Autumn & Halloween Magic at Burghley House
Experience Autumn & Halloween Magic at Burghley House, historic tours, and Halloween adventures during October Half Term.
Experience Autumn & Halloween Magic at Burghley House
As the autumn season reaches its peak, Burghley House invites families and visitors to experience a packed lineup of seasonal activities, historic tours, and Halloween adventures during October Half Term.
With events open daily leading up to Sunday, 1 November, it’s the ideal time to celebrate the final two weeks of Burghley's open season.
Step inside one of England's grandest stately homes to explore five centuries of history.
Visitors can marvel at state rooms filled with world-class artwork and historic treasures, accompanied by insights from expert guides. Outside, the estate’s gardens come alive with vibrant autumn colours, displaying rich foliage in shades of red, burnt orange, and gold.
Burghley is hosting a wide array of spooky, family-friendly events throughout the Halloween period, Hide & Secrets Adventure, Open daily from 10am to 5pm through Sunday 1 November, children can complete spy missions guided by Cecil the Ghost using a free Spymaster's Guide.
The woodland area features climbing structures, exploration areas, and slides at the Hidden Towers.
Halloween Trail (17 Oct – 1 Nov | 10am – 5pm), wandering through the Sculpture Garden, visitors can follow twists and turns to uncover hidden ghosts and ghouls, solve riddles on their trail sheet, and claim a treat at the end.
Costumes are strongly encouraged.
Craft Workshops (26 – 30 Oct | 12pm – 4pm)
Half-term visitors of all ages can join hands-on Halloween craft workshops to make themed creations to take home.
Note: Admission to both the Halloween Trail and Craft Workshops is FREE with a valid Day Ticket or Annual Pass.
Special Event, Beastly Boring Tours
Dates: 26–29 & 31 October
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am
Price: £18 per person (Adult or Child)
For those looking for a thrill inside the house, costumed guides will lead visitors through the State Rooms to share grisly tales, eerie goings-on, and fascinating stories drawn from Burghley's 500-year history.
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times: Activities and trails run daily from 10am to 5pm (until Sunday, 1 November).
Tickets: Advance booking is available online https://burghley.co.uk/events
Burghley Christmas Fair 2026
Step Into Magic Experience the Burghley Christmas Fair
As the winter frost sets in, there is no place quite as captivating as the historic grounds of Burghley House in Stamford.
Each year, the iconic Elizabethan estate transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland for the region’s largest and most enchanting seasonal gathering, the Burghley Christmas Fair.
Whether you are looking to get a head start on your Christmas gift shopping, treat your taste buds to gourmet festive food, or simply soak in the joyous atmosphere, Burghley offers an unforgettable day (and night) out for all ages.
The grounds, historic courtyards, and heated marquees will be bedecked in sparkling decorations, creating an atmosphere straight out of a festive postcard.
With around 200 artisan stalls, you’ll discover a treasure trove of unique, high-quality gifts,
Explore pop-up chalets and marquees packed with handmade decorations, bespoke homewares, fine jewellery, and designer clothing.
Find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind presents for everyone on your list.
The Burghley Christmas Shop, wander through Chestnut Courtyard to browse curated seasonal decor and unique keepsakes.
You can preview the vendor zones and courtyard layouts using the Burghley Christmas Fair Map.
Shopping is only half the fun, take a pause to feast on delicious creations from top regional food and drink producers.
Warm up with traditional mulled wine, indulgent hot chocolates, sizzling raclette, or sweet and savoury crepes.
Families can also enjoy nostalgic seasonal entertainment, victorian carousel, a grand, illuminated carousel riding right through the heart of the fair grounds.
A traditional helter skelter, adding classic seaside-style thrill and festive cheer for younger visitors.
For those who want an extra dose of holiday magic, the fair extends into late-night shopping sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings.
As darkness falls, Burghley House lights up with striking projections and illuminations, topped off by spectacular festive drone light shows sweeping across the night sky above the estate.
Every ticket purchased helps make a meaningful difference. The Burghley Christmas Fair is run in association with the Angel Committee to raise crucial funds for the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, supporting palliative care and compassionate support for local families.
Essential Visitor Information
Planning your trip? Make sure to check the key visitor details below before heading out.
Opening Times & Dates
Dates: 26th November – 29th November 2026
Thursday & Sunday: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Friday & Saturday (Late-Night Sessions): 9.30am – 7.30pm (Drone show approx. 6.20pm, weather permitting)
Ticket Prices
Important All tickets must be booked in advance online. No tickets will be sold on the gate.
Standard Adult Ticket: £15 (Early Bird offer: £12 when booked before midnight on Monday 17 August 2026)
Flexi Adult Ticket: £20 (Valid for admission on any single day at any arrival time)
Child Ticket (3–15 Years): Standard £5 | Flexi £8
Under 3s & Carers: Free entry (Carer tickets require advance booking and valid documentation)
To ensure a comfortable experience with minimal queuing, visitors are asked to book a specific arrival time slot. Once inside, you are welcome to stay and explore as long as you like.
Parking Details
Standard & Accessible Parking: FREE (No pre-booking required).
Priority Parking: £10 per car (Located closest to the entrance; pre-booking required online, subject to availability).
Coaches & Minibuses: Fully booked for the 2026 event.
Ready to start your festive season in style?
Reserve your entry timeslot directly through the Official Burghley Christmas Fair Event Page.
