Have a spook-tacular time in Cumbria this Halloween

Have you ever seen a ghost walk across the landing in a medieval castle? Can you recognise the faint echo of witches cackling on the wind? Or the sight of a zombie stretching its legs after 500 years in a coffin? It can only be Halloween in the Lake District, Cumbria.

Cumbria is a favourite not only for visitors, but also for ghosts and ghouls who no doubt love our wealth of ancient castles, stately homes, and spooky forests. If you are looking to be scared out of your wits this year there are plenty of terrifying events suitable for all ages.

Want to get involved? Tickets for the below events are selling fast - so grab yours now to avoid missing out.

Halloween Festival at Muncaster Castle

Photo: Muncaster Castle

Where better to celebrate Halloween than at one of Britain's most haunted castles?

Muncaster Castle in the Western Lake District is hosting a Halloween Festival between October 22nd - 31st, and everyone is invited to join in the spook-tacular fun. See a whole host of creepy characters desend on the castle and gardens, zombies, ghosts and ghouls. Find your way out of a scary maze, head off on a trick or treat trail, enjoy a spooky silent disco, marvel at fire shows, and plenty more.

Halloween Week at Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Photo: Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

The family-friendly Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway are inviting you to enjoy a week of ghoulish goings on this half term, with their Halloween Week extravangaza between Saturday 22nd October- Sunday 30th October!

There will be plenty of Halloween fun to celebrate the spookiest season of them all. See the stations decorated in their frightening finery, travel on board limited double headed trains, enjoy a line quiz 'Witch Trail' with a small prize upon completion, and more. Every child bringing a carved pumpkin to the railway will travel for free, and their pumpkin will be entered into a competition too!

Pumpkin Picking at Walby Farm Park

Photo: Walby Farm Park

Walby Farm Park's annual pumpkin picking is back for another year - and there's plenty of family fun to enjoy! There are lots of fang-tastic activities, including pumpkin picking and carving; adorable farm animals; indoor and outdoor play; and more. There's a FREE pumpkin for every paying child, and spooky food and drink in The Cowshed Cafe. Grab your wellies and enjoy a ghoulishly fun day out.

Gintastic Halloween Party at Shed 1 Gin

Photo: Shed 1 Gin

One for the grown ups - because why should the kids have all the fun?! Put on your frithening finery and head to Shed 1 Gin in Ulverston for an evening of fablously spooky fun. Arrive to themed Bramble Stoker Cocktails, take part in the Halloween Fancy Dress catwalk, enjoy a cocktail masterclass, show your wit at a spooky quiz, and win gin-tacular prizes. 

Monster Mash Halloween Party at The Swan Hotel & Spa

Photo: The Swan Hotel & Spa

Enjoy an evening of mischief and magic at The Swan Hotel & Spa's Monster Mash party, taking place on Thursday 27th and Monday 31st October. There'll be a delicious dinner and a UV disco with spooky tunes to keep little horrors dancing. Suitable for kids between 3 - 12 years old, tickets are £10 per child and adults go free.

Halloween Experience at Brockhole-on-Windermere

Brockhole, on the edge of the lake at Windermere, is being taken over by monsters, ghouls and ghosts and you're invited to join them… if you dare! Get a Pumpkin passport and enjoy up to 8 hours of ghostly fun for all the family. While you're there, challenge yourself to a treetop adventure with Treetop Trek and enjoy a Halloween Hunt on their Treetop Nets.

Twilight Tales at Dove Cottage

What better place to hear a ghost story than the spooky cottage once home to William Wordsworth. Dove Cottage in Grasmere are serving chocolate, gingerbread, and Halloween crafts with the kids dressed up in Georgian costumes. At Twilight it’s time to settle down for a series of spooky tales. 

Explore After Dark

If you are feeling brave head to Go Ape at Grizedale Forest and try a series of twilight adventures in the trees, with their Sundown Sessions returning for another year. Navigate the high ropes after dark, with courses lit up in a variety of colours. Do you dare enter the woods after nightfall?

A great way to spend Halloween is to take advantage of the open spaces of the Lake District, Cumbria and enjoy an atmospheric night-time walk. The Cumbria Dark Skies Festival returns on the 28th October, bringing with it a series of after-dark events including guided walks and starlit canoeing. How about forest bathing after nightfall, beneath our velvety dark skies? Whinlatter and Grizedale Forests are two great places to start.

Love theatre? The Whitehaven and District Amateur Operatic Society is returning to Rosehill with their latest production: The Addams Family. Experience a musical comedy packed with spooky fun.

We hope you have a frightfully good time in the Lake District, Cumbria this Halloween.