20 October 2011
Experience Half-term Horrors with English Heritage
The PR team at GR has been busy working with English Heritage to promote its packed programme of spooky events and spectacular activities taking place at Carlisle Castle and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens this October.
And, just this week we’ve been involved in organising photoshoots across the North East and Cumbria to give the region a sneak peek of what they can expect this Halloween.
The chilling ‘Ghost and Ghastly Story Tours’ return for another dose of fun frights and ghost stories at Carlisle Castle (Mon 24 – Fri 28 October, tours at 10.45am, 12.30pm & 2.45pm).
Sure to send shivers down even the bravest of spines, the Castle is home to centuries of bloody battles and the forbidding fortress is steeped in intriguing stories. Visitors will delve into the horrifying side of history with tales of days gone by at one of the most besieged castles in Britain.
Local guide, John Robson, from Open Book Tours has been leading the ‘Ghost and Ghastly Story Tours’ at Carlisle Castle for over five years and he is no stranger to the ghostly goings-on at the site. The tour will weave its way through the Castle, taking in everything from the dungeons to the Captain’s Tower and with the infamous Mary Queen of Scots and Border Reiver, Kinmont Willie amongst the historical guest list, who knows what, or who, might be lurking round its dark corners.
English Heritage will also be keeping boredom firmly at bay with grisly treats on offer at the stunning Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland.
The popular Time Travellers Go…team will be making another visit and this time inviting visitors to embrace all that is ghastly and horrible about history during the ‘Time Travellers Go…Gruesome’ event (22 Oct – 30 Oct, 11am - 4pm).
With activities set in both the Castle and the Gardens, visitors will be invited to participate in lively and interactive presentations including Gruesome Sword School, Tudor and Medieval surgery and a Crime and Punishment trail around the castle based on 18th Century crimes and severe punishment.
Props including a life size gibbet, stocks and pillory as well as some unsavoury punishment and torture tools, such as ‘The Scavenger’s Daughter’ - an iron contraption that will hold the prisoner in a very uncomfortable position for as long as the gaoler likes, will be on display to help bring the presentations to life and give a real taste of times gone by. Time Travellers activities are suitable for children aged 5+.
Teenagers and adults visiting Belsay can also get a taste of the scare factor with the Tales of Fear evening events. These candlelit storytelling tours around Belsay at 7pm and 9.30pm are sure to send chills up your spine with six classic and eerie tales from the Master of the English Ghost Story - M R James, in the atmospheric, echoing and draughty setting of Belsay’s grand hall.
And that’s not all, visitors to the coastal delights of Warkworth Castle and Lindisfarne Priory from 24 Oct – 30 Oct can take part in a trail to find the missing pumpkins hidden on site, and be in with the chance of picking up a variety of English Heritage treats.
For more information visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/carlisle or follow English Heritage on Facebook and Twitter.