MEG GOES TO BED - HELEN NICOLL
Illustrator - Jan Pie?kowski

Synopsis
Mog and Owl are hungry, so Meg makes a spell. It goes wrong and they all go to bed without any supper, but Mog and Owl are still hungry . . .
The bestselling Meg and Mog stories have been casting a unique spell for more than thirty-five years. They are perfect for sharing or reading alone and this new adventure has all the simplicity and graphic brilliance of the original.
Meg goes to bed is the first new Meg and Mog Adventure in four years.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meg-Goes-Bed-Mog/dp/0141331232/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287063194&sr=1-1

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
Our junior reviewers found this very funny, the illustrations are vibrant and stunning, and the text is clear and easy to read, perfect for Halloween!

HALLOWEEN EVENTS WITH ENGLISH HERITAGE

DAYS OF VICTORIAN GOTHIC Thur 28 to Sat 30 Oct, 12noon - 3pm
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
At the Days of the Victorian Gothic event at Whitby Abbey, visitors will be able to discover the Victorian’s at their gothic best. Costumed Victorian falconers with a range of hawks, falcons and owls – will perform displays with these spectacular creatures of the night. Plus a group of performers will be hosting Victorian spooky storytelling sessions in the Big Top. Visitors will also be able to hear from experts all about the Victorian’s fascination with death and funerals – big ‘send offs’ were a mark of respectability and played a hugely important role in Victorian society. It is also an industry with which Whitby had close associations, as the town produced much of the black jet used in mourning jewelry.
Prices: Adults £6/ Concessions £5/ Children £4/ Family Ticket £16 English Heritage Members: Free

NIGHTS OF VICTORIAN GOTHIC Thur 28 to Sat 30 Oct, performances at 5.30pm and 7.30pm
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
The evening event is the main spectacle however, when the castle will be illuminated with dramatic theatre lighting (photo attached) and people have the opportunity to wander the gothic ruins at night, enjoy Victorian vaudeville shows in the grounds and witness the twice-nightly full Victorian funeral processions, including drumming chief mourner, weepers, black pennant and baton bearers, and a hearse drawn by black horses.
Prices: Adults £9.50/ Concessions £8.50/ Children £7.50
English Heritage Members: Adults £8/ Concessions £7/ Children £6
Combination day and night tickets available: In advance: Adult £12.50, Concession £10.50, Child £8.50. On the day: Adult £14.50, Conc £12.50, Child £10.50
Pre Booking tickets for this event is recommended

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Sat 23 to Sun 31 Oct, 10am - 5pm
Little terrors wanted! Are you brave enough to visit the ‘Dungeon of Doom’? Help solve the Halloween mystery, follow the trail of clues, then report to the Dungeon Master for your prize!
Prices: Adults £7.60/ Concessions £6.50/ Children £3.80/ Family Ticket £19.00 English Heritage Members: Free

HAUNTED TOURS
Kenilworth Castle and Gardens, Warwickshire
Fri 29 to Sun 31 Oct, tours at 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm with a special 11.30pm tour on Halloween night (Over 16s only).
Especially for Halloween, join our eerie evening tour around the biggest castle ruin in England and gatehouse. Beware the spooky goings-on in the dungeons of doom. Hear tales of dark deeds, ghostly apparitions and scary happenings. Locals have reported mysterious noises and a chill in the air around the gatehouse. With Elizabeth I and Henry V as past visitors, whose ghost will you see this Halloween?
Pre-booking recommended – Tel. 01926 852 078/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/buytickets
Prices: Adults £16.00/ Concessions £16.00/ Children £16.00/ Family Ticket £16.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £16.00/ Concessions £16.00/ Children £16.00/ Family Ticket £16.00

TIME TRAVELLERS GO…..GHOSTS AND GHOULS
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Mon 25 to Fri 29 Oct, 10am - 4pm
This Halloween take part in a knee trembling trail to find the hidden tomb, make terrifying decorations and explore the grounds of Bolsover Castle with our resident ghost hunter.
Prices: Adults £7.40/ Concessions £6.30/ Children* £3.70/ Family Ticket £18.50
English Heritage Members: Free*
(*+£1 for every child over five participating in this event, members and non members)

