The Watercress Line is on track for a spellbinding Halloween as the heritage railway transforms into a world of wands, wizards and witches for its annual Wizard Week.

Running from Saturday, October 25, to Sunday, November 2 – excluding Monday, October 27 – the event promises a magical half-term day out for families.

Visitors can hop aboard the Wizard Express steam train for a spine-tingling journey along the line, waving their wands to cast spells and stopping off at four heritage stations, each packed with Halloween surprises.

Activities will include walking in Harry Potter’s footsteps on the railway footbridge where he received his Hogwarts Express ticket in the film, exploring the Harry Potter-style carriage at Alresford and the bewitching miniature railway, and experimenting in the Slime Laboratory at Ropley with potty Professors Slugwind and Apricus.

Children can enjoy magic shows and a circus skills workshop in the Alresford goods shed, take part in Halloween fancy dress competitions, meet creepy crawlies and get crafty at Ropley, and snap a spooky selfie in the photo station. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with unlimited train travel included.

Watercress Line chief executive Rebecca Dalley said: “Wizard Week is one of our favourite times of the year. From slime making to spell casting, it’s all about creating magical memories for families. Book now for this spooktacular day out.”

The Watercress Line takes its name from its historic role transporting Alresford’s famous watercress crop to London in the early 20th century.

It is Hampshire’s only standard-gauge heritage railway and runs for ten miles between Alton and Alresford. Opened on October 2, 1865, as the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway, it became part of British Railways until its hotly contested closure in 1973.