Prepare to be spooked when you venture deep into the Enchanted Forest at Groombridge Place this Halloween, where Dr Syn and his evil companion Megilante will be waiting for you.

They will be huddled over the camp fire in the Romany Camp and will delight in frightening visitors with their grisly tales and spooky stories of witches, goblins, wizards and horrible ghosts. Be warned!

Those of a more delicate disposition can avoid the dastardly duo and learn all about the mystical unicorn, hear about the magic powers of its tears and how it can ward off things that go bump in the night.

Each day there will be pumpkin carving sessions where children can learn how to make a Halloween lantern which they can take home. Everyone is encouraged to come in fancy dress and prizes for the best outfits will be given out at 3pm every day in the squash court. There will also be face painting to transform children into Halloween characters and every child visiting the gardens will receive a little finger puppet monster.

Throughout the Halloween week all the much loved attractions will be there too, including Adam the zeedonk who is half zebra, half donkey and his friend Peaches the miniature donkey; the challenging Dark Walk obstacle course; giant swings; Romany Camp; hilltop fort and birds of prey flying demonstrations, canal boat rides and much more.

The 17th century formal gardens will be in their last flush of autumn colour, with the spectacular smoke tree resplendent in its seasonal livery on the Draughtsman’s Lawn.

The house and garden featured as Longbourn, the Bennet’s home, in the recent Pride and Prejudice film which starred Keira Knightley, and there is a museum with a collection of photos taken during filming and an exhibition of period costume. There is also a museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was a regular visitor at the beginning of the last century.

The Halloween event is from Saturday 25th October until Sunday 2nd November. Entrance tickets are £9.45 adults, £7.95 children and seniors and a family ticket to admit two adults and two children is £31.95. For more information visit www.groombridge.co.uk or call 01892 861444.