Haunts, Halls and Halloween Thrills: The Best Spooky Events at Stately Homes
This autumn, Britain’s stately homes reveal their darker side. By day they are places of beauty and tranquility, but as October nights draw in, the centuries-old shadows begin to stir. Each estate holds its own mysteries - some invite families to hunt for pumpkins and outwit mischievous tricksters, while others dare only the bravest to face phantoms that refuse to rest. Step through the gates if you dare…
Ghost Hunts
Gwrych Castle, Abergele, Wales
When darkness falls over the Welsh countryside on September 28th, Gwrych Castle awakens with whispers from centuries past. This isn't entertainment for the faint-hearted - it's a genuine investigation into one of Britain's most actively haunted locations, where the boundary between our world and the next grows thin.
The castle's reputation precedes it: the phantom lady in red who commands visitors to leave, mysterious faces glimpsed in empty windows, and the chilling sounds that echo from the marble staircase when no living soul walks there. These aren't tales told for effect – they're experiences reported by countless witnesses who've encountered Gwrych's restless spirits.
Your supernatural adventure begins with a safety briefing and rapid tour of the castle's restored areas, where you'll hear the fascinating history and meet the infamous specters who refuse to rest. You'll be equipped with professional paranormal investigation tools: dowsing rods that respond to unseen presences, K2 meters that detect spiritual energy, and the knowledge to conduct table tipping and divination sessions.Whether you're a seasoned ghost hunter or curious newcomer, this investigation offers a rare chance to explore the mysteries that haunt one of Wales' most atmospheric ruins.
Come prepared: layered clothing for dropping temperatures, comfortable non-slip shoes for navigating in darkness, and a torch for the unlit locations. Cameras are welcome – you might capture something extraordinary. Light refreshments will be available.
September 28th, 9pm to 2am (Ages 16+)
Book your ghost hunting investigation at Gwrych Castle
Halloween at Boughton
Boughton House, Kettering, Northamptonshire
This October, Boughton comes alive with festive spirit and a touch of spooky magic. Families are invited to begin their adventure in the Stableyard, where a hay-lined pumpkin patch awaits. Complete with mini wheelbarrows for little ones, it’s the perfect place to choose your very own pumpkin. This year is particularly special, as the Estate has proudly grown its own patch, offering a wonderful variety of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes for you to take home.
Once you’ve found your perfect pumpkin, the fun continues with a host of Ghoulish Games. From pumpkin bowling to apple dooking, graveyard mini golf, and other nostalgic challenges, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. These traditional games are a must-try, adding a playful twist to your Halloween adventure at Boughton.
Boughton’s Terrifying Trail also promises to thrill - set within the atmospheric Walled Garden, this Halloween adventure takes you into a land under a terrible curse. Whispers of a Headless Horseman, lurking giant spiders, and witches at work create a spine-tingling backdrop as you follow riddles, hunt for hidden clues, and encounter mysterious characters who might help, or hinder, your quest to break the spell.
Armed with a trail map from the Stableyard shop, you’ll journey through the haunted grounds before returning victorious for a spooky surprise. With pumpkins to pick, games to play, and mysteries to solve, Boughton promises a Halloween brimming with charm, adventure, and just the right amount of fright.
From Sunday 26th to Friday 31st of October
Candlelit Comedy
Hellfire Caves, West Wycombe, Buckinghampshire
Located less than an hour from London, the Hellfire Caves lie beneath the grounds of West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire. Commissioned between 1748 and 1752, the caves were excavated to provide chalk for road construction and to alleviate local unemployment during a period of agricultural decline. These man-made chalk and flint caverns extend over a quarter of a mile into the Chiltern Hills, featuring chambers such as the Banqueting Hall and the Inner Temple, the latter situated approximately 300 feet beneath St. Lawrence's Church. The caves served as a secluded venue for the Hellfire Club's gatherings, which were rumored to involve unconventional rituals and libertine activities, contributing to their enduring mystique.
In these infamous Caves, where Sir Francis Dashwood’s club once plotted by candlelight, a new rebellion begins. This time, it’s not rituals...but laughter. On November 8th, comedy’s finest will rise from the shadows. The faces may be cloaked in mystery, but you know them from Live at the Apollo, and you’ve heard their wit haunt Taskmaster.
7pm - The First Descent
9.30pm - The Deeper Calling
The torches are lit. The stage is set. The question is... Are you brave enough to laugh in the dark?
Ghosts at Glamis
Glamis, Angus, Scotland
As part of our Autumn Explorer’s Guide Instagram series, we recently highlighted Glamis Castle, Scotland’s most haunted castle, and mentioned its most famous phantom resident: The Grey Lady. She, however, is only one of the many who haunts this stately home. At the end of October, make your way to Angus to meet some of her acolytes at the now reimagined Ghosts at Glamis.
Prepare to be scared as gruesome legends, eerie encounters, and spine-tingling thrills unfold within the castle walls. Brave souls will embark on a spooky indoor tour through Glamis Castle’s majestic rooms, where ghostly whispers and shadowy figures await. With jump scares around every turn and stories that will send shivers down your spine, Ghosts at Glamis promises a Halloween experience like no other. If you dare, join for a night of frightful fun and uncover the haunted secrets of the Castle.
Ghosts at Glamis will take place on the evenings of 24th, 25th, 26th, 29th, 30th and 31st October, 2025. Tours will commence in intervals from 6.30pm – 9pm with tours expected to last 35 – 40 minutes.
Halloween at Drumlanrig
Drumlanrig, Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway
HeritageXplore's newest member, Drumlanrig Castle, invites you and your family to join them for their Halloween celebrations!
When autumn settles over the Dumfriesshire hills, Drumlanrig Castle stirs with whispers of mischief and mystery. This year, the Drumlanrig Detectives – Monty, Queenie, and their loyal spaniel Grog – invite you to join their quest. A precious treasure has vanished, and a band of mysterious suspects lurks among the grounds. Only sharp eyes and clever minds can uncover the trickster behind the crime.
Crack the case, and your reward awaits in the Drumlanrig Pumpkin Patch. Little ones can wheel their chosen pumpkin away in a mini barrow: each child ticket includes one to take home or decorate in the cosy Larchwood Cabin with a splash of colour and imagination.
Beyond the pumpkins, more discoveries await. The Adventure Playground promises thrills with flying foxes, twisting slides, and towers to conquer, while the wider Castle Gardens reveal heather-hidden huts, ancient trees, and autumn’s golden glow. It’s the perfect place to pause, play, and soak up the season.
To complete the transformation, step into the face-painting tent. Little ones can emerge as fearsome beasts, glittering fairies, or haunting phantoms. DG Funky Faces bring their artistry on 11 & 12 October, followed by Paints & Sparkles on 17, 18, 19, 20, 24 & 26 October.
With riddles to solve, pumpkins to pick, and a hint of Halloween magic in the air, Drumlanrig invites families to a mystery where every twist of the path brings a new surprise.
Saturday 11th to Sunday 26th of October
