York has a reputation for being haunted and October Half Term is a great time to get ghost hunting as there are plenty of ghosts to be found! Did you know York has had more than 500 recorded hauntings according to the Ghost Research Foundation? We’ve found some ghosts in York that are family-friendly so everyone will enjoy a spooky day out in York!
Ghosts in the Gardens is back again and bigger and better than ever! There are 39 ghosts to find in some of our city’s most beautiful gardens. York BID has partnered with local design agency Unconventional Design to create the 3D sculptures which are formed from narrow gauge wire mesh.
You can go ghost hunting in the following locations:
👻 Museum Gardens, Museum Street: Open daily 9am – 6pm.
👻 Artists’ Garden, access via Museum Gardens or through Exhibition Square via alley to the side of York Art Gallery: Open daily 10:30am – 6pm.
👻Edible Wood, access via Museum Gardens or through Exhibition Square via alley to the side of York Art Gallery: Open daily 10:30am – 6pm.
👻 Middletons Hotel, Cromwell Road: Open daily.
👻 Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate: Open Sun-Fri 10am -4:30pm, Sat 10am-1.30pm.
👻 Treasurer’s House, Minster Yard: Open Sat-Wed 11am-4pm.
👻 St Anthony’s Garden, Peasholme GreenL Open daily from 9am.
👻 Library Lawn, Museum StreetL Open daily.
👻 Barley Hall, Coffee Yard: Always visible.
👻 Clifford’s Tower, Clifford Street: Always visible.
👻 DIG – St Saviourgate: Always visible.
👻 Castle Museum Mill, Tower Street: Always visible.
👻 The Judge’s Lodging, Museum Street: Always visible.
👻 Shambles: Always visible.
ℹ️ Find a map of the ghosts and all their names here.
💷 Cost? FREE!
📅 When? 23 September – 12 November 2023
📍Where? Various locations in York, detailed above
The Fairfax Ghost Count 👻Fairfax House has partnered with York Ghost Merchants to bring you the Fairfax Ghost Count as part of Ghost Week.
Wander through the historic rooms of this 18th century home and see if you can count all the hiding ghosts who dwell there. Ghosts of both sizes can be found nestled in furniture and on ledges – some are devilishly difficult to spot others are far more obvious.
A tally sheet and entry form will be available from the museum on entry – please bring a pencil with you. There are three prize Fairfax House Ghosts for the winners who guess closest to the right number, in the event of a tie a draw will be made.
ℹ️ You will need to pre-book a time slot online.
💷 Cost? £7.50 (under 16s are FREE with a paying adult).
📅 When? Saturday 28th October – Sunday 5th November 2023 (inclusive) from 11am – 4pm
📍 Where? Fairfax House, Castlegate, York YO1 9RN
The Little York Ghost Hunt from the Ghost Merchants 👻The Ghost Merchants will once again be hiding ghosts around the city of York for Ghost Week.
You can search for little Ghosts Monday 30 October – Thursday 2 November around the atmospheric streets surrounding York Minster. With 125 to find each evening as twilight turns to night, don’t forget to bring along your touch!
Maps will be available from The York Ghost Merchants or to download from their website.
ℹ️ For more information see The Ghost Merchants website
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? Monday 30th October – Thursday 2nd November 2023 (inclusive) from 6pm – 8pm
📍 Where? Streets surrounding York Minster
Try to find the four specially created Ghosts which are haunting buildings across York. You will see them in four windows of historic empty shops. This years Ghosts may have been made by ghostmakers Mr Ord and Ms Bet – or they may have been salvaged from a sunken galleon, dug up from a Northumbrian field or handed down through multiple generations of a fortunate family
You can bid for these limited editions, larger York Ghosts and 95% of money raised will go to charity.
There are no prizes for finding all four Ghosts, but you have fun exploring the city while you look. The Ghost Week map which will be available ahead of the event will guide you in the right direction.
ℹ️ For more information see The Ghost Merchants website
💷 Cost? Free
📅 When? 28th October – 5th November 2023
📍 Where? Various locations in York city centre
DIG After Dark: Ghosts in the Graveyard 👻Come along to an interactive and immersive storytelling session to hear the tragic tales of the ghost of a Viking warrior and even the ghost hunter who yearned to witness him! Plus, you can discover more about folklore, ghost stories and the history of St Saviour’s Church.
Kids can have fun cosying around the campfire with snacks and a hot drink, all included in the price. The ticket also provides entry to the family-friendly Ancient Dust Busters exhibition at DIG, where you can find out more about people in the past – by what they had stuck in their teeth!
Please note this event is not suitable for under 5’s and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
The event does take place outside, so please wear warm, suitable clothing.
ℹ️ See more information here.
💷 Cost? Adults £10, Child (5-16) £7.50, Family 4 £30
📅 When? 28th & 29th October 2023 – there will be two sessions on each day 5.30-6.30pm and 7.30-8.30pm.
📍 Where? St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NN
Paint a ghost or ghoul at Rainbow Ceramics 👻Make your own ghost with the Ghost Merchants is now SOLD OUT but don’t worry… you can still pop in to paint over October half term (Tues – Sun) and there are plenty of ghosts and ghouls, pumpkins and pots galore to choose from!
As usual, there are stamps, stencils, sponges and paints you need to help you and your little one get creative.
💜 Mention York Mumbler for 10% off (excluding parties & evening bookings)💜
ℹ️ See more information here.
💷 Cost? Depends on what you decide to paint – see Rainbow Ceramics Shop for full listings
📅 When? Open Tuesday – Sunday for walk ins only. First come first served, including October half term.
📍 Where? Situated on the corner of Bootham and Gillygate and parking is available on Bootham Row, just behind the shop.
The Haunted Host at York Mansion House 👻Good morrow, fair visitor! My name is James Woodhouse and I am but one of fifteen Lord Mayors of York to have died in office. Every year, around the ancient feast of Samhain (summer’s end), we like to pass into the mortal world and reminisce over a spectral banquet. This year it is my turn to host, and I can’t think of a better location than the dining room of the Mansion House – a place I knew well in life.
If it’s not too much trouble, I would greatly appreciate your help making the final preparations…
Join us for the spooky season and work your way through our puzzling booklet, guiding you around York Mansion House. This will test the minds of all ages and is included with the price of admission.
ℹ️ See more information here.
💷 Cost? Adults £6.50, Children 5+ £3.50, Family 5 (2 adults & up to 3 children) £17, under 5s free. No need to pre-book.
📅 When? Wednesday 25th October – Sunday 5th November 2023. Every day, open 10.30-5pm (last admission 4pm)
📍 Where? York Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, York, YO1 9QL
Face The Grey Lady this Halloween at the York Dungeons 👻Visit the York Dungeon as they set the scene for one of York’s most dark and infamous historical tales. Set in York Theatre Royal, built in 1744 on the site of the medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, you will learn of the forbidden love of demure young nun Florence and her nobleman patient.
After being discovered by the enraged Mother Superior, Florence was imprisoned, walled up in a windowless room; the nun’s eternal tomb.
Her body was found after years of searching but her spirit remains amongst the walls of the Theatre, known as The Grey Lady. It is said that on the opening night of a new show, she will appear.
Face The Grey Lady this Halloween, if you dare!
ℹ️ See more information here.
💷 Cost? Standard adult ticket starts from £21 & child from £17
📅 When? Saturday 7 October – Thursday 5 November 2023
📍 Where? 12 Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RD
