The dramatic Gothic ruins of Lowther Castle will play host to a spooky, fun and educational programme of Hallowe’en events throughout the October half-term, culminating in a magical night-time tour for all ages on Sunday 28th October with storytelling and ghostly encounters staged in the illuminated Castle and ancient Gardens.
Families visiting the intriguing Lowther Castle, just outside Penrith, between 22nd and 26th October will discover an array of ghoulish family activities and workshops unfolding throughout the atmospheric Castle and Gardens, from creepy encounters with bugs and reptiles to slimy science experiments and pumpkin-carving artist led workshops.
On Monday 22nd, young visitors to the Sculpture Gallery will create drop-day-of-the-dead arty masterpieces while on Tuesday, Wizard Rob and his Jeepers Creatures will give visitors the chance to get up close and personal with Zoolab’s creepy collection of critters including snakes, snails and spiders.
On Wednesday, in the Spooktacular Slimey Science Booth workshop, young visitors will conduct fiendish experiments from vomiting pumpkins and melting witches to creating their own slime to take home. Thursday’s Minibeast Mayhem will see experienced wildlife ranger Kelly Gimson lead a daring expedition into the woods to discover the creepy crawlies lurking therein.
Participants in Thursday’s Spooky Woodland Crafts workshop will create broomsticks and masks using natural materials found in Lowther’s haunted woods. On Friday the Pumpkin Carving Class will allow visitors to learn how to stencil and carve their own pumpkin and take their candle-lit masterpiece home with them.
The week of ghoulish events will culminate with The Ghosts of Lowther – an enchanting and atmospheric ghost tour of the illuminated Lowther Castle ruins, ancient gardens and woodland ideal for all the family. It will feature spooky stories from Lowther Castle’s archives and theatrical encounters with a host of characters played by talented actors from Ullswater Community College and Highly Suspect. The tours are suitable for all ages and last for one hour, with the first tour beginning at 5:30pm, and the last at 8:30pm – tours will become scarier as the hour grows later.
Throughout the whole evening the Castle courtyard will serve as a place for visitors to indulge, with delicious street food, special Halloween cocktails, stilt walking and fire juggling, glowing lantern making and Halloween fancy dress among the planned entertainment.
Lowther Castle was awarded Best Large Visitor Attraction in the 2018 Cumbria Tourism awards, offering spectacular ruins, acres of stunning Gardens and woodlands and one of the UK’s biggest outdoor adventure playgrounds.
Tickets for the Ghosts of Lowther evening event cost £9.50 or £7.50 for children under 15. Daytime admission to the castle costs £9 or £7 for children under 15. Children younger than three visit for free. The half-term Hallowe’en workshops cost are £3.50 for children with a ticket to the Castle, Garden and Adventure Play. The Pumpkin workshop is £5 per ticket and no admission ticket is required. Booking in advance online or at the Lowther Castle Admission is recommended to avoid disappointment.
For more information, please visit: www.lowthercastle.org.
