Halloween in the Heart of England

Enjoy a light-hearted take on the shadowy world of Halloween and all things ghoulish at The Barn Hotel in Lincolnshire. With entertainment each evening, including a 'Not so Scary Murder Mystery' evening, and visits to medieval Lincoln, the haunted (allegedly) Belvoir Castle and Europe's largest Antiques Centre (maybe some ancient skeletons in some ancient cupboards?), don your Halloween gear and head to chilly (chilling) Lincolnshire.Tour Highlights
- Hotel for 3 nights with dinner & breakfast- Tea/coffee after dinner- Porterage & welcome drink- Entertainment each night incl Murder Mystery- Visits to Newark-on-Trent & Lincoln- Guided tour of Belvoir Castle & cream tea- Visit to Hemswell Antique Centre- En-route stops in Melton Mowbray & Stamford (time permitting)- Use of leisure facilities

Halloween Heart of England
Day 1 - Head north with a stop en-route in Melton Mowbray. This bustling market town known as the 'Rural Capital of Food' boasts a culinary heritage that few can match. As well as other produce, visitors can sample Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese - famous delicacies which, thanks to protected status, can only be made in this locality. Continue to your hotel for your 4-night stay with welcome drink and porterage on arrival DBB and entertainment each evening includes a Murder Mystery\n\nDay 2 - Newark-on-Trent & Belvoir Castle\nOff to Newark-on-Trent, a historic gem of a town boasting one of the finest Georgian market squares in the UK. Saturday is market day, popular with locals and visitors alike. Newark is also home to the excellent National Civil War Centre (admission not included - approx. £8.50 pp in 2025), the remains of a dramatic riverside castle and some lovely independent shops and coffee shops. Enjoy free time in Newark before heading to Belvoir Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke & Duchess of Rutland. It is one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in England and sits proudly on a hilltop. The name Belvoir - meaning 'beautiful view' in French and pronounced today as 'beaver' - dates back to Norman times. The castle takes a starring role as one of the stunning locations featured in Netflix's The Crown (Series 3) where it doubles for Windsor Castle. Walk in the footsteps of past Dukes and Duchesses on a guided tour of the castle. Belvoir Castle is considered haunted, with many reported paranormal experiences including mysterious footsteps, unexplained lights, moving objects, and a ghostly lady in a purple dress. A Belvoir Cream Tea is included this afternoon in the Aviary Tea Room. Please note that the castle is at the top of a steep hill where the coach can drop off and pick up but the Engine Yard Retail Village is located at the bottom of the hill.\n\nAs the day fades, return to the comfort of your hotel for dinner which sets the stage for an evening of intrigue and suspense. Immerse yourself in a captivating murder mystery experience, where clever clues and unexpected twists keep you guessing. Can you piece together the puzzle and unmask the culprit? A thrilling blend of history, mystery, and delicious dining promises a day and night to remember.\n\nDay 3 - Hemswell Antiques & Lincoln\nHemswell is a unique destination where history, charm, and discovery come together. Nestled in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside on a former RAF base, it is home to Europe's largest selection of antiques and vintage collectables, with over 400 dealers spread across four spacious and characterful buildings. Whether you're a seasoned collector, an interior designer, or simply love to browse and be inspired, Hemswell offers something for everyone and every budget. There are a couple of welcoming coffee shops should you need a break from your antiquing adventure.\n\nSoend the afternoon in Lincoln, one of Europe's finest cathedral cities, with a vibrant and contemporary edge, rich in history combined with independent boutique shopping, great arts and culture and a wealth of places to eat and drink. The city is walkable for visitors with good mobility - the main shopping and tourist area stretches from St Marks Shopping centre in the south up to the Cathedral Quarter - known locally as 'Uphill'. Steep Hill, voted Britain's Great Street, connects 'downhill' and 'uphill' Lincoln. Yes, it is steep as its name suggests, but well worth the walk! With so much history surrounding Lincoln, it's no surprise that the city is the subject of a number of spinetingling ghost stories. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Lincoln Castle (entrance not included - from approx. £17.50 pp in 2025) is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the city. From disembodied screams to slamming doors, many people have experienced some unexplained occurrences here. The infamous Greestone Steps feature in many of Lincoln's ghost stories. Leading up to the cathedral, this spooky stairway is thought to be haunted by three different spirits.\n\nDay 4 - After a relaxed breakfast, it is time to head south with a stop (time permitting), in lovely Stamford, widely regarded as one of the finest stone towns in England. The pretty facades of the town are favourites with film and television producers. Stamford was used as Meryton in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film and has also appeared in Middlemarch. Continue back to interchange to arrive home later on this evening.Your Hotel
THE BARN HOTEL, MARSTON Nr Grantham\nLocated in the heart of the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, approximately one mile from the A1, this comfortable 3* hotel offers an onsite leisure club with a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jetted hot tub.\n\nThe comfortable guestrooms have free high-speed WiFi, spacious desk, ironing facilities, safe, flat screen TV and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a stylish bar and restaurant as well as some outdoor seating area. \n\nThere is a lift in part of the hotel and there are also ground floor rooms.