For those that dare, the award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum in Northwich, Cheshire will be getting into the 'spirit' by offering visitors three spooktacular Halloween events at historic and atmospheric site. Children will be spell-bound with a fun and safe 'Museums at Night' Trick or Treat trail on Saturday 27 October and on Wednesday 31 October can get into the spirit by making some scary decorations. On Halloween Night, Wednesday 31 October, there will be a chilling adaption of 'The Haunted Man' by Charles Dickens, where past and present collide. Bookings can be made by calling 01606 275066 or for more information go to westcheshiremuseums.co.uk
Museums at Night - Trick or Treat for children on Saturday 27 October
On Saturday 27 October, a 'night of frights' will entertain children aged 4-9 years old as they meet ghostly characters who come to play at night on a spooky trail of the Museum. Everyone is encouraged to wear their scariest costume so that they can 'trick and treat' with these ghoulish figures before listening to spooky stories about the mysterious happenings at the Salt Works. The tours take place at 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Normal entry charges to the Museum apply and tickets can be bought in advance by calling 01606 275066.
This event is part of the national Museums at Night festival. This is a UK-wide festival of late night openings in museums and galleries, a produced by Culture24, the Brighton-based arts charity dedicated to shining a light on Britain's sparkling culture and heritage. This year's event is being supported across the UK with a series of events in museums, galleries and heritage sites. More information can be found at museumsatnight.org.uk
Halloween Hysteria - Halloween crafts for children on Tuesday 31 October
On Tuesday 31 October, children can get tinto the Halloween spirit by making some ghostly and downright scary decorations to frighten awy any trick or treaters, The drop-in craft activites are available from 10:30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4:30pm. There is a suggested donation of £1.50 and no need to book in advance.
The Haunted Man - A chilling Dickens' ghost story for Halloween on Wednesday 31 October
On Halloween evening, Wednesday 31 October at 7:30pm, the Museum is showing 'The Haunted Man' by Kindred Theatre. An atmospheric new play adapted from the ghost story by Charles Dickens, it is about how past and present collide in the modern day. Tickets cost £9 for adults and £6.50 for under 16-year olds. Family tickets are available*. The play is suitable for over 11-year olds. Bookings can be made by calling on 01606 275066 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheshireruraltouringarts
The play is about Jonathan, who has recently move into a care home, As his mind deteriorates and reality becomes confused, one memory stays strong - the memory of past love and betrayal. It is the one memory he wishes to forget. A present arrives and Jonathan's carer reads aloud the story of 'The Haunted Man'. The book invokes visions of Jonathan's past life and with them comes a ghostly visitation and a phantom who offers the gift of forgetting.
Councillor Louise Gittins, Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "The Museum is the perfect atmospheric backdrop for these creepy tours and ghostly crimes. Certainly last year's programme was a tremendous success with children and parents alike enjoying the safe and fun 'trick and treat' setting. This promises to be another spooktacular night to remember."
The winner of nine awards since opening in 2015, the Museum tells the story of salt and its importance regionally and globally. The Museum, one of the last open-pan, salt-making sites in the world is an Ancient Scheduled Monument. There is plenty of free parking.
The Museum has a series of fun, interactive displays, including a sound and light show simulating the billowing steam of the open-pans as well as a subsiding house. It has a play area, shop, cafe and butterfly garden.
For further information, contact:
Fiona Young, Marketing Cheshire, 01244 851867