Halloween Half Term at Canterbury Museums & Galleries

Halloween trails, ancient science and inventing labs!

We’ve packed this October Half Term with loads of family fun, so here is everything that’s going on at the museums…

Ancient Wisdom: Exploring science through the ages

Don’t miss our hugely popular interactive exhibition. Build, turn, spin, wedge, wheel, weigh, pull and play… Test out ancient science that changed the world!

Our friendly staff will help you get to grips with groundbreaking ideas from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Become an inventor!

Inside the special exhibition you’ll also find the Inventing Lab where the whole family can design and create imaginative inventions. Grab a lab coat and some materials and get inventing. Don’t forget to share your inventions with us on social media!

Ancient Wisdom: Exploring science through the ages

Find the exhibition in the Special Exhibitions Gallery, First Floor, The Beaney

The last day to visit is Sunday 5 November 2023 (Closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Monday 23 October 2023)

Booking is not essential but it’s a great way to plan ahead and make a donation.

Fright at the Museum: Beasts of The Beaney

What would Halloween in Canterbury be without our annual Fright at the Museum activities! Back for the sixth year in a row, this year we need your help to take on Gaborax, an evil wizard looking to plunder the museum for rare and unusual potion ingredients.

The interactive Halloween trail is fun for the whole family. Together you will solve puzzles, pick up clues and discover treasures from the museum collection. Complete the trail, receive a tasty treat and enter a competition for an even bigger prize!

Saturday 7 October to Sunday 5 November

Closed Mondays (except Monday 23 October)

A Beasts at The Beaney trail costs £5 per copy. Trails can be shared but the participation prize and competition entry is limited to one per trail.

Pre-book your trail(s) online to avoid disappointment or purchase on arrival at the museum, subject to availability.

Spooky day!

Join us on Saturday 28 October as we turn down the lights and turn up the spookyness for our annual Spooky Day. Dress up, get spooky and explore the museum!

Dressing up

Looking for some Halloween costume inspiration? Maybe it’s a tudor ruff or a medieval hood that would really finish off your look this year. Visit the ‘Let’s Play Portraits’ activity in the People & Places gallery and try on some historical costumes.

Kids Go Free at Canterbury Roman Museum

Why not visit an underground museum this Halloween! Travel back in time and uncover all sorts of facinating history, including a Roman murder mystery!

Visitors looking for a souvenir can make their own in the Roman coin bash activity. Participants will mint their own roman coin, learn about the process and receive a information booklet about their coin to take home or back to school.

Kids Go Free from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 29 October. Coin bash £3 per coin.

SEND Family Backpacks

Both The Beaney and Canterbury Roman Museum offer backpacks containing ear defenders, sensory aids and things to help plan your visit. They have been made with care to support people who need some sensory support or different ways of exploring the museums.

Backpacks can be collected from the Visitor Information Centre at The Beaney and the Front Desk at Canterbury Roman Museum.

Plan your visit

We hope we’ll be seeing you this half term!

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Canterbury Roman Museum