Press Release

Frightful fun for all the Family in Devon this October Half-Term

Frightful fun and ghostly goings on promise to make October Half Term in Devon a Halloween hit with families looking for an action packed late seasonal break.www.visitdevon.co.uk

Spooky tours, Halloween camps, Big Wheels and deer safaris are all the ingredients for a fun filled family holiday in one of the UK's most beautiful destinations. Devon is home to a stunning coastline and rolling countryside along with historic cities, award winning attractions and some of Britain's best food and drink which can be enjoyed at some exciting seasonal food festivals and events this half term.

The pretty and historic city of Exeter has a special buzz about it in 2012 with new shops such as John Lewis and the boutique Magdalen Chapter hotel opening this year. While parents may enjoy the city's eclectic mix of high quality shops and restaurants children will be entertained by the great range of events and activities on offer nearby.

Escot Camp Wild's Halloween Camp 30-31 Octoberreturns for one night only with an exciting schedule of spooky activities over two fun-packed days.

Camp Wild is owned and operated by Escot Estate at Escot Park, near Ottery St Mary in glorious East Devon. The Escot Estate occupies 1100 acres of forest, farms and parkland approximately eight miles from Devon's Jurassic Coast near Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth.

Staying in Yurt Village Escot Camp Wild Halloween sleepover is suitable for children aged 8-12 years. There is also a day camp alternative for 6-12 year olds, if preferred. Residential camp costs £80 and day camp is £40 per day.

Children will get the chance to experience the drop slide, feed the otters and wild boar plus lots of spooky Halloween stuff including: Pumpkin Carving, Lantern Making and Lantern Night Walk, Apple Bobbing, Toffee Apple Making, Halloween Fancy Dress, Mythical Bedtime Stories and the chance to Capture the Ghost!www.escotcampwild.co.uk

Jump on the Ghost Train for some Halloween thrills at Pecorama at Beer in East Devon, it is home to the Beer Heights light miniature railway which will be decorated for Halloween.29 October- 3 November. Expect tombstones and cobwebs, witches and broomsticks. Kids who dress in Halloween costume get a free spooky treat. There is also free children's entertainment at station halt.http://www.pecorama.info

Scooby-Doo fans will appreciate that ancient castles are the perfect place for ghost hunts and Halloween mysteries, and Powderham Castle near Exeter is hosting some spooky tours28 October - 3 Novemberthat won't disappoint supernatural sleuths. Just don't look behind you!

But for those who prefer a more tranquil half term outing, Powderham is also hosting special deer rut safaris in the grounds of the castle which will be topped off by a delicious Devon cream tea. Take a tractor/trailer ride into the deer park to see the fascinating behaviour of the deer during the rutting season and take some unique photographs close up to the deer. Only £10 per person.  For more details or to book please call 01626 890243.http://www.powderham.co.uk

For more details of events and accommodation in the Exeter and East Devon area please visitwww.heartofedvon.com

You will find all the perfect ingredients for a Devon cream tea at the Dartmouth Food Festival in South Devon which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year,26-28 October.It has established itself as one of the best food festivals in the UK and it is located in the picturesque town of Dartmouth, with live cookery demos from some of the UK's best chefs such as Henry Dimbleby, Mitch Tonks and Mark Hix.Posh puds and delicacies are on offer for mum and dad, while children can try their hand at decorating biscuits and dipping into some food goodies from Devon's famous food producers.www.dartmouthfoodfestival.com

Pennywell Farm near Totnes is the perfect family day out at any time of year but at October Half Term the little ones will adore the attraction's mini pigs and host of other baby farm animals to pet and feed. There will be apple bobbing and pumpkin carving, with a free pumpkin for every child to take home. You can also watch the pig racing every day at 2.30pm. Pennywell has a new litter of piglets and a new baby donkey to delight visitors.www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

Older children will enjoy the frights on offer at Halloscream Week at the Woodland's family theme park near Dartmouth.27 Oct - 4 Nov.

Eerie fun is promised on the spooky ghost train and in the gruesome graveyard, dare to take a walk through the Vampire Castle before the best Halloween party ever on 31 October.http://www.woodlandspark.com

For more details of events and accommodation in South Devon please visit

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

The glorious English Riviera is the place to be to dazzle and delight the family at Half Term. Taller than Nelson's Column at the dizzy height of nearly 60 metres, theEnglish Riviera Wheelin Torquay gives breathtaking 30 degree views across the Bay. A must do activity for all the family which will be available until 31 October. Open 10am-10pm Adults £5 Child £3 Family Ticket £15 under 3's free.http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/things-to-do/english-riviera-wheel-p1421913

Join theSpooky Rockpool Ramble, Paignton on Thursday 1 November 2012!Get together with the marine rangers for a spooky Halloween rockpool ramble discovering the gruesome creatures of the sea. Then head back to the Seashore Centre where you will make your very own Halloween decoration to take home. Meet: The Seashore Centre Time: 1pm - 3pm.

Cost: 3.50 per child; no booking requiredwww.countryside-trust.org.uk

Or take your family to theKids Halloween Sweet Making Workshop, Paignton, Friday 2 November 2012.A real treat for kids at Halloween! Join them in the cookery school kitchen and make toffee apples, sugar mice and freaky fudge to fill your trick or treat bag. Meet: Occombe Farm Visitor Centre, Time: 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm. Cost: £5.00 per child. Booking: Essential on 01803 520022 or atwww.countryside-trust.org.uk

Kents Cavern, Torquay.Kents Cavern is one of Europe's top prehistoric Stone Age caves with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. Exciting and educational plus Halloween fun. Check website for more details.

