The Museum of Ryde is running Ghosts of Ryde, a Halloween exhibition with a treasure hunt and colouring for children. You will find it underground in the Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street, Ryde PO33 2LQ, and the seasonal programme runs until 31 October. Friday 23 October gives you a daytime outing before the weekend, with plenty of time to look round while the children tackle the hunt.
Children get the treasure hunt and the colouring. Adults get the exhibition and a look at the town’s past. Historic Ryde Society runs the museum, which opened in the arcade basement in 2011. Lord Lambton laid the arcade’s foundation stone in 1835, and volunteers look after the exhibitions and welcome visitors. Being down there is half the fun, under one of Ryde’s historic buildings and with no trip out of town.
Adults pay £5. Under-eights get in free, and so do ages 8–16 (16 included). Doors open at 10.30am and close at 4pm, with last entry at 3.15pm, so a lunchtime start suits better than a late one. The museum is underground, so ask about access before you go if that affects your group. Another day free? The family events have more half-term ideas.