Halloween is probably my least favourite "festival." Scooby Doo is about the level of spookiness I can handle and even the promise of unlimited popcorn would not tempt me to watch a horror film. However my family love Halloween so I agreed to go along and explore the 2025 Halloween trail at the very beautiful Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
We were all feeling a bit jaded after a journey which twice as long as it should have done due to a combination of rush hour and road works. But the first glimpse of the entrance to the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill raised our spirits considerably giving us an exciting glimpse at the fun to come. There were even real live (or should that be real dead?) headless horsemen!
Halloween at Blenheim Palace is a family friendly experience and you can choose to take younger or nervier children (and mothers) before dark. Before 7pm the character actors will interact but in a non-threatening friendly way. After 7 I was told you can't guarantee that the Mummy won't chase you rather than offering a friendly fist bump.
Two of my children (aged 17 and 24) came along with my husband and I think they very much would have enjoyed a darker experience in both senses of the word, but I really enjoyed being able to admire the beautiful house and grounds in daylight and as dusk turned into dark, appreciated the displays being even more spectacular whilst hurrying to exit before Sweeney Todd got frisky with his blade.
I like meat pies - I just don't want to end up in one. I should have gone back and had another look at the alien encounter which definitely would look amazing in the dark but I didn't want to risk being probed.
We were all blown away by the variety and quality of the attractions along the trail. From sinister cults to a fabulous fire show in the Egyptian zone we all kept saying just how good it was.
I loved the Secret Garden which in ever increasing darkness set goosebumps off with flesh eating plants, bubbling mist and some epic sound effects. I'll confess I hurried past the large live plant which turned its eyeless gaze on me. We thought it best not to ask what was going on in the greenhouse,
I'll confess I fled from the Egyptian Mummy while my children laughed at me. I told you I'm rubbish at even mild peril. Toddlers meanwhile happily pointed out the character as I walked swiftly on hoping I wouldn't run into something even scarier.
So - do you dare to enter the mediaeval dungeon and face the axe welding executioner? Or wander fearlessly through a graveyard where not everyone wants to stay six feet under? Or go to the dark side and join the terrifying skeleton army. If you can't beat them...
Food and drink
Halfway round there's a nice spot where you can buy drinks and toast marshmallows over a fire pit of skulls (additional cost applies for refreshments)
There are also plenty of food and drink offerings at the beginning/end of the trail including hot dogs, burgers, scampi and chips, warm churros and Costa coffee. You could also book Halloween afternoon tea (select times only).
What else is there on offer?
There are some rides - a roundabout, a helter-skelter and a ghost house. You can buy tokens in advance when booking admission, or on the day at £3 per token. 1 token = 1 ride.
There are free toilets.
Make time to have a wander round the rather wonderful Blenheim Palace shop - what I'd give for a trolley dash in there! A great place to do some early Christmas shopping and in fact there is an actual Christmas shop with delightful ornaments and gifts.
When is it?
Halloween at Blenheim started yesterday and runs until Sunday November 2.
Should I go?
Halloween at Blenheim got a big thumbs up from all four of us which is rare! We ate before arriving due to our schedule. You could do this if you want to save money but the offerings did look very tempting!
Tickets and Parking
You can book a slot or choose to book a ticket which allows you to access the trail at any time during opening hours. (this costs more). Children under 3 are free and a free carers ticket is available to blue badge holders and we did see someone managing the trail quite easily in a mobility scooter.
A ticket booking fee applies and you also need to book parking (£10). Blue badge parking is available.
Disclaimer: We were invited to visit Halloween and Blenheim Palace free for the purpose of writing this honest review.