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This Halloween, uncover some of the Estate’s ghostly tales. Follow the clues, investigate mysterious sightings and encounter a few unusual spirits along the way in our playful, family-friendly adventure inspired by Drumlanrig’s fascinating history.
For those looking for an extra-spooky experience, join us on Halloween night for our After Dark trail, or step inside the Castle for a special atmospheric evening tour of Drumlanrig.
Halloween Trail & Pumpkin Patch: The Spectral Salon
The Details
Pick a session:
- Saturday 10th – Sunday 25th October
- 10:00am – 12:30pm
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm
(Session times indicate your allocated time to complete the trail and visit the Pumpkin Patch. You do not need to arrive at the exact start time. Your ticket includes access to the Grounds for the full day.)
How Much?
- 3 and over – £15 per child
- Under 3s – £10 per child
Child ticket includes: Playground & Gardens entry, Halloween trail, booklet & pencil, pumpkin, snack bag + two FREE accompanying adults (additional adults should purchase a normal Gardens Entry ticket).
Little ones under One: Free when accompanied by a paying older sibling. If visiting with only an under-one, a child ticket is required to bring two free adults.
The Halloween Trail
Follow our brand-new Halloween route through the Gardens and Grounds, uncovering ghostly tales and encountering some of the unusual characters from Drumlanrig’s spooky history along the way.
Each child will receive a Halloween trail booklet to guide them on their adventure, with plenty of clues, sights and surprises to discover along the way.
The route is approximately 1.5 miles and follows a mixture of natural paths and varied terrain. The route is largely accessible, although there are one or two small steps at bridge crossings with step-on/step-off access. Wellies/boots recommended.
Pumpkin Patch & Games
Once you’ve completed the trail, you’ll arrive at the Drumlanrig Pumpkin Patch, where little ones can grab a mini wheelbarrow and set off in search of their perfect pumpkin.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Drumlanrig Castle, the lawn will also be the hub for plenty of spooky games and activities. With the games spread across the grass, there’ll be lots to keep everyone entertained without clogging up the trail or creating queues along the route!
Adventure Playground & Gardens
Keep the fun going! Your ticket also gives you full access to the Adventure Playground and Castle Gardens throughout the day.
Little ones will love zooming down the flying foxes, climbing the towers before whizzing down twisting slides, and enjoying plenty more swinging, sliding, and exploring.
While the Halloween Trail takes you through part of the Castle Gardens behind the playground, there’s so much more to discover beyond. Wander across the lawns to uncover more hidden heather huts, towering trees, and golden autumnal plants in all their seasonal glory.
Food & Drink
Kids will receive a snack bag as part of their ticket, including a drink, sweet/chocolate and a packet of crisps.
The Larchwood Cabin Café will be open as usual, serving light lunches and refreshments. Choose from freshly made sandwiches, toasted paninis, soups, and salads. Treat yourself to home-baked goodies, and enjoy a range of hot and cold drinks to keep everyone fuelled for a day of Halloween fun.
Candy Floss & Face Painting
Get even more into the Halloween spirit with a few extra surprises.
Floss Pop: 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 31st
Paints & Sparkles: 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th*, 31st
*Face painting by DG Funky Face
Candy floss and face painting require an additional payment.
Drumlanrig After Dark
Trick or Treat Evening Special – Saturday 31st October
For one night only, experience Drumlanrig after dark on Halloween night. The trail will take on a spookier atmosphere as night falls and parts of the route are illuminated with eerie encounters waiting along the way.
Still designed with children in mind, this evening version is a little creepier than our daytime trail and may be better suited to slightly older children or those who enjoy a good scare! Keep your eyes peeled for spooky characters along the route, who’ll be handing out treats as part of a little trick-or-treating adventure.
Castle Tours
Saturday 31st October | 12noon – 5pm
The Castle will be open this Halloween, offering a chance to step inside Drumlanrig and discover more about its fascinating history.
For the occasion, our Castle Tour will take a slightly spookier turn, with guides sharing some of Drumlanrig’s haunted stories and stranger tales alongside the history, artwork and highlights you’d expect from a Castle Tour.
For the full Halloween experience, combine your Castle Tour with our Evening Halloween Trail and discover the tales and stories of Drumlanrig in both settings.
Craft Workshops
Celebrate spooky season with some Halloween-inspired crafts! Add a dash of creativity to your family outings by joining our Kids’ Craft Workshops.
Bring the little ones along to the Larchwood Cabin for an hour of hands-on fun – where they can craft, create, and enjoy the magic of the season.
FAQ's
Yes! The Gardens, Adventure Playground and Larchwood Cabin Café will be open as normal for visitors throughout the day, for those who would still like to enjoy the autumnal grounds, but are not wishing to take part in the Halloween activities.
Normal Garden ticket require.
Children under one year old, accompanying older siblings go FREE, but they will NOT receive a snack bag or pumpkin. If you would like them to have these, please purchase an Under Three ticket.
If you are bringing only a child under one, you’ll need to purchase an Under Three ticket. This includes entry for two accompanying adults, plus a pumpkin and snack bag.
Dogs are allowed on the Halloween Trail and Pumpkin patch but MUST be kept on a lead and under control at all times. The Larchwood Cabin is also dog friendly.
We kindly ask that dogs are not in the immediate surroundings of the Adventure Playground to ensure the safety of our young visitors.
The Castle will be open for our Special ‘Spookier’ Guided Tours on Saturday 31st October. Pre-booking required.
This event is designed for children and families. We unfortunately will not be selling adult tickets for the event itself.
The Gardens will be open at the time and visitors can pay a normal Gardens Entry ticket to access the grounds on these days.
Each child ticket includes one pumpkin.
Additional pumpkins will not be available for purchase to take home.
The Larchwood Cabin Café (where you will enter the Adventure Playground/Gardens to start your Halloween adventure) will be open daily, serving light lunches, hot drinks, sweet treats and refreshments. The Cabin is dog friendly and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Picnic benches also on site.
We have allocated morning and afternoon sessions to create a more controlled and enjoyable experience for visitors. You do not have to arrive/leave at the exact timings of your session – all we ask is that you complete the trail and pumpkin patch during your designated slot.
You can arrive before/stay later than your session to enjoy the Adventure Playground, wider Gardens and to grab something to eat!
