Five Half-Term Halloween Haunts in The Peak District

The Peak District is gearing up to embrace the spooky season, with stately homes transforming into haunted houses, treacherous trails through dark woodlands and even scary movie screenings in the depths of local caves.

With so much on offer, we’ve put together a guide to all the best Halloween events happening near Losehill House over half-term and beyond, so that you can couple your petrifying plans with a (safe) retreat to our hotel and spa.

Chatsworth House | Half-Term Halloween Hoot

Website

Dates: 23rd - 31st October 2021

Distance from Losehill House: 31 minutes by car

Explore the vast grounds of Chatsworth House with a spooky, autumnal twist, including pumpkin carving, creepy crafts and tractor trailer tours into the deep, dark woodland of the Estate. All activities are available with tickets for the farmyard, which can be booked online here.

Credit: Chatsworth House

Pop-Up Cinema | Peak Cavern

Website

Dates: 21st - 31st October 2021 

Distance from Losehill House: 11 minutes by car

The Village Screen bring their unique and popular in-cave film screenings back to the renowned Peak Cavern in Castleton, with a line-up full of Halloween favourites like Hocus Pocus, The Shining, IT and beyond. Tickets are selling fast, with extra dates added due to demand, and can be bought on The Village Screen website here.

Credit: The Village Screen

Halloween Week | Thornbridge Hall

Website

Dates: 25th - 31st October 2021

Distance from Losehill House: 26 minutes by car

Throughout half-term, the elegant gardens of Thornbridge Hall will host an enticing programme of Halloween events and activities, from costume competitions and face painting, to film screenings and a Halloween hunt. The whole schedule is included in garden entry, charged at £7 for adults, £3 for children (under 3s go for free) or £18 for a family ticket.

Credit: Thornbridge Hall

Severn Trent Halloween Trail | Upper Derwent Valley

Website

Dates: 23rd - 31s October 

Distance from Losehill House: 21 minutes by car 

Fancy dress is actively encouraged on Severn Trent’s countrywide Halloween trails, of which the Upper Derwent Valley location is nearest to us here at Losehill House. Enjoy the haunting beauty of the famous valley as you hunt down facts along the pumpkin trail, with each completed worksheet earning you a bag of sweets to reward your efforts. No booking is required, and trail maps can be collected for £3 from the Fairholmes visitor centre. 

Credit: Thornbridge Hall

Mysterious Monsters & Ridiculous Riddles | Longshaw Estate 

Website

Dates: 23rd October - 7th November 2021

Distance from Losehill House: 20 minutes by car

Create your own nature-inspired monsters or test your detective skills with the family trails taking place across the Longshaw Estate, only 20 minutes away from Losehill House. The trail costs £3 with no booking required, and all participants will receive a lantern making kit to take home as part of this price. 

Credit: National Trust

Whether you are seeking tricks or treats over this Halloween, Losehill House is here as a safe haven for all, offering luxurious accommodation for all the family, and award-winning food and drink for residents and non-residents alike. 

The Peak District's 70th Anniversary!

On the 17th April 2021, our beloved Peak District celebrates its 70th anniversary as a National Park! To celebrate the occasion, we're taking a moment to look back at our time in the Peak District, alongside our favourite walks, attractions and views. 

The Peak District became the first National Park in Britain in 1951, created at the same time as the world-renowned Serengeti National Park in Africa. We opened our doors in the Peak District back in 2007, when owners Paul and Kathryn first brought Losehill House to life. The building you see today was built as Moorgate Guest House by the CHA in 1914, meaning that the accommodation has been dedicated to hosting holiday-makers and staycationers since its establishment. 

Walks

Upon buying Losehill House, Paul and Kathryn said their favourite part of the Peak District is most definitely “the unique countryside” which embraces the hotel grounds. 

The area is famous for its walks, and we are lucky enough to have access to a sweeping series of trails and routes for hiking, climbing and rambling straight from our front door. You could venture in any direction and be guaranteed to find picturesque scenery and incredible vistas.

We’ve included two of our favourite local walking routes below to inspire your Peak District adventures, or you’ll find plenty more recommendations here. 

Stanage Edge Walk

Stanage Edge, a 6km gritstone ridge near the Hope Valley, is the main attraction of this popular Peak District walk. Take a bus from Hope to Hathersage, a medieval village where Charlotte Bronte once stayed, drawing inspiration from the region for her novel Jane Eyre. This walk provides exceptional views and you’ll have the chance to marvel at some of the adventurous rock climbers, clinging to the face of the ridge. 

Guide to the Stanage Edge Walk. 

The Great Ridge and Win Hill Walk

A spectacular ridge, arguably one of the finest in the country, connects the twin peaks of Lose Hill and Mam Tor. It’s possible to scale Lose Hill directly from Losehill Hotel & Spa, and walk along the Great Ridge, descending from Win Hill via Twitchill’s Farm. This beautiful circular walk is one of the best routes close to the hotel, and makes for a wonderful afternoon out hiking in the Peak District. 

