Terrifying trails and gruesome tales
Things get spooky at the National Trust whenever Hallowe’en creeps upon us.
From terrifying trails and spooky story-telling to fearsome face painting and frightening fancy dress, you can experience spine-chilling thrills at some of the most hauntingly atmospheric houses and gardens across Northern Ireland.
On the 18 to 19 October prepare to be spooked at Rowallane Garden’s Ghost and Gourd’s weekend. Get your face painted as scarily as you please, follow the Ghost Trail…if you dare, and take home a pumpkin to ward away the evil spirits. At Castle Ward find the Pumpkin People, bring along a scarecrow for the Scarecrow Pageant and pick your pumpkin to create a jack-o-lanterns.
Things get creepier as Hallowe’en draws nearer with story-telling by the fire at Florence Court on 24 October and Pumpkins and Potions at The Argory on 25-26 October. Enter The Argory’s spook shed for some ghoulish tales and follow the troll, the goblin and the witch on the Hallowe’en trail.
Ghoulish guided tours and other eerie delights will make a night to remember at Hezlett House on 25-28 October with a slightly less scary afternoon for the little ones on 26-27 October. Come along in fancy dress and take a tour of the haunted house to hear chilling tales of the strange and peculiar inhabitants of this historic place.
Florence Court will be a flurry of fun and capers for all the family on the 26 October. Take a spooky tour of the house – you never know who you will meet around the next corner. While you’re there enjoy the gorgeous reds and golds of autumnal foliage while browsing through the range of innovative craft stalls at the Craft Fair.
For something a bit different this Hallowe’en take part in the Giant’s Causeway Sugar Skull Trail on 30 to 31 October. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting and Mexican specials in the café.
Complete the Hallowe’en festivities at Mount Stewart on 31 October for a truly magical night. Enchanted Garden is the opening night for Festival of Light. For one night only hear the spooky sounds of the forest as you walk the eerie lit trail, dressed to impress in your finest Hallowe’en costumes. The magic continues at weekends throughout November with the return of Festival of Light. Bring the whole family for a fairy tale experience as the woodlands come alive with lights and music to the sounds of the movies.
Castle Ward 18-19 October
Autumn Pumpkinfest and Scarecrow Pageant
Choose from more than 2,000 pumpkins just ready for you to scoop out and for us to carve. Find the Pumpkin
People on their trail, browse an extensive display of local crafts in the Stableyard and Farmyard, and bring
along your very own scarecrow creation.
12 noon-5pm
Normal Admission Members Free
Rowallane Garden 18-19 October
Ghost and Gourds Weekend
Prepare to be spooked. Come along to Rowallane for a bewitching day out with our Ghost Trail and even get
a face painting. Why not behead, scoop and carve your very own pumpkin to take home and ward away the
evil spirits this Hallowe’en. Additional cost for pumpkins and Ghost Trail.
12 noon-5pm
Normal Admission Members Free
Crom 23-24 October Nocturnal Nature Tour
Take a tour in our 4×4 jeep and discover what lurks among the trees and foliage of Crom estate after
darkness falls.
Booking Essential
Contact 028 6773 8118
7-10pm
Adult £10 Child £5
Member Adult £10 Child £5
Florence Court 24 October
Storytelling by the Fire
Enjoy captivating tales from long ago by the cosy log fire in the Entrance Hall.
Booking Essential
Contact 028 6634 8249
8pm
Adult £15 Member Adult £15
The Argory 25-26 October
Pumpkins and Potions
Come dressed in your most frightening costume and enjoy a weekend of family fun. Enter the spook shed for
some ghoulish tales and follow the troll, the goblin and the witch on our fantastic Hallowe’en Trail. Carve a
pumpkin to take home and join in our traditional Hallowe’en activities for all the family. Additional charge for
Hallowe’en Trail.
12 noon-5pm
Normal Admission Members Free
Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House 25-28 October
Haunted Hezlett
Back with all new ghoulish live action performances and other eerie delights. Set in the especially themed
grounds of Hezlett House, both inside and out, this is a night you’ll not forget. Immerse yourself in the action if
you dare. Fancy dress encouraged.
6-9pm
Adult £6 Child £6
Member Adult £6 Child £6
Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House 26-27 October
Mini Haunted Hezlett
Slightly less scary day time fun for the little ones. Come along in fancy dress, create some spooky crafts and
take a tour of the Haunted House. Fun for all the family.
1-4pm
Adult £5 Child £5
Member Adult £5 Child £5
Florence Court 26 October
Hallowe’en Fest and Craft Fair
Come along for an afternoon of family fun and capers. Take a spooky tour of the house if you dare, you never
know who you’ll meet around the next corner.
12 noon-4pm
Normal Admission Members Free
Murlough NNR
26 October
Autumn Walk
Enjoy a 5 mile coastal walk around this National Nature Reserve, as part of the Newcastle Challenge Trail and
Lecale Way, and Great NI Walk. Suitable footwear essential, bring a picnic. Meet at Murlough main car park.
Booking Essential
Contact 028 4375 1467or murlough@nationaltrust.org.uk
11am-1pm
No Charge Donations Welcome
Giant’s Causeway 30-31 October Mexican Day of the Dead
For something a bit different this Hallowe’en come along and take part in our Sugar Skull Trail at the Giant’s
Causeway. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting and Mexican specials in the café.
11am-4pm
Normal Admission Members Free
Mount Stewart 31 October Hallowe’en at The Festival of Light
Our opening night for Festival of Light is set to the theme of Hallowe’en in ‘The Enchanted Garden’. For one
night only hear the spooky sounds of the forest as you walk the eerie lit lake trail. Dress to impress in your
finest Hallowe’en costumes.
Booking Essential
For further information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart
6-10pm
Adult £10 Child £7.50 Family £30
Member Adult £10 Child £7.50 Family £30
Mount Stewart
Weekends in November
Festival of Light
Described as ‘The Event of the Decade’, this magical event returns to Mount Stewart as the woodlands
come alive with lights and music. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable, fairy-tale experience with an
illuminated Lake Walk, and log-fires in the tipis.
Booking Essential
For further information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart
6-10pm
Adult £10 Child £7.50 Family £30
Member Adult £10 Child £7.50 Family £30
