Halloween fans needed to track down ghouls who have escaped from an Oxfordshire lab!
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend Oxfordshire's best loved Spooky Trail & Pumpkin Patch, which is opening for Halloween on October 11th.
Four farming sisters from south Oxfordshire are putting the finishing touches to their annual Halloween festivities at High Lodge Farm, Culham, Abingdon.
Emily, Katy, Lucy and Jess began running pop-up seasonal events four years ago in a bid to diversify away from the unpredictability of traditional agriculture. The events quickly grew in size and their annual pop-up Halloween event is now a local tradition for many families across the county and beyond.
Every year, the team transforms the farm's ancient woodland into a magical Halloween world filled with painted scenes, family-friendly frights, and enchanting surprises.
This year’s 1km Spooky Trail promises more mischief than ever, with ghostly displays, mischievous skeletons, and familiar faces lurking behind every tree. Visitors will encounter much-loved regulars such as Whizzbang the Wandering Witch, Frankie the Forgetful Frankenstein, Horace the Headless Man, and Griselda's Giggly Coven, who will once again be brewing up trouble in their bubbling cauldron.
Brand new for 2025, visitors must also help Professor Spectre round up runaway ghosts who’ve escaped from his Culham Lab.
Organiser Katy Allen-Wright, 39, said: “What makes the Spooky Trail so magical is that it’s all created with our own hands, right here on the farm. People often tell us they love the rustic, down-to-earth feel to our events and Halloween is no different. It’s not commercialised, it’s creative and playful, and that’s what makes it special. What we enjoy the most is allowing families to have fun outdoors and make memories together in a place that feels welcoming and real.”
“Halloween is our favourite event because autumn is such a magical time to be outdoors... the colours of the leaves and that cosy sense of change in the season. Halloween has become this wonderful chance for families to get together and enjoy a bit of fun before winter sets in and the pressure of Christmas rolls around."
Alongside the trail, visitors can enjoy the Play Patch, where children will discover straw bale stacks, a farm tractor, giant sandpit, wooden games and — new this year — the super squelchy Mud Mountain. Families can ride the barrel train around the farm, toast marshmallows over a fire pit, and of course pick their perfect pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch. Every visitor leaves with a sweet treat.
For those seeking an after-dark adventure, High Lodge is also hosting four exclusive Pumpkin Nights (5pm–9pm), with very limited tickets available. Visitors can explore the trail, pick a pumpkin and enjoy a burger and beer as the autumn sunsets. The Spooky Trail and Pumpkin Patch will be open for selected days from October 11th - October 31st. Advance ticket prices are £9 per child and £7 for adults. SEND sessions are also available.
See www.highlodgefarm.com for more information and for ticket booking.
