Travel

Halloween in London

Spooky Ideas

By Laura Porter, About.com Guide

I used to say we celebrated November 5th bonfire night more than Halloween in London but I reckon Halloween is the bigger event these days. This list is updated annually so you can bookmark this page to check the spooky happenings in London every year.

Don't forget to check out the delicious Halloween treats at Hotel Chocolat (Buy Direct).

1. The Witch Academy at the London Eye

This Halloween, the The London Eye has The Witch Academy, a magical school of mysticism and sorcery for children and their families. Classes will run throughout the October half-term break and youngsters will need to work together to find the two missing witches to graduate at The Witch Academy and enjoy a bespoke Halloween Storytelling experience on the London Eye. I've tried a preview so can tell you more here.

Visitors can also take a spook-tacular cruise along the River Thames on the London Eye River Cruise where you can enjoy a chilling cocktail and monster mash to the spooky sounds of the devilish DJ while discovering the history of the mysterious River Thames and hear the tales of the river and marvel at the riverside landmarks.

With every ticket purchased you receive free entry to the London Eye 4D Experience. Book at www.londoneye.com

Try the London Eye Quiz

2. Up at The O2 – Climb of the Cursed

London's newest outdoor attraction – Up at The O2 – is upping the thrills for its first ever Halloween event. From 27 October to 4 November, Up at The O2 – Climb of the Cursed gives visitors the chance to experience the exhilarating walkway above one of the Capital's most iconic venues in the day and in the dark and explore the horrors of London along the way.

Along the way there'll be tricks, treats and surprises, including hidden Trick or Treat pockets in bespoke and cosy climb suits donned by visitors at Base Camp. At the Summit, climbers will be given a gothic-style spooky map of London enabling them to pinpoint and view some of the many horror hotspots of the Capital. A 'You’ve Survived' personalized certificate completes the experience on return to ground level. Pre-booking for this very limited capacity spooky experience of a lifetime is highly recommended.

3. Spooky Fun at Outdoors in the City

Head to this outdoor adventure center in east London on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 October for some extreme apple bobbing where you are suspended above a tank of water. Take a flight on the zip wire - Count Zipula - and win a prize for the most sinister laugh. There's also 'Pumpkin Bushcraft' and 'Going for Ghouls' archery. Find out more...

4. Doctors and Dissection @ late at Museum of London

On 31 October it's the late night opening at the Museum of London (7-9.45pm) It's an adult only evening bringing to life a shadowy and fascinating period of London's history. See the Doctors, Dissection & Resurrection Men exhibition and hear the curators talk about their exhibition highlights. You can also make grisly pathological Halloween cards with St Barts artist in residence, Geoff Harrison; join anatomical sculptor Eleanor Crook, for a wax moulded body parts workshop and watch a series of short films by theatre company Cartoon de Salvo about an 18th century 'Irish Giant' and the surgeon who wanted to get him on the dissecting table. All accompanied by open galleries, cash bars and a live DJ. Find out more...

5. The London Dungeon

The London Dungeon is always a winner for a great place to be scared! This Halloween meet The London Dungeon's new mischievous Halloween character – The Trickster – residing at the attraction for a limited time only, from 29 September to 4 November. Lurking around corners and ready to startle you and your unsuspecting mates, be prepared to face The Trickster's terrible torture or, if fortune is on your side, be pleasantly surprised by a sweet treat – all in the name of scary fun.

6. Jack the Ripper Tour

Taking a tour of London's East End and hearing gruesome tales of true murders would certainly suit the 'scare yourself silly' theme for Halloween. Read my review of a Jack the Ripper Walk to find out what happens on these spooky trails.

7. Ghost Bus Tours

Double decker sightseeing bus tours are quite normal but have you ever traveled on an all black double decker bus and heard spooky tales of crime and murder as you're taken around London? Probably not I'd guess but that's exactly what's on offer from Ghost Bus Tours.

On-board actors and technical trickery combine to create the scariest tour in town. A creepy conductor provides the commentary for this sinister sightseeing show, revealing haunted palaces, unmarked burial grounds and the skeletons in the capital's cupboard. Read my Ghost Bus Tours review...

8. London Canal Museum

On 27 and 28 October 2012 from around 4.30pm to 9.30pm, go on a spooky boat trip down the 192-year-old Islington Tunnel with Camden Canals and the Narrowboat Association. The boat trip is not available to adults without children or to unsupervised children. There will be special activities for children in the London Canal Museum (story telling and scary decorations) so make sure you allow time for these either before or after your boat trip.

9. Grim Keepers take over at ZSL London Zoo

Hooded ghouls will descend on ZSL London Zoo this Halloween, as the Grim Keepers take over its children's zoo. From Saturday 27 October to Sunday 4 November, Animal Adventure will be transformed into a truly spook-tacular setting for some ghastly games to celebrate Boo at the Zoo during October half term.

Going about their daily business in their gloomy robes; it's not just the keepers undergoing a macabre makeover – children are invited to wear fancy dress to get 10% off their ticket price and be in with a chance of winning a daily competition.

10. Halloween Family Fun Day in Greenwich

At the Queen's House and the Cutty Sark there's a Halloween Family Fun Day for all witches and warlocks on a mission to have fun. Discover the story of Nannie, Cutty Sark's very own witch, create a freaky fancy-dress accessory, take part in the Wicked Witches and Warlocks Dance, and sing-a-long to witches' songs, hear tales and lots more. There are prizes for the best fancy dress and all participants will receive a certificate. Do book in advance as this is sure to be popular.