Exploring Nottingham’s Dark Side: A Haunted Halloween Walking Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; involves standing and walking at an easy pace over smooth and cobblestone surfaces.
Overview
Discover Nottingham’s spine-chilling past with an atmospheric Halloween walking tour. Uncover ghostly legends, riots, and haunted pubs with expert guide Sam on this 1.5-hour adventure.
Nottingham: The Dark Side Tour
31st Oct & 1st Nov | Spooky Halloween Walking Tour | £15pp
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Experience the chilling history of Nottingham on a special Halloween walking tour. Led by guide Sam, delve into tales of riots, executions, and hauntings over 1.5 hours. Explore the city’s dark past, from cursed pubs to ghostly legends, and uncover the sinister secrets that linger in its shadows.
SPECIAL HALLOWEEN EVENT 2025 - limited tickets available so book early.
Join us this Halloween weekend for a walking tour that reveals the sinister secrets buried in the shadows of Nottingham. Once known as the City of Rebels, this is a place of riots, executions, hauntings, and gruesome tales that still echo through its streets and caves.
Over 1.5 haunted hours with guide Sam, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Luddites, rioters, body snatchers, and condemned prisoners, uncovering the dark history that lingers beneath Nottingham’s rebellious spirit. From fiery uprisings to cursed pubs, each story will draw you deeper into the city’s troubled past.
Tour highlights:
- Nottingham’s bloody riots & rebellions
- The last public execution at the Shire Hall
- Body snatchers of Barker Gate
- Ghosts of Nottingham Castle & Mortimer’s Hole
- The haunted gallows of the Justice Museum
- The cholera-ridden slums of Narrow Marsh …& more!
Dates and times: 3st Oct & 1st Nov at 7pm
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: £15pp
Meeting Point: by the Left Lion, Old Market Square
Only for adults ages 16+
Adventure Tips
Bring Warm Layers
Evenings can be chilly in Nottingham during late October; dress warmly for comfort throughout the tour.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The tour involves walking on cobblestones and uneven pavement—sturdy footwear is recommended.
Arrive Early
Arrive 10–15 minutes before start time to find the meeting point and get oriented.
Be Ready for Low Light
The tour relies on ambient street lighting and lanterns, so bring a small flashlight if sensitive to darkness.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Pigeons commonly seen in Market Square
- Sparrows nesting in older city buildings
History
Nottingham was the backdrop of the 1831 Reform Riots, a key event influencing English political reforms.
Conservation
The tour emphasizes respect for Nottingham’s historic sites, promoting low-impact tourism to preserve city heritage.
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Adventure Hotspots in Nottingham
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Supports prolonged walking on uneven city streets.
fall specific
Warm Jacket
Keeps you comfortable during cool evening weather.
fall specific
Flashlight or Phone Light
Helps navigate low-light areas on the tour route.
fall specific
Camera or Smartphone
Capture the atmospheric sites and eerie moments along the way.