There is no better way to get into the spirit of Halloween than by visiting some of Gloucestershire’s popular attractions, of which there are many. With scary castles, haunted villages and spooktacular festivals, Gloucestershire is the ideal location for some Halloween fun.
See spooky St Briavels Castle
Believed to be the most haunted castle in the whole of England, St Briavels Castle originates all the way back to 1131. Its great chamber was once a courthouse where prisoners would often be sent to death. You can still see graffiti they scratched into the wall today.
The ghosts said to frequent the chamber today include a crying baby and a particularly physical spirit who grips sleepers by the throat. There have also been reports of visitors feeling someone is tugging at their clothes and a black dog wandering around various rooms.
This Halloween, St Briavels Castle is hosting a ghost hunt weekend, enabling you to get up close and personal with all of the spooks.
Visit the haunted village of Prestbury
A spooky black-clad abbot, barely-there horseman, and a phantom dispatch rider – all have been noted in the pretty Gloucestershire village of Prestbury.
The hooded monk is said to appear on special days (All Souls being one of them). Villagers have reported him crossing the churchyard through the Old Priory and disappearing into the wall of a High Street cottage. Things then start moving in the attic of the house.
Shaw Green Lane in the village is where a spectral horseman on a white charger was spotted on spring mornings. He’s believed to have been shot dead by an arrow in 1471. Another phantom rider is said to frequent the Burgage – the oldest street in Prestbury. He was killed here, and although he can’t be seen, his phantom hooves can be heard again and again and again. Though Prestbury can be explored at any time, Halloween is the perfect excuse to embrace the haunted happenings.
And now for some rather less scary and more pleasant reasons to come to the region this Halloween:
Spookyard Halloween Festival at Over Farm
If your child likes Halloween, they are sure to enjoy the Spookyard Halloween Festival at Over Farm. Running from 28th October to 5th November, Over Farm transforms into a Halloween wonderland. With spooky shows, a maize maze, tractor-trailer tours, a spellbinding woodland trail, corn cannons and more, there’s no shortage of activities for kids to get involved in. Children of all ages can unleash their competitive spirit with mini golf, dance competitions, fancy dress competitions and races.
Halloween Party at The Roses Theatre
On Halloween itself, The Roses Theatre is hosting a spooky party for children of all ages. Starting at 11am, kids are encouraged to dress up in their favourite Halloween costumes, and an exciting prize will be awarded to the best dressed. There are snacks, games and creativity in abundance at The Roses Theatre, and it’s completely free to attend.
As you can see, Gloucestershire really is the place to be this Halloween, and a stay at The Wyndham puts you close to all of the action. With luxurious rooms and comfortable beds, a night at The Wyndham is the perfect way to relax after a long day of soaking up the atmosphere. Get in touch to find out more.
