WITH Halloween on Saturday, we decided to uncover the most spine-tingling things to do in Wiltshire. From haunted staycation spots, to ghostly walks in the countryside, these are some seriously spooky places to visit this weekend - or whenever you fancy. Read on… if you dare.
What better way to celebrate the somewhat eerie, nostalgic-inducing Halloween season than by checking into one of the most haunted hotels in the UK? The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury is believed to be the oldest hotel in Britain. And according to guests, it is also one of the most haunted places in Wiltshire. The Danvers Room is supposedly the spookiest room in the building, where guests and staff have experienced unexplainable paranormal activity.
Rumour has it that there are even a number of sarcophagi (stone coffins) concealed underneath the hotel bar. The Old Bell Hotel promises thrillseekers a whole series of unimaginable horror taking place within its walls. Do you dare to spend the night?
Feeling brave? It’s Halloween, so grab your ghost detector and gear up for these genuinely terrifying ghost tours in Wiltshire. Whether you’re up for lurking in eerie woods or creeping around the most haunted places in Wiltshire, the Devizes Ghost Walk will be taking place on a variety of dates over the Halloween period, with local historian John Girvan inviting guests to dowse the town’s gallows. Details at www.devizestours.co.uk
If you don’t fancy heading out this Halloween, fear not, Malmesbury town has taken their annual spooky walk online, check out the virtual event taking place on Saturday - if you dare! Info at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/malmesburys-famous-halloween-walk-tickets-60197335852
Fancy yourself a ghost hunter? Head to the another famously haunted hotel in Wiltshire, The Black Swan Hotel in Devizes. With records dating back to the 18th century you’re certain to find some paranormal activity lurking in the hallways. Both staff and visitors have reported sightings of the transparent figure of a woman in a long white flowing dress.
So if you’re a fan of the things that go bump in the night, there’s nowhere better to stay on Halloween night than the ghostly Black Swan.
Another of Wiltshire’s haunted pubs is the 17th century Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh, which features in our food review this week.
For a Halloween day out, why not try Old Wardour Castle, Tisbury. Dating back to the 14th century, this castle has seen many people passing through its doors. More than 600 years later, the serene ruins in the Wiltshire countryside are alleged to be haunted by a number of ghosts. Despite its tranquil setting today, the castle was the setting of a violent past during the time of the English Civil War.
In 1643 gunpowder was accidentally set alight and an explosion brought down the two towers, leaving many dead. Old Wardour Castle was never rebuilt but legend has it that restless spirits remain in the grounds and the surrounding woodland.
If you’ve got little ones, there are plenty of Halloween trails around the county at the moment, as communities who missed out on the annual spate of scarecrow trails during coronavirus lockdown try to raise money for good causes by creating a string of spooks and ghouls along their streets.
If you don’t mind sharing a room with a restless poltergeist, Littlecote House Hotel in Hungerford is where unexplained phenomena goes hand in hand with exceptional amenities. In 2007 a team of researchers from Paranormal Site Investigators explored the haunted hotel, where allegedly ghosts outnumbered them.
Among the traditional sightings described by staff is that of a black dog seen on the Jerusalem staircase: when you go to stroke it, your hand goes straight through. The same location was the scene of a bizarre incident where a man’s collarbone and some ribs were allegedly broken when a ball of white light pushed him against the wall. 
Another idea for a spooky day out is a trip to The Roman Baths, in Bath, where little guests will embark on a spooky museum search to find Where’s Wally? 
Check local rules and regulations before you travel - more information on this can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know
Thanks to the team at LuggageHero for their help compiling this feature: more info at https://luggagehero.com/london/