Haunted Halloween heritage
English Heritage is promising a season of fun and frights for all the family this Halloween, with a selection of fun-filled spooky activities and tours at some of the oldest and most haunted castles and houses in the country. Explore the magnificent ancient sites while learning all about the darker side of history. From bloody battles to terrible tales and mystery, English Heritage is offering the whole family a chance to learn about all things spooky this October.Embark on a ghost trail around the glorious ruins of Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, but beware the spooky goings-on in the dungeons of doom. Take part in a range of creepy evening tours around the biggest castle ruin in England. Locals have reported mysterious noises and a chill in the air around the gate house. With Elizabeth I and Henry V as past visitors, whose ghost will you see this Halloween?
For braver souls, a spot of ghoul hunting at Pendennis Castle, Cornwall offers you a haunting All Hallows Eve. Home to a number of gory battles during the late 19th and early 20th century, Pendennis Castle is the perfect location for some Halloween sight seeing. Follow our guide on a spooky tour of the castle; legend has it that during a siege in the civil war, the castle inhabitants became so hungry that they had to resort to eating their trusty steeds! The tour includes a trip to the Tudor Kitchen. Not usually open to the public, it’s easy to see why; the creepy kitchen is reputed to be haunted by Maude, the extremely bossy ghost of a former head chef, so keep your eyes peeled!
Visitors to Helmsley Castle in North Yorkshire risk an encounter with the Green Lady of Helmsley, who has been said to trawl the grounds and corridors of the castle. Peculiar pixie-like creatures have also been spotted around the castle grounds, so visitors are urged to keep their wits about them during a trip to this particular haunted house. Our Victorian themed ghost stories are not for the faint hearted as our costumed story teller takes you on a haunting journey through Helmsley’s ghastly past.
Dover Castle in Kent, one of England’s most haunted castles, is welcoming the brave hearted to join one of its chilling ghost tours, taking place to celebrate All Hallows Eve. Due to its strategic location on the coast, Dover Castle has been key to England’s defences since the Roman times. It is no surprise that the castle is filled with the ghosts and spectres of those who have lived and fought in the castle. Be vigilant, for you may come across the headless drummer boy who was thought to be murdered by thieves when carrying money for the garrison. The spectacular war time tunnels are also home to a number of ghouls. Men in Second World War uniforms are often sighted and have even been mistaken for re-enactors!
English Heritage is offering a range of ghoulish activities this Halloween across the country. From ghost stories to ghastly games and haunted tours to creepy crafts, there’s sure to be something to make this Halloween extra creepy for both big and little ghost hunters.
LONDON
Jewel Tower, London
Spooky Stories
Sat 27 Oct, from 5pm
Come along to our spooky story-telling session after dark, only slightly scary so suitable for children.
Prices: Children £3.00
English Heritage Members: Children £2.00
Kenwood House, London
Grisly Tales Tour
Sun 28 Oct, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm
A family tour, exploring the darker side of some of the characters in the paintings of Kenwood House.
Prices: Adults £3.00/Concessions £2.00/Children £1.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £2.00/Concessions £1.00/Children £1.00
SOUTH EAST
Dover Castle and the Secret Wartime Tunnels, Kent
The Haunted Castle
Sat 27 Oct - Fri 2 Nov, 11am - 4pm
Enjoy a chillingly fun day as a spooky character leads you on a ghost tour through one of England’s most haunted castles, but keep your wits about you as who knows who or what you will bump in to!
Prices: Adults £9.80/Concessions £7.40/Children £4.90/Family Ticket £24.50
English Heritage Members: Free
EAST OF ENGLAND
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Halloween Tales
Sat 27 & Sun 28 Oct, 11am - 5pm
Ghostly goings on, terrible tales and creepy crafts are all part of Halloween weekend at Audley End! Can you handle the horror?
Prices: Adults £5.00/Concessions £3.80/Children £2.50/Family Ticket £12.50
English Heritage Members: Free
Garden entry included, admission to House extra.
