4 of the best Spooky Halloween Days Out

Thursday 30th September 2021
We’re fast approaching the spookiest time of the year. Yep, we’re talking about Halloween. As well as taking the kids out trick-or-treating or throwing your own fancy-dress party, there are loads of Halloween activities across the North of England and Scotland to visit this October. Why not explore some of the most haunted buildings in Britain, or head to your nearest escape room for a spine-chilling brush with some of the world’s creepiest characters?

Whether you’re after ideas to keep the kids entertained or you’re keen to get up to some scary shenanigans yourself, we’ve put together 4 spooky days out to get you in the mood for Halloween:

  1. Mingle with the ghosts of criminals in the Edinburgh Dungeons



    Edinburgh’s Gothic buildings, narrow alleyways and scary history definitely puts it in the running for the creepiest city in the UK! If you’re hoping to head to the Scottish capital this October, you’re in for a real treat (or trick).

    It’s Halloween every day of the year at the Edinburgh Dungeons, a ghastly underground pit of despair which once housed some of the city’s most treacherous criminals. The venue on East Market Street is always a toe-curling place to visit, however, you’ll need to summon up even more courage than normal to make it through this year’s special Halloween event.

    With the help of live actors dressed in period costumes, you’ll be taken on a bloodcurdling journey through 100 years of Edinburgh’s darkest history. Highlights include hearing from the victims of the notorious Burke and Hare murderers. We dare you to keep your wits about you!
  2. Go on a walking ghost tour around York (and then buy yourself your very own ghoul…)



    York’s long and dramatic history makes it a prime candidate for some hauntings! It’s also one of the most picturesque cities in the UK thanks to its medieval walls, Gothic Minster and winding cobbled streets which were once the home of fearsome Vikings.
     
    If you’re a believer in all things ghoulish, why not explore its ancient streets on a guided ghost hunt? Options include Ghost Hunt of York’s night-time walks led by a guide in Victorian garb who tells horrible (and often hilarious) ghost stories. Alternatively, hop on a sightseeing bus tour with a spooky twist hosted by Ghost Bus Tours York.

    And if hunting them wasn’t enough, it’s also possible to secure yourself your very own ghost. Wondering how exactly you can own a ghost? A trip to the York Ghost Merchants will reveal all…
  3. Spot the macabre monsters dotted around Manchester



    If Manchester is your Halloween destination of choice, you’ll be able to soak up the spooky atmosphere at locations across the city centre. That’s because the much-loved Monsters are making a spooktacular return!

    Forming part of the Halloween in the City festival, the roofs of several landmarks will be taken over by huge and hideous monsters. Set yourselves the challenge of spotting them all as you wander around. You’ll also likely come across Manchester’s much-loved pumpkin lanterns which are strung up in the trees at Albert Square.
  4. Flee from a spooky escape room in Liverpool



    Looking for something to do in Liverpool this Halloween? A freaky escape room could be ideal. It’s the perfect scary activity for groups, plus you’ll find various venues across the city to test out your problem solving (and teamwork) skills.

    Solve riddles, crack codes and conquer tricky puzzles at the terrifying escape rooms at Breakout Liverpool. Themes include a zombie apocalypse, a creepy carnival and a ghostly shipwreck – all of which you’ll need to escape from in under 60 minutes to avoid getting into trouble…

    Alternatively, why not try making a break for it from the Maniac room at Game Over Escape Rooms? Inspired by the chilling Saw film series, it’ll see your group trying to get out of Jigsaw’s frightening death chamber.


If you’re visiting one of the above cities by train for a dose of spookiness this Halloween, why not book tickets in advance to save yourself time at the station? Don’t forget to start early on your hair-raising Halloween costumes, either!



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