Posted on October 15, 2026
If you thought Halloween was all about haunted houses and trick-or-treating down your street, think again. The Cotswolds is going full-on autumnal magic this year with pumpkin trails, ghostly stories in castle cellars, fire dancers under starlit skies, and even zombie hunts in old prisons (for the braver souls among us!).
Whether you’re planning a family-friendly adventure, a date night with a twist of fright, or a costume-ready outing with your furry best friend, we’ve brewed up the ultimate Halloween events list.
Halloween at Berkeley Castle
25–28 October 2026
Step into the shadows of history this Halloween at Berkeley Castle, where centuries of fascinating history provide the perfect backdrop for a little seasonal mischief. From Sunday 25th to Wednesday 28th October, visitors can meet the Tudor Witch and her animal companions, discover weird and wonderful spells, and gather for spine-tingling storytelling. There’s also a Halloween quiz to test your knowledge before venturing deep underground into the Castle Cellar to meet the mysterious Old Wise Woman.
With living history, folklore and just the right amount of fright, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric day out for the whole family. Halloween activities are included in the standard admission ticket.
Halloween Events at Over Farm
Selected dates throughout October and October half-term
Over Farm, just outside Gloucester, is the place to head for countryside-inspired Halloween fun, with two very different experiences on offer this autumn. For something a little more magical after dark, Pumpkins After Dark invites visitors into the pumpkin patch beneath the night sky. Running on selected evenings, including 16th, 17th and 23rd–31st October, the experience combines thousands of pumpkins with live music, fire dancers, independent food traders and a rather entertaining tractor-trailer ride through the farm’s Halloween displays. Prefer your Halloween fun in daylight? The farm’s daytime Pumpkin Festival offers the chance to pick your own pumpkin and soak up the autumnal atmosphere.
For October half-term, Spookyard Halloween Festival returns from 24th October to 1st November. Expect Halloween shows, creepy crafts, tractor rides and plenty of seasonal surprises for younger visitors.
Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Ghosts, Pumpkins & Tudor Tales
26 October–1 November 2026
This Halloween, Sudeley Castle and Gardens invites visitors to uncover the spooky side of its extraordinary history. From Monday 26th October to Sunday 1st November, follow a pumpkin trail through the castle grounds and historic rooms, keeping an eye out for ghostly figures hidden along the way. Count the Sudeley ghosts correctly and there’s a sweet treat waiting at the end of your adventure.
The fun continues with ghostly storytelling and encounters with Tudor characters, including the mysterious Wise Woman. For an additional experience, owl encounters will also take place on selected half-term dates, offering the chance to get up close to these fascinating birds.
Cotswold Farm Park, Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch
16–18 October and 21–31 October 2026
No Halloween guide would be complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch, and Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power is a favourite for a proper autumn day out. Wander through the patch to find your perfect pumpkin, ready to be carved into a suitably spooky masterpiece at home. There are also photo opportunities, carving activities, face painting at weekends and seasonal refreshments to enjoy along the way.
Selected evenings bring live music to the festivities, making it a lovely option for those who want to turn a simple pumpkin-picking trip into a more leisurely autumn outing. Four-legged family members are welcome too, so even the dog can join in the seasonal fun.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace
22 October–1 November 2026
For an after-dark adventure with plenty of theatrical flair, look no further than Halloween at Blenheim Palace.
Set within the magnificent grounds of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Halloween trail promises a thrilling journey through eerie light displays, immersive entertainment and wonderfully imaginative spooky scenes. This year’s trail features the Spider’s Lair, a ghostly Pirate’s Wreck, Vampire Hunters and chilling Catacombs. There are plenty of surprises along the route, creating an atmospheric blend of spectacle and Halloween mischief for families, friends and daring couples alike..
Fairytale Farm, Scarily Ever After
24 October–1 November 2026
Just outside Chipping Norton, Fairytale Farm is putting a magical twist on Halloween with its family-friendly Scarily Ever After experience. From Saturday 24th October, little witches and wizards can follow Hansel and Gretel’s trail of puzzles and riddles, collect answers in their Spellbook Passport and discover pumpkins in the Woodcutter’s Pumpkin Patch. There’s even the chance to meet Ginger the Witch, who has a much sweeter side than your average Halloween character.
As dusk falls, Fairytale Farm’s Illuminated Evenings add another layer of magic, with glowing displays bringing the attraction to life after dark. Special Potions & Spells Halloween party evenings are also scheduled for 30th and 31st October, so there are plenty of reasons to linger a little longer.
