6 Eerie-sistible Places to Visit this Halloween in Cumbria

With haunted places, ghostly tales and vibrant, autumnal colours, Halloween in Cumbria is a mysterious time to celebrate the spooky season.

Pick your own pumpkin, jump aboard the ghost train, or lose yourself amongst a scary maze! With so many Halloween events in Cumbria to choose from, you’re sure to have a spine-chilling October!

Continue reading to learn more about our favourite spooktacular Halloween events in the Lake District…

Why is Halloween called Halloween?

The term ‘Halloween’ comes from the phrase ‘All Hallows Eve’, referring to the evening before All Hallows Day.

All Hallows Day, otherwise known as All Saint’s Day, is a holiday celebrated on the 1st of November in honour of all of the past saints of the Christian church.

Halloween is thought to have originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This Gaelic festival was held to mark the end of the harvest season and welcome the beginning of Winter.

It is believed that on this day the boundary between the dead and the living is thinned, meaning spirits can access our world.

During Samhain, the spirits were appeased with offerings of food and drink in exchange for protecting the well-being of humans and livestock.

Nowadays, Halloween has evolved into an evening of celebration, with traditional activities including pumpkin carving, spooky fancy dress and trick-or-treating.

1. Ravenglass & Eskdale Halloween

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway – 24th October to 1st November 2026

Often affectionately known as the “La’al Ratty”, the Halloween Half-Term at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is one of the most enchanting ways to celebrate Halloween in Cumbria. During October half-term, stations and cafés are transformed with spooky decorations, while families can enjoy seasonal activities, trails and eerie surprises along the route. 

Image credit: Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

 

Climb aboard the historic narrow-gauge railway and journey through the stunning western Lake District, where little ghouls and ghosts can enjoy a Halloween adventure with breathtaking scenery, themed activities and plenty of family-friendly fun along the way. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional Halloween events and ideal for younger children.

Whether you’re travelling in fancy dress, searching for spooky clues or simply enjoying a magical autumn train ride, this Halloween experience is sure to create lasting family memories. 

Book your tickets here

2. Twilight Tales at Dove Cottage

Wordsworth Grasmere – 21st, 26th & 27th October 2026

Image credit: visitlakedistrict.com

Join the spooky fun at Dove Cottage this Halloween. Enjoy hot chocolate, gingerbread and Halloween crafts before heading to the historic cottage at twilight to hear eerie Cumbrian tales. Suitable for families with children aged 5+, this atmospheric event runs from 4pm to 5.30pm and is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in the Lake District

Perfect for families with children aged 3+. One ticket per family.

Taking place between 4pm and 5:30pm, this event is perfect for families with little ones looking to celebrate Halloween in Cumbria!

Book your Twilight Tales tickets here!

3. Walby Farm Pumpkin Picking

Walby Farm Park – 3rd – 31st October 2026

Image credit: Walby Farm

No Halloween celebration would be complete without a pumpkin, and this year you can pick your own at Walby Farm Park! Wrap up warm, grab a wheelbarrow and get picking!

Picking out the perfect pumpkin is the first step in creating a terrifying Halloween decoration. Once you’ve made your selection, you can begin carving your scariest face on-site, with guidance on hand to help!

Wellies are recommended, as muddy feet are likely if the weather isn’t on our side. Due to increased popularity, online booking is essential to ensure you don’t miss out!

New for 2026, visitors can enjoy Twilight Pumpkin Picking on 27th and 28th October, when the pumpkin patch stays open until 7pm for an even more magical autumn experience. Every paying child receives a free pumpkin, and tickets include access to the farm park’s indoor and outdoor attractions.

Book your Walby Farm tickets here!

4. Halloween Family Festival at Muncaster Castle

Muncaster Castle – 24th October – 1st November 2026

Muncaster Halloween Family Festival has over the years, got bigger and better and this year it returns with a real spine chilling new theme: Vampires!

Image credit: visitlakedistrict.com

Team Spook-caster returns for 2026 with a spooky new Zombie and Boggles theme, bringing folklore, family fun, live entertainment, pumpkin patch activities, spooky trails, costume competitions, parades and the ever-popular Haunted Castle

Looking for a heart-pounding experience? Scarecaster returns from 29th to 31st October 2026, offering an adults-only fright fest packed with monsters, live actors and terrifying surprises

6. Pumpkin Carving

Allan Bank – 25th to 30th October 2026

Get creative this October half-term with pumpkin carving at Allan Bank in Grasmere. Pumpkins are provided and prepared ready for carving, with templates and tools on hand to help create your masterpiece. Each child can take their finished pumpkin home complete with a tea light ready for Halloween night. Booking is essential

The former home of William Wordsworth, the National Trust’s Allan Bank opens its doors this October to Halloween-obsessed visitors eager to get to work on a spooky design.

Hollowed-out pumpkins will be provided, as will all the necessary carving tools, meaning your can spend more time perfecting your design!

Book your Allan Bank tickets here!

Tempted by a spooktacular Halloween in Cumbria this year? Browse our wonderful range of holiday cottages in the Lake District and secure your haunted getaway today! 

For more inspiration on how to enjoy your time away from home, read our ‘discover something new this October half term‘ blog a read. 

Images courtesy of: Matt Brown – (CC BY 2.0)