AS HALLOWE’EN approaches, the borough’s green spaces prepare to entertain children and parents.
Dinton Pastures and California Country Park are both offering a selection of (spooky) activities for families during the October half term holiday.
Here’s a guide to the week’s pumpkin fun.
Festivities begin with a daily Pumpkin Hunt at Dinton Pastures.
Just under 2km long, a wheelchair and buggy accessible trail has been decorated with pumpkins, and should take about 45 minutes to complete.
Next, the Pumpkin Fair returns for its second year at Dinton Pastures.
There will be food and drink, rides, and craft stalls at this dog-friendly fair.
Children are encouraged to wear fancy dress for the costume parade, for the chance to win a prize from Jack Pumpkin.
Dinton Pastures isn’t the only place with a pumpkin hunt: there’s one at California Country Park too, around the lake.
Participants can collect a map to seek a secret word hidden among the pumpkins, which have been dotted around the park.
Also at California Country Park will be the Halloween Fun Day.
This event will include rides, food and drink and face-painting, along with a costume competition.
Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked will also fly in for some performances and meet-and-greets, between noon and 2pm.
Those with quieter activities in mind can attend a Pumpkin Tea at Dinton Pastures.
The event aimed at three to 12-year-olds includes a selection of meals (including vegetarian options) with dessert, a warm coffee and cookie, and a pumpkin carving competition.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
More creative types might be interested in Dinton Activity Centre’s Halloween Biscuit Decorating event.
Open for both adults and children aged eight and above.
All under-18s must be accompanied by an adult, and specific dietary restrictions cannot be catered for.
Finally, there is indoor climbing available at the weekends.
Dinton Activity Centre’s hour-long climbing sessions are suitable for everyone aged four and older, with no prior experience required.
When and where will these events take place?
The Dinton Pastures Pumpkin Hunt will be open every day from Saturday, October 25, to Sunday, November 2 between 9am and 5pm.
Booking costs £2.50 per child, and adult entry is free.
The Pumpkin Fair will be at Dinton Pastures on Sunday, October 26, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Entry costs £1 per adult, with no booking required.
The California Country Park Pumpkin Hunt around Jackson’s California Lake will happen daily from Monday, October 27, to Sunday, November 2, between 9am and 3.45pm.
The Halloween Fun Day at California Country Park will be on Tuesday, October 28, from 10am to 3pm.
Entry is free, with usual parking charges.
The Pumpkin Tea at Dinton Pastures will be on Wednesday, October 29, from 3-5pm.
Booking costs £15 per child.
Dinton Activity Centre’s Halloween biscuit decorating will be on Wednesday, October 29, at 5pm to 7pm.
Child tickets cost £15 and adult tickets cost £25.
Indoor climbing at Dinton Activity Centre is available on Saturdays and Sundays, between 11am and 5pm.
Booking costs £11.
Families are encouraged to take cash to the Pumpkin Fair, as card readers at the event can struggle to get a strong signal.
For more information, visit: wokinghamcountryside.co.uk
