Bolton Castle, nestled in North Yorkshire’s Wensleydale, is getting ready for a Halloween half-term experience perfect for the whole family. From Monday, 21 October to Friday, 1 November, the historic site will host a range of ghostly activities while also offering some delicious autumnal treats to keep energy levels up.
Visitors can expect a blend of eerie adventures, storytelling sessions, and mouth-watering home-made dishes served by the Tea Room, ensuring everyone stays fed during their haunted explorations.
The perfect Halloween menu: Homemade treats from the castle
While visitors explore the castle’s spooky trails and attractions, the Tea Room is offering hearty and tasty food options to recharge everyone’s spirits. Castle cook Annie has prepared a range of homemade pasties, wild boar pies, and cakes, perfect for refuelling during a day of Halloween fun. In fact, Annie has set an ambitious goal of crafting 3,000 pasties this season! For those looking to indulge in her delicious creations, the Tea Room will provide an ideal spot to pause and enjoy some seasonal fare.
These dishes are designed to help you regain stamina after partaking in the castle’s family-friendly Halloween events. Whether you’re sneaking through pumpkin-filled corners or avoiding silent witches, it’s always better to do so with a full stomach. Visitors are encouraged to make sure they don’t end up hungry, especially if they find themselves near the castle’s dungeon, known for its chilling décor and skeletal remains.
Family-friendly Halloween activities for all ages
Bolton Castle has put together an exciting programme of Halloween events that promise to entertain and spook both children and adults alike. The castle’s Family Trail features dark corners filled with pumpkins and mischievous witches, silently bubbling over their cauldrons. For those brave enough, the dungeon presents a chilling spectacle, with eerie skeletons and escape attempts gone wrong.
For younger visitors, the castle will host special storytelling sessions at 1 pm on selected dates (26, 27, 28, 30, and 31 October). These sessions, led by a costumed castle resident, will add an extra layer of fun to the spooky atmosphere, with tales of castle ghouls and light-hearted frolics. It’s a great opportunity for children to enjoy a slightly spooky but entertaining experience.
Event details and ticket information
To make the most of this Halloween half-term experience at Bolton Castle, visitors can check out the full programme of events and activities on the castle’s website. Tickets are priced at £15 per adult and £12.50 per child, with family tickets available for £60, covering entry to both the castle and its gardens. For those who prefer just to wander the gardens, entry is available at £6 per adult, with concessions available.
Car parking at the site is also available for £5 per vehicle, ensuring ease of access for families looking to enjoy a full day of Halloween fun.
About Bolton Castle: A historical gem
Bolton Castle is one of the country’s best-preserved medieval castles, standing proudly in North Yorkshire. Located just 10 minutes from Leyburn, it remains in the same family’s ownership for over 600 years and is a fantastic place for history buffs, families, and garden lovers to visit.
The castle boasts five floors of historical exhibits, including a dungeon, gardens, maze, and a Tea Room serving seasonal delights. Visitors can also enjoy daily falconry displays, wild boar feeding, and a range of other activities that bring the castle’s rich history to life. Bolton Castle regularly hosts re-enactments, storytelling trails, and open-air theatre performances, making it a great day out for those seeking adventure, history, and scenic beauty.
Download the Bolton Castle app
To enhance your experience, you can download the new Bolton Castle App, which offers a free audio guide for visitors. The app provides detailed information about the castle’s turbulent history, offering insight into how it has become the unique landmark it is today. With the app in hand, you can explore the castle at your own pace, learning about its past and the family that has cared for it for centuries.
