Late October half term marks the start of Eastbourne’s Halloween events, and there’s more than most visitors expect. Pumpkin trails, scare mazes, and a ghost walk in a village on the Downs are all a short drive from the seafront, so it’s easy to plan a Halloween break in Eastbourne. We’ve put the events in the order we’d do them, added how far each one is from Osborne Apartments, and flagged the bookings worth making first.
Most Halloween events in Eastbourne fall between 24 October and 1 November. The farm trail and the adventure park are open on most of those days, but the ghost walks and the skating night only happen on a few set dates, so it’s worth deciding which of those you want before settling on your stay. Halloween night comes near the end of the break. If you can stay through the last weekend, you’ll have the widest pick, including a ghost walk on the night itself. Midweek is usually quieter at the daytime attractions, and our apartments have kitchens, which helps with early starts before a long day out.
Sharnfold Farm at Stone Cross is about 5 miles from our apartments and a good first stop if you’ve got younger children with you. The farm trail has a Halloween theme from 24 October to 1 November, and the farmyard animals and adventure playground are still part of the visit. If you’re bringing a dog, they can go in the café but not on the farm trail or in the play area. Opening times can change over half term, so check the farm’s website before you set off and book tickets online if you can.
Knockhatch Adventure Park is in Hailsham, about 9 miles from our apartments, and it’s a good choice if you want to fill a whole day. Half Term Horrors runs from 24 to 30 October, with scare mazes, circus shows, owl displays, and the usual rides, making it one of Eastbourne’s more varied Halloween activities. Halloween day has its own programme, with scare mazes, a spooky owl show and a Hansel and Gretel circus show. You’ll find the park just off the A22 on the western side of Hailsham, so the drive is easy, and getting there early gives you longer to work through everything. There are indoor play areas too, which help when the autumn weather turns.
Once it gets dark, the Halloween things to do in Eastbourne are mostly out in the villages. East Dean Halloween Ghost Walks run on 23, 24 and 31 October, and East Dean is about 4 miles from our apartments. The guide mixes local history, smuggler stories and a fair bit of humour in with the ghost tales. Each walk takes around 90 minutes. Everyone meets in the village car park a little before the start, and the route usually finishes at the Tiger Inn. Places are limited, so book early. The walk on Halloween night starts earlier than the other two, so check the time on your booking. If you’d rather keep the evening lighter, the Halloween family night at MySkateWorld on 30 October has skating and scooting, music and a light show. It’s on Maple Road, about 4 miles from our apartments.
Between events, the seafront is the easiest place to fill a spare hour. Osborne apartments are about 750 yards from the beach and 0.7 miles from the pier, so you can walk down for some fresh air, let the children run around on the promenade and stop for a hot drink on the way back. After a late ghost walk or a full day at Knockhatch, it helps to come back to somewhere with space to spread out. Our apartments have room for families and groups, and the kitchens mean you can sort out a simple supper instead of finding somewhere open. Carlisle Road is also close to the town centre.
Book the ghost walks first, because places are limited, and then fit the daytime visits around them. Half term can be busy at the main attractions, so buying tickets online before you leave usually saves a bit of queuing. Many of the events are outdoors, so bring warm layers, a waterproof suit that fits over a costume, and shoes you can walk in. You’ll want the car for Knockhatch and Sharnford Farm. The seafront, the pier and the town centre are all walkable from our apartments, so one drive a day and a bit of walking in between works well.
Most events fall between 24 October and 1 November, and Half Term Horrors at Knockhatch runs from 24 to 30 October. Halloween night comes near the end, so staying through the last weekend gives you the widest choice.
The Halloween farm trail at Sharnfold Farm and the circus and owl shows at Knockhatch both work well for younger children. The family night at MySkateWorld on 30 October is another good option.
Yes, the East Dean Halloween Ghost Walks run on 23, 24 and 31 October. They mix local history, smuggler stories and humour, and they usually finish at the village pub. Places are limited, so it’s best to book ahead.
Ghost walks need booking because places are limited. Sharnfold Farm and Knockhatch both sell tickets online, and booking before you travel can save time at the gate, particularly on busy half-term days.
Yes. Knockhatch is about 9 miles from Eastbourne, so you could spend the morning at the park and the afternoon on the seafront. Keep any ghost walk for the evening.
