Family Halloween activities easy to reach by train

Spooky season is here! We just love this time of the year, it's a great chance to get together with family and spend quality time enjoying ghoulish Halloween activities and it's even better when you can get there by train!

We've rounded up a small selection of Halloween highlights from our community rail friends across Britain. There's plenty to choose from, the hardest part will be deciding where to go!

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Scotland

Enjoy a scenic trip through the Scottish Highlands along the impressive Highland Main Line to reach Pitlochry for a magical evening to remember. The Enchanted Forest is a unique visual attraction for people of all ages to come together. Set your imagination alight with dazzling visuals and innovative design, with inspiring music to guide you while you explore this autumn woodland setting. To keep the area car-free, everyone must join the shuttle bus, departing only a 2-minute walk from Pitlochry Train Station.

Yorkshire & North East

Experience a journey like no other, from 25 until 27 October, as you take a ride on the historic Keighley and Worth Valley Railway this Halloween. Your journey will be joined by magical witches and wizards where families can make their own wands, brew potions and see magic in action. Take the picturesque Bentham Line from Leeds and leave the train at Keighley, cross over the platform bridge and you're straight into the action.

North West

The delightful spa town of Buxton, nestled in the heart of the Peak District is home to a great selection of family fun activities this Halloween. From 21 until 31 October families can join in the spooky Halloween Trail around the Grade II listed Pavilion Gardens, get crafty and learn about Buxton's past with drop-in family workshops at The Pump Room 25 – 27 October or book a tour for the Buxton Crescent Visitor Experience for a special family-themed peek into rooms along the iconic Crescent. Just watch out for some ghoulish and grizzly twists along the way!

Buxton is easy to reach by train, slightly over an hour from Manchester Piccadilly cutting through the scenic landscapes of the Peak District, along the aptly named Buxton Line. Be sure to save time to look around the charming railway station, with its stunning fan window, supported by the multi-award winning Friends of Buxton Station and say hello to Joe, the commemorative Railway Guard statue.

A short 15 minute walk from Styal Station, along the Crewe to Manchester Line, you can explore one of Britain's greatest industrial heritage sites, set in picturesque gardens and countryside at National Trust Quarry Bank Mill. But all is not as it seems this Halloween! An expert team of paranormal scientists have been summoned to investigate mysterious sightings, but they need your help on 30 October! Find out more & book.

Midlands

The Derwent Valley Line delivers you into the heart of Halloween fun! Leave the train at Matlock Bath and take the Heights of Abraham cable car, where you'll enjoy scarecrow displays, illuminated cavern tours and don't miss the Enchanted Halloween Grotto Adventure. Don't forget to download a free family activity pack to have on your train journey.

Wales

Visit Britain's finest townhouse of the golden Elizabethan age on 31 October and join in with ghoulish activities as you discover Plas Mawr this Halloween. Take a scenic journey along the Conwy Valley Line and leave the train at Conwy Station for a short walk (less than five minutes) to reach Plas Mawr.

Heading south to Swansea, only a 10 minute walk from the station families can enjoy an after dark special at Plantasia Tropical Zoo. Decipher the clues and follow the map through the dark and mysterious jungle to reach the trick or treat stations. Swansea is located at one end of the stunning 121-mile route of the Heart of Wales Line.

South East

The beautiful New River Line can deliver you straight into the heart of the Halloween action in Hertford. Head to the Tourist Information Centre to pick up a leaflet and join the self-guided harvest-themed trail around the town. What will you discover?

South West

Take a trip along the beautiful Heart of Wessex Line to reach the popular seaside town of Weymouth. A 25 minute walk from the station along the seafront, you'll reach Nothe Fort located at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour, offering panoramic views across Dorset's Jurassic Coast. There's lots going on for Halloween including ghost hunts, vampire photobooth, pumpkin gold, wizard school, magic shows and more from 22 to 30 October.

Something a little different

The team at c2c rail (a train operator running services to and from London to Southend) have pulled together a few of their favourite spooky tales and places to visit along the route. Do you dare take on the trail? Read more here...

Scenic Rail Britain is the tourism initiative from Community Rail Network, the umbrella organisation for the community rail movement. Community rail is a grassroots movement spanning Britain that is made up of community rail partnerships, which work along railway lines or across regions, and volunteer station 'friends' groups, to connect communities with their railways. There are over 75 community rail partnerships and 1,200 station friends volunteer groups across Britain. Find out more: www.communityrail.org.uk