THE CASTLE AT NIGHT
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Sat 30 and Sun 31 Oct, 6pm - 9pm
This Halloween soak up the spooky atmosphere of Bolsover Castle as we open our doors at night! Hear tales of resident ghosts, take part in terrifying tours and enjoy the beautifully illuminated grounds. According to local legend, the Devil visited Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire to have metal shoes fitted to his hooves by the resident blacksmith. However, the blacksmith drove a nail deep into the soft part of the Devil’s hoof. With a scream of agony, the Devil took off over the Derbyshire countryside, writhing and kicking in pain. The nearby church at Chesterfield was in his way and so felt the full force of one of the Devil’s kicks, which some say accounts for its famous twisted spire. Join us for spooky tours
Pre-booking recommended – Tel. 0870 333 1181 /http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/buytickets
Prices: Adults £10.00/ Concessions £10.00/ Children £10.00/ Family Ticket £10.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £10.00/ Concessions £10.00/ Children £10.00/ Family Ticket £10.00

THE HAUNTED CASTLE
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Mon 25 to Sun 31 Oct, 10am - 4pm (Tours at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm)
Get spooked this Halloween with eerie Halloween fun and tummy trembling tours.
Prices: Adults £6/ Concessions £5.10/ Children £3/ Family Ticket £15
English Heritage Members: Free

HAUNTED TOURS
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Thur 28 to Sun 31 Oct, tours at 7.30pm and 9.30pm
Come and take part in our spooky special, adults only, Halloween Ghost Tour. Many restless spirits have been seen lurking here including soldiers in red tunics and even ghostly horses, thought to have been eaten by desperate soldiers during the Civil War siege! Other spooky sightings include the bossy ghost of the former head chef, and a ghostly woman climbing the stairs.
Once you're truly terrified we'll treat you to a piping hot mug of soup! (Over 16’s only)
Pre-booking recommended - Tel. 01326 316 594/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/buytickets
Prices: Adults and Concessions £15
English Heritage Members: Adults and Concessions £12

THE HAUNTED CASTLE
Dover Castle, Kent
Mon 25 to Sun 31 Oct, 10am - 3pm
Enjoy a chillingly fun day out as spooky characters lead you around the haunted castle - will you meet a ghost or two on the way? The castle at Dover has what can only be described as a turbulent history, which stretches back over 2,000 years to Roman Times. Over the many years, a multitude of ghostly sightings have occurred, most notably the recognition of a mysterious woman in red and Napoleonic drummer. More recently Second World War Naval Officers have been seen, as well as creepy sounds of some of the wartime operations, which took place in the tunnels. Dover Castle has a well-deserved reputation and the ghostly “haunted castle” looks sure to fright.
Prices: Adults £13.90/ Concessions £11.80/ Children £7/ Family Ticket £34.80
English Heritage Members: Free

GHOST WALK
1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Mon 25 to Sun 31 Oct, 10am - 4pm
Wander the spooky grounds of this ancient battleground and hear the ghostly goings on that have been witnessed over the years! Paranormal phenomena and sightings over the 944 years since the Battle of Hastings have been rife. On the anniversary of the battle (October 14th), the ghost of the former King Harold is said to appear at the spot of his eventual demise, which is now occupied by the grand high alter of the abbey church. Visit the site on a rainy day and the battlefield awash with the blood of this gruesome battle (although sources suggest the likely reasoning for this is iron oxide in the soil).
Prices: Adults £7/ Concessions £6/ Children £3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free

HALLOWEEN CRAFTS
Eltham Palace, London
Sun 31 Oct, 10am-4pm
This Halloween, come along and see the spookier side of Eltham Palace. Dare you join a ghostly tour and get your hands dirty with our chilling craft activities just for kids. Plus, don’t forget to dress for the occasion - a small prize will be given for the best children’s costume.
Prices: Adults £8.70/ Concessions £7.40/ Children £4.40/ Family Ticket £21.80 English Heritage Members: Free

NON-SPOOKY EVENTS:

CONSERVATION IN ACTION
Eltham Palace, London
Tue 12, Tue 19 and Tue 26 Oct, 12pm-4pm
Immerse yourself in 1930s Art Deco decadence at Eltham Palace, one of the most enchanting visitor attractions in London. Built by the wealthy Courtauld family next to the remains of Eltham Palace, childhood home of Henry VIII, it’s among the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in England. The stunning entrance hall, marvellous panelled dining room, luxurious bathroom, and the magnificent medieval Great Hall, are just some of the highlights. Have you ever wondered how we maintain our stunning collections? Come and join us for a practical look at conservation in action and find out about the techniques used by the team to conserve and maintain the sumptuous textiles and veneered furniture throughout the mansion
Prices: Adults £8.70/ Concessions £7.40/ Children £4.40/ Family Ticket £21.80 English Heritage Members: Free

