Devilishly good fun in Winchester this Halloween

19 October 2011

As this is the season for goblins and bats, Halloween spirits, ghosts and cats, visitors to Winchester will be shivering and screaming with fright as they creep around the streets of this ancient capital of England on Halloween night.

Ghost tours, tarantula encounters and a bit of good old fashioned murder mystery is just the (widow’s) peak of a festive feast of horror for Halloween 2011 in Winchester. 

Some highlights are listed below and more can be found online at www.visitwinchester.co.uk. 
Marwell Wildlife (22 – 30 October) could well be the most haunted place in Winchester this Halloween with many spooky going- ons taking place, including:

“Spooky Nature” Halloween Festival (22 – 30 October)
Meet the tarantulas and other creepy crawlies, lose yourself in the eerie maze then design and help carve your own pumpkin. This week long festival celebrates all devilish things that go bump in the night!

Halloween Murder Mystery Night! (29 October)
Enjoy getting into character with a 1930s theme, delicious three course dinner and fun-filled murder mystery, presented by Katchakilla at Marwell Hall. The dinner takes place from 6.45pm - 11.00pm, tickets cost £65.
http://www.marwell.org.uk

Westgate Museum (25 – 31 October) A Debtor’s prison for 150 years, this medieval gateway museum will once again become a place of terror as it celebrates Halloween with ghoulish activities for all the family. Events include:
Halloween Horror Week, 25 - 30 October
Drop by and root out the rodents in a rat hunt spotter quiz. The creepy Westgate will be decorated especially for Halloween. 

Halloween Horrors Make and Take, 31 October (4.30pm - 7pm)
Ghoulish make and take activities in the spooky Westgate.  Children must be accompanied by adults.
www.winchester.gov.uk/heritage

Winchester Discovery Centre (26 – 27 October) will be guiding visitors through the haunted streets of Winchester as they re-count the gory medieval history of the city, with all the bloodiest bits thoughtfully left in of course!
Tours run from 6.30pm – 8pm, ticket price: £5.
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/wdc   

Winchester City Mill (26 – 29 October) this picturesque historic mill will take on a haunting presence this Halloween as the mill swaps its usual flour milling demonstrations for creepy family activities.
Wed 26 Oct (11am - 4pm) Halloween themed baking demonstrations – sample devilishly treats all made using local seasonal ingredients.
Thu 27 & Fri 28 October Wooden sword & magic wand making workshops with the Spinney Hollow group 11am-4pm. Booking required.
Sat 29 October (7pm - 9pm) Haunted National Trust Properties of Hampshire – a special Halloween lecture by local author & ghost hunter Matthew Feldwick. Booking Required.
Tickets: National Trust Members go free, Adults £4, Child £2 Group £10.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winchestercitymill

Winchester Tourist Information Centre (28 - 30 October) will be taking only the bravest visitors to the spookiest places in Winchester this Halloween. Guides will re-tell local legends of ghostly encounters at sites around the city including The Square, Cathedral Close, and the Manor of Godbegot. Tours take around one and a half hours. Each guide has their own particular stories to tell so no tour is the same. The tours run from 6:30pm-8:00pm (28, 29 and 30 October) and 7:30pm-9:00pm (28 and 29 October).
Tickets:  £5.00 adult, £1 child available from the tourist information centre.
http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/site/tourist-information

If you are looking for spookily themed places to stay, check into the Marwell Hotel (if you dare):
Marwell Hotel will be offering reduced bed and breakfast rates for attendees to the Halloween Murder Mystery Night (29 October):
Single occupancy: £64.00
Double occupancy: £84.00
Family: £104.00
To book accommodation or for further information, please phone 01962 777 681 or email info@marwellhotel.co.uk

 
Marwell Wildlife Halloween October Break – Kids Stay Free!
£189 for one night
Inclusive of:
- Accommodation in one of our spacious Family Rooms with use of our in-house DVD player
- Halloween treats for the kids
- Two course dinner in the dining room
- Full English breakfast
- Family pass to Marwell zoo
- Complimentary car parking
- Complimentary use of the leisure facilities and children’s play area
From 22 October - 30 October 2011, Marwell Wildlife is holding their Halloween Festival, so all visitors to Marwell Wildlife this week will benefit from what they have on offer:
Offer is subject to availability.
Price remains the same for 2 adults and 1 child.
To book or for further information, please phone Marwell Hotel on 01962 777 681 or email info@marwellhotel.co.uk

Other good accommodation offers include:

Holiday Inn Winchester

'Autumn Treasure Trail' break at the Holiday Inn Winchester. Includes dinner, breakfast, and Keat's walk activity pack. £109 one night for family of four.

Contact: Tel 0871 942 9188 or visit www.hiwinchester.co.uk 

Mercure Winchester

To make the most of your visit, why not stay overnight at the Mercure Winchester which is offering 40% discount off a two night stay, including breakfast and receive a gift on arrival. A contemporary four star hotel ideally situated in the heart of the ancient City of Winchester, with unrivalled views of the famous Cathedral. To book visit: www.mercure.com  

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