Tuesday 29 October – Friday 1 November
This Halloween Worcester residents are invited to spook it up with Spooks and Scares at The Commandery in Sidbury; one of Worcester’s oldest and most haunted buildings.
Family fun will be on offer at throughout the half term week with a broomstick obstacle course, pin the wart on the witch challenge and a trail to find all the ingredients for a spooky potion.
Crafts will be running daily 11am-12pm & 1-2pm and suitable for children aged 5 and over where they can make their very own protection against the worst witches. Visitors will be able to discover more about Witch craze of the 17th century and make their own witch bottle and poppets to ward off witches and spirits. Witch bottles first appeared in the 17th century as a counter-magical device used as a protection again witchcraft and spells, visitors will be able to produce their own during the craft actives as well as a poppet, a doll traditionally made to represent a person to aid them through magic. Children will also be able to design their very own anti witch mark, an item often found on buildings in the 17th century to ward off witches and protect themselves again witchcraft.
The beautiful grade I listed historic building nestled in the heart of Worcester has witnessed many centuries of history, making it the perfect place to celebrate Halloween, or All Hallows Eve.
Visitors can also join the Friends of Fort Royal Park and Commandery Gardens to celebrate Halloween with Family Fun from 5 – 7pm on 31st October. Younger visitors can wear their best fancy dress for a chance to win the annual competition and there will be a treasure hunt in The Commandery and Fort Royal Park.
Finally, those not easily scared can enjoy Commandery After Dark Torch Lit Tours at 9pm on Halloween night. Hear tales of ghostly happenings within one of the most haunted buildings in Worcestershire. Be sure to remember to bring a torch to see The Commandery at its spookiest. Tickets cost £10 and can be bought in The Commandery shop, or by telephoning on 01905 361821 and include both admission and tour. Tickets are limited and selling fast.
Kerry Whitehouse, Interpretation and Learning Assistant at The Commandery said: “Come to The Commandery and get hands-on when finding out about some of the grislier bits of our 800 year history this half term. We have some fascinating stories to tell – and some pretty spooky ones at that! We’re certainly the place to be to properly enter into the ‘spirit’ of Halloween this year.”
Worcester residents can buy an annual family pass for just £12, or a £5 annual pass for an individual, and enjoy a year’s worth of events and activities like Halloween, Living History and holiday activities.