Six of the best: Halloween events

Things to do, places

Bonhams Auctioneers 65-69 Lots Road, London SW10 (0171-393 3900) Preview exhibition of Halloween party accessories from 1880-1920s. The display shows toys, masks, decorations, games, tricks, sparklers and an album of spooky postcards. Themes include black cats, skulls, witches and evil clown faces. Special exhibits include an early 1920s jack-o-lantern and a rare tin parade lantern in the shape of a skull which would be held on a stick lit by a candle at the front of a procession. On display Sun to 31 Oct. Sale is held on 23 Nov at 12 noon

Chessington World of Adventures Chessington, Surrey (01372 727227) Chessington challenges you to join its end-of-season "Fright Night" spectacular, where spine-tingling rides in the dark will be made more ghoulish by the addition of laser lights. Entertainers range from ghosts and witches to vampires and musicians.

Today and Sun 9.30am-9.30pm (rides queue closes at 9pm).Adults pounds 15, children pounds 11.75; evening only (gates from 5pm-7pm) adults pounds 8.50, children pounds 6.50

Mermaid Hotel Mermaid Street, Rye (01797 223065) The Mermaid Inn, one of the oldest in England, boasts enough spooks to make the perfect ghoulish weekend break. Try asking for one of the six rooms which have specific ghosts attached. Go where the chambermaids fear to tread; they will only clean room 17 in pairs as the rocking chair has been seen to rock for no apparent reason accompanied by a drop in temperature. Or for a bit of action try room 16, where a swashbuckling ghostly duel is reputed to have taken place. Rooms from pounds 50

Tower Hill Pageant 1 Tower Hill Terrace, London EC3 (0171-709 0081) Halloween attractions include pumpkin-making workshops for children, supervised by witches and wizards (7 to13 years) and pumpkin trail treasure hunts. Today and Sun 9.30am-5.30pm. Adults pounds 5.95, children pounds 3.95. Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) pounds 14.95 (additional cost of pounds 1 for pumpkin workshops)

Ghosts of the Old City (0171-624 3978) The circular walk organised by London Walks takes you through the old City of London. Visit a churchyard where the "she wolf" of France glides, go to the spot where the dark figure of Newgate rattles his chains and hear about the black nun. Today and Sun meet 7.30pm St Pauls tube station at street level. Adult pounds 4, concs pounds 3, children u15 go free. Walk lasts about 2 hours

Westwood Woodland Park Ghost Walk Weston Shore car park, Southampton (01703 456484) Aimed at families with children under 12. Face painting, storytelling and a procession back through the woods in the dark. Meet today 4.30pm. Free (donations welcome)