As we continue with our Halloween season, its time for Royal Central’s ghoulish guide to Halloween at some of this country’s most haunted castles.
Muncaster Castle
Muncaster Castle in Cumbria is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a mysterious White Lady and Tom Fool, a jester who worked at the castle over 400 years ago, who in the present day likes to play a few tricks on visitors to the castle. The Tapestry Room is said to be the most haunted spot in the Muncaster Castle. This Halloween, Muncaster Castle will be putting on an extravaganza of activities for the bravest of people who dare enter one of Britain’s most haunted castles including a Scary Maze, Muncaster Monster Cabaret, Ghostly Grotto and even a selection of ghoulish Castle Ghost Tours. For more information visit www.muncaster.co.uk
Muncaster Castle
Chillingham Castle
Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is a 12th century stronghold used as a ‘base-camp’ for the 1298 conquering attack on William Wallace by King Edward I. King Edward III added battlements to the castle in 1344 while during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Long Galleries were constructed. For Halloween 2015, Chillingham Castle will be putting on a whole evening of fun for the whole family with activities such as Children’s Ghost Stories, Best Pumpkin Competition, Face Painting and Live Music. The evening will be rounded off with a spectacular fireworks display. For more information visit www.chillingham-castle.com
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and was rebuilt in the 12th century. The castle was used as a stronghold until the early 17th century when King James I granted it to Sir Fulke Greville. The castle was owned by the Greville family until 1978 when it was bought by the Tussauds Group and became one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions. For Halloween 2015, Warwick Castle really are putting on a ‘spooktacular’ extravaganza as from 24th October to the 1st November, the Haunted Castle attraction has fun for all the family. Aimed at the younger members of the family activities include The Witches Tower, Fire Jousting, fun and games in The Village and Forgotten, a audio-visual experience in the castle’s Gaol. For those who are brave enough, Warwick Castle will also be putting on some after dark activities for those who are willing to take the ultimate scare-fest challenge. Those activities include the Castle Dungeon, where you will witness some of the most frightening, bloodiest and darkest tales from the Castle’s history. Outbreak 1349 asks visitors if they are brave enough to escape the plague-ridden characters of histories past. For more information visit www.warwick-castle.com
Tamworth Castle
Tamworth Castle is in Staffordshire and is said to be the home of a number of ghosts, including a woman who threw herself to death over the battlements after learning that her lover had been slain. In the present day Tamworth Castle is putting on a week’s worth of events commemorating All Hallows Eve including spooky craft activities, fancy dress and a murder mystery style activity where visitors have to seek out the executioner and find out how the butler was drowned. For more information visit www.tamworthcastle.co.uk
Kenilworth Castle
From Medieval fortress to Elizabethan gardens, Kenilworth Castle has seen it all in its 900 year history and this Halloween it invites visitors to take part in a whole host of activities designed to scare the wits out of anyone. Tudor Terrors will be offering youngsters the chance to learn of terrifying Tudor tales whilst also enjoying some creepy crafts and spooky activities. Halloween Ghost Tours at Kenilworth will offer visitors an eerie evening tour on an after-hours journey back in to Warwickshire’s wicked past. For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk
Kenilworth Castle
Hever Castle
Once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle is located in the village of Hever in Kent. This Halloween, Hever Castle will be treating its visitors to a jam-packed programme of ghostly themed activities including craft workshops, spooky stories in the Haunted House and the terrifying trail challenge. For more information visit www.hevercastle.co.uk
So with Halloween fast approaching why not organise a trip to one of Britain’s most haunted castles, your sure to be in for a fun-filled day and maybe the odd spooky surprise or two!
Photo Credits: whitelance100 & Elwyn York
