A historic palace that inspired the first ever Gothic Horror novel will be transformed into a candlelit spooky setting with characters this Halloween.
From October 25 to November 2 2025, the Grade I-listed villa said to have inspired The Castle of Otranto – the first ever Gothic Horror novel – will be turned into a spooky setting complete with character appearances.
Often referred to as Britain’s first Gothic Revival building, visitors can explore its rooms by candlelight with shutters drawn, and learn about its 278-year past.
Built and designed by Horace Walpole in the 18th century, Strawberry Hill was more than a home. It became the blueprint for Gothic fiction.
This nine-day event will showcase some of the house’s most unsettling artefacts, including the chair of Sir Peter Warburton, the judge who signed Guy Fawkes’s death warrant, and the silver-eyed bust of Emperor Caligula, known for its unnerving stare from inside the Tribune.
The palace will be decorated with botanical displays and life-sized figures made from branches giving the appearance of ghostly figures in the rooms.
Daytime visitors can take part in a Halloween Garden Trail, designed for families with children.
Children will follow riddles and clues hidden around the grounds, encountering mock ghostly scenes, phantom hands, and references to witches and folklore.
Completing the trail earns each participant a treat from the Garden Café.
But for those looking for something a little extra spooky, a new late-night experience, Strawberry Hill After Dark, will run exclusively on Halloween night itself.
During the evening the house will be lit only by candlelight, with guests able to explore the creepy passageways with a glass of fizz.
