TRICK or treating is banned in many parts of England – including Warrington – this year due to the current coronavirus rules preventing households mixing.

But that is not going to stop a few spooks and scares in the town.

Here are some alternative ideas to celebrating the witching hour with all the family.

A simple alternative to trick or treat

Many people are decorating their homes for Halloween as a break from the doom and gloom of the pandemic.

So, as an alternative to trick or treating, why not dress up and take your kids for a walk around the neighbourhood with a bag of sweets?

You could set a rule such as every time your children spot a pumpkin or a particular spooky decoration they get a little treat.

Watch a scary movie

Arley Hall, near Appleton Thorn, is hosting a devilish drive-in for The Christie.

The line-up is below and you can book here.

  • Rocky Horror Picture Show (15), October 30, 7pm
  • Hotel Transylvania (PG), October 31, 3pm
  • Beetlejuice (15), October 31, 7pm
  • The Addams Family (PG), November 1, 3pm
  • The Lost Boys (15), November 1, 7pm

Or if you want to cosy up at home for a scary film, all the main streaming services have started adding Halloween-inspired films to their catalogues.

Disney+ has the likes of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie, Hocus Pocus and Toy Story of Terror and it has compiled all the Halloween episodes of The Simpsons for your convenience.

Have a spooky day out at attractions in or near Warrington

  • Spooky World in Stretton Road is again running its 'Fun by Day' events – Halloween themed fun aimed at families with kids aged between 4 and 11. Visitors are encouraged to wear costume and face paint for the lighthearted event which, this year, has reduced capacity due to Covid-19 measures. Visit funbyday.spookyworld.co.uk.
  • Gulliver's is hosting a 'Spook Safari' from Saturday to November 1. Enjoy scary rides, themed attractions and the chance to meet pirates and witches at the Burtonwood theme park. Go to gulliversworldresort.co.uk/spook-safari.
  • Grange Farm in Lowton has had a bumper crop of around 15,000 pumpkins but demand has also been higher than ever. There are also fairground rides, tractor rides (weather permitting), animal feeding and wood fire pizza and Halloween themed food available as well as a maize maze. Tickets are all booked up but walk-ins are available on some days. Check their Facebook page for updates.
  • Kenyon Hall Farm in Croft is fully booked for pumpkin picking but the team has a selection of pumpkins ready to pick up in the farm shop. You can also pick up plenty of Halloween sweet treats from the shop.
  • Arley Hall's spooky trail runs from Monday to Saturday, October 31, with no need to pre-book. Just come prepared for a few (children appropriate) scares anytime between 10am and 5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Haunted treats are also available at the Gardener's Kitchen cafe on the site, which is near Appleton Thorn.

Have your own family Halloween party

Life is very busy for many people at the moment but a family Halloween celebration does not necessarily mean a lot of work.

For the most impact, you could all dress with a theme in mind. There is plenty of inspiration at affordable prices in all the main supermarkets. Click here for some ideas from Sainsbury's and here for Asda's selection.

To make it super easy, Morrisons has introduced 'Halloween in a Box' this year – full of spooky snacks, themed cups and napkins and little treats.

And ever reliable M&S has created a Halloween version of Colin the Caterpillar called Frankencolin. You can read about the guaranteed family hit here.

The only thing to bear in mind is that under current rules, Warrington households cannot mix indoors - so do not invite your extended family unless they are part of your support bubble.