Kids' Halloween on the Farm: Witch Hazel's Ghoul Hunt

Witch Hazel has lost her pumpkins, and she needs brave little ghoul-hunters to help find them.

This October half term, Riverside Valley, a working family farm in Barlow on the edge of the Peak District, opens Witch Hazel's Ghoul Hunt: a gentle, giggly Halloween adventure designed for children aged 2 to 12.

Families begin in Witch Hazel's candlelit bell tent, where she tells a spooky (but never scary) story and asks the children to help track down the ghouls hiding around the farm. Then it's all aboard the ghoul-hunting trailer ride, bumping around the valley and zapping ghouls with water pistols. Back at the barn, every child carves their own pumpkin to take home, with prizes for the best, and decorates a spooky biscuit. The visit ends with cuddles from Max and Paddy, the farm's Valais Blacknose lambs.

There is a fancy dress competition every day, with a prize for the best-dressed pooch too. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

The event is spooky, not scary: nothing gory, nobody jumps out, and children can skip any activity they choose. Pumpkin carving and the animals are under cover in the barn, so the event runs whatever the weather.

Dates: Daily from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October 2026, including Halloween day.
Times: 10am to 6pm, with timed arrival slots so it never feels crowded. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Prices: Children (2 to 12) £15, including all activities, prizes, sweet treats, an orange juice and a pumpkin to carve and take home. Adults and over-12s £7, including a hot drink or a pumpkin to carve. Under-2s free. Booking in advance is recommended; tickets on the gate, if space allows, are £18 per child.

Free parking on site. Pushchair friendly. Hot drinks and food available.

Riverside Valley is about 8 minutes from Dronfield, 10 minutes from Chesterfield and 20 minutes from Sheffield.
Riverside Farm, Furnace Lane, Barlow, Dronfield. Derbyshire S187SY