Spooky Surrey
Angelina Villa-Clarke reveals some local haunts for ghostly adventures this Halloween.
Tales of the unexpected at Hampton Court Palace
For a fun, family-friendly and spooky day out, there’s nowhere better than Hampton Court Palace. The historic home of Henry VIII’s leans into its creepy past this October Half Term with scary sound effects, atmospheric projections and a new eerie outdoor trail (keep your eyes peeled for restless spirits who might be roaming the grounds). As you explore the winding corridors, you might discover the ghosts of Oliver Cromwell or even Henry VIII lurking in the corners. Storytelling sessions and Halloween-themed treats are all part of the fun, as are the ghouls who will be creeping around the palace and grounds, from 10am-4pm, 25 October-2 November.
Hrp.org.uk
Pre-booking is recommended. Members go free; From £28 adults; £14 children.
Discover grisly Guildford
Expect chilling stories and tales of ghosts past in the Ghost Tour of Guildford, an immersive and fun walking tour by actor and writer, Philip Hutchinson. Setting off from Holy Trinity Church, at the top of the High Street, the walking tour has been ongoing since 2001, and runs every Friday at 8pm, up to 21 November. Covering 20 haunted and mysterious sites, the storytelling tour takes in Tunsgate, the Castle grounds and Quarry Street, finishing at The Angel Hotel. Among the tales of paranormal activity, you’ll find out why the Holy Trinity Church is cursed, the identity of the mysterious lady in grey, seen around Tunsgate, and why The King’s Head pub is Guildford’s most haunted building. Expect phantom laughs along the way.
ghosttourofguildford.co.uk
£10 per adults; £5 for under 16s
A haunted Ham House
With reported sightings of Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale who lived in Ham House in the 17th century, you might get more than you bargained for with a visit to Richmond’s National Trust property. More likely, you’ll be able to soak up the drama of the 17th century home’s superb collection of paintings, furniture and textiles, many dating back some 400 years. Sitting on the banks of the River Thames, the house was the creation of the Duchess of Lauderdale and her husband, who transformed Ham into one of the grandest Stuart houses in England. Don’t miss the restored, formal gardens and the thriving kitchen gardens – one of the most productive of its kind in London. Be warned: the scent of roses might be deceptive – sightings of the Duchess have been sometimes accompanied by the unmistakeable floral aroma. To get rid of any goose-bumps, head to the historic Orangery café, for a drink or two to calm your nerves.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/london/ham-house-and-garden
Photography by Chris Davies
Free entry for members. £18.70 members; £9.40 children.
Creepy Chessington
With thrilling Halloween shows, after-dark theme park rides and trick or treating galore, Chessington Theme Park offers endless fantastical fun this autumn. Aimed at younger children, Enchanted Hollow (at an extra charge) is the park’s special Halloween event taking place in the Creepy Caves reptile house. The underground ‘town’ features shop fronts and houses with doors for children to knock on. Watch out for the friendly creatures who open their houses to hand out chocolate bars to trick or treaters. Older kids and adults, meanwhile, will love the ‘fright night’ feel of rides in the dark, as well as the spellbinding entertainment and shows aimed to send shivers up their spines.
Chessington.com
Day passes from £32
Have a pint in a paranormal pub
At some of Surrey’s historic pubs, the sightings of strange spirits might not be the result of having had one drink too many. Dating back to the 16th century, the Punchbowl Inn in Dorking has been named one of the most haunted pubs in Surrey, with reports of resident ghost dogs and an apparition of an ancient man wandering around. Despite the odd stories, the old inn remains one of the cosiest places for a welcome autumnal lunch. Meanwhile, at the Kings Arms and Royal Hotel in Godalming, which dates back to the 1300s, you might brush shoulders with the Russian czar, Peter the Great, who stayed at the hotel in 1698. The restaurant is also known for serving a mean Sunday roast, so don’t let the whispers of the past put you off the pleasures of the present.
Punchbowlinnokewoodhill.com
