Haunted destinations: Where to stay for Halloween

Nothing says Halloween quite like a staycation in one of the country’s most haunted vacation destinations. Luckily for you, the UK is home to many eerie, atmospheric, and spine-chilling places.

Whether you consider yourself a pro ghost hunter or you’re just a fan of all things Halloween, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite haunted destinations, with recommendations on where to stay to best explore all the spooky sights nearby. From mysterious moors to ancient fortresses and abandoned buildings, these spots are sure to send a shiver down your spine!

Key takeaways

Discover some of the most haunted travel destinations in the UK, including Cornwall, York, Cheshire and Essex.
Find the best places to stay for Halloween to be close to all the top haunted destinations: Retallack Resort in Cornwall, The Bay Filey in Yorkshire, Golden Sands in North Wales and Mersea Island in Essex.
Get top tips on Halloween activities for all age groups to make the most of your spooky getaway.
For even more seasonal fun, join in all kinds of ghoulish shenanigans with 31 Days of Halloween across select Away Resorts parks.

The UK’s most haunted destinations

The UK is no stranger to haunted travel destinations. From ancient castle ruins to spooky forests - here are our top picks for the most haunted destinations and places to stay on your Halloween break.

Cornwall for Halloween

Don’t be fooled by its quaint fishing harbours and beautiful coastlines - Cornwall is home to some of the most haunted destinations in the UK. Rich with stories of pirates, smugglers, and ghostly sightings, it’s the perfect location for a spooky Halloween getaway.

Haunted destinations to visit in Cornwall:

Bodmin Moor: A vast, windswept moorland home to numerous myths and folk-inspired legends. Keep a watchful eye out for the infamous “Beast of Bodmin” which is said to have had over 60 sightings, or pay a visit to Bodmin Jail for a spine-chilling ghost experience by lantern light.
Jamaica Inn: Hailed as one of the most haunted destinations in the UK, Jamaica Inn sits just outside Bodmin Moor, and is famous for its paranormal sightings. Stay for a drink and hear the local stories, or brave a night’s stay at the inn and experience the strange happenings for yourself.
Pendennis Castle: With at least eight reported spectral sightings, Pendennis Castle is a must-visit on a Halloween getaway to Cornwall. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of the fortress’ most famous resident: the ghost of a kitchen maid who fell to her death many years ago.

Where to stay in Cornwall for Halloween:

For all of Cornwall’s most haunted destinations right on your doorstep, Retallack Resort offers the perfect base. Just 40 minutes from Bodmin Moor and Jamaica Inn, Retallack Resort has everything you need for a spooky and memorable Halloween break. Enjoy cosy, lakeside accommodation and fantastic on-site amenities, including 31 Days of Halloween fun throughout October for little monsters and grown-up ghouls alike!

Yorkshire for Halloween

Otherwise known as the “city of 1,000 ghosts”, York is often regarded as the most haunted city in England, making it the ultimate haunted holiday destination. Its gruesome history of plague, public executions, criminals and civil war add to the macabre atmosphere, with an estimated 600,000 people buried in the city’s graveyards and underground burial sites. If it’s paranormal sightings you’re after this Halloween, York is the place for you.

Haunted destinations to visit in Yorkshire:

The Golden Fleece: Built in 1503, The Golden Fleece is York’s most haunted pub, said to be home to no less than 15 spectres. Guests often report hearing phantom footsteps down the corridors late at night, thought to be the spirit of Lady Alice Peckett, while others speak of the Canadian Airman who has been known to appear on the third floor in full military uniform.
Whitby Abbey: While not in the city of York itself, Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire is worth a visit if it’s haunted destinations you seek this Halloween. Just an hour north of the city, its ruins are said to be haunted by several ghosts, including St Hilda, the abbey’s founder, who has been known to appear in the highest north window on stormy nights. And if that’s not spooky enough for you, the dramatic ruins also inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Where to stay in Yorkshire for Halloween:

One of the best places to experience Yorkshire’s many spooky sites and haunted destinations is The Bay Filey - just an hour’s drive from the city of York and Whitby Abbey. Sat on the North Yorkshire coast, it blends spectacular sea views with cosy accommodation, on-site amenities, and easy access to some of the area’s most haunted sites. Choose from luxurious lodge stays, exclusive beach houses or classic apartments that have all the necessities for a memorable October break.

Chester for Halloween

The walled city of Chester has long been famous for its ghostly tales and haunted destinations. From spectral sightings along the ancient Chester City Walls to renowned ghost hunting spots and eerie phantom sounds with little to no explanation - it’s a city that’s always been home to things that go bump in the night, making it a fantastic choice for a haunted vacation destination.

