Merlin's apprentice brewing a magic potion for the Potion Making Experience (Halloween) at Oxford Castle Prison

Halloween Potion Making Experience in Oxford

  • 25th - 31st Oct 2026
  • 10:00am - 2:30pm
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Suggested for ages 5+
  • 1 Child + 1 Adult: £16.00 | Additional child: £14.00 | Additional adult: £2.00

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Make your own drinkable potion, craft a wand to take home and help Merlin's apprentice solve clues at this family Halloween event in Oxford, part of Ghost Fest 2026.

Merlin's apprentice needs your help mastering their potion-making skills before they can graduate. Solve clues, uncover magical ingredients and create your own potions as you help complete his latest spell.

Merlin's apprentice brewing a magic potion for the Potion Making Experience (Halloween) at Oxford Castle Prison

About the Potion Making Experience

Learn the secrets of potion making as Merlin's apprentice guides you through a hands-on magical workshop. Mix ingredients, discover magical surprises and create your own drinkable potion.

You'll also craft a magical wand to take home and help unlock the final clues needed to complete the apprentice's most important potion yet.

Set inside the medieval crypt at Oxford Castle Prison, this magical activity invites young witches and wizards to get involved this October. Whether you're visiting Oxford for Halloween, looking for something to do with the children during half-term, or simply want to try something a little different, there's plenty of magic, mischief and potion-making fun to get stuck into.

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Kids brewing a magic potion under the watchful eye of a witch for Halloween, as part of the Potion Making Experience at Oxford Castle Prison

What to Expect

  • Make your own magical potion: Create your own drinkable potion!

  • Solve clues: Help unlock the apprentice's next potion

  • Craft a magical wand: Make your own wand to take home.

  • Meet Merlin's apprentice: Watch magical demonstrations and learn some secrets

  • Explore a real medieval crypt: Experience the magic inside the atmospheric medieval crypt at Oxford Castle Prison

  • Continue the magic: Receive a spell booklet packed with activities to try at home.

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Kids enthralled watching magic demonstrations by Merlin's apprentice as part of the Potion Making Experience at Oxford Castle Prison

Plan Your Visit

  • Where: Oxford Castle Prison, Oxford. Please see How To Find Us.

  • When: The event runs from 25th to 31st October 2026

  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour

  • Arrival time: Please arrive at least 10 minutes early & meet us at the Gift Shop, where the Guest Services team will check you in. 

  • Tickets: Advance booking is recommended due to limited spaces

  • Accessibility: Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, though surfaces may be uneven. Please see here for Accessibility information. 

  • Age guidance: Recommended for ages 5+. Younger children are welcome at an adult's discretion, and all guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

Please note:

This event does not include the daily guided tour or access to St George's Tower and the Mound.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is a 60-minute hands-on Halloween event for families in Oxford. Children help Merlin's apprentice solve clues, mix a drinkable potion and craft a wand to take home, all inside a real medieval crypt.

This event is recommended for ages 5+, though younger children who are interested are welcome at an adult's discretion. All guests under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult to attend. 

This event lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Yes. All children below the age of 16 must attend with an adult aged 18 or above.

Each child creates their own drinkable potion, crafts a magical wand to take home and receives a spell booklet full of activities to try at home.

No. The event is a separate ticketed activity and does not include the guided tour, access to the mound or St George’s Tower. 

No, a general admission ticket is not required for the event.

Yes. The Halloween Potion Making Experience is part of Ghost Fest 2026 at Oxford Castle Prison.

Yes. As part of Ghost Fest 2026, you can pair the Halloween Potion Making Experience with the Spectre Ghost Tour and our Spooky Tours, so the whole family can enjoy a Halloween day out in Oxford. See the full Halloween line-up at Ghost Fest 2026. 

Yes. Spaces are limited and sessions regularly sell out. We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Please aim to arrive around 10 minutes before your session time so the activity can begin promptly and you do not miss any part of the experience. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, entry may not be possible, and refunds cannot be guaranteed. If you think you may be late, please contact us as soon as possible.

If you need to cancel or change your booking, please contact us at [email protected] or call 01865 260663 as soon as possible. Charges may be incurred to rebook. Please note that bookings cancelled within 48 hours of the event are non-refundable.

If you would like to leave the Potion Making Experience at any point, you are welcome to do so at any time. We simply ask that you let our magical apprentice know, so they're aware that their magical helper/s have departed.

Please note that we are unable to offer full or partial refunds for guests who choose to leave the experience early.

Tickets start from £16.00 for one child and one adult. Additional children are £14.00 each, and extra adults are £2.00 each. Spaces are limited, so it is recommended to book in advance to secure your slot.

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