DOROTHY House Hospice Care has announced the launch of its Halloween-themed interactive nature trail - and is inviting families to the event.

Dorothy House Hospice Care is a charity in Somerset which supports individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families since 1976. The charity provides various services, including in-patient care, home visits from healthcare professionals, and day therapy sessions for social interaction and support.

Running from October 26 until November 3, the nature trail offers an opportunity for visitors to connect with nature in the grounds of Winsley House, where participants can learn about Halloween-themed creatures and insects.

Throughout the trail, visitors will be able to access an augmented reality app, updated for Halloween fun, which opens up a world of spooky facts about the natural world.

Using a mobile phone, visitors can take selfies with the resident creepy creatures, discover more about the natural cycles of life and death, and learn about the owls, bats and other Halloween animals that call the grounds their home.

There will also be a pumpkin trail along the path, with letters to unscramble, and a tick box sheet to complete. Families can also try out nature rubbings created by the Hospice’s creative arts therapists and explore the life cycles represented on the eight interpretative trail boards.

The trail incorporates the light installation, Firefly Woods, created by internationally renowned artist, Bruce Munro, and that features 800 fireflies; each one a constellation of separate small lights dedicated in memory to a loved one who has died.

Wayne de Leeuw, chief executive, Dorothy House Hospice Care, said: “The Dorothy House interactive nature trail is phase one in our project to make our Winsley site accessible and attractive to our patients, families, staff, existing supporters and wider community. It is also a physical articulation of our vision of a society where death is a part of life and a space where anyone who has experienced grief can reflect and find peace.”

The trail is located just off the public footpaths from the Kennet and Avon Canal at nearby Avoncliff or Limpley Stoke, the circular nature trail in Winsley serves as an ideal location to pause and learn about the diverse species found in the calcareous-rich grassland meadow.

With 50 per cent of the trail fully accessible to wheelchair users and available on-site parking for added convenience and ease of access for all visitors.