Are you a big fan of the Halloween holiday? There are so many different things to look forward to on this spooky day and Britain is the perfect place to experience it all. This includes creepy medieval architecture and many tourist attractions that celebrate the darker side of this country’s history.
Halloween is popular amongst much of the British population, so it comes as no surprise that last year’s spend on this spooky season was almost £690 million. This was spent on costumes, pumpkins and a range of events celebrating October 31st.
If you want to go that extra mile to enjoy Halloween in 2023, then we’ve got a list of the top places to celebrate it. Most locations can be conveniently travelled to on one of the many train services available too, so use our guide below and start planning your epic adventure for Halloween today!
Why do we celebrate Halloween?
Before listing the best places to celebrate Halloween, we thought we’d explain why the holiday exists in the first place. Well, the inspiration behind the holiday comes from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which came at the end of summer to welcome the harvest with people lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to scare off ghosts.
In the eighteenth century, many of these traditions were incorporated into All Saints Day by Pope Gregory III, which took place on the 1st of November. This evening before became known as All Hallows Eve and then later changed to Halloween as we know it today.
Top Places to Celebrate in the UK
Wherever you live in the country, you shouldn’t have to travel too far to enjoy some Halloween festivities and here are some of the best the UK has to offer:
The London Dungeon
Although a spooky venue all year round, the London Dungeon pulls out all the stops during Halloween. You can find all of London’s infamous characters lurking around the place with the likes of Sweeney Todd or the Plague Doctor ready to give you a fright. This is a must-visit during Halloween and tickets can sell out fast, so buy them in advance to guarantee entry.
Edinburgh
Want to experience ghost tales in person? Edinburgh is the place for you. The Scottish capital is filled with a haunted history and has plenty of activities to sink your teeth into. Go on the Harry Potter walking tours or take on one of the ghost tours – if you’re feeling particularly brave.
York
Sometimes known as the ‘city of a thousand ghosts’, York may be the ideal place for you to spend Halloween. Not only does it have its own dungeon to explore but plenty of ghost walks as well as the Halloscream event at York Maze. This event features scary characters, haunted mansions and has even won awards for being one of the best Halloween events in the country.
