Halloween at Bolton Castle 2024: A Spooky Family Adventure

This year, Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire has prepared a truly immersive Halloween experience, blending medieval history with spine-chilling fun for all ages. Running from Monday, 21 October to Friday, 1 November, the castle promises a unique and thrilling escape into a world of ghostly tales, eerie trails, and captivating activities.

If you're looking for a family-friendly Halloween adventure with a historical twist, Bolton Castle is the place to be.

A pumpkin-filled family trail with ghostly surprises

Visitors to Bolton Castle will be greeted with a Halloween trail that winds through the historic site, leading them through dimly lit corridors and spooky spaces adorned with pumpkins. Be prepared to encounter witches casting spells, brewing mysterious potions, and lurking in the shadows with their bubbling cauldrons. Silent but watchful, these witches add an eerie atmosphere to the castle, keeping everyone on their toes.

In the castle's dungeons, you'll come face-to-face with skeletons, remnants of those who have fallen victim to the castle's haunted past. As you navigate the dimly lit corners, you’ll experience the thrill of exploring a medieval fortress surrounded by tales of the unknown.

Storytelling and spooky tours for all ages

For younger visitors, the castle has arranged storytelling sessions led by costumed actors from the castle's resident team. Held at 1pm on selected dates (26, 27, 28, 30, and 31 October), these sessions will bring to life spooky tales that are sure to entertain and send shivers down your spine. The stories mix humour with ghoulish legends to keep little ones entertained while offering a fun, yet spooky, experience.

On Wednesday, 30 October, the castle will host a special family tour from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. This Halloween-themed event brings the castle’s haunted history to life, with guides recounting eerie ghost stories as they lead you through the site. Designed to appeal to visitors of all ages, this tour promises a thrilling yet family-friendly adventure that showcases the more mysterious side of Bolton Castle.

Castle by lanternlight: A night to remember

For those looking for an extra chill, Bolton Castle offers a limited ‘Castle by Lanternlight’ tour. On Monday, 28 October, from 6pm to 8pm, a select group of 30 guests will embark on a spooky lantern-lit tour of the castle. Walking through the dimly lit corridors, guests will hear mysterious tales from the castle’s past, all while holding a glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets for this exclusive event are priced at £20 per person.

Halloween ticketing and pricing details

To make the most of Bolton Castle’s Halloween events, visitors can purchase tickets covering entry to both the castle and gardens. Adult tickets are priced at £15, while children’s tickets (ages 5-18) are £12.50. Children under 5 years old enter for free. For larger groups, a family ticket is available for £60, offering a full day of Halloween fun. Concessions are also available for visitors aged 67 and over.

If you’re more interested in exploring the gardens alone, tickets are priced at £6 for adults and £5 for concessions. Parking at the castle costs £5 per vehicle.

Explore Bolton Castle’s medieval past

Beyond the Halloween events, Bolton Castle remains a captivating destination for anyone fascinated by history and medieval architecture. Located just a 10-minute drive from the market town of Leyburn, this 600-year-old fortress offers an array of attractions for visitors year-round. With its maze, falconry displays, and the chance to feed wild boar, the castle provides an exciting experience for all.

The castle’s turbulent past is brought to life through its events and storytelling programmes, many of which are included with the cost of entry. For those looking to delve deeper into the castle's history, the newly launched Bolton Castle App offers a free audio guide to accompany you on your visit, allowing you to explore the castle’s rich history at your own pace.

Bolton Castle is pulling out all the stops for Halloween 2024. Whether you're seeking a family day out filled with spooky stories, or a more atmospheric evening tour by lanternlight, this historic site promises a Halloween experience unlike any other. From ghostly ghouls and witches to medieval dungeons, there's something for everyone at Bolton Castle this Halloween season.

Address: Bolton Castle, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4ET
Telephone: 01969 623981
Website: www.boltoncastle.co.uk