Halloween in Alnwick

Few places do Halloween like Alnwick. Between the castle, the garden, a ghost walk through its ancient streets and one of Britain's most haunted castles a few miles away, the town packs more into late October than almost anywhere in the region. Here is where to go. Dates change every year, so always check each venue for this year's programme and to book.

Alnwick Castle

Over October half-term, Alnwick Castle runs family-friendly Halloween activities such as dragon quests, broomstick training and spooky storytelling, all set against the backdrop of the mighty Percy stronghold (which film fans will know as Hogwarts). The programming ties neatly into the castle's own dark history, including the medieval "Alnwick Vampire" and a Grey Lady said to haunt the tunnels below.

The Alnwick Garden: Spookydorei

Right next door, the Alnwick Garden turns its Lilidorei play village into Spookydorei for the Halloween period. Cleverly, it is split into a spooky side and a not-so-spooky side, so younger children can choose their comfort level, with a riddle-solving quest and a trick-or-treat trail. The Garden also themes activity around its famous Poison Garden, home to some of the world's most dangerous plants.

Pick your own pumpkins

There is a pick-your-own pumpkin patch at Broxfield Farm just outside Alnwick, which reopens for several weekends each autumn with carving, a spooky castle maze, tractor rides and street food. For the full round-up of patches across the region, see our guide to pumpkin picking near Newcastle.

Take a ghost walk

For older children and adults, an evening Alnwick ghost tour leads you through the town's historic streets, blending documented history with Northumbrian folklore and unsolved local mysteries. A good way to round off a day at the castle.

Haunted Chillingham nearby

A short drive from Alnwick, Chillingham Castle is widely described as one of the most haunted castles in Britain, famous for the "Blue Boy" of the Pink Room and Lady Mary Berkeley. It runs its own ghost tours for anyone brave enough. It is folklore rather than fact, but a genuinely spine-tingling day out.

Make a weekend of it

Alnwick is the perfect base for a Halloween trip. Plan the rest of your visit with our things to do in Alnwick guide, and see the region's full seasonal round-up in Halloween in the North East.

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Know an Alnwick Halloween event we should add? Get in touch via our contact page.