GAME WEEK
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Wed 27 to Sun 31 Oct, 10am - 4pm
Audley End House itself is a magnificent house, built to entertain royalty, and includes a Victorian Service Wing complete with kitchen, laundries and a dairy. Marvel as you watch the cook make the most of the hunting season with her amazing recipes. From gutting to garnishing, there promises to be feathers and fur galore! With beautiful grounds to explore, including an impressive formal garden and the working Organic Kitchen Garden, there’s so much to see and do at Audley End House.
Prices: Adults £11.90/ Concessions £10.10/ Children £6/ Family Ticket £29.80 English Heritage Members: Free
Ticket booking info for all English Heritage events:
Purchase tickets today via http://www.english-heritage.org.uk or by calling 0870 333 1183 (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30 Sat 9am – 5pm). Tickets will also be available to purchase at the event site on the day

TAKE A FLIGHT BUT DON’T BITE -The London Eye welcomes Londoners and visitors to the South Bank’s Vampire Academy
Halloween the capital’s most iconic landmark, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, is calling upon mini vampires from across London and the UK to take part in the spooky Vampire Academy. All child ticket holders who visit between Monday 25th October – Sunday 31st October will be invited to the academy in the shadow of the London Eye.

Students of the academy will be tasked with designing their very own Halloween themed arts and crafts. It could be anything from spooky vampire masks, flying bats or creepy puppet to scare fellow trick or treaters. There will be an array of materials for children to bring their creations to life, including glitter sticks and colouring pencils.

The highly – respected vampire headmaster, Dr Acula will be present to make sure the little vampires don’t run riot. He’ll be sharing vampire stories and jokes and entertaining the little ones as they enjoy their Halloween experience at the London Eye.

For the slightly more mature dare devils among us who care for a bit more spook this Halloween, the London Eye will be offering a Twilight Flight as dusk settles on Hallows Eve. Whist enjoying a delectable Bloody Mary cocktail, a creepy host will enlighten visitors about historical tales of London and spooky facts about the landmarks that can be spotted from the London Eye.

To book the Twilight Flight call the booking line on 0871 222 4002 or for your London Eye flight this Halloween visit www.londoneye.com and receive 10% off.

The Vampire Academy
Timings: from 12-4pm from Monday 25 October – Sunday 31 October inclusive
Dr Acular: from 3-7pm from Monday 25 October – Sunday 31 October inclusive

Twilight Flight
Date: Saturday 30 October
Time: 6:30pm
Price: £26
Booking number: 0871 222 4002
NB: Suitable for over 18s only

HAVE A TERRIFYING TIME THIS HALLOWEEN

Celebrate a season of Halloween horror with the National Trust. Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, we’ll be celebrating the season of thrills and chills at some of our most hauntingly atmospheric houses.

From ghoulish goodies such as pumpkin parties and frightfully fun trails to spooky story telling and fearsome fancy dress competitions, there’s something for all the family.

Here’s a spooktacular selection of Halloween events on offer during half term:

Belton House, Lincolnshire
Weekend Halloween happenings, 23 - 24 October 11am – 4pm
Wear your spookiest costume and join us for our 'Hubble Bubble, Toad's in Trouble' family fun trail and perfect pumpkin trail for tinies. Plus there’s masks & crafts in the discovery centre, fearsome face painting, spooky stories in the stables and frightening food in the Restaurant. The fancy dress competition in the stableyard starts at 3pm.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £1.50 per trail and £3 for face painting.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01476 566116.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
Halloween happening and spooky challenge, 23 – 31 October 10.30am – 3.30pm
Join in the 'Spooky Challenge' around the castle, track down the Castle Ghost and other creepy characters!
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £2.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01580 830196.
Note: Coach parking costs £5 (unless pre-booked) and car parking costs £2.

Corfe Castle, Dorset
Castle quests: Halloween, 23 – 31 October 10am – 4pm
Go on a quest around the castle, if you dare. Find the ghosts and pumpkins to find the answers to claim your Halloween Badge.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01929 481294.

