*Sponsored review
Our guest reviewer Charlotte and her Mumbler family went along to Temple Newsam Estate to visit the Ghastly Ghouls, Beastly Bugs and Halloween Horrors in the Haunted House and Farm. Find out what they thought here…
Donned in her Witches’ hat and Trick-or-Treat dress, Emily was very excited to enter the Haunted House. Upon arrival, there were some very impressively carved pumpkins on the steps, and bats, cats and spiders in the windows. Upon entering the house, we were greeted by a housemaid in full traditional attire, who explained to us that the Beastly Bugs had taken up residence in the house and the one-way route take to find the creepy crawlies hiding around the house.
We immediately encountered a swarm of bugs, and the further we delved into the house, the more critters we found, including quite a few fully occupied miniature bug rooms, from cockroaches in the dining room to spiders on the toilet! And for the older audience, there were plenty of interesting bug facts to read too.
The house lends itself perfectly to Halloween, with dark candlelit corridors, spiderweb stairways, large scale portraits and an abundance of eerie wooden and stone carvings. The staff dressed in character, with one or two giving Emily (and myself) quite a fright as we wandered from room to room. Emily was fascinated by the glowing ghost in the bedroom and found herself ‘tucking in’ to the rotten dinner with the headless lady in the dining room. And, being a witch, wanted to mix potions in the cauldron in the kitchen.
Adhering to COVID guidelines, the usual craft activities are unable to take place in the kitchen. However, a Beastly Bug Craft Pack is provided at the end of the tour to take home, making the experience last that little bit longer, as we ended up making our own Beastly Bug the next day!
We then ventured to the farm, where the Horror was taken up a notch! Be warned, some of the ghouls and ghosts in the Farm are very realistic and may make the younger, and more sensitive audiences uneasy. Emily was certainly unsure of some of the characters, but still found herself drawn to them and attempting to clap to get them to come to life!
There was a clear one-way route around the farm, which I actually found to be an added bonus as it meant you didn’t miss anything going round. Emily got to stroke the Donkeys, Sheep and Cows, whilst daddy got to indulge himself in his favourite festive holiday. And with the playground now open at limited capacity, both kiddies enjoyed the swings, seesaw and tractor slide too.
We had a fun-filled afternoon exploring the house and farm, not even the dull weather could dampen our spirits. And with the grounds, additional playground, GO APE, Tea Rooms, and Gift Shop, you can quite easily spend a full day here. So, if you are wanting to experience the ‘Horror’ of Halloween in a safe COVID-secure environment, Temple Newsam is an excellent choice! It really is a great day out for all the family and a MUST this Halloween.
**Pre-booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment** The house is closed for a private event on saturday 31st October. Admissions to the house and farm are limited to ensure social distancing. There is plenty of sanitiser stations around the house and farm, and in some instances in the house, you have to wait to enter the next room until it is free to do so. Masks also have to be worn in the house and enclosed areas, unless exempt.
The house and farm are open from 11am – 4pm (last admission 3pm) every day (house closed Mondays) with pre-bookable 15-minute timeslots. Admission to the house is £7.25 for adults; £3.10 for 5-16yrs; and £17.50 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children). The Farm is £4.10 for adults; £2.80 for 5-16yrs; and £11.10 for a family ticket. Under 5s are FREE. And entry into the grounds is completely free. The car park next to the house is pay and display, and there is also plenty of free parking nearby too.
The house is mobility friendly with a lift and level entrance should you require it. Although, I would strongly advise if you are taking babies round to use a sling for ease.
To get in touch, contact Temple Newsam Estate on 0113 336 7461 or email temple.newsam.house@leeds.gov.uk or for more information visit their Website or Facebook Page.
- Temple Newsam Estate, Temple Newsam Rd, Leeds LS15 0AE
