Thrills and spills in store for Halloween at Warwick Castle - review with pictures

And Halloween is the perfect time of year to indulge those fans who love being terrified and terrorised in new and ever more inventive days.

And what better venue than an ancient castle whose walls are packed with legends, ghost tales and gruesome historical stories . . .

Warwick Castle is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, but at Halloween, when it becomes the Haunted Castle, it really does come into its own, helped by a cast of superbly talented actors who relish the challenge of dressing up as witches, ghosts, zombies and knights to bring all that history to full glorious, gory reality.

After a scarily-long motorway journey in torrential rain, which set the scene perfectly, we arrived at the castle and, amid the pouring rain, headed straight for the after-dark activities laid on for Halloween visitors.

We were a bit too late for the last dungeon tour, but one of the guides said quite innocently: “Why not you try the new attraction ‘Dead of Knight’?"

OK, we said, not entirely sure what we were letting ourselves in for and followed her into a gloomy corridor where we were suddenly alone.

But not for long. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness we could hear moans and screams and figures that at first seemed like mannequins suddenly revealed that they were not.

Pushing our way through blood spattered cloths hanging from the ceiling we encountered shrieking zombies and patients, who stopped short of actually touching us, but weren't afraid to get up close and personal.

The loudest scream came from yours truly when a monk hidden by a huge hood suddenly appeared at my shoulder, having been stood a few metres away just a few seconds before. I think my son's arm still has my fingerprints imprinted on it.

We emerged about 15 minutes later, terrified but laughing heartily at our response.

Deferring the dungeon tour until the following day and the promise of better weather, we headed to our accommodation for the night in the Knight's village.

Our lodge, nestling among the trees, was warm welcoming and well-equipped.

We walked up to the banquet hall for a hearty meal, punctuated with entertainment as Sir James fights the Black Knight with his massive sword. Yes really . . . the kids loved it!

The next morning brought better weather and a delicious buffet breakfast before we headed back up to the castle to experience the rest of the attractions.

It's all very different in daylight, but the Halloween theme is going strong, with witches around a steaming cauldron beckoning youngsters into their tower, junior ghost hunters seeing what spooky goings on they can detect and Paranormal Encounters, looking for supernatural activity within the castle walls.

There are performances from Dead Centre Stage in the middle of the grounds getting visitors into the spirit of the occasion and regular tours of the castle, many with a ghost theme.

We tried a tour of the castle with a knowledgeable guide who told us all about the fascinating ghost stories attached to the building and its many occupants over the centuries.

Then it was time to try the dungeon tour - a not-to-be-missed addition to any visit, if you can stomach it!

Guests are greeted by a jester, more funny peculiar than funny ha ha, and led into the darkness of the castle where we find ourselves meeting such delightful characters as the cook with a fascination for dissection, the torturer, the executioner and the judge . . . all as scary as they sound, telling their own stories about the castle’s gruesome past.

There are a few special effects which all add to the experience, and plenty of humiliation for a few lucky 'volunteers'!

If ghosts and gore are not your cup of tea, there are plenty of activities on for younger visitors and of course all the usual attractions, such as archery, the Falconer's Quest and tours around the state rooms as well as walks in the grounds.

The castle really does have something for everyone.

FACTBOX:

The Haunted Castle

When: The Haunted Castle runs until November 3

What’s New: This year there are three new attractions at the Castle, the Junior Ghost Hunt, Paranormal Encounters and Dead of Knight scare maze.

The Castle Dungeon also enjoys a new Halloween twist to the show with an eerie new story in the final room.

Day Prices: The Haunted Castle costs from £20 per person for daytime entrance and from £15 per person for evening entrance (5pm to 10pm from 24th-31st October only).

Ticket prices are based on advance booking, minimum five days in advance.

Some attractions incur an additional charge (the Castle Dungeon). Tickets including the Castle

Dungeon experience cost from £25 per person.

Spend the ‘knight’: Halloween stays in lodges set in the riverside woodland start from £80.50 per person per night including breakfast, car parking and two full days to enjoy The Haunted Castle.

Accommodation in a Woodland Lodge in the Knight’s Village at Warwick Castle starts from £62 per person per night based on a family of four sharing a Woodland Lodge. Rates are subject to availability.