Halloween in Fowey
Is there a better place to spend Halloween than in Cornwall? Wild moors, rugged coastlines, ancient castles, and villages that look to be straight out of a fairy tale make this area magical, and on Halloween, the mystical past of the region seems closer than ever. Stories of haunted castles, tragic shipwrecks, menacing mermaids, demon hounds, and mysterious apparitions abound, and there is plenty to discover if you have a love of the otherworldly. Halloween in Fowey turns this charming, vibrant town a little bit eerie and spooky, with its centuries-old buildings that seem ready to whisper their secrets, and the narrow alleys that beckon you to find a hidden and mysterious adventure. With its blend of history, folklore, and haunting beauty, Fowey is the ideal destination for a truly magnificent Halloween. If you are visiting during the spooky season, how can you dive into it and enjoy all the area has to offer?
Fun Halloween Events in Fowey
Where will you begin your Halloween celebration in Fowey? There are plenty of local festivities for young and old alike.
- If you love a good artisan market, the Halloween Fancy Dress Spooktacular Market may just be perfect for you. Taking place on Wednesday, 30th October, from 10am to 3pm, it will feature an array of “mischievous and ghoulish traders” dressed for the occasion. The market will be held in Fowey Town Hall.
- Bring your little ones to Fowey Hall Children’s Halloween Party! Friday, 1 November, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, kids aged 5 to 10 are invited to join in the fun, with games and eerie delights. A fully supervised event, allowing parents to relax while their children have fun, it includes a buffet, face painting, and party games, in a safe and fun environment. Book your child’s spot early, as tickets go up in price after 16 October.
- If you are in Fowey because of your love of Daphne du Maurier, you might want to visit the Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor. In addition to this inn being an inspiration for du Maurier, it is known as one of the most haunted spots in all of Cornwall. The Inn regularly hosts murder mystery nights, and on 25, 26, and 31 of October of this year, there will be a Raising the Dead Halloween Fancy Dress Special! At this eerie event, the best dressed guest will win a prize.
Family Halloween in Cornwall
Fowey is a fun place to be, but it is a small town. However, it is in reasonable proximity to most of Cornwall! If you feel like going further afield, we have recommendations for Halloween family fun.
- What is more fun than Halloween in Eden? From 26 October to 3 November 2024, the Eden Project will transform into a spooky wonderland with its annual Halloweden event, guaranteed to delight adults and children alike. The range of wild and wonderful activities are sure to delight both adults and children, and although the full details for this year’s event are still under wraps, past Halloweden celebrations have included captivating performances, interactive workshops, and eerie storytelling sessions. The ice rink will even be open, adding a touch of winter magic to the festivities. Halloweden is free with an admission ticket to the Eden Project, but prebooking is recommended.
- Enjoy Halloween by exploring nature, history, and folklore at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Halloween originated from the Celtic belief that the veil between the world of mortals and spirits temporarily dissolved after harvest, and Heligan honours the old traditions to celebrate Harvest. This year, there will be workshops where you can learn the ancient craft of making Corn Dollies, as well as potion and wand making workshops. There will also be a spooky trail honouring the wise women of nature through tales of witches, important characters in folklore and history. The Screech Owl Sanctuary will send visiting owls to Heligan to celebrate Halloween, there will be a fire put for tasting marshmallows, and the celebration will open and close with a Ceilidh in The Barn.
- Scare yourself in the Halloween Maze of Horrors at the Cornish Maize Maze and Fun Farm in Saltash. Families are welcome at this event, but it can get scary, so parents should use their best judgement. The Halloween Horror Maze is a set route through the maize maze that only takes about 15 minutes to complete, but it may be the scariest 15 minutes you will ever experience! There will be scare scenes, with live actors, fire jugglers, and other performers. Once you have made it through, you can enjoy a BBQ, along with our regular café food. Tickets are required, and while you can enter the maze at your timed ticket entry slot, you can arrive earlier and leave later, to explore all that the site has to offer.
Haunted Attractions in Cornwall
Everything seems spookier at Halloween, and if you love a good scare, we have some suggestions.
- Get scared for a good cause at Halloween at Trethevy 2024, a spooky animatronics display. This event, which takes place on private land in Trethevy, near St Nectan’s Glen and Tintagel, takes place from 21-31 October, from 5pm to 9pm, as long as the weather is fair. It is a free event, but charity donations are encouraged, as the purpose is to raise money for Dementia UK. It is good, scary fun, but may be too frightening for very little children.
- Take part in the Dark Gathering 10th Anniversary. Each year at Hallowtide, in the Cornish town of Tintagel, this unique community event is celebrated to mark the changing seasons. Celebrated on the Saturday before Halloween, this seasonal festival features dancers, musicians, and the meeting of the Welsh Mari Lwyds and Cornish Oss, a Welsh custom dating back centuries and marking Penkevyll, the end of summer. This year, it begins at noon on 26 October, and even includes a ceremonial performance from Dia de Los Muertos, Mexico’s Day of the Dead. It is a not to be missed event, honouring ancestors, celebrating Samhain, and overall, just enjoying a spooky good time.
- What could be spookier than Bodmin Jail? This historic jail, in use from 1779 to 1927, is one of Cornwall’s most notorious historic sites, and has now been converted into an immersive experience. Offering a chilling glimpse into the dark past of crime and punishment, this foreboding stone prison sits at the edge of Bodmin Moor, and has inspired many ghost stories. It is an eerie place all year round, and for Halloween, the Jail holds many special events, including paranormal tours, ghost walks, and Halloween fireworks.
Rest at the Old Quay House After an Exciting Halloween
The Old Quay House is a charming retreat from the bustle of the holiday, and it is, of course, not haunted. Or is it? We cannot say for sure, but our riverside boutique hotel, in a Victorian building, is deeply connected to the history of this area. Since the inn was once a refuge for sailors, we cannot rule out the possibility that some might linger here, in another dimension. All we know is that this is a friendly place to get away on holiday, with a staff dedicated to making your stay comfortable and memorable. A modern-day bolthole away from life’s stresses and chores, we do everything we can to make our guests’ stay exceptional, so check with us for special offers.
Stay in one of our 13 luxurious bedrooms and you will enjoy not only big comfy beds and every amenity you need for a decadent stay. Our location is perfect for exploring the quaint, bustling, seaside town of Fowey, enjoying its cafes, boutiques, and galleries, and our restaurant is one of most popular in the area. For more information about our rooms, our special offers, or our spectacular restaurant, call +44 0172 683 3302, email info@theoldquayhouse.com, or contact us through our website.
