Experience a Halloween to remember with a visit to Horace Walpole’s Gothic masterpiece, during a week of atmospheric, spine-tingling fun.
From 26 October to 3 November, General Admission from 11am-4pm will allow you, your family and friends to experience the House like never before. With shutters closed and “gloomth” prevailing, experience the House as Walpole himself would have in his day – rooms aglow with flickering candlelight, shadows dancing in the eerie gloom, and hidden surprises lurking in every corner. For families, there’s creepy fun to be had as you spot the spooky, hand-sized spiders tucked away throughout the house.
For kids throughout Half Term week there is also a Halloween Garden Trail with a sweet treat from The Garden Café as a prize for completion and on 26/27 October and 2/3 November, young visitors to the house can also enjoy Spooky Storytelling. Creative kids can also join one of the Self-led Spook-tacular Witch and Wizard hat making sessions on 28 October.
The highlight for Gothic enthusiasts is the popular Halloween Gothic Tour, returning on 30 and 31 October. Wander the House by candlelight as you hear macabre tales, including Walpole’s own nightmarish visions that led to the first gothic novel “The Castle of Otranto”. Choose from two spine-chilling adults-only evening tours (or the family friendly Matinee Halloween Gothic Tour on the afternoon of the 30th). A complimentary glass of fizz will calm your nerves as the House’s history comes to life.
If you miss the Halloween fun, fear not—the Gothic magic of Strawberry Hill House is always here. As Walpole himself said, “with a Gothic house, all you need to bring is your imagination, and the House will do the rest!”
Book between the 26th Oct-30th Oct and 2nd-3rd November for the gothic Halloween experience with closed shutters in the house.
Please note that we won’t be open for general admission on the 31st October or the 1st November.
Halloween Gothic Tour – Matinee
Doors open 3:30pm, Tour 4pm-5pm – Wednesday 30th October
Tour Horace’s Little Gothic Castle by candlelight as you hear spooky tales from the house and walk through the pages of Horace’s original gothic novel “The House of Otranto” in this first ever family friendly matinee tour
Standard Ticket: £25
Under 16: £10
Halloween Gothic Tour
Doors open 6:30pm, Tour 7pm-8:30pm – Wednesday 30th October & Thursday 31st October
Sold out, see below for extra dates now added for November
Hear macabre tales from the house that inspired gothic horror, including Walpole’s own nightmarish visions that led to the first gothic novel “The Castle of Otranto”. A complimentary glass of fizz will calm your nerves as the House’s history and the story itself comes to life.
Standard Ticket: £25
Create Your Own Enchanted Wizard or Witch Hat
Monday 28th October, choose any one-hour slot – 11am-12pm, 12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm
Unleash your creativity at our magical hat-making session! Craft a wizard or witch hat inspired by Horace Walpole’s gothic castle. Perfect for ages 4-10, this self-led activity lets young sorcerers design and decorate hats with mystical patterns echoing the castle’s architecture.
All materials will be supplied, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Ticket: £5
Gothic book Club: The Vampyre by John Polidori
Monday 21st October, 6:30pm-8pm
Join us to discuss Vampyre by John William Polidori, the first ever vampire story written in English
One evening a group of writers read a book of ghost stories aloud and they decided to try their hand at writing one. Mary Shelley began what would become Frankenstein. Byron began a story and abandoned it. Polidori used it as the basis for his own tale, “The Vampyre”.
Entry Free (Tickets are limited)
Gothic Tour
Doors open 6:30pm, Tour 7pm-8:30pm – Wednesday 13 November & Wednesday 20 November
Hear macabre tales from the house that inspired gothic horror, including Walpole’s own nightmarish visions that led to the first gothic novel “The Castle of Otranto”. A complimentary glass of fizz will calm your nerves as the House’s history and the story itself comes to life.
Standard Ticket: £25