Guide to the Great Ridge and Win Hill Walk. 

Credit: John Finney Photography

Attractions

The Peak District is also home to an exciting array of attractions, with caves, castles, historic houses, reservoirs and more located a stone’s throw from Losehill House. 

In the charming village of Castleton, only 10 minutes from Losehill, you’ll discover a network of underground caves, each with their own story, character and offering for tourists. Treak Cliff Cavern, once a lead mine, contains a wonderland of stalactite and stalagmites, while Speedwell Cavern offers boat tours through its winding and mysterious tunnels. Peak Cavern hosts thrilling underground concerts and film screenings as Blue John Cavern, the deepest of all of the caves, showcases the semi-precious stone Blue John, unique to Castleton and the Peak District. 

The ruins of Peveril Castle tower above Castleton, offering spectacular views over the Hope Valley. Built in 1086 for a favoured knight of William the Conqueror, the Norman fortress preceded the village, which became an important source of income for the castle estate and was once the control centre for hunting and mining in the area. 

Credit: Alexey Fedorenko

Other nearby attractions include the Ladybower, Derwent and Howden reservoirs, all of which offer wonderful walking and cycling routes, as well as rich and fascinating histories. Derwent Dam, for example, was used as a practice ground for the Dambusters during WWII; the connection is commemorated within the Derwent Valley Museum, housed in one of the dam’s towers. 

Guests of Losehill House also benefit from reduced access to the grand Chatsworth House & Gardens - the most renowned historic house in the Peak District. You can explore more nearby castles and historic houses in the area here.

Views

In the Peak District, breathtaking rural landscapes come as part of the package, whether you’re hiking, cycling, driving or exploring local attractions. Here are a few of our favourite spots for spectacular views and perfect photo opportunities, all on Losehill House’s doorstep.

Mam Tor

National Trust Car Park - 15 minute drive from Losehill House 

Known as the “shivering mountain”, Mam Tor stands over the village of Castleton, with the aforementioned caves at its base. The rolling hills that embrace Castleton and Losehill House, including Lose Hill and Win Hill, are what makes this view so special, and many choose to reach the summit as the sun rises for a magical early morning experience.

Kinder Scout

Edale Village Hall Car Park - 10 minute drive from Losehill House 

As the tallest peak in the Peak District, the views from the top of Kinder Scout are wide-reaching and truly beautiful. On a clear day, the city of Manchester can be seen from the plateau, as well as the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales. 

Alport Castles 

Fairholmes Car Park - 20 minute drive from Losehill House 

The views from Alport Castles are perhaps some of the most unique in the whole of the National Park. Thought to be the largest landslide in the United Kingdom, the beauty spot gets its name from the gritstone mounds formed from debris, which resemble striking castles from a distance.

Credit: Peter G Lawson

Bamford Edge 

New Road, Bamford - 15 minute drive from Losehill House 

The vantage point at Bamford Edge provides the most beautiful view over Ladybower Reservoir. This spot can be particularly enchanting around sunset as the last of the day’s light bounces off the water and hillsides which surround it. 

Other highlights: 

• Chrome Hill 

• Higger Tor 

• Win Hill 

• Dovedale 

• Surprise View

• Heights of Abraham 

• Burbage

The Peak District will always lie at the heart of our identity as a hotel, and we are so grateful to be embraced by such a treasure trove of adventure, history and natural beauty. As a hotel located at the heart of this incredible National Park, Losehill House will always strive to be a hub for those wishing to discover, explore and fall in love with the Peak District, as we do more and more each day. 

Christmas Markets in the Peak District

The Peak District is a beautiful setting in which to spend the festive season. Get into the spirit of Christmas by visiting one of the many Christmas markets popping up in Peak District towns and villages over the next month. 

You can search a list of all available markets on the Visit Peak District's website here.

Obne of the most-visited markets has got to be Chatsworth House's Christmas Market running now until 23rd November. The market is free to enter, but cars cost £3 midweek and £10 on weekends. A delightful way to spend the day.

“Live seasonal musical entertainment from brass bands to string quartets; Enjoy mulled cider and German beers in our bavarian beer tent; Find the perfect presents for all the family from our wide range of stalls including toiletries, clothes and things for your home; Enjoy delicious food, with gourmet burgers, hotdogs, pancakes, churros, fudge and chocolate and treats galore; See our own stunning ranges of items in the Chatsworth gift, interiors and garden shops, up in the Stables.”

— Chatsworth House Website

Discover Great Days Out

When visiting the Peak District for the first time, it can be a bit daunting knowing where to start when planning your break here - there are so many fantastic things to do that it can be hard to choose.

A great way to plan your visit is to use the Peak Explorer app which is a comprehensive visitor guide detailing hundreds of things to see and do, towns & villages, attractions, outdoor activities, places to eat, shopping and Derbyshire’s famous well dressings. You can download the app for iOS and Android here.

To get an idea of the sort of activities you can enjoy while staying in the Peak District, take a look at our Pinterest board.