Giles Guide: Spooktacular Halloween Adventures in London

Ready to turn your Halloween into a frightfully fun escapade? Well, hold onto your witch hats because London is about to serve up some seriously spine-tingling fun this Halloween season! From ghostly gardens to hair-raising parties in the sky, the city is transforming into a playground for ghouls, ghosts, and partygoers of all ages. So, grab your broomsticks (or Oyster cards) and join us as we embark on a frighteningly fantastic tour of London's best Halloween haunts. Let's dive into the spooky fun!

 

Nights Out for Grown-up Ghouls

Who says Halloween is just for kids? London's got some incredible after-dark attractions that'll have adults partying until the witching hour!

 

Day of the Dead x Sky Garden

Imagine celebrating Halloween 35 floors up, with the twinkling lights of London as your backdrop. Sky Garden's annual Day of the Dead party is the ultimate way to welcome back the souls of old for one night only!

 

What to expect: Live music, skull painting, dancing, and cocktail sipping

Location: Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF

Date: Thursday, October 31st 2024

Price: From £65 per person; VIP tables from £620

Website: Sky Garden

 

Nightmare in King's Cross @Scala

Ready to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? Head to King's Cross for an 18+ Halloween bash that'll have you partying until the sun comes up (if you dare)!

 

What to expect: 3 rooms of music, Halloween dress code (not compulsory but encouraged) and much more Halloween fun

Location: Scala, 275 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL, UK

Date: October 31st 2024 - Doors open at 11:00 pm

Price: £33.99 per person

Website: Scala

 

Madison Rooftop Terrace

Raise a toast to the spirits from the rooftops at Madison's Night of the Dead Party. With St Paul's Cathedral glowing under a starry sky, it's a hauntingly beautiful way to celebrate!

 

What to expect: Special 'witch please' cocktail, DJ Chris Laroque spinning tunes

Location: Madison, Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London EC4M 9AF

Price: £25 per person

Date: Saturday, October 26th 2024

Website: Madison London

 

Mr. Fogg's Society of Exploration

Step into the chilling world of Victorian horror at Mr Fogg's bars. These immersive venues transport guests back in time with exclusive Halloween menus inspired by classic tales of terror. For literary lovers and cocktail enthusiasts, it's a spine-tingling treat that's sure to lift your spirits... in more ways than one!

 

What to expect: Spooky cocktails inspired by Frankenstein, Dracula, and Jack the Ripper

Locations:

• Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration, 1A Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HH
• Mr Fogg's Apothecary, Basement, 34 Brook Street, London W1K 5DH

Dates: Throughout October 2024

Price: Free Entry

Website: Mr Fogg's

 

Horror Filled Haunts

For those brave souls seeking a real fright, London's got some seriously spooky spots that'll have you checking under the bed before you sleep!

 

London Dungeon

Dare to enter the recreated attic of the most haunted house in England! The London Dungeon's new show, 50 Berkeley Square, will have you jumping at shadows. This experience is a journey through London's dark history that'll leave you questioning whether you really believe in ghosts!

 

What to expect: Spine-chilling tales of tragic souls and unexplained happenings

Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB

Price: From £26.50

Dates: October 18th - November 3rd 2024

Website: London Dungeon

 

Halloween at Hampton Court Palace

Explore Henry VIII's haunted palace as it transforms into a Halloween wonderland. With the grand corridors and courtyards filled with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects, it will surely transport you back to Tudor Times. This fright night is only for those who are brave enough to venture into this royal haunt.

What to expect: Witches and alchemists, the 'Gallery of the Damned', séances, and a Haunted Garden

Location: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU

Dates: October 26th - November 3rd 2024

Price: £27.20 per adult

Website: Hampton Court Palace

 

No Escape

For puzzle lovers with nerves of steel, No Escape offers a thrilling twist on the classic escape room experience. This Halloween, they're upping the ante with horror movie-themed rooms at various locations across London. Work together with your team to solve fiendishly tricky puzzles while the clock ticks down and the tension ramps up. Will you make it out before time runs out, or will you become part of the room's terrifying story?

 

What to expect: Escape rooms with Halloween-themed rooms at all locations

Locations:

• Aldgate: 69 Commercial St, London E1 6BD
• Oxford St: 3rd floor, inside Food and Wine, 51 Oxford St, London W1D 2EF
• Holloway: Unit 38, 10 Hornsey St., London N7 8EL
• Victoria: 13 Cambridge St, London SW1V 4PR

Dates: October 24th - November 2nd 2024

Price: £40 per person

Website: No Escape

 

Family-Friendly Fun

Halloween isn't just for grownups! London's got plenty of spooky (but not too scary) fun for the whole family. From historical adventures to magical farm experiences, these activities strike the perfect balance between Halloween thrills and child-friendly entertainment.

 

London Bridge Experience

Journey through the mysterious legends of London Bridge and meet a cast of historical characters. This interactive experience brings London's rich history to life with a spooky twist perfect for Halloween.

 

What to expect: Interactive experiences with Romans, the Keeper of the Heads, and spine-chilling surprises

Location: 24 Tooley Street, London SE1 2SY

Dates: Throughout October 2024

Price: £75.99 for a Family Ticket inclusive of two adults and two children

Website: London Bridge Experience

 

Kew Gardens' Halloween Trail

Experience the botanical gardens transformed into a magical autumn wonderland. As you wander through the illuminated landscape, you'll encounter mystical creatures, enchanted forests, and bewitching displays that bring the spirit of Halloween to life. It's a mesmerising after-dark adventure that will enchant visitors of all ages and create lasting family memories.

 

What to expect: A trail of lights through the gardens with Halloween-themed installations and surprises

Location: Kew Gardens, Richmond, London

Dates: October 18th - 31st 2024

Price: Tickets from £17 for adults (family and child tickets available)

Website: Kew Gardens

 

There you have it, ghouls and boys! It's a Halloween packed with adventures that'll have everyone talking long after the last pumpkin has been carved. London's got everything from rooftop parties to haunted palaces and from spooky trails to magical farms. So grab your costume, summon your courage, and let's make this Halloween one for the (spell)books! Happy haunting, everyone!