Halloween is all about remembering the dead particularly saints and martyrs but for most especially youngsters, the night before All Saints Day is about trick and treating, costume parties, carving jack o’ lanterns from pumpkins, watching horror films and visiting haunted houses.
There are some chilling stories behind some of the county's most haunted properties
Treasurer's House, York There is the tale of Roman Legionnaires making frequent appearances in the cellars of the Treasurer's House, York said to be following an old Roman road - there are regular guided tours of the haunted cellars.
Temple Newsam, Leeds With 500 years of history the house is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Yorkshire and has many tales of ghosts and unexplained happenings
Long Marston The Old Hall in the village used by Oliver Cromwell during the Battle of Marston Moor is said to be haunted by his ghost. Sightings of ghostly Royalist soldiers and phantoms in Cavalier costume have also been reported.
Bolton Abbey A black-robed spectre is said to haunt the church accompanied by a strong smell of incense usually appears in July in the daytime.
Fountains Abbey A ghostly choir has been heard chanting in the Chapel of Nine Altars but there are more ghostly happenings in nearby Fountains Hall., The hall built by Sir Stephen Proctor is said to be haunted by the blue ghost of his daughter who witnessed his evil doings and remains at the hall for eternity. An Elizabethan man has also been seen emerging from the panelling in the stone hall.
Carbrook Hall, Sheffield An Ancient Hall, now a public house has been standing since the 1600s. The land around Carbrook Hall has changed dramatically over the centuries but the building is still intact with original features.
Whitby The inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula came while the author was in Whitby. Follow in the footsteps of by climbing the town's 199 steps or take refuge to Whitby Abbey.
Need to know more? Go to yorkshire.com and good luck ghost hunting. Don't forget to tell us about your other-worldly experiences, leave a comment or tweet @Yorkshire_Life
There is no shortage of haunting events in Yorkshire this Halloween. Here are just a few:
7th October - 3rd November The York Dungeon 'The Home of Halloween' - the York Dungeon has a full programme of events in October and early November. Highlights include: York Dungeon Late for over 18s, Trick or Treat Walking Tours around the city, York Dungeon City Bus Tour and Ghost Cruise on the Ouse. The York Dungeon: 12 Clifford Street, York YO1 9RD. www.thedungeons.com/york
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12th - 31st October Halloween & Pumpkin Picking at Thornton Hall Country Park Thornton Hall farm annual Halloween celebrations are back in full swing and you can expect classic activities such as scary mazes, freaky face painting and pumpkin carving. Thornton Hall Country Park, Church Road, Thornton in Craven, nr. Skipton, BD23 3TS www.thorntonhallcountrypark.co.uk -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11th October - 3rd November Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park and Halloween destination and will send shivers down your spine. The park has six terrifying attractions including Ghost Town, Zombie Outpost and Hotel Hell, it's definitely not an event for the faint hearted! Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 5SG scaregrounds.co.uk/halloween
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11th October - 2nd November Hallowscream at York Maze Hallowscream is a live 'scare event' with five separate haunted attractions for visitors to brave. Hallowscream, say organisers, is based on a story about a farm where a terrible tragedy happened way back in 1873 and the restless souls who died then return each Halloween to torment those who dare visit. But we can't help thinking the edge will be taken off by all the food and drink that will be available. Dunnington Lodge, Elvington Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 5LT yorkmazehallowscream.co.uk
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19th October - 3rd November Halloween at Eureka! A special programme of half-term events to celebrate Halloween at includes: Witches and Wizards actvities and magical classes by Black Knight Historical. Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2NE www.eureka.org.uk/event/halloween2019
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26th -31st October Bolton Castle Halloween Special The Castle will be spookyfied for general visitors and with a spooky meeting creepy characters from the past. Bolton Castle, Nr Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET www.boltoncastle.co.uk/events-calendar-2
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9th,20th,26th,27th,28th,29th,30th,31st October Halloween Pumpkin Festival at Cannon Hall Farm The popular annual Pumpkin Festival returns - and 2019 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Children can venture into the pumpkin patch and design their spookiest faces for the expert pumpkin carvers. There will also be a wizardry school with loads of fun actvities. Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 4AT cannonhallfarm.co.uk/events/pumpkin-festival-and-wizardry-school/
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26th October - 3rd November Witches and Wizards at the Tropical Butterfly House Wannabee witches and wizards can join a magical school of witchcraft! Follow the activity trail around the wildlife park where you'll try on an enchanted sorting hat to find out which wonderfully wizardry animal house you belong to, try your hand at broomstick training and dare to a dabble in a potion class in the woodland witch's cabin before graduating and receiving your certificate. Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife & Falconry Centre, Woodsetts Road, North Anston, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S25 4EQ www.butterflyhouse.co.uk/events.php
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27th October - 4th November Castle Howard's - Halloween at Skelf Island Across the dormant water of the Great Lake at Castle Howards lies the new adventure playground, Skelf Island. Families of all ages can enjoy a day of outdoor trails and adventure play, with a series of ingenious treetop nest structures, connected by rope bridges, slides, nets and climbing equipment. No age restriction just a brave restriction. Castle Howard, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7DA www.castlehoward.co.uk/DB/whats-on-view/halloween-at-skelf-island
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26th October - 31st October Frightwater Valley Join Lightwater Valley Themepark for their annual Halloween spooktacular, as a cloak of supernatural delight shrouds the theme park. All manner of creepy ghouls and beasties lurk within the Valley, so tread scarefully as they celebrate Halloween in style. Lightwater Valley Theme Park, North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3HT www.lightwatervalley.co.uk/events
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31st October Seaside Terror Seaside Terror is a celebration of the British horror and holidays of the 1970s. Funny, nostalgic and visually stunning, Odd Doll use their trademark brew of puppetry, clown and specially composed music to fill the stage with nerveshattering shocks. Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 2SP https://www.thelbt.org/shows/seaside-terror/
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