A Halloween Day Out Near London: A Spooky Picnic on a Narrowboat
Someone has packed monster sandwiches. Someone else has arrived in a pirate hat. The youngest crew member is already asking when they can eat the ghost biscuits.
That could be the start of your Halloween day out near London.
From Cow Roast Marina near Tring, you can hire a private narrowboat for up to ten people and bring your own Halloween picnic aboard. A few homemade treats, some easy costumes and a little imagination can turn a day on the Grand Union Canal into a family celebration.
Pack a Picnic with a Spooky Twist
You do not need to spend the night before making an elaborate Halloween feast. A few familiar favourites with funny faces will do nicely.
Try these easy ideas:
Monster sandwiches: Cut sandwiches into triangles and add edible eyes or cucumber teeth.
Satsuma pumpkins: Draw little pumpkin faces on the peel before packing them.
Ghost biscuits: Decorate biscuits with white icing and chocolate eyes.
Add something more substantial for lunch, plenty of drinks and a few treats to share. Preparing the food together can become part of the fun before you even reach the marina.
And if your biscuit ghosts look slightly wonky, call them haunted. Nobody can argue with that.
Let the Crew Dress Up
A pirate at the tiller feels quite appropriate. A small witch in charge of the picnic works too.
Let everyone choose a character and give them a little job: spotting bridges, counting ducks or announcing lunchtime with suitable Halloween drama.
Keep costumes comfortable, with practical shoes and nothing that restricts movement or interferes with a properly fitted life jacket.
No boating licence or previous experience is required. Before departure, we provide a safety briefing and practical tuition to help your crew feel ready for the day.
Add a Little Halloween Treasure Hunt
Once the boat is safely moored, turn the cabin into a small treasure hunt.
An adult can hide paper pumpkins in safe, easy-to-reach places around the seating area, with a simple clue leading to each one. The final discovery could be a bag of treats or the missing ghost biscuits.
Keep the game inside the cabin and supervise younger children throughout. Everyone can join in without needing elaborate props.
Get Cosy for Lunch Aboard
Our boats have indoor seating, onboard heating and a galley with a kettle, hob, fridge, crockery and mugs. There is somewhere to sit down together, serve your picnic and make a warming drink.
Bring warm layers and waterproof jackets for time outside. A flask of hot chocolate is also likely to earn its place in the picnic bag.
For more family inspiration, read our guide to an October half-term day out near London.
Plan Your Halloween Narrowboat Day
Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October 2026, but you can also have your spooky picnic on another available October date.
The fastest direct trains from London Euston reach Tring in around 35 minutes, then you can transfer to Cow Roast Marina.
Water-level restrictions are currently affecting nearby locks. Read our current canal restrictions update and check with us about the
suitable route for your visit.
Choose your crew, pack the pumpkin sandwiches and give those costumes a daytime outing.
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