Haunted destinations to visit in Chester:

Chester City Walls: Wander the long and winding city walls, and you might just be lucky (or unlucky!) enough to catch a glimpse of the phantom Roman legionnaire. Legend has it the Roman soldier was killed after falling in love with a Celtic girl and abandoning his post - and he’s been patrolling the wall ever since.
Ye Olde King’s Head: With foundations dating back to 1208, Ye Olde King’s Head is a hotspot for paranormal activity and is often featured in ghost hunting investigations. Guests who have stayed in Room 4 have been known to report hearing childlike giggles and small footsteps, said to be the spirit of a playful child who never left the building.
The Pied Bull: Another haunted hotel in Chester, The Pied Bull is the oldest continuously licensed building in the city, dating back to the 11th century. Just be careful venturing into the cellar, as it’s here that the ghost of John Davies is said to reside, having fallen to his death back in 1609.

Where to stay near Chester for Halloween:

If you’re looking for an idyllic autumnal stay close to all of Cheshire’s most haunted travel destinations, then Golden Sands Holiday Park in North Wales is the perfect pick - just 50 minutes from Chester. With a stunning coastal location and accommodation options for every group size and budget, it has everything you need for the ultimate Halloween getaway.

Essex for Halloween

There’s more to Essex than beautiful coastlines, colourful beach huts, and the world’s longest pleasure pier - Essex is also one of the top haunted travel destinations in the UK thanks to its long history of paranormal folklore. From ancient castle ruins to haunted military bunkers, there’s plenty to see for those seeking some spooky Halloween fun!

Haunted destinations to visit in Essex:

Borley Rectory: Built in 1862, Borley Rectory is one of Essex’s most renowned haunted destinations. Psychic researcher, Harry Price, dubbed the building “the most haunted house in England”, and it’s easy to see why, with legends of a spectral nun roaming the corridors and reports of poltergeist activity. Though the original building burnt down in 1939, the site remains a popular destination for those seeking a spine-chilling experience.
Manningtree: What appears to be a small Essex town actually has a much darker history than you’d think. In the 1600s, Manningtree was home to the self-proclaimed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins, making it the centre of witch trials and executions. To this day visitors still speak of the “ancient anger of the persecuted” that can be felt through the town.

Where to stay in Essex for Halloween:

Mersea Island holiday park offers the ultimate coastal stay for your Halloween break, just under an hour’s drive from some of Essex’s most haunted destinations. In fact, Mersea Island itself is said to be home to a spectral Roman soldier patrolling the causeway, with the first reported sighting back in 1904. A stay at Mersea Island holiday park puts you right in the heart of the spooky action, perfect for a Halloween getaway.

Dial up the spookiness with 31 Days of Halloween

Venturing into some of the UK’s most haunted destinations isn’t the only way to get into the spooky spirit this October - there are plenty of other ways to have some ghoulish fun! A number of our holiday parks at Away Resorts are hosting 31 Days of Halloween, packed with activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Halloween activities for younger kids

For families with little ones, there are plenty of ways to join in the Halloween fun without causing any frights. Many of our holiday parks host a range of seasonal workshops and events to get families into the spooky spirit, including:

Pumpkin painting
Franken-SLIME Laboratory
Trick or Treat treasure trail
Potions & Smells workshop
Entertainment from the BOO Crew

Halloween activities for older kids

Teenagers and older kids can enjoy the Halloween vibes, too, with various on-park activities that cater more to their spooky side, including:

Silent disco with DJ Bones
The Forest of Light Halloween at Sandy Balls
Pumpkin carving
Halloween parties
Spooky baking workshops

Halloween activities for adults

Even grown-up ghouls deserve a little bit of Halloween fun. Embrace the spooky vibes with on-park seasonal entertainment, nearby haunted attractions, and plenty of adult-friendly activities to enjoy, including:

Scary movie nights at the outdoor cinema
Sharing ghost stories beneath the stars
Pumpkin picking at nearby pumpkin patches

31 Days of Halloween: Where to stay

If you want to stay in the heart of the Halloween fun, then you’ll want to book a spooktacular getaway at one of our participating holiday parks - many of which are just a short drive from the UK’s most haunted travel destinations.

For beautiful sandy coastlines, stay at: Cleethorpes Pearl in Lincolnshire
For spooky fun by the lakes, stay at: Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire
For a unique coastal Halloween getaway, stay at: Whitecliff Bay on Isle of Wight
For easy access to the haunted city of Chester, stay at: Golden Sands in North Wales
For a spooky woodland retreat, stay at: Sandy Balls in the New Forest
For a frightfully fun coastal adventure, stay at: Mill Rythe in Hampshire
For an October break by the Cornish coast, stay at: St Ives Bay in Cornwall
For a ghoulish adventure close to Cornwall’s most haunted spots, stay at: Retallack Resort in Cornwall
For windswept coastal walks and family-friendly Halloween fun, stay at: Newquay Bay in Cornwall

Feeling brave? Book the ultimate Halloween break

Haunted destinations, ghoulish adventures, and supernatural experiences await! From not-so-abandoned ruins to mysterious moors steeped in folklore legends, the ultimate Halloween getaway is just a few clicks away. For family-friendly Halloween fun, explore our 31 Days of Halloween line-up, or see how brave you really are with a haunted hotspot road trip.

Whatever you decide, just remember: you never really know what’s lurking in the dark.