Time: 9.30 - 5pm (tours 10.30am - 4pm) Cost: Adults £8.95 Child (3-15yrs) £7.95 Family (2 + 2) £31.00.http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/things-to-do/kents-cavern-p140003

For more details of events and accommodation in the English Riviera Devon please visit:http://www.englishriviera.co.uk

North Devon's spectacular beaches and coastline is always popular at half term for some sufing fun and water sports but there is plenty going on for Half Term at the area's many first rate attractions.

The BIG Sheep family theme park at Bideford in North Devon is going Halloween crazy, night and day for Half Term. For the little ones in the day time there are also pumpkin carving activities, face painting and a fancy dress competition. But ifyou're looking for a truly treacherous and terrifying evening then the BIG Sheep promises to deliver during the three evening parties onWednesday 31 October to Friday 2 November.Visit the BIG Sheep after hours for a spooktaculor evening, venture into the haunted house, or take a tractor ride through Pumpkinville. Please telephone 01237 472366 for more details.http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk

The RHS Garden at Rosemoor at Great Torrington in North Devon has some tempting Halloween ideas for children to enjoy during Half Term

Tuesday 30 October Tame and Frame your own Wild BeastTuesday, 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm. There is a workshop for children with Mrs Recycle and the cost is just for

Normal Garden Entry. This drop-in workshop is for children aged 8-12 years. Come and create your own Wild Beast using gathered nuts, seeds, berries and autumn leaves. These pieces can be mounted on board or framed and Mrs Recycle will show you how to add the finishing touch! Under 8's welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear old clothes.

Wednesday 31 October  - Thursday 1 November

Or come and experience theMyths and Legends of Dartmoor.OpenWednesday and Thursday, 11.30am or 2.30pm. The Pregnant Fish Theatre Company provides a drop-in activity for the whole family. This Halloween Half Term, Pregnant Fish Theatre Company brings Devonshire folklore and ghost stories to life in their established, intimate and interactive style, suitable for children and adults alike. Expect songs, stories and a good dose of silliness all for the price of normal garden entry!  www.pregnantfish.co.ukhttp://www.rhs.org.uk

For more details about events and accommodation in North Devon please visit;http://www.northdevon.com

Shriek Week - Halloween Specialat The Dingles Fairground Heritage Centreat Lifton near Dartmoor. Come and ride the Ghost Train and enjoy live performers, magic, illusion and circus skills. Free competitions for the children too. Join in all the Halloween Fun of the Vintage Fair.

The Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre is a 45,000 square foot indoor attraction that provides a unique opportunity to view our Fairground Heritage in a beautiful rural location.http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk

Spooky Spectacular in the Tamar Valley, Wednesday 31 October

 The Tamar Valley will be transformed into a coven of witches, wizards and monsters when a Spooky Spectacular takes place on Halloween.

Children and adults taking part will be donning their scariest outfits and enjoying an evening of fun including apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, creepy crafts, witches brews and spooky snacks.

As dusk arrives, a trick or treat walk will take place in the nearby woods. Everyone taking part is encouraged to bring a torch as they search for treats and hunt for pumpkins in the woodland. Then it will be back to the campfire to toast marshmallows.

The fun takes place between 3pm and 5pm and costs £5 per child. Grown up are welcome and dogs too. Parking is at the Tamar Trails Car Park at the head of the Tamar Trails (off the A390 between Gunnislake and Tavistock, PL19 8JE) and costs £2 for the day per car. To book contact the Tamar Trails on 07985 926001 / 01752 424830 or email tamartrails@gmail.com .

 For more details about events or accommodation on Dartmoor please visit:

http://www.dartmoor.co.uk

Halloween Haunted Ghost Walk Plymouth Wednesday 31 October 7.30pm

Plymouth is a city rich with history, atmosphere and above all else its fair share of ghosts, ghouls and classic hauntings. Haunted Plymouth will take you on a journey to discover why this ancient port has such a wide array of supernatural phenomena. 

Be entranced by your guide as you stroll through the ancient cobbled streets of Plymouth, hear tales of old haunted inns, phantom spectres and genuine stories of what has been witnessed in the past by those unfortunate enough to come face to face with the darker side of Plymouth

 Adults £5 Children under 15 £3 Children under three go free. Starts outside the Tourist Information Centre, the Barbican Plymouth.http://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/haunted-plymouth-halloween-ghost-walk-p1407633

For more details about events and accommodation in Plymouth, please visit:

http://www.visitplymouth.co.uk

For more information about the Devon Tourism Partnership, contact: Jess Whistance Mob: 07748 635869 or emailjess@discoverdartmoor.com

For further press information please contact:

Jane Adkins T/: 01935 813114

M/: 07960 698089

E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Gail Livingstone T/: 01823 252415

M/:07767 055595

E/:gail@aheadforpr.co.uk

Notes for Editors:

The Devon Tourism Partnership

The Devon Tourism Partnership (DTP) comprises Devon County Council and the following Area Tourism Partnerships: North Devon Plus, English Riviera Tourism Company, Visit South Devon, Plymouth City Council, Dartmoor Partnership, Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership and also Devon Association of Tourism Attractions.

The role of the DTP is to protect and promote the Visit Devon brand, enabling the growth of the Devon tourism sector.

The key objectives of the partnership are;

• The promotion of the Visit Devon brand through co-ordinated marketing and PR campaigns as well as the provision of a Visit Devon website.

• Creating a Tourism Strategy for Devon which sets out the framework to develop Devon as a visitor destination.

• Ensuring that there is a quality product on offer to visitors, through accreditation, skills and awards.

• Monitoring the performance of Devon as a major tourism destination.

September 2012