Kenilworth's dark side becomes the focus for evening Halloween tours

Friday 29, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October 2010 Kenilworth Castle’s very own ghost stories will get a new airing this October, when the historic castle re-opens its gates after hours for a series of evening tours that are guaranteed to send a shiver down the spine of even the most hardened cynic!

As with many historic ruins, Kenilworth Castle has provided the backdrop for stories of the paranormal for centuries, and indeed, staff at the castle today have experienced their own share of unexplained phenomena, from eerie cold spots and sensations of being watched, to discovering a rocking crib in Leicester’s Gatehouse long after the last visitor has left. The stories and myths have been woven into an evening of frights and thrills by local ghost walkers, ‘Take a Walk on the Dark Side’ to provide an evening of entertainment that participants will never forget!

“Kenilworth Castle has seen so much happen over the last 900 years – including a great deal of bloodshed when the castle was under siege and the nation at war – that it is little wonder that many people believe that ‘echoes’ of these turbulent times remain in the castle today in the forms of ghosts and unexplained activity,” says Kenilworth Castle’s visitor operations manager, Holly Woodward. “These tours put some flesh onto the bones of the stories and legends, using some of the best storytellers in the county to draw you in and capture your imagination!”

Upon arrival at the Castle, visitors will be taken from the main gates on a tour of the dark site, stopping to hear stories in the Keep, Leicester’s Gatehouse and, for the first time, into the castle’s candlelit undercroft for a fantastically atmospheric retelling of the Black Beast of Warwickshire. The tours end in Leicester’s Stables, where participants can breathe a sigh of relief as they enjoy a cup of delicious hot soup!

With limited places on each tour, pre-booking is essential; tickets can be reserved at Kenilworth Castle itself or by calling 01926 852078. Tours depart at 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday, with an extra late night tour at 10.30pm on Halloween night, Sunday 31 October. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. The evening tours are only open to visitors aged 16 and above, and participants are advised to wear sturdy footwear and waterproof clothes in case the weather is inclement. Visitors may wish to bring a torch, as the path to the car park can be quite dark.

For more details, please call Kenilworth Castle on 01926 852078 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworthcastle
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For further media information, please contact: Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage Tel: 0113 251 5698 Mob: 07810 546567 Email: jay@fim.org.uk