This Halloween, visitors to some of Britain’s most haunted cities can enjoy a unique stay in university rooms, with affordable options available in historic locations such as Oxford, Cambridge, London, and York. These cities, rich in history and legend, have a spate of eerie events planned, and university accommodation is offering a budget-friendly alternative to expensive hotels.
According to travel expert Lily Smith from UniversityRooms.com, many universities are opening their doors for Halloween and the start of November. “Hotel prices can be frighteningly high around Halloween,” she says, “so it’s great news that universities are offering rooms in some of the most atmospheric and haunted cities.”
Oxford
Oxford, a city known for its rich and sometimes gruesome history, offers an array of spooky activities, including ghost tours and a Halloween rave. The highlight of the city’s events is the annual Ghost Fest at Oxford Castle and Prison, which has over 1,000 years of history. From 25-31 October, visitors can take guided tours to learn about the site’s most notorious inhabitants. In November, Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe from the TV show Most Haunted will be hosting a paranormal investigation and dinner in the 900-year-old crypt of the castle.
For those looking to stay in the heart of Oxford, Wycliffe Hall College is offering rooms from just £69 a night in a Victorian Gothic building, adding to the spooky atmosphere.
Cambridge
Cambridge is also embracing its supernatural side with events such as the Halloween Scavenger Hunt in a Punt (running from 26 October to 3 November) and the Creepy Cambridge ghost walks. These walks take visitors through the city’s haunted streets, with tales of phantom scholars and victims of ancient punishments. One of the most haunted locations is said to be Girton College, which offers rooms from £118.36 a night in a Grade II* listed heritage building.
London
In London, the capital’s Halloween offerings include the return of the London Month of the Dead, with a series of guided tours and talks taking place in eerie locations such as Brompton Cemetery and Southwark. Meanwhile, The London Dungeon and Hampton Court Palace will be hosting special Halloween events guaranteed to thrill brave visitors.
For those seeking affordable accommodation in central London, Goodenough College in Bloomsbury offers rooms starting at £120 a night, a rare find for such a prime location.
York
York, often dubbed “the most haunted city in Europe”, is pulling out all the stops for Halloween, with a range of terrifying attractions. Highlights include York Dungeon, where visitors can meet Mary the Black Widow, one of Britain’s most notorious female serial killers, and a ghost train journey running until 1 November. The city is also hosting family-friendly events, such as a Magical Owl Trail at the Shambles market from 28 October to 3 November.
Visitors to York can stay at Franklin House, a student accommodation located 15 minutes from the city centre, with rooms available from £80.40 a night during the Halloween weekend.
With spooky events and university accommodation available at reasonable prices, Britain’s haunted cities are set to welcome thrill-seekers this Halloween. ‘It doesn’t take an educated guess to realise that limited university term-time accommodation is likely to get booked up. For more information and to book your stay, see: https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/countries/GB
