Halloween Fun at Rockingham Castle
October half term always brings a fresh crop of pumpkin trails and spooky days out across Northamptonshire.
Rockingham Castle is one that turns up on a lot of local family lists every year, and this Halloween it’s leaning fully into the theme, with the Rockingham witches and wizards taking over the Castle and grounds for four days.
When is Halloween Fun at Rockingham Castle?
- Dates: Wednesday 28th – Saturday 31st October
- Times: Grounds open 11am, Castle opens 11.30am. Last entry to the Castle and grounds is 3pm, Castle closes 3.30pm, site closes 4pm
What’s included
The event is designed for families and children of all ages. Inside the Castle, you’ll find a carved pumpkin trail with a crossword for the kids to solve as they go, plus low lighting and Halloween decorations throughout. In the grounds, there’s a spooky trail and a pumpkin rolling challenge, where you can try to “hit the witch” for a chance to win a prize. Every child receives a goody bag, which can be collected during the day.
Walker’s House Tearoom will also be serving a Halloween-themed “Shockingham Castle” menu if you fancy treating the little monsters to something spooky while you’re there, and reservations aren’t needed for the tea room.
Good to know before you go
Rockingham Castle has said the event isn’t designed to frighten children — there are no loud noises or jump scares. There is low lighting, UV lighting and some gently changing coloured lighting through the Castle though, so if you have a child who’s sensitive to that, it’s worth getting in touch with the estate office team ahead of your visit for reassurance.
A few other practical bits: photography isn’t permitted inside the Castle itself (you’re welcome to take photos in the grounds), and pushchairs aren’t allowed through the Castle, though a small number of storage spaces are available while you’re inside. Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in the grounds, but not inside the Castle other than assistance dogs. Historic House memberships are not accepted for this event.
Ticket prices
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | £19.25 |
| Senior (65+) | £17.70 |
| Student (valid card required) | £17.70 |
| Child (4–15) | £13.00 |
| Child (0–3) | Free |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £49.90 |
Carers receive free entry when visiting with a disabled person — pre-book your paid tickets, then email the estate office with your booking confirmation and proof of carer status, allowing two working days for this to be added. Pre-booking is advised generally too, as tickets are limited.
The details listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official website. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official Rockingham Castle website before making plans.
If you’re planning your half term around days out like this one, it’s worth bookmarking our guide to things to do in Northamptonshire for families for more ideas, and you can get events like this dropped straight into your inbox every week by signing up to the free weekly newsletter.
