Animal encounters, a Pip and Posy mystery and a giant spider are among the attractions planned at Blenheim Palace this October, with two separate Halloween programmes for families.
Haunted Half Term runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, bringing ZooLab shows, storytelling and circus activities to the Walled Garden, alongside a new mystery trail in Adventure Play.
Meanwhile, Halloween at Blenheim Palace returns from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 1 November with a 1.3km outdoor trail featuring illuminated installations, characters and a new Monster Disco finale.
The two events have different tickets. The daytime Walled Garden activities are advertised as included with an Annual Pass, Adventure Play requires the appropriate additional admission, and the evening Halloween trail is separately ticketed.
At a glance
| Details | Haunted Half Term | Halloween at Blenheim Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 24 October to 1 November 2026 | 22 October to 1 November 2026 |
| Location | Walled Garden, with the Pip and Posy trail inside Adventure Play | An outdoor illuminated route through the Palace grounds |
| Times | The event page lists 10am to 4.30pm, with activities at scheduled times | Timed entry, with daylight and evening sessions depending on the date |
| Main attractions | ZooLab animal encounters, Witchy Tales storytelling, circus activities and Pip and Posy’s Treehouse Mystery Trail | Spider Puppet, Dracula’s Lair, neon coffin photo spots and Monster Disco |
| Tickets | Walled Garden activities included with an Annual Pass. Adventure Play admission is separate unless covered by a Palace and Play Pass. | Separate tickets from £19 per adult and £13.50 per child |
| Parking | Included with normal daytime admission | £10 per vehicle, booked in advance |
What is happening during Haunted Half Term?
ZooLab returns to Critter Corner with animal encounters featuring snakes, tarantulas, giant snails and frogs. The shows include opportunities to get closer to the animals, with handling available during the sessions.
At the House of Magic, families can listen to Witchy Tales and join circus activities. The programme repeats each day, allowing visitors to plan around particular sessions rather than needing to arrive for a single performance.
Elsewhere in the Walled Garden, families can explore the Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House. Blenheim says the Butterfly House has an updated entrance and additional feeding stations, giving visitors more places to watch its inhabitants.
Daily activity timetable
The following times are taken from Blenheim’s current online Haunted Half Term timetable. They differ in places from the initial announcement, so check the event page again before travelling.
| Activity | Daily times | Location |
|---|---|---|
| ZooLab Animal Handling Show | 11am–11.45am; noon–12.45pm; 1.15pm–2pm; 2.15pm–3pm | Critter Corner |
| Witchy Tales Storytelling | 11.50am–noon; 12.50pm–1pm; 2.10pm–2.20pm; 2.50pm–3pm; 3.50pm–4pm | House of Magic |
| Circus Show | 12.10pm–12.30pm | House of Magic |
| Circus Workshop | 1.10pm–2.10pm; 3.10pm–3.30pm | House of Magic |
Pip and Posy’s Treehouse Mystery Trail in Adventure Play
The new Treehouse Mystery Trail brings the pre-school characters Pip and Posy into Adventure Play, where children are invited to help find Pip’s missing toy, Piggy.
The route combines the search with playful actions and challenges, leading families through the play area before finishing at the new treehouse. Along the way, children can explore the space and look for the characters’ hidden friends.
The treehouse is designed for imaginative play, with an installation featuring Pip and Posy’s new friend Becca also providing a photograph opportunity. The trail is an activity to follow around the playground, rather than an advertised live character appearance.
Entry is included with a Palace and Play Pass. Visitors with another qualifying daytime ticket or pass can instead purchase an Adventure Play day ticket, currently £5 per adult and £7 per child. That add-on cannot be used on its own to enter the estate, and accompanying adults need the appropriate admission too.
Children must remain supervised throughout their visit. Further information is available on the Pip and Posy trail page.
How much does a daytime visit cost?
Existing Annual Pass holders can attend the advertised Walled Garden shows and activities without an additional activity charge. Those planning to include Adventure Play should check whether their pass covers it before setting off.
Blenheim’s published online pass prices are:
| Pass | Adult | Child | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace, Park and Gardens | £41 | £24 | £110 |
| Palace and Play, including Adventure Play | £51 | £41 | £165 |
These are advertised as passes providing 12 months’ access, rather than tickets solely for the half-term activities. Under-threes receive free daytime admission.
Check the full ticket comparison for family eligibility, alternative ticket options and the areas each ticket covers. None of these daytime passes includes the evening Halloween trail.
What is new on the evening Halloween trail?
The separate Halloween at Blenheim Palace event takes visitors along a 1.3km route through the grounds, with theatrical scenes and illuminated installations along the way.