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Pumpkin party, 26 October 11am – 3.30pm
Buy a pumpkin at Calke or bring your own. Decorate it in your own spooky style and add it to our display. A garden ticket required.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01332 863822.

Cragside, Northumberland
Halloween lantern trail, 26 – 31 October 10.30am – 5pm
Find the Halloween lanterns hidden around the Formal Garden.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01669 620333.

Wimpole Home Farm, Cambridgeshire
Creepy crafty creatures at Home Farm, 26-28 October 12pm – 3pm
Conjure crafty creatures from natural materials.
Normal admission charges apply plus a small charge for craft materials.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01223 206000.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
Pumpkin party, 26 and 28 October, 12pm – 1pm and 2pm – 3pm
Visit the Apprentice House garden and decorate a pumpkin for Halloween to take home.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £3.00 per child.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01625 445845.

Chartwell, Kent
Halloween twilight trails, 27 – 29 October 4pm – 6pm
Join the team for a spooky stroll around the garden as the sun goes down but keep your eyes peeled for ghosts and ghoulies. Only the brave will make it back to the restaurant for pumpkin soup and hot dogs. Plus discover spooky treats all week in the Chartwell shop.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional event charge of £10.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01732 863087.

Lyme Park, Cheshire
Spooky stories, 27 October 1pm – 3.30pm
Join us for hair raising tales in the Cage. Create your own light to guide the way.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £4.00 per child.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01663 762023.

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lodge Mill, Cambridgeshire
Freaky Friday: wild about cooking, 29 October 2.30pm - 4pm
Join our chef as he gets creative, and of course messy, making spooky treats!
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £5.00 per child.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01223 810080.

Arlington Court & the National Trust's Carriage Collection http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY&propertyid=14, Devon
Pumpkin carving competition, 29 October 2pm - 2.30pm
Bring your carved pumpkin along to enter our evilest pumpkin carving competition and join in with the ghosts and ghouls week activities.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01271 850296.
Note: Pumpkins must be in place by 2.30pm for judging.

Hughenden manor, Buckinghamshire
Creepy Crafts, 29 – 30 October 11am – 4pm
Spooky activities for all the family. Wear your creepiest costume!
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01494 755573.

Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd
Penrhyn goes batty! 29 October 12pm – 4pm
Celebrate Halloween with bat trails around the castle and grounds. There will be prizes for children in costume.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01248 371337.

Brownsea Island, Dorset
Halloween weekend, 30 – 31 October 10.30am – 4pm
Spooky fun for all the family. Join us for Halloween crafts and scary storytelling.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01202 707744.

Erddig, Wrexham
Halloween hootings, 30 – 31 October 11am – 4pm
Take part in our Halloween workshop with live owls, a scary bat hunt, stories with Hagrid from Harry Potter, learn from the Wise Woman, spot spooky witches, enjoy face painting, and see live scorpions, spiders and snakes. Free admission to children in fancy dress.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional event charge of £10.30 per adult, £5.15 per child, family £25.75 and group £7.90.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01978 355314.

Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire
Halloween activity day - witches and wizards, 30 October 11am – 4.30pm
Enjoy spooky hands-on activities, Halloween trails and face painting.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional charge per person of £1.50 for the trail, £0.50 make and take, and £2.50 for face painting.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01567 821214.

Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Pumpkins and ghouls, 30 – 31 October 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Carve a pumpkin and take a ghostly tour through the haunted Great Wood.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional event charge of £6 per adult and £4 per child.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01208 265950.

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Halloween story-telling in the hayloft, 31 October 2pm – 4pm
Spooky stories for 4 to 9 year olds. Dress up and frighten us – there is a prize for the best costumes.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional charge of £1.50 per person (including refreshments).
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01765 643166.

Attingham Park, Shropshire
Halloween party, 31 October 4.30pm – 7.30pm
Join us at our Halloween party with lots of gruesome games and fearsome fun for all.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional event charge of £4.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01743 708162.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
It’s all happening at Halloween, Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 October, 12pm – 4pm
Family craft activities and spooky trail in the Mill.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is a small charge for trail.
For more information please call 01625 445896.

