10 spooktacular Halloween events across the UK

Get spooked this Halloween with our pick of ten of the best Halloween events across the UK.

 From ghost trails and witch hunts to zombie encounters, these spine-tingling experiences offer a frighteningly fun time for all the family…  

The Isle of FRIGHT Ghost Trail

October

The Isle of Fright Ghost Trail features audio ghost stories from creepy locations across the Isle of Wight, downloaded free of charge from the beginning of October on Google Play or via the App Store.

Visitors will be able to follow a self-guided tour of 13 "cold spots" presented by paranormal expert, Marc Tuckey. The app also allows its users to take photographs and use a special "ghost photo bombing" function to create some especially haunting images, as well as hidden content, which remains a top secret for a few more weeks – but is guaranteed to send a huge shiver down your spine! 

visitisleofwight.co.uk.

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters head to Shropshire’s Blists Hill

29 October

Blists Hill Victorian Town at Shropshire's Ironbridge Gorge has a twist on its annual Halloween fright night this year with the arrival of cult characters from the Ghostbusters movies.

The Town's Ghostly Gaslight evening will see the streets, shops and houses transformed into eerie places filled with ghosts, ghouls and monsters, as well as a fireworks and pyrotechnics show. While the 31ft high Marshmallow Man will be looming over the town, visitors will also get the chance to see a replica of the iconic Ghostbusters Miller Meteor Cadillac car and resident Ghostbusters roaming the streets.

The event takes place between 6-9pm. Tickets from £9.95 per adult and £6.75 for children aged 3-15. Contact Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit ironbridge.co.uk.

Haunted Gallery sleepover, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

29 - 30 October

Pack up the kids' sleeping bags for a Halloween sleepover with a difference at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Pay a visit to the on-site haunted house, interact with the paintings brought to life by mystery guests, and create a vintage-inspired Halloween print to take home.

Bed down for the night amongst the Old Masters and wake up to breakfast and a classic film. All children (suitable for 7-13 year olds) must be accompanied by an adult. Breakfast and snack provided. £50 per person. 

dulwichpicturegallery.com.

The Hex Factor, Nunnington Hall, Yorkshire

29 - 30 October

National Trust properties across the country will embrace the spirit of Halloween with a host of scary trails, pumpkin carving and story-telling for families.

Follow the haunted trail at Northumberland's Nunnington Hall to discover its eerie past, join a ghoulish ghost tour and take part in the 'Hex Factor' parade, where the scariest costumes will win the crown.

Events are free but standard entry of £7.50 per adult and £3.75 per child applies.

nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington-hall.

Photo: National Trust Images/ Matthew Antrobus

A Roald Dahl-inspired Halloween at Tatton Park, Cheshire

22 - 30 October

Roald Dahl's stories were certainly not short of gruesome characters and this Halloween, the Roald Dahl’s Tremendous Adventures attraction at Tatton Park will celebrate some of his most wicked.

Visitors are invited to the Spooktacular Halloween Party at The Witches' Hotel Magnificent where they can find all the ingredients for Formula 86 Delayed Action Mouse-Maker.

In the depths of the Hall is the creepy witches sweet shop laboratory, whilst the gardens will be home to pumpkins and some sinister witch watching opportunities. Witch spotters will be on hand to help and there'll be spooky storytelling in the eerie barn.

A Totally Tatton Twit ticket costs £27.50 per family (£11 per adult and £5.50 per child). 

tattonpark.org.uk.

New spine-tingling attractions at Warwick Castle

22 - 31 October

Six new spine-tingling attractions will turn Warwick Castle into The Haunted Castle between 22 and 31 October. By day, there are fun and friendly scares for all the family including the Horrible Histories Maze; the chance to conjure up spells in The Witches Tower; hear enchanted tales in the Haunted Hollows garden; watch a ferocious Halloween fire joust and, new for 2016, prepare for disturbing encounters in Tormented.

As night envelops the Castle, the Central Courtyard falls silent for the arrival of the plague doctor, brought in to treat the grotesque, plague-ridden souls in Outbreak 1349, a knuckle-clenching live-actor experience. Down in the Dungeons, over 10s can uncover the darkest and bloodiest aspects of the Castle’s history.

During half term, Warwick Castle will open until 9pm - when the ghastly ghouls of the Castle’s turbulent 1,100 years of history return to life.

Advance day tickets cost from £17.60 per person. Entry after 5pm costs £14 per person. The Knight's Village lodges are also open for their first Halloween for guests who want to stay after dark.

warwick-castle.com

Stay overnight in Bodmin jail, with a resident medium on hand, Cornwall

Various dates including 31 October

Looming over the town of Bodmin in north Cornwall, this imposing jail was built by Napoleonic prisoners of war in 1779. It held more than 150 prisoners and witnessed 55 executions, with the last hanging taking place in 1909.

The creepy corridors and claustrophobic cells are said to be haunted by former prisoners protesting their innocence and rattling keys. Explore after dark with the jail's resident medium and hunt for ghosts in the spookiest spots.

The tour begins at 8.45pm with a three-course meal in the former Governor's Hall. Specific workshops then run through the night before returning guests to the land of the living at 5am.

Halloween weekend dates (29, 30, 31 October) are currently available for £90 per person. 

bodminjail.org

Bram Stoker’s Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire

26 - 29 October

See Bram Stoker's inspiration for Dracula’s castle in a new light as Whitby Abbey is bathed in dramatic illuminations.

As visitors explore its gothic splendour, costumed characters will introduce the darker side of the past with tales of grave robbing and witch trials, with a live performance of Dracula to complete the visit.

The event takes place between 18.00-21.30 and costs £9 adult (10% discount for online bookings before 21 October).

english-heritage.org.uk/ev...

Photo: English Heritage

Visit the site of England's most famous witch trial, Lancashire

30 October

An hour north of Manchester, Pendle Hill is the site of the most famous witch trial in English history. In 1612, ten women were hung for crimes including witchcraft and murder and the site is now said to be so haunted that locals refuse to walk on the hill after dark.

Join a guided tour to hear about the area's terrifying history and leave plenty of time to explore the surrounding villages and soak up the stunning Lancashire scenery.

The 3-hour Pendle Witch Country Tour takes place on 30 October and costs £16.00 per person. 

pendlewitchexperience.com

Photo: Visitlancashire.com

'Scream Park' Farmaggedon, Ormskirk, Lancashire

1 - 31 October (selected dates)

This interactive horror experience is themed with roaming zombies and creatures of the night. Visit three horror houses, Psychosis, Meat Locker and Terror of the Farm, plus blast some zombies in a unique paintball experience.

Farmaggedon is open from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm on October 1, 6-9, 12-16, 19-23 and 26-31. Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult. Prices start at £16. 

visitlancashire.com

Photo: Visitlancashire.com