SOUTH WEST
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Haunted Halloween
Mon 22 Oct - Sun 4 Nov, 11am – 3pm
Get spooked at Pendennis Castle this hallows eve with our special ghost tours and ghastly fun.
Prices: Adults £5.40/Concessions £4.10/Children £2.70/Family Ticket £13.50
English Heritage Members: Free
Portland Castle, Dorset
Real Spooky Stories
Fri 26 - Sun 28 Oct, 11am, 1pm, 2pm & 3.30pm
Sit by the fireside and hear real ghost stories from the castle.
Prices: Adults £4.30/Concessions £3.40/Children £2.40
English Heritage Members: Free
MIDLANDS
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Haunted Halloween
Sat 20 - Sun 28 Oct, 11am – 5pm
Hunt the castle to find spooky clues and collect your prize in the 'Dungeon of Doom!'
Prices: Adults £6.00/Concessions £4.50/Children £3.00/Family Ticket £15.00
English Heritage Members: Free
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Haunted Halloween Tours
Sun 28 - Wed 31 Oct, tours at 7pm, 8pm & 9pm
Join us for our spooky evening tours around the castle and the gatehouse. Hear tales of dark deeds, ghostly apparitions and scary happenings. A mug of piping hot soup is included. Over 16s only. Pre-booking essential.
Prices: Adults £15/ Concessions £15
English Heritage Members: £15
Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire
Pumpkins!
Sat 27 & Sun 28 Oct , 11am – 4pm
Can you find all the pumpkins in the grounds at Kirby Hall? Take this opportunity to explore the property.
Prices: Adults £4.70/Concessions £3.50/Children £2.40/Family Ticket £11.80
English Heritage Members: Free
Peveril Castle, Derbyshire
Halloween Trail
Sat 20 - Sun 28 Oct, 11am – 5pm
Children will enjoy following our slightly spooky trail around the castle and grounds. Pre-booking not necessary.
Prices: Adults £3.50/Concessions £2.60/Children £1.80/Family Ticket £8.80
English Heritage Members: Free
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Haunted Halloween
Sat 20 - Sun 28 Oct, 11am – 5pm
Children will enjoy following our slightly spooky trail around the castle and grounds before making their own Halloween masks to take home.
Prices: Adults £6.80/Concessions £5.10/Children £3.40/Family Ticket £17.00
English Heritage Members: Free
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Haunted Halloween Tours
Wed 31 Oct, tours at 6pm, 7.30pm, 9pm & midnight
These historical spooky evening tours around the castle on Halloween night are not for the faint hearted! Suitable for over 16s only. Special midnight tours are £30 per person. Pre-booking essential.
Prices: Adults £20.00/Concessions £20.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £20.00/Concessions £20.00
NORTH OF ENGLAND
Carlisle Castle, Cumbria
Guided Tours: Ghosts & Ghastly Stories
Sat 20 - Fri 26 Oct, tours at 11.30am & 1.30pm
Family themed tours of the castle. Please contact the site for details, booking and availability on 01228 591922. Pre-booking recommended.
Prices: Adults £6.20/Concessions £5.20/Children £3.10
English Heritage Members: Adults £2.00/Concessions £2.00/Children £1.00
Helmsley Castle, North Yorkshire
Haunted Halloween - Victorian Stories
Sat 27 & Sun 28 Oct, 4pm, 5.30pm, 7pm & 8.30pm
It is close to the eve of All Saints – Halloween – and you think you are brave, fearless and daring. Well think again! Join in this series of tales and stories with our costumed storyteller. Wear warm clothes (perhaps a waterproof!) and sensible footwear. This event is not suitable for very young children.
Prices: Adults £5.00/Concessions £4.00/Children £3.00
English Heritage Members: Adult £4.00/Concessions £3.00/Children £2.00
For a free diary of events or further details visit English-heritage.org.uk/events.
Why not become an English Heritage member? English Heritage members get free or reduced-price entry to events, as well as free entry to over 400 unique historic sites - so why not join today? Join online at English-heritage.org.uk/membership.
