From pumpkin picking to terrifying Frankenstein nights, and ferreting out the local ghosts and ghouls to a spooky disco at the Komedia venue, a Halloween visit to Bath is essential if you’re looking for fright nights and days of screaming fun.
Of course, our wonderful Heritage city of Bath is a great place to visit any time of year – which is why there is never an “off season” here at our historic guesthouse at Toghill House Farm – but there’s something extra special about late October when the myths and legends of the city and its surrounds seem to come to life in the golden glow of late autumn.
With Halloween 2024 co-inciding rather neatly with October half term over most of the UK, there’s no reason not to head for north east Somerset for the most memorable scary season you’ll likely ever experience.
We’re waiting to welcome you here at Toghill Farm and provide you with a safe, cosy haven while you brave the many events and experiences that the local area has on offer.
Halloween Happenings in Bath
Here’s our pick of the horrifying happenings scheduled to unfold in Bath and the surrounding area as All Hallows Eve approaches:
Meet the Local Ghosts of Bath
With its long and varied history, it’s not surprising that Bath boasts a plentiful collection of ghosts who haunt the streets and buildings.
Take a ghost tour and meet such ethereal characters as the Grey Lady, who drifts around the Theatre Royal in 18th Century evening wear, or the group of phantom monks who hang around the doors of Bath Abbey. Perhaps you’ll hear the clang of swords from the ghostly dueller in Victoria Park, the tramp of Roman soldiers’ sandals, or a yap at Beckford’s Tower on Lansdown Hill where William Beckford’s pet dog, Tiny, is buried and his spirit wanders still.
Consult the Bath Ghost Tours website for times, dates and booking instructions.
Dare to Enter the House of Frankenstein
In 1816 Mary Shelley wrote the bulk of her iconic novel, Frankenstein, while living in a house in Gay Street, Bath. Today it is fittingly home to a notoriously disturbing experience entitled “After Dark – nights to die for”.
Those who dare to venture in will, according to the billing, “be immersed in disorientating darkness, isolation and confinement, encounter special effects, mazes, crawl spaces and live actors throughout”.
If you fancy being frightened out of your wits, find out all the details of these fright nights and book at The House of Frankenstein.
Spooky Craft Workshops
The Bath Assembly Rooms used to echo to the sounds of gossipy chatter and the swirl of Georgian ballgowns, but during the days leading up to Halloween it will be open each day for crafters of all ages who can enjoy appropriately themed workshops. This family friendly event will have you trying your hand at creepy creative projects like origami pumpkins, making a haunted house, ghost ornaments or perhaps a spider in a web.
Details available on The National Trust website.
Raise Your Spirits at the Komedia Venue
There’s never a dull moment at Bath’s popular comedy and live event venue, Komedia, that will, of course, be pulling out all the stops for the Halloween season.
The Big Halloween Disco will keep you hopping and bopping through until the witching hours on Saturday October 26th. Then you can shiver … with anticipation … for a very special screening of the cult classic movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, on Wednesday October 30th. Dress up and do it, with a thrilling evening hosted by Bath’s own drag artist, Mother.
Treats Galore at the American Museum & Gardens
If anyone knows how to celebrate the Halloween holiday in fine style, it’s the Americans! That’s why you can expect plenty of treats, mixed in with a few tricks, from The American Museum & Gardens, set in its 125 acres of green space at Claverton Downs, on the outskirts of Bath.
The folk at the museum have lined up plenty of fun and games for half-term Halloween week, like a creature garden trail, bat search, monster mask trail, storytelling, crafting and colouring, evening theatre, dog and kids’ costume parades, and plenty more.
Visit the American Museum website to find out all you need to know.
Pick up a Pumpkin or Two
You have to go a little out of town (off the A4 between Bath and Bristol) to find the award-winning Avon Valley Pumpkin patch, but this extravaganza of sensational squash is well worth the few mile trip, day or night.
By day you can grab a wheelbarrow and roam through the pumpkin patch to pick a perfect pumpkin, take part in some fun and games like Pumpkin Paintball, enjoy theatrical performances, explore the fairground, and fuel up on tasty treats.
When night falls the lights go on along with a pop-up bar, firepits flickering, and festival-type seasonal entertainment to punctuate your pumpkin picking.
Discover all the details at the Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park website.
If you’re joining all the other lively spirits in Bath for a hearty Halloween 2024, Toghill House Farm won’t scare you away with high prices (our rooms with breakfast start from £72 per night), but we will welcome you and your family – including dogs – with high standards.