Delapré Abbey unveils an exciting autumn programme packed with historic tours, theatrical tales, outdoor cinema shows, storytelling, spooky dining experiences, and, for the first time, an exclusive Halloween sleepover! The programme brings together heritage, entertainment, food and family experiences, with events taking place across the Abbey’s historic interiors, atmospheric cellars, grounds and Walled Garden.
A brand-new exclusive indoor camping experience invites guests to spend the night inside the historic Abbey for the first time ever. Taking place on the nights of the 30th and 31st October, Delapré After Dark transforms the 900-year-old abbey into an atmospheric indoor campsite! Guests are invited to explore site after hours on an Unusual Happenings tour, enjoy a Halloween film in the 18th-century wine cellars, gather for a bonfire in the Walled Garden with midnight treats and hot drinks, before settling down to sleep within the historic Georgian suites.
For those looking for something eerie, Don’t Go Into The Cellar Theatre returns for three gothic performances deep in the Abbey’s 18th-century wine cellars, including a one-man performance of the Victorian classic Jekyll and Hyde on the 26th September, an anthology of nineteenth-century chillers in Victorian Gothic on the 24th October, and a collection of mystical stories inspired by Britain’s agricultural past in Folk Horror on the 25th October.
On the 23rd October, aspiring detectives can put their investigative skills to the test at a Halloween special Murder Mystery: Murderers Anonymous! Guests will enjoy a two-course meal and arrival drink while gathering clues, interrogating suspects and attempting to identify the culprit.
And for those looking for an especially immersive experience, Preacher the Storyteller hosts an evening of dinner and spooky stories for an 18+ Halloween experience on the 28th October, promising a truly haunting atmosphere.
For families and younger visitors, Preacher will also be delivering an interactive and not-so-spooky storytelling session during the day, exploring the game Scare Me A Crow and its historical links to the Abbey!
Later in the evening, visitors can also enjoy both Hocus Pocus and The Lost Boys on the big screen during an outdoor cinema experience on the 28th October: dress-up encouraged!
Also during October half-term, younger visitors can take part in a Halloween trail around the Abbey, searching the historic house for hidden scarecrows! Little explorers who find them all will receive a special sticker to take home, offering a fun way for families to explore the Abbey whilst getting into the Halloween spirit.
From the 24th October to the 1st November, visitors can enjoy an extra slice of spooky atmosphere with a Halloween Harvest Afternoon Tea, putting a delightfully eerie twist on the traditional afternoon tea, and being served down in the cellars and entertained by some of the Abbey’s brought-to-life scarecrows! Visitors can enjoy a delicious spread of sweet and savoury treats, autumnal flavours, and a few spooky surprises in this unique Halloween experience.
For those who prefer their autumn evenings with a little more history than horror, Delapré’s programme includes two thrilling guided history tours exploring fascinating characters and scandals from the Abbey’s past.
On the 25th September, the Scandalous Georgians tour delves into the real-life drama of Georgian high society, following the story of Harriet Bouverie and her scandalous relationship with Lord Robert Spencer. Then, on the 22nd October, the Mysterious Lady in the Painting tour invites guests to discover the extraordinary life of Elizabeth Linley Sheridan, promising a story of romance, betrayal, duels, and daring escapes. Both evenings include a one-course meal and soft refreshment.
Alongside the events programme, Delapré Abbey remains open to visitors for general admission until the 1st November, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the historic house and discover almost 900 years of history at their own pace or on a guided tour.
With history, theatre, storytelling, food, films and an after-dark adventure, this autumn promises something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a family Halloween outing, an atmospheric night of theatre, a unique dining experience or the chance to spend the night somewhere with a few stories of its own.
For full details, dates, times and tickets, visit delapreabbey.org/whats-on.
