The dark nights are upon us and the owners of venues and attractions across Cumbria are preparing for the spookiest night of the year. Whether you are a pumpkin carving kiddy or a big grown-up who loves being scared, there’s something for everyone’s haunting tastes.
To help you plan your Halloween adventures here are our top 10 places to be this 31 October in Cumbria.
1. Halloween ‘Frights & Heights’ charity Zip Trek to be held in the dark for the first time – 31 October
Scary, ‘tree’mendous adventures await thrill-seekers at Treetop Trek and Treetop Nets on the shores of Windermere – with brave participants being dared to get involved in special Halloween-themed events – one of which will be held in the dark for the first time!
The team at the Brockhole-based attraction is holding spooky sessions with the Halloween Twilight Zip which takes place on October 31 – which this year will be done in the dark for the first time – with fancy dress encouraged!
With all proceeds going towards the Teenage Cancer Trust, tickets are being snapped up fast, making it frighteningly easy to miss out.
Completely surrounded by three-metre-high walls of netting, without the need for a safety harness, Halloween thrill-seekers are always safe and sound – with nothing but ghosts and ghouls to fear.
Fearless adventurers can book a place on any Treetop Trek or Treetop Nets session online or by calling 015394 47186.
- For more details, visit www.treetoptrek.co.uk/events.
2. Catch The Body Snatchers – 31 October
Get to grips with The Body Snatchers at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal 31 October
As part of their UK Tour of The Body Snatcher by Ian Townsend, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s spinetingling story Thunder Road and Harrogate Theatre stop off for Hallowe’en in Kendal.
This production is brought bang up-to-date with live performances of songs by David Bowie and The Clash. The Body Snatcher is a dystopian thriller, shot through with humour – perfect for the Hallowe’en season.
It’s 50 years after Brexit and the country is fighting a mysterious disease. In the remote town of Inglenook, a young scientist arrives to scenes of devastation – the streets are empty, the milk is sour and the dogs are howling day and night.
Haunted by his past, he knows that the future of this beleaguered country may lie in his hands. But he needs dead bodies to do his work, and he can’t work out why so many are turning up at his laboratory….
Stevenson’s tale took the notorious Burke and Hare murders of 1828 as its starting point. Multi-award winning playwright Ian Townsend says: “I’ve always wanted to write a horror/thriller type of play and I really hope that The Body Snatcher will make audiences squirm with delight. As the dark nights draw in, it’s perfect for a spooky night out. Nobody is safe!”
The Body Snatcher is Thunder Road’s fifth co-production with Harrogate Theatre, an association which began in 2012 and has resulted in rave reviews, box office records and multiple awards.
- The Body Snatchers, Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, 31 October 8 pm, £13 adult ticket. For more information and to book tickets visit The Brewery Arts Centre website
3. All aboard the truly terrifying ghost trains – 25 & 26 October
La’al Ratty will be travelling through the darkness to Ravenglass and back on track for a truly terrifying Ghost Train experience. Be prepared to scream and the spookiest train ride in Cumbria returns with even more surprises aboard the haunted train.
The guys at Ravenglass Railway Company do warn these rides are designed to scare and they recommend that younger children (under 10s) travel on their normal service – also strobe lighting will be used as part of the Ghost Train event.
The Ghost train departs Ravenglass at 6 pm and leaves Dalegarth at 7.15 pm.
- Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, CA18 1SW, Price: £16.00 per adult, £9.00 per child. For more information and to book visit the
La-al Ratty website
4. Hallowe’en Special Sing-a-long to the Whicker Man (15) – Rheged Cinema, 31 October 7.45 pm
Rheged cinema asks you to dust down your best Scottish accent, dress up as your favourite character and come and experience this horror classic like never before.
Your hosts, Dr Bramwell and Eliza Skelton, will get things warmed up with a little live music, lead you through the actions and lyrics for the songs then, at the Witching Hour, you’ll be given a pagan hymn book and goody bag full of surprises, we’ll roll the film and may God have mercy on your soul.
- For more details and to book visit the Rheged website
5. Set sail on the Ghostly Galleon on Ullswater – 26 October
For a spooky sail across Ullswater, all aboard the Ghostly Galleon with Ullswater Steamers on Saturday 26 October.
Magic, monsters and mayhem on board with magician Stu-Di-Doo. Your ticket includes a 90-minute cruise, magic show, your own monster balloon to take home and a goodie bag, plus face-painting, tattoos and a complimentary drink.
Saturday 26th October – Departing from Glenridding Pier at 12:30 and 14:30 £14.50 per person (children under 3 are free)
- For more details and to book visit the Ullswater Steamer website
#HappyHalloween