Snowshill Manor & Garden, Stranger Folk
16 October–29 November 2026
For something a little more unusual, head to Snowshill Manor and Garden, near Broadway, where British folklore takes centre stage. The Stranger Folk experience invites visitors into a world of old magic, mysterious creatures and unsettling legends. Using an interactive app, follow the guidance of the Crone as you discover where the stranger folk are slipping into our world and attempt to close the gaps between the two.
Inside the manor, keep an eye out for intriguing objects associated with witches, alongside ghost stories that add an extra layer of mystery to this already distinctive historic home.
Chedworth Roman Villa, Ghosts of Roman Britain
16 October–1 November 2026
Who said Halloween couldn’t be educational? At Chedworth Roman Villa, visitors can explore ancient Roman beliefs about death, spirits and the afterlife through the seasonal Ghosts of Roman Britain experience.
The atmospheric Roman remains provide an evocative backdrop to stories of restless spirits and mysterious prophecies. During October half-term, younger visitors can also take on the Roman Ghost Investigator challenge, following clues and completing activities inspired by ancient Roman funeral rites in a bid to help the villa’s wandering spirits find peace.
Woodchester Mansion, Spooky Cellars & the Golden Pumpkin Trail
23 October–1 November 2026
For those who prefer their Halloween with a slightly darker atmosphere, Woodchester Mansion near Stroud is well worth a visit. This remarkable unfinished Gothic mansion is an atmospheric setting at any time of year, but come October its spooky cellars return, offering visitors the chance to explore some of the building’s eerier spaces.
Families can also take part in the Golden Pumpkin Trail, hunting for hidden golden pumpkins throughout the mansion. Find them all and there’s a small prize waiting at the end. Afterwards, warm up with refreshments at Henry’s Café before enjoying an autumn walk through the surrounding countryside.
For a more grown-up Halloween outing, the mansion also hosts Wicked Tales on 29th, 30th and 31st October. These evening experiences feature strange magic, spooky storytelling and paranormal mysteries, offering an alternative to the usual Halloween party.
Painswick Rococo Garden, The Big Bat Trail
24 October–1 November 2026
A little autumn exploration awaits at Painswick Rococo Garden, where the annual Halloween season brings a playful twist to one of the Cotswolds’ most distinctive gardens. This October half-term, the Big Bat Trail invites visitors to hunt for mischievous hidden bats and discover fascinating facts about these nocturnal creatures as they explore the garden.
Beyond the trail, there’s plenty to enjoy, from the garden’s winding paths and maze to woodland play areas, historic follies and beautiful autumn scenery. Finish with a stop at the Garden Café before heading home after a day in the fresh air.
The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Halloween Trail & Family Party
24 October–1 November 2026
For a creative take on Halloween, head to The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham. From 24th October to 1st November, families can follow a Halloween trail through the galleries, searching for creepy creatures, mysterious objects and hidden surprises along the way. There’s even a Halloween treat waiting at the finish, making it a fun way to introduce younger visitors to the museum.
On Friday 30th October, the gallery also hosts a dedicated Halloween Party, with themed crafts, glitter tattoos and spooky activities for children. Costumes are encouraged, so little monsters can arrive ready for an afternoon of creative fun.
Corinium Museum, Creepy Corinium Cupcakes
28 October 2026
If your ideal Halloween involves more treats than tricks, Corinium Museum in Cirencester has a suitably sweet event on the calendar. The Creepy Corinium Cupcakes workshop takes place on Wednesday 28th October, offering a seasonal activity for those who like their spooky celebrations with a creative twist.
For those who prefer a walk on the darker side, the museum’s programme also includes a Haunted Cirencester Town Tour on 22nd October, offering a different way to uncover the town’s stories and secrets.
Gloucester Prison, Salvation Z Bedlam
Selected dates: 16–17, 23–24 and 30–31 October 2026
And now for the brave among us! For those who prefer their Halloween experiences genuinely intense, Salvation Z Bedlam returns to the former HMP Gloucester for a frighteningly immersive experience within the prison’s historic walls.
Expect a scare maze, threatening creatures and zombie-themed thrills as visitors attempt to navigate the darkness. It’s a very different proposition from the family-friendly pumpkin trails, delivering a more full-on horror experience for those who enjoy a proper fright.
With performances scheduled on selected evenings throughout October, including Halloween weekend, it’s one to consider for a group of friends looking for something a little more daring.