Spooky half-term fun awaits families at Kent’s Rare Breeds Centre

The Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, Kent, is gearing up for its annual Halloween half-term spooktacular. Families are invited to an entertaining week of Halloween-themed events, activities, and surprises on the farm from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November.

Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights will feature a daily programme of seasonal entertainment, including a trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin painting, a UV disco, spooky screenings and a host of popular farm activities. Everyone’s favourite witch, Effel Fartwaffer, will be on hand providing mischief and hilarity everywhere she goes. Videos featuring Effel can be found on the Halloween event page linked above.

Children taking part in the Trick or Treat Trail with Effel will visit six themed stations around the farm, including a witches’ den, dragon’s lair, spider zone, skeleton area, ghosty area and swamp. The trail will run at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm each day, lasting around 45 minutes. The activity carries a small additional fee and must be booked in advance.

Other activities include an Interactive UV Spooky Disco in the Cattle Barn at 2.30pm and Effel’s Picture House of Flix and Fun, which will run in the Discovery Zone from 10am to 4.30pm. Children can also decorate their own pumpkin at the Eco Hut in the Discovery Garden between 11am and 3pm, with pumpkins available for £1 each.

Between the Halloween activities, families can explore the working farm and meet its animals, including pigs, goats, horses, chickens, sheep, birds and four recently arrived alpacas. The much-loved farm attraction is home to more than 200 farm animals and is dedicated to protecting some of Britain’s most endangered farm breeds.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a pumpkin passport, Halloween photo booth, face painting, sensory play stations, a spooky straw bale maze, tractor rides and animal feeding, as well as the centre’s popular pig race, while Halloween decorations across the farm will help set the scene for the week’s events.

CEO Sarah Edwards says: “Halloween is always a fantastic time at the Rare Breeds Centre, and we’re delighted to be welcoming families back for another week of farmyard frights, laughter and seasonal fun. From meeting Effel Fartwaffer and exploring the trick-or-treat trail to enjoying our animals, tractor rides and pumpkin activities, there is something for all ages to enjoy. Every visit also helps support the work of Canterbury Oast Trust, enabling us to provide opportunities, support and life-enhancing services for adults with learning disabilities and autism across Kent. We look forward to seeing families joining in with plenty of Halloween mischief.”

Food and drink will be available throughout the day. The Granary Restaurant will be open from 10am to 4pm, with last orders for hot food at 3.30pm, while The Cabin will be open from 10am to 3pm. Tickets can be booked online at rarebreedscentre.digitickets.co.uk/tickets.

Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights takes place at the Rare Breeds Centre, Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent, TN26 3 RJ.

The Rare Breeds Centre is operated by Canterbury Oast Trust, a charity founded in 1985 providing accommodation, care and life skills services to adults with learning disabilities and autism. Every visit to the farm and purchase from their food outlets and gift shop help to support the work of the charity. More information about Canterbury Oast Trust can be found on their website: https://www.canterburyoasttrust.org.uk

ENDS