Is Winchester England's Spookiest City this Halloween?

Leading up to All Hallows Eve a host of spooky characters will appear in the ancient streets and buildings of Winchester, as the city is all set to become the spookiest in Britain.

Winchester Discovery Centre will be hosting scary stories for families on Halloween night. Events are also planned on 29 and 30 October - visitors can come and learn about the gory history of Winchester - with all the bloodiest bits thoughtfully left in. And to carry on the seasonal fun, a dramatic performance of Dracula will be held on 1 November.

Visit the Eclipse Inn, Winchester's most famous haunted pub. Dame Alice Lisle spent her last night in this inn in 1685 after being condemned by Hanging Judge Jeffreys. She had been found guilty of harbouring fugitive cavaliers. 71 years old when she was hanged, Alice stepped out from an upstairs window onto the scaffold structure which had been erected against the pub frontage. She had originally been condemned to be burnt at the stake but after the Winchester clergy pleaded with the Judge he kindly commuted the sentence to death by hanging. A nearby plaque commemorates her life.

The Blair Winch Project will be running in the haunted Theatre Royal Winchester on 31 October. The ghost of a woman awaiting her long-lost lover is said to haunt this theatre in Jewry Street. There will be workshops for youngsters during the day, where kids can learn special effects make-up, a 'Thriller' dance and Halloween costume-making. Following this there will be free Halloween activities for children (accompanied by adults) with apple bobbing, popcorn, marshmallows and much more from 3pm to 4pm. Spooky blockbuster 'Ghostbusters' will run as the family movie at 4pm, and a Halloween super scary double bill for adults at 8pm with 'Poltergeist', followed by 'Halloween' at 10.30pm will round off the day's activities.

On 31 October, visitors to the Westgate Museum in Winchester can enjoy ghost stories for free in the hugely atmospheric fortified medieval gateway. Guests will be taken up the shadowy stone staircase and through the creaking door to the panelled upper chamber, once used as a prison. The very bravest may venture on upwards for more frightful tales on the dark Westgate rooftop.

Step into the past at the City Museum, which tells the story of Winchester - from an important Roman town, to the principal city of King Alfred and through to the present day. Discover how Winchester's shops used to look - the ground floor display includes authentic re-creations of an apothecary and haberdashery. On 30 and 31 October, families can meet a Viking warrior and lady as these re-enactors tell tales of 'Wintra Nights' (Viking Halloween) for free.

Marwell Wildlife is inviting children to bring pumpkins to the zoological park, and after carving out a spooky face, watch it being devoured by their favourite animal! Marwell's very own 'Master Carver' will be on hand to give children handy tips on how to carve a pumpkin. As animals come in all shapes and sizes, small and large pumpkins are all welcome. Pumpkins will also be available to buy in the park. Standard admission charges apply for entry into the park. For more information visit www.marwell.org.uk or call 01962 777407.

Visit the Hampshire Chronicle, High Street. The former offices of the county's oldest newspaper date back to the 18th century so it is perhaps not surprising that there is a ghost. A woman, who has been heard more than seen, can be heard rattling chains or machinery in the High Street building.

And book now to join the hugely popular ghost tour from Winchester's Official Tourist Guides. Steel yourself for some scary surprises on a tour around the city on 30 and 31 October, that points out the ghastly history of England's ancient capital.

Visit www.visitwinchester.co.uk or call into the tourist information centre for more details. The tourist information centre is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. It can be contacted on tel 01962 840 500 or e-mail tourism@winchester.gov.uk. We look forward to welcoming you very soon!

For press information, contact:
Sophy Norris/Lewis Shields
Flagship Consulting
01392 426 287 or 020 7886 8440
Sophy.norris@flagshipconsulting.co.uk or lewis.shields@flagshipconsulting.co.uk