It’s that time again: the witching hour is upon us. The nights are getting darker, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks, and leaves are falling from the trees… it’s most definitely spooky season!
London is the perfect place to visit this Halloween. Whether you’re with friends, in a couple, or taking the whole family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So with that in mind, here are five of the finest places to visit in the British capital at this time of year.
Tower of London, River Thames
No trip to the capital for Halloween would be complete without visiting the Tower of London. This iconic landmark has served many purposes throughout history, meaning it has many skeletons hiding in its closet – particularly since it was once a prison and torture chamber.
A particular attraction for many Halloween visitors is likely to be the White Tower, where rumour has it you can still hear screams echoing through the walls. The Tower of London is also a mere stone’s throw away from the four-star Dorsett Hotel, City, so you won’t even need to worry about finding convenient accommodation.
The London Dungeon, South Bank
If you’re with your significant other, or perhaps your kids are a little older, London Dungeon is always a good idea. Learn all about the spooky history of the city through an enthralling animated live-action tour.
Hear from Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, and Mrs Lovett along the way, bringing London’s dark past to life through their stories. This bone-chilling, immersive experience is not to be missed.
The London Bridge Experience, Southwark
The London Bridge Experience prides itself on being “The UK’s Scariest Attraction”. Set within the historical vaults of London Bridge, here you can travel back in time through an immersive experience, exploring 2,000 years of London’s scary history.
There are even zombies, demons, and monsters in a spine-tingling scare maze, The London Tombs. The London Tombs are not for the faint-hearted, so an alternative experience is offered for those under 11 – the special Guardian Angel Show, a fun experience with fewer scares.
ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park
If you’re after a slightly tamer experience that the kids can get stuck into, ZSL London Zoo is a fine option. Although the zoo is home to more than 750 species of animals, it’s the In With The Spiders exhibit that may be especially interesting for many visitors at this time of year.
It’s not for the arachnophobes, however, as this exhibit showcases black widow, huntsman, and giant bird-eating spiders. If that’s your cup of tea, great! So, after you…
Hampton Court Palace, Richmond upon Thames
History buff? Look no further as you can visit a real haunted house in London this October: Hampton Court Palace, the stunning former royal residence of Henry VIII.
Visitors are often particularly drawn to the Haunted Gallery as they embark on the lookout for Catherine Howard, Henry’s fourth wife. Legend has it that Catherine was dragged from the gallery to her death in the Tower of London, and it’s claimed that you can still hear her screams echoing in the night. Now that’s a truly haunting experience!
As always, it is strongly advised that you check out the websites of these respective attractions before arranging any visits, so that you can be sure of the opening times, entry conditions and events that will apply to each one – and avoid disappointment. Happy (horrifying) Halloween!
