Rebecca with her two sons Rory and Logan at the Halloween Lakeside Trail(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)

Four-year-old's two word verdict on a Halloween lakeside trail

A pair of skeletons with great dad jokes and a mystery witch's lair, the Halloween Lakeside Trail is now open

by · Liverpool Echo

My four-year-old's two word verdict on a Halloween lakeside trail

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I love that Halloween has become a season that people really lean into. And I love that lots of farms, castles, fisheries and other spaces put on amazing spooky events.

Partridge Lakes Fishery in Warrington is one of those places and I took my four-year-old to the opening night to get into the Halloween spirit nice and early. The Halloween Lakeside Trail is a walk that takes you on the journey to help Luna the Witch reunite with her one true love, Victor the Skeleton.

But before you set off to help the witch, there is a really beautiful food area that gives off an autumnal festival vibe, with twinkly lights, pumpkins and smores. As dusk fell, there was music and on a mild October evening, this created a beautiful surrounding that I could have easily sat in with a hot chocolate for a few hours.

But duty, in the form of an impatient child, called. You do have to queue to start the trail, which we were told was to help stagger the entries so it doesn't get too crowded.

This makes sense, but my husband wasn't happy with a queue - although we only waited 12 minutes in total. You then enter a tent where a screen tells you the story of Luna and her lost love and how you are about to embark on a magical quest through the mystical forest.

You can enjoy smores, burgers and halloumi before heading on the trail(Image: David Munn Photography)

The story itself leans into the old witchy stereotypes we are used to, but is sweet and easy for the children to follow, giving a purpose to the spooky surroundings. We then travelled to the witch's lair through Skeletons’ Hollow, the spider’s tunnel, met some friendly ghosts, cracking witches and some hilarious skeletons who had some excellent dad jokes - a real highlight.

It was well pitched for children, just spooky enough without being terrifying, although my son said it was a "bit scary", but isn't that what Halloween is all about?

The Halloween Lakeside Trail at Partridge Lakes Fishery in Warrington(Image: David Munn Photography)

What you need to know before you go:

Talk food budget before you go

As with all these types of events now, there are little food stalls, and marshmallows to buy for toasting and face painting. So it is worth setting a budget to keep your costs down. For example, perhaps you will all share halloumi fries or you know your kids will want a hot chocolate while you sip a mulled wine. Or maybe you are eating at home before you set off.

But chat with your kids beforehand so they are clear on the expectations and you don't have tears when they walk past the marshmallows. I've been there and it is not festive.

One of the witches you can meet at the Halloween Lakeside Trail(Image: David Munn Photography)

Wear sensible shoes and clothes

The path is accessible for prams, so it is not like you are going on a trek and the evening we went it was mild and dry. But the ground is a little uneven at times so sensible shoes that you don't mind getting mud on are essential.

As are watch clothing and coats. It is likely October will only get colder and wetter so you should plan accordingly.

The skeletons were a real highlight of the walk - and you can swing next to Peter the Skeleton, who was having the time of his (undead) life(Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)

Take your time

The walk is the event, not a task to get to a destination (note to my husband) so make sure you stop at all the various featured lights and enchanted goings on. There are plenty of opportunities for pictures and characters to interact with and chat to, so enjoy it.

The Halloween Lakeside Trail is running every weekend before Halloween and during half term. Ticket prices start at £18 for adults, £14 for children (under threes go free) and family tickets for £64 - you will also need a car parking ticket. For more information visit their website here https://halloweenlakesidetrail.co.uk/

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