Wales’ haunting history will rise again this autumn, as Cadw monuments play host to a selection of hair-raising Halloween events – suitable for the whole family.
From Haunted History and Folklore Evening Tour at Blaenavon Ironworks, to Mysterious Maud’s Chambers of Fantastical Truth at Castell Coch, here are Cadw’s 11 Halloween events on offer this year – inviting visitors to explore the spooky stories of Wales’ past.
1. Haunted History and Folklore Evening Tour – Blaenavon Ironworks
As night falls, Halloween fans can gather at Blaenavon Ironworks for an evening of mystery and intrigue.
Once filled with the sounds of industrial Wales fuelling an international Industrial Revolution, visitors are invited to embark on a journey through the site’s now silent grounds.
The two-night event (held on two separate dates) – for adults only – presents tales of Welsh myths and mysterious legends of the Black Mountains, as well as local ghost stories of the Ironworks and ancient readings. Visitors can expect a hot drink and a Welsh cake while they warm up; not everything will be cold and dark on this haunted history tour.
For families, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Blaenavon Ironworks will also host a Halloween Weekend on the 30th and 31st of October. Visitors can expect a spooky trail, and stories from Welsh mythology.
Haunted History and Folklore Evening tour
Sunday 24th and Sunday 31st of October
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Tickets cost £10 per person for standard entry. This tour is suitable for adults only.
Tickets and more information available here.
Spooky Halloween Weekend at Blaenavon Ironworks
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of October
11:00am – 4:00pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here
2. Mysterious Maud’s Chambers of Fantastical Truth
Rising up from the ancient beech woods of Fforest Fawr sits Cadw’s gothic castle – Castell Coch. This Halloween, the site plays host to Mysterious Maud’s Chamber of Fantastical Truth.
Wandering through the Castle, guests will be transported back to meet Mysterious Maud as she experiments with science and reality in an immersive theatre production.
Award-winning theatre-maker Caroline Sabin has worked her magic on the show, which runs from 27thOctober to 7th November. This event is ticket-only, and invites the whole family to step in from the dark night and tumble back into the Castle’s mysterious past…
Mysterious Maud’s Chambers of Fantastical Truth
Wednesday 27th of October – Sunday 7th of November
7:30pm – 9:00pm
Book your tickets online in advance, adult tickets cost £12.00 per person, and concessions and children tickets cost £10.00 per person. Performances are suitable for ages 12+.
More information and tickets here.
3. Halloween Trail – Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle can trace its history back 600 years, and this October its Halloween trail will guide visitors through its ancient stones and tell tales of its mysterious past.
Snaking around a limestone cliff above the River Wye, the Halloween trail tells the dramatic stories of the Castle’s inhabitants dating back as far as 1607.
A monument which has been a home for to some of the wealthiest and most powerful people of the medieval and Tudor ages, the Halloween Trail uncovers some dark secrets.
Suitable for the whole family, Chepstow Castle’s Halloween trail runs until 31st October.
Halloween Trail at Chepstow Castle
Monday 25th October – Sunday 31st October
9:30am – 4:30pm
Standard admission prices apply, and an additional 50p to take part in the activity.
More information here.
4. Ye Horrid Historie of Tretower
With over 900 years of the site’s history to explore, the Trail of Spookiness reappears at Tretower this Halloween.
Suitable for all ages, this architectural wonder will have visitors lost in their own shadows as they discover the terrible tales surrounding inhabitants of the Court and Castle built by Roger Picard ll.
Ghosts and ghouls, bats and rats await the bravest visitors at this monumental tower – not even the nine-feet-thick walls will protect audiences from what lies around the next corner.
Ye Horrid Historie of Tretower
Saturday 30th – Sunday 31st of October
10:00am – 5:00pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here.
5. Halloween Family Fun at Harlech Castle
Overlooking the dunes far below with the tide leaping at its feet, none of Edward I’s mighty coastal fortresses has a more spectacular setting than Harlech Castle.
This Halloween weekend, Harlech Castle will host a medieval surgery demonstration for visitors, alongside scary storytelling and spooktacular jester shows, all in the heart of Snowdonia’s rugged peaks.
Visitors can experience the barber surgeon demonstrations on both the 30th and 31st of October, with spooky storytelling on Saturday and Halloween jester shows on the Sunday.
30th of October – barber surgeon demonstrations and spooky storytelling.
31st of October – barber surgeon demonstrations and Halloween jester shows.
Halloween Family Fun at Harlech Castle
Saturday 30th – Sunday 31st of October
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here.
6. Halloween Trick and Treats at Laugharne Castle
Laugharne Castle: once a Tudor mansion and a poet’s hideout.
This Halloween, the Castle hosts a haunting trail suitable for all the family. Plenty of excitement awaits those who dare to visit, as they discover this 13th century Castle and unveil its history – from the conflict between the Welsh and the Anglo-Normans, to Laugharne’s most beloved resident, Dylan Thomas.
There will also be a sweet Halloween treat for all who come and visit…
Halloween Trick and Treats
Saturday 30th October
11:00am – 4:00pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here.
7. Halloween Trail at Raglan Castle
Visitors can enjoy a Halloween trail this Halloween weekend, set against the unmistakable silhouette of Raglan Castle.
A family-orientated Halloween trail, Raglan Castle offers historic stories and sweet Halloween treats – taking visitors through the grounds of the opulent Castle.
Halloween Trail
Saturday 30th October 11:00am – 3:00pm
Sunday 31st October 10:00am – 3:00pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here.
8. Halloween Daytime Fun at Rhuddlan Castle
Standing since 1277, Rhuddlan Castle was the first of the revolutionary concentric castles designed by master architect James of St George – and this Halloween, its ancient stones are brought to life.
Featuring a Halloween quiz suitable for all the family, and treats for the children, no “tricks” await visitors to Rhuddlan Castle.
Halloween Daytime Fun
Saturday 30th of October
11:00am – 3:00pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here
9. Spooky Halloween at Beaumaris Castle
If they dare, visitors can lose themselves along a haunting trail this Halloween at Beaumaris Castle.
Stepping into the shadows of this unfinished masterpiece, visitors must search for the clues around the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales.
Prizes can be claimed if visitors are lucky enough to find the clues!
Spooky Halloween
Sunday 31st of October
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here
10. Spooky Halloween at Plas Mawr
Now a popular tourist destination and an Anglesey favourite landmark, Cadw’s striking Elizabethan townhouse boasts centuries of secrets.
This Halloween, visitors can delve into the hidden history of Plas Mawr on their trail through its hallowed halls. A prize will be given for correct quiz answers.
Spooky Halloween
Sunday 31st of October
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Standard admission prices apply.
More information here