Among this year’s announced additions is a giant Spider Puppet emerging from a 20-metre web tunnel. Dracula’s Lair and neon coffin photo spots add further encounters, while the new Monster Disco brings the route to a close beneath lights and mirror balls.
Returning features include the Headless Horseman, Pirate’s Wreck and Possessed Pumpkin Farm. The emphasis is on an outdoor walk through different scenes, rather than a seated performance or an activity inside the Palace.
Earlier sessions take place in daylight. Ticketek confirms that the route and attractions remain the same whatever time visitors attend: choosing an earlier slot changes how much can be seen in natural light, rather than providing a different, scare-free version.
The organiser describes the trail as suitable for all ages, but parents should consider how their children respond to costumed characters, darkness and Halloween effects when selecting a session.
Evening trail prices and entry times
The official ticketing price grid lists the following advance rates:
| Ticket | Off-peak | Standard | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | £19 | £23 | £25 |
| Child aged 3–16 | £13.50 | £17.50 | £19.50 |
| Family: two adults and two children | £62 | £78 | £88 |
The organiser’s announcement describes its £19 adult and £13.50 child starting prices as including booking fees. Check the final checkout total for your chosen ticket combination. Infants aged two and under and carers are listed as receiving free entry, but the appropriate tickets should still be included in the booking.
The published grid places 22 and 23 October and 1 November in the off-peak category; 25 to 29 October are standard dates; and 24, 30 and 31 October are peak dates.
Entry begins as early as 4pm on some dates, with the latest advertised slots as late as 8.30pm. The first and last sessions vary, so select the date before planning arrival and return travel.
Parking costs £10 per vehicle and must be reserved in advance. Food and drink are additional purchases. Tickets and available sessions can be found through the official Halloween at Blenheim Palace page.
Accessibility, quiet sessions and facilities
Adventure Play’s access features include wider paths, ramps, handrails and anti-slip inserts on timber decking. There are baby-changing facilities and a Changing Places toilet in the Walled Garden.
Its regular Quiet Play sessions run on the last Sunday of each month from 9.15am to 11.15am. Families planning a half-term visit should check arrangements through the Adventure Play accessibility page.
For the evening Halloween trail, a reduced-capacity quiet-access session is scheduled for 4pm on Monday 26 October. Carers enter free, and visitors needing additional support should discuss arrangements when booking.
The evening route has some flashing lighting effects and no halfway exit. Contact the event team before booking when mobility, sensory needs or completing the full route could affect your visit. Accessible toilets are available at the start.
Event-specific information is available in the Halloween trail FAQs. For general daytime access enquiries, contact Blenheim on 01993 810530 or email customerservice@blenheimpalace.com.
Getting to Blenheim Palace from Oxford
Blenheim Palace is in Woodstock, around eight miles north-west of Oxford, off the A44. The visitor postcode is OX20 1UL.
Stagecoach’s S3 and S7 services connect Oxford with Blenheim Palace, with the S7 also serving Oxford Parkway station. Check the operator’s route information and timetables, particularly for the journey home after an evening trail slot.
Normal daytime parking is included with admission, unlike the separately charged Halloween trail parking. Visitors heading to Adventure Play can ask on arrival whether parking near the Walled Garden is available.
The miniature train, Winston, provides another way to travel between the Palace and Walled Garden. Blenheim’s family guide lists a charge of £1 each way, and pushchairs must be folded aboard the train. Check its operating times on the day.
The Walled Garden Pizzeria offers a nearby daytime food stop. Separate food and drink stalls will operate at the evening trail, where sales points accept card payments only.
Further directions are available on Blenheim’s travel page.
Frequently asked questions
Can one ticket cover the daytime activities and evening trail?
No. The evening Halloween trail is separately ticketed. A Palace and Play Pass covers the daytime Palace and Adventure Play areas, but does not include that evening event.
Does a standard Annual Pass include the Pip and Posy trail?
Not by itself. The trail is inside Adventure Play, which requires a Palace and Play Pass or an Adventure Play day ticket alongside qualifying estate admission.
Is the evening trail indoors?
No. It is an outdoor route, so bring suitable footwear and warm, weatherproof clothing. Adventure Play is also an outdoor attraction.
What happens if it rains?
The evening trail normally proceeds in wet weather. Safety-related cancellation decisions are expected by 2pm on the day; check messages from the organiser before travelling.
Can we bring a dog?
Pet dogs are not permitted in Adventure Play or on the evening Halloween trail. Assistance-dog arrangements are explained in the relevant visitor guides.
Information checked on 1 October 2026. Activity schedules, ticket availability and operating arrangements may change.
