Hallo’welly’ween at Wellington Country Park is one of our favourite Halloween things to do in Berkshire. From silly spooky shows and recycled craft sessions to the Halloween-themed train, plus animal encounters and all of the usual play equipment, there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained.

Wellington Country Park is designed for children aged up to eight and you can easily spend a day here. We’ve been to Hallo’welly’ween for the last four years and we’re always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave!

One of the things I really appreciate about Wellington Country Park is that once you’ve paid to get it, almost everything is included. There’s also plenty of places for picnics, including an indoor area. Plus there’s a cafe serving hot food if you’d rather get something there.

So if you’re looking for a Halloween-themed half-term event in Berkshire, then read on…

Hallo’welly’ween 2024

Happy Hallo’welly’ween! I don’t know when it happened, but suddenly Halloween is huge isn’t it? Like, one minute we didn’t celebrate it and now people are actually asking me “so, have you got any plans for Halloween?” 

If you’re looking for a fun Halloween event in Berkshire, Hallo’welly’ween 2024 is a great one to go to.

Wellington Country Park is a 20 minute drive from both Reading and Basingstoke. We have annual passes, so visit all year round, but autumn is actually my favourite time to be there. It’s so lovely when all of the leaves on the trees are changing colour and there’s a crispness in the air. I also love that the size of the park means that it never feels too overwhelming, even during busy periods.

And I must admit, Hallo’welly’ween is a busy week at the park. However, I have to hand it to the staff, it’s always very well organised.

The attention to detail for example, is spot on. The entire site from the animal farm to the restaurant is decorated with spooky spiders webs, ghastly ghouls and silly skeletons.

Even the ever-popular train gets given a haunted makeover. So passengers may find themselves sharing a ride with a skeleton or two!

What’s On at Hallo’welly’ween 2024

Hallo’welly’ween always includes lots of additional entertainment, from funny Halloween shows and story times, to spooky craft sessions. Most activities are included in the ticket price (although pumpkin carving has a small extra charge).

Hallo’welly’ween 2024 will feature Grotty Greta’s Show Tent, where there will be story times and dancing shows. Plus, the Not So Spooky Show Tent will return with their silly family shows. 

My little adventurer’s favourite crafter Junk Jodie will also be back, offering little ones the chance to make some spooky Halloween crafts from recycled materials.

New to Hallo’welly’ween this year is Brambles Animal Encounters, who will be helping visitors to get up close and personal to a few creepy crawlies with their bug and reptile encounters.

One of the things I really like about Wellington is that it gives you a full day out. You can arrive at opening at 9.30am and have plenty to do until it closes at 4pm. It advertises itself as suitable for children up to the age of 8, but there are often older kids there having a great time.

The other positive thing is that the site is so big that even though Hallo’welly’ween is busy, you don’t feel totally on top of one another.

Mini Hallo’Welly’Ween

Something I think is a great addition to this year’s Halloween timetable at Wellington Country Park is the Mini Hallo’Welly’Ween. This will take place during term-time from October 23 to 25 and is designed for children up to age 4. This is perfect for visitors who only have term time passes to the park and for toddlers who may get a bit overwhelmed with the busyness during the school holidays.

It will include interactive monster story time sessions with Ziggy and Cleo and the chance to have a boogie with Ziggy’s Monster Movez. There’s also a bubble show with PeteZa, which we’ve been to before and it’s brilliant! Plus, there will be role play fun in the Welly Tots Showcase.

Planning your visit

If you’re planning a visit for Hallo’Welly’ween 2024, something to bear in mind is that it is pretty much all outdoors. Although the shows are in tents and you can sit inside to eat, the play equipment and farm is not covered. So make sure you go prepared with wet weather clothes and plenty of layers. I usually take a spare set of clothes too, as I can guarantee that my child is the one who’s going to fall in a puddle!

Ticket prices are the same for adults and children aged 2+ – £21.45. Children aged one and under are free. Annual passes give you free entry to the park, as always. There is also free parking on site. 

So if you want something fun to do this half-term, I can definitely vouch for Hallo’welly’ween being a spook-tacular day out. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

PS. If the half-term madness leaves you in need of a bit of grown up pampering, check out my review of the Thames Lido – my favourite place to relax in Berkshire!