Get into the Halloween spirit this October half-term with spooky self-guided Treasure Trails, taking you on ghoulish adventures featuring vampires, ghosts, werewolves, witches and wizards.

Treasure Trails are themed walking, cycling and driving Trail adventure booklets (£9.99 each) providing budget-friendly fun for all ages. There are three types of Trail to choose from: detective mystery, treasure hunt and spy mission.

With more than 1,200 Trails across the UK, you can crack the codes en route to unlocking scary stories from the past and solving the mystery.

Suitable for small groups and designed to appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure, the aim of each Treasure Trail is to solve clues by exploring landmarks, open spaces and quirky corners of villages, towns and cities.

Here are our Top 10 Spookiest Trails to try out this October half-term in the run-up to Halloween:

• Curse of the Vampire, Whitby, Yorkshire – Treasure Hunt, 2+ hours, 2.3 miles

Follow in the seaside footsteps of Bram Stoker as you search along Whitby's oldest street before climbing up to St Mary's Church. Solve sneaky clues to locate the witch's spell book needed to break the undead curse that bloodthirsty vampire Ivan Tsukyablud has been under. 

• Haunted Prestbury, Cotswolds – Treasure Hunt, 1.5 hours, 1.5 miles

Prestbury is known for its ghost sightings and paranormal disturbances, including the apparition of the Black Abbott. You'll pass places where ghosts have been seen on this Trail as you head along the High Street, the Burgage and past St Mary's Church before returning to the war memorial.  

• Pendle Witches, Lancashire – Murder Mystery, 3 hours, 1.5 miles

The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous in English history. This driving Trail starts at the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford and takes you along quiet lanes with fantastic views as you explore the villages of Downham and Newchurch-in-Pendle, before finishing in Barley. 

• Haunted Hitchin, Hertfordshire – Treasure Hunt, 2 hours, 1.8 miles

Hunt along the riverside and around the marketplace to help clairvoyant Buster 'Para' Normall solve clues to find the lost head of ghostly resident, Roy Allist – the Headless Cavalier. Discover other local ghost stories along the way, and look out for the Priory's Grey Lady. 

• The Wicked Wizard of Alnwick, Northumberland – Murder Mystery, 1.5 hours, 1 mile

Find out who the murderer is as you explore this small market village, most famed for its castle, which featured in some of the Harry Potter films. The route explores Baliffgate, St Michael's Church and Pottergate as you come into contact with life gone by from every century for the last 700 years.  

• Wizards of Watford, Hertfordshire – Treasure Hunt, 2 hours, 2 miles

This brand new Trail follows a maze of clues around Watford, taking inspiration from Leavesden Studios, home of the 'Warner Bros. Studios Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter'. 

• The Mermaid's Curse, Staithes, North Yorkshire - Treasure Hunt, 2+ hours, 1.7 miles

Explore the narrow lanes and alleyways of this pretty seaside village as you uncover where Captain James Cook first discovered his passion for the sea and learn the secret behind The Mermaid's Curse.  

• Pirates Graveyard, Portland, Dorset – Treasure Hunt, 2 hours, 2 miles

This Trail explores the secluded Pirates Graveyard and the ancient ruin of St Andrew's Church - look out for the skull and crossbones on some of the old gravestones! Then it's on to Rufus Castle along the South West Coast Path before continuing to explore more of Portland.

• Winchester City North Ghost Trail / Winchester City South Ghost Trail, Hampshire – Treasure Hunt/Murder Mystery, 2 hours, 2 miles

These two exciting Trails will lead you on a journey of discovery around areas of this ancient, historical - and sometimes spooky - gothic city.  

• The Wizard's Spell Book, Manchester – Treasure Hunt, 2 hours, 1.5 miles

Wands at the ready! Your mission is to search the vibrant Spinningfields area to locate the spellbook of the wicked witch, Abby Cadabra, to break her terrible curse of never-ending rainfall across Manchester.

• To order a Trail, simply choose your local spot, decide on a theme and order the Trail online at treasuretrails.co.uk . You can either download it as a PDF and print it out at home or get the printed booklet posted to you directly. 

For more information please contact: Matt Dixon | matt@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379.

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

Visit treasuretrails.co.uk to find out more and to download one of more than 1,200 Trails across the UK. Contact Matt direct if you would like to try a Treasure Trail.

Treasure Trails have entertained over two million people since 2005 and their customers love what they do, rating them 4.8 stars (out of 5) on the Independent Review site Ekomi.

Treasure Trails are ideally suited for everyone to re-discover what's around them in a fun and responsible way. While exploring your local area, please ensure you follow the latest government guidance regarding outdoor activities.