As the air grows crisp and the leaves turn golden, Halloween brings with it the perfect excuse for a spooky escape. But what if you could experience all the thrills, chills, and cozy autumn vibes without even leaving the UK?
This year, why not trade in long trips for a Halloween staycation – a chance to transform your home into a haunted haven, indulge in spooky activities, and savor the magic of the season with loved ones?
From a castle in Scotland which is said to be one of the UK’s most haunted properties to an apartment overlooking the gardens where Dracula was written, there’s something for everyone searching for a fright this spooky season.
The Preston Tower Apartment – Fyvie Castle – Fyvie, Aberdeenshire
Sleeps: 12
Price: Seven nights from £1,102
A National Trust for Scotland property in the rural location of Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, The Preston Tower Apartment is a gloriously ghoulish staycation spot . Up to 12 guests can immerse themselves in a spooky film in the property’s spacious living area or enjoy a warming seasonal meal in the large dining area – but beware the wandering eyes of the many eery paintings scattered around!
For an adventure, visitors can explore the redeveloped gardens of the castle, keeping an eye over their shoulder for anything spooky that might be lurking. Alternatively, the 18th Century mansion of Haddo House, another National Trust location, is close by too.
Bram’s Lair – Whitby, North Yorkshire
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £536
Bram’s Lair is a ground-floor apartment in the seaside town of Whitby, just moments away from the sandy beach. The holiday home has two bedrooms, plus an open-plan living space which overlooks Crescent Gardens, where Bram Stoker reportedly wrote his chilling classic, Dracula, in 1897.
The windswept shores that carried the world’s most infamous vampire to England are a short stroll away, and those brave enough can also visit Whitby Abbey – the gothic ruins of an 11th century Benedictine monastery. Allegedly, Stoker used the names on the headstones in his novels.
The Old Cider House – Prestbury, Gloucestershire
Sleeps: Two
Price: Seven nights from £449
The Old Cider House, a charming cottage with character and views to the Malvern Hills, is based on the grounds of the owner’s 12th Century manor house. The property is nestled in Prestbury, a picturesque Cotswold’s village which also claims to be one of the most haunted in England.
As the story goes, a hooded monk called ‘The Black Abbot’ frequently haunts the church and the churchyard, whilst several headless horsemen are known to charge through the village.
Snape Castle, The Undercroft – Snape, North Yorkshire
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £963
Snape Castle is a Grade I listed property situated between the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Park. Thrill seekers can nestle into the wing of this impressive castle, which is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Catherine Parr, the last wife of King Henry VIII.
A short drive away is Bedale, a market town with an array of shops, cafes, and pubs. From here, visitors can also head to Thirsk and Darlington, or take a trip to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Barcud Cottage – Golden Grove near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £517
Barcud Cottage is a stone-built cottage in the Carmarthenshire countryside, otherwise known as the Garden of Wales. Designed with comfort in mind, the cottage provides plush furnishings and an electric log burner to cosy up during the chillier nights.
For scareseekers, Newton House, named the most haunted National Trust house in Wales, is a 12-minute drive away. The 17th century building was once the refuge of Lady Elinor Cavendish, who was strangled by her enraged suitor after rejecting his advances. Visitors have reported feeling as though they are being choked when near the cantilever staircase, which was the scene of the murder.
Winster Hall – Winster, Peak District
Sleeps: 16
Price: Seven nights from £1,993
Built 400 years ago, Winster Hall is a stunning Grade II listed country house set in its own grounds in the Peak District. Legend has it that a daughter of the house’s former owner, Francis Moore, fell in love with a servant, and their forbidden affair ended when the two lovers leapt from the parapet of the hall to their deaths. It is said that the forecourt where they fell is haunted by the ghost of a ‘White Lady’.
Visitors can enjoy the garden games on offer or wander into the village of Winster to stock up on amenities in the local shop and café. Alternatively, there are several local inns offering home cooked food and cask ales.
Whisk Away Cottage – Greystoke, Cumbria
Sleeps: Five
Price: Seven nights from £660
Whisk Away Cottage, located on the outskirts of Greystoke, Cumbria, is a stunning three-bedroom holiday home steeped in grandeur. Fans of a thrill can escape to the property’s hidden bedroom, located behind a panelled wall, to immerse themselves in their favourite horror story. Afterwards, guests can enjoy a Halloween-themed meal in the well-equipped kitchen.
Further amenities can be found in the village of Greystoke, including The Boot & Shoe Inn, a handy convenience store, and an impressive castle.