pm
• Included in admission to Penshurst Place

Children can unleash their creativity with a range of hands-on Halloween crafts to make and take home, from spooky spiders to ghostly ghouls. They can also choose to add their handiwork to the Halloween display wall in the Old Coach House, where creations will be showcased for everyone to enjoy throughout the half-term holiday.

Halloween Storytelling – Bogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

• Dates: 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 29th October
• Performances at: 11.15am, 12 noon, 12.45pm, 2pm, 2.45pm
• Included in admission to Penshurst Place & Gardens (maximum capacity per show; first come, first served)

At Bogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Barry Trotter and Don Cheesely are preparing for their exams and practising some final spells before an invisibility incantation accidentally causes havoc! Join them and Professor Balbus Bumbledoor this half-term for a charming tale of magic and sorcery with just a sprinkling of puns and a spoonful of audience participation.

Halloween Gift Shop

Fast becoming a seasonal attraction in its own right, no admission ticket is required to visit Penshurst Place’s Halloween-themed Gift Shop. Stop by to see the spookily dressed displays, brimming with haunting décor and everything needed for a perfectly ghoulish celebration.

All Halloween and half-term activities are included in standard admission to Penshurst Place & Gardens.

For event information, visit https://www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on/events-and-activities/2025-10/ and for full visitor information (including admission prices and opening times) visit http://www.penshurstplace.com/.