Leeds Castle Halloween | Magical Quests & Seasonal Fun

What to expect at Leeds Castle during Halloween

Guardians of the Grounds trail & quest: Leeds Castle transforms the grounds into a magical treasure hunt: collect scattered letters, solve riddles, all to break the curse of an Evil Sorceress. Expect occasional themed entertainment such as wood carving, surprise installations, or interactive elements along the quest path.
Live characters (for part of the season): From 18th to 26th October, you’ll meet the characters from this quest, and even after the live character window ends, the trail remains, allowing explorers to complete the quest at their own pace.
Falconry & bird displays: The Birds of Prey Centre features seasonal hawk and bird shows, often timed around 2 pm.
Autumnal walks: Enjoy colourful fall foliage, scenic paths, and quiet moments across the estate.
Maze & grotto experience: The castle’s maze and grotto remain open, offering subtly spooky twists to its regular attractions
Costume competitions: Daily fancy dress competitions are held during the live character period, encouraging guests to dress up.

Leeds Castle Halloween events/exhibitions

Guardians of the Grounds: The Final Spell

Dates: 18 October – 2 November 2025
Timings: See castle opening hours (trail slots run 10:00–16:15 approx)
Location: Across the castle grounds, maze & trail zones

A magical interactive quest where visitors gather scattered letters, unlock the spellbook, and break the curse. From 18th to 26th October, you’ll meet the characters from this quest, the Guardians (Kit, Ember, Talon, Diablo), in their cursed roles. After 26 October, the quest remains open but without live actors.

Birds of Prey Falconry displays

Dates: 18 October – 2 November 2025
Timings: Around 2 pm (subject to schedule)
Location: Birds of Prey Centre in the estate

Enjoy spectacular flying demonstrations and close encounters with hawks, falcons, and birds of prey as part of the castle’s regular attractions.

The Maze & Underground Grotto

Dates: All year, including Halloween specials
Timings: 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
Location: Maze area in castle grounds

The castle’s iconic maze and grotto offer intrigue, especially at dusk or in Halloween ambiance, with tunnels, turns, and mythical surprises.

Plan your visit to Leeds Castle during Halloween

Halloween dates: 18 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 (included with admission).)

Castle: 10:30 am to 3:30 pm (last entry 3 pm)

Grounds/Gardens: 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 3 pm)

Live character slots (18–26 Oct): 10:00–11:45, 12:00–12:45, 13:45–15:15, 15:30–16:15 at trail/maze areas.

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or early afternoons for lighter queues; school-holiday weekends are busiest.

More Leeds Castle timings

Address: Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone, Kent (ME17 1PL/1RG) | Find on Maps

By Train: Southeastern to Bearsted or Hollingbourne stations (5-min taxi/30–40-min walk to the castle).
By bus: Stagecoach 10X stops inside the car park on select runs.
By car: Via M20, exit at Junction 8
Parking: Free on-site parking.

Green Travel: show same-day rail ticket for 20% off admission.

Directions to Leeds Castle

Restrooms: Multiple locations across the estate; accessible toilets available (including baby changing facility on site).

Lockers: Not available on site.

Stroller/buggy: Pushchairs not permitted inside the Castle, but there’s a buggy park outside. There are free baby slings loaned in the castle.

Gift shops: There is a Visitor Centre Shop near the main entrance, which you can visit without admission, and a Castle Shop inside for souvenirs.

More about Leeds Castle

Step-free access: The main castle route is step-free, but there are ~45 m of cobblestones on the drawbridge.

Wheelchairs: They are available on request, with a maximum of two wheelchairs inside the castle at once. Additional accessibility upgrades are underway. (new wheelchairs, clearer signage).

Sensory-friendly: There are sensory packs for hire from the Visitor Centre (aimed at neurodiverse visitors).

Service animals: Assistance dogs are allowed in the castle and grounds; no other animals are permitted.

Plan your visit to Leeds Castle

Costumes/props: Keep costumes and props family-friendly; avoid anything that could alarm wildlife or birds of prey (actor and falconry areas active during Halloween).

Stroller/pushchairs: Not allowed inside the Castle; use the buggy park.

Drones: Unauthorised drones are not permitted for safety and privacy.

Animals: Only assistance dogs are admitted due to free-roaming wildfowl.

General etiquette: Stay on marked paths, supervise children, and follow any Halloween event steward instructions (live shows, maze/maze-area timings).

Castle View Restaurant: Fine dining with views over the moat. Lunch available, for ticket-holders, though evening dining open to all (pre-booking required).

Stable Courtyard Kiosks: Quick bites like fish & chips, burgers, hot dogs, soups.

Afternoon Tea: Classic tea service (you’ll need to book in advance by email).

Frequently asked questions about Leeds Castle Halloween events

Can I book tickets just for the Halloween events without a general admission ticket?

No, the Halloween trail is included with regular Leeds Castle admission, there’s no separate skip-in event ticket.

Is there a capacity limit for the trail or Halloween events?

While not publicly stated, Leeds Castle may manage trail throughput to avoid congestion—book in advance to ensure access on busy days.

Are the Halloween events suitable for children?

Yes, the quest is family-friendly and designed for all ages, with interactive clues, whimsical characters, and mild spookiness rather than horror.

Will the events continue in poor weather?

The trail is largely outdoors; events may run rain or shine, though live performances or outdoor displays could be altered or canceled for safety.

What happens if an event is canceled and I’ve already booked my ticket?

Ticket holders will typically be notified and offered rescheduling or refunds in case of cancellation.

Do I need to arrive at a specific time for the trail?

No fixed start time is required, but to catch live performances and interactions, arriving earlier in the day is recommended.

Your guide to Halloween at Leeds Castle