A family Halloween trail that promises more fun than frights has opened on the edge of Greater Manchester.

Halloweenville is back at Partridge Lakes in Culcheth, near Warrington, for its fourth year, with organisers billing it as "the biggest and most ambitious Halloweenville ever created".

Families follow a storybook trail on a quest to defeat the Ancient Skeleton King, meeting live characters along the way. According to the Manchester Evening News, which visited at launch, activities include sword-fighting lessons from Skeleton Knights, potion-brewing in a witches' hollow and learning spells in the Halloweenville Town Library. The trail took the MEN's reviewers about 50 minutes and ends with a bubble-filled finale around a giant cauldron, where each child receives a medal.

There are also games for children, marshmallow toasting on a firepit, and a food and drink area with a large tipi tent and live music.

Organiser Barbara Ikin said: "We want to create a Halloween that's full of magic, adventure and excitement without being too frightening for younger children."

Halloweenville runs until Sunday 1 November. Earlier dusk slots are available on 10, 11, 17, 18 and 24 October, and a relaxed SEND night takes place on 19 October.

Tickets must be booked in advance and cost from £25 for adults, £20 for children aged two to 16, £3 for under-twos and £15 for carers.

Sources: Manchester Evening News; Halloweenville. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.