Stowe Landscape Gardens, Buckinghamshire
Halloween haunts, 31 October 11am – 3pm
Come in children's fancy dress, enjoy spooky trails and other ghoulish activities.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01280 822850.

Tyntesfield, North Somerset
Hallowe'en 31 October 11am - 4pm
Join us for the last open day of the season and enjoy a day at Tyntesfield unlike any other! Try not to get spooked with the strange goings on, take part in our Hallowe'en fancy dress competition and get creative with festive crafts in the Sawmill. Wear your most horrid and ghoulish outfit! Plus enter our competition and you may win a prize!
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges
Booking is not required for this event.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information please call 0844 800 4966

FAMILY FEAST OUT AT NEWLY LAUNCHED SITAARAY SUNDAYS
Bring the whole family for Bollywood brunch as kids under 12 eat for free!

Sitaaray, one of the capital’s most unique Indian dining concepts, featuring delectable dishes against the colourful backdrop of Bollywood, has launched Sitaaray Sundays. Providing an irresistible day out for families or groups of friends, Sitaaray Sundays presents a special Sunday Brunch unlimited menu for just £22.95 per adult, with children under 12 eating for free! And if that wasn’t value enough, families can enjoy free parking at the neighbouring NCP Car Park.

Choose from a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian kababs before exploring a variety of well-known and authentic curries. At Sitaaray, every dish on the menu is marinated or infused with fresh herbs and spices, grilled and then brought fresh to the table by the experienced chefs. The mouth-watering dishes featured on the menu include Malai Chicken Tikka (Creamy cheesy cardamom flavored chicken morsels); Adraki Paneer Tikka (Grilled Indian cottage cheese spiced with ginger and green chillies); and Dal Makhni (Buttery black lentils simmered overnight, finished with tomatoes, ginger & cream). These will be served at diners’ tables along with a selection of popaddams, chutneys, salads and accompaniments including fresh Naan, Parantha and Peshawari Naan.

Enjoy a lazy brunch with family or friends from 1.00pm all the way till 8.00pm at Sitaaray and don’t miss taking the kids to see the wonderful performers and bustling street markets that Covent Garden has to offer. To add an extra special touch to the Sitaaray experience of Indian culture, families will be entertained by the restaurant’s very own talented magician!

Diners can also benefit from free car parking as Sitaaray is offering guests up to four hours complimentary parking at NCP Drury Lane (entrance from Parker Street) when dining on Sundays, allowing for plenty of time to enjoy lunch then experience all the wonders of Covent Garden.

Located in the heart of London’s Theatreland on Drury Lane, Sitaaray (Hindi for ‘stars’), combines the very best of authentic Indian cuisine while celebrating India’s other great export – its cinema. The restaurant is set against a stunning cinematic background, celebrating 75 years of Indian cinema. Sitaaray’s colourful décor is dominated by posters and photographs of film legends from Indian movies. Diners can enjoy iconic Bollywood song and dance sequences during dinner as they are played on screens all around the split level restaurant.

Come and experiences the real stars of Sitaarey – the ratings’ winning dishes!

AFTER LIGHTS OUT AT THE WYNDHAM GRAND
Why should children have all the fun this half term?
This half term Wyndham Grand, London’s only five-star, all-suite hotel, is reclaiming the family holiday for parents. Not that children are left out of the equation – far from it. Instead, parents will have the best of both worlds: quality time with the children, but also with each other.

Away from the hustle and bustle in peaceful Chelsea Harbour, the hotel is just a short hop away from the sights and city centre attractions. After a big day out, if the Nintendo Wii and toy box placed in the suite aren’t enough, children’s DVDs are available to borrow for a quiet evening in. Baby services go that little step further and include bottle warmers, sterilisers, cots, allergy free bedding and even the Salter Lullaby.

The Wyndham Grand offers a babysitting service which allows parents to take some time to themselves, as professional nannies look after children in the suite. Perhaps this means a show in the West End, a peaceful evening stroll through Chelsea, or perhaps an intimate drink and dinner at the hotel’s newly launched Restaurant Twenty Ten. Whatever the decision, it’s in parents’ hands.

The After Lights Out package (£235) includes:

• A night in a luxurious Chelsea Suite
• Freshly prepared early supper for children
• Babysitter for the evening
• Two cocktails for parents after lights out

For more information or to book please visit www.wyndhamgrandlondon.co.uk or call 020 7823 3000.

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