Press Release: Step into the shadows at Carew Castle this half-term
Carew Castle will reveal its darker side this half-term, as familiar rooms and hidden corners are transformed by haunted tales, eerie encounters and a week of Halloween adventures for all ages.
Running from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, the nine-day programme will bring Halloween to every corner of the Castle and Tidal Mill, from gentle family fun for younger visitors to more atmospheric experiences for those who like their half-term with a little edge.
Throughout half-term, the Castle will be overrun by a cast of mischievous scarecrows, hidden in corners and tucked away in unexpected places for the self-led Spooky Scarecrow Trail. Some will be silly, some spooky, some famous and a few distinctly unsettling, with families challenged to track them all down and uncover a mysterious prize.
Across the water, the Tidal Mill will be given its own Halloween transformation for the return of Creepy Mill: A Haunted House Experience. Visitors can make their way through the darkened building and discover what might be lurking in the gloom, with the experience included in normal admission.
Live storytelling will take centre stage from Sunday 25 to Tuesday 27 October, when Oliver McNeil of The Storymaster’s Tales brings The Castle of Blood to Carew. Blending fantasy, performance and audience participation, the hour-long show will invite families to influence the course of the adventure, with each choice helping to shape how the story unfolds.
Performances will take place at 1pm and are suitable for ages six to adult. Tickets cost £8 per person, with children accompanied by a paying adult. Booking is highly recommended at www.storymasterstales.com/live, and normal Castle admission charges also apply.
As daylight fades, the focus will shift to some of Carew’s more unsettling stories, with family-friendly Halloween Ghost Tours running from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 October. Visitors will follow a guided route through the Castle while hearing tales of ghostly sightings and unexplained encounters linked to the historic site. Keep your eyes peeled along the way – you may find you’re not quite alone.
Tours will run from 4.30pm-5.30pm and cost £9 for adults and £7 for children aged five and over. Booking is essential at www.carewcastle.com. Visitors are advised to wear warm, waterproof clothing, bring a torch and arrive 10 minutes before the tour begins.
Younger visitors will have their own chance to get caught up in the magic on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October, when Carew’s friendly witch settles by the fire for special Room on the Broom storytelling workshops. Julia Donaldson’s much-loved tale will be brought to life with props and lively storytelling, before children make their own magic wand, mix a potion and try casting a spell of their own.
The one-hour sessions will take place at 11am and 2pm and are recommended for children aged four to eight. Tickets cost £5 per child in addition to normal Castle admission, and booking is essential at www.carewcastle.com. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, said: “Halloween events have a different impact when the setting already has centuries of history behind it. A fantasy adventure inside a medieval Castle, a haunted Tidal Mill and ghost stories told after dark all feel that little bit more convincing at Carew. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to make a day of it, and perhaps stay long enough to see Carew change as the light begins to fade.”
Carew Castle will be open daily from 10am-4.30pm throughout half-term, with Nest Tearoom open from 10.30am-4pm and the Tidal Mill from 11am-5pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. For full event details, accessibility information and booking, visit www.carewcastle.com.