If you’re plotting a spooky night out this autumn, Halloween at Blenheim Palace 2025 should be top of the list. The UNESCO-listed estate turns its Great Lake and parkland into an after-dark, illuminated trail packed with eerie installs, atmospheric soundscapes and just-right jump scares for families, couples and friend groups. Below is everything you need to know—dates, ticket prices, off-peak times, parking, transport from London/Oxford, accessibility, food & drink, “quiet” sessions, what to wear, refund rules—so you can book with confidence and have a brilliant time.
Quick facts (save this bit)
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Dates: 23 October – 2 November 2025. Timed entry from late afternoon into the evening.
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Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL.
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Type of experience: outdoor illuminated Halloween trail (approx. 1.3km).
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Who it suits: all ages; pick Daylight, Twilight or Moonlight slots to match your scare-tolerance.
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Tickets: advance/off-peak options + Anytime Ticket; carers & infants (0–2) free; parking is a separate paid add-on.
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Cashless on site; photography allowed (no drones).
Dates & times: best time to visit the Blenheim Palace Halloween trail 2025
Halloween runs Thu 23 Oct – Sun 2 Nov 2025 with entry windows roughly every 15 minutes from late afternoon (as early as 16:00) to around 21:00 on busier nights. The colour-coded calendar also flags off-peak sessions (cheaper) and the special Quiet Access slot at 16:00 on Wed 29 Oct designed to be calmer and less crowded.
Daylight vs Twilight vs Moonlight: the trail content is the same all day; Daylight is gentler for little ones (you can see the “spooky surprises”), while Twilight/Moonlight dials up the atmosphere for teens and adults.
How long to allow: the loop is ~1.3km. With photos, snacks and stops, most visitors spend about an hour end-to-end. (Plan extra time for parking/queuing.)
Tickets & prices: Blenheim Palace Halloween tickets 2025 (advance, off-peak, Anytime)
Here are the official 2025 prices (subject to booking fees/availability):
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Adult: £22.00 advance (standard) / £18.00 advance (off-peak). On-the-day is £24.00/£20.00 respectively.
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Child (3–16): £16.50 advance (standard) / £12.50 advance (off-peak). On-the-day is £18.50/£14.50.
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Family (2 adults + 2 children): £73.00 standard / £57.00 off-peak (advance).
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Anytime Ticket: £40 adult / £30 child (arrive any time between first and last session; queueing may still occur).
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Carers & infants (0–2): free.
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Parking: must be purchased separately for every booking (including Anytime).
Can you change your date? Exchanges are possible in the Ticketek UK app (subject to availability) but not within 24 hours of your visit. All tickets are non-refundable unless you bought Refund Protection and meet its terms.
Getting there: how to get to Blenheim Palace from London or Oxford (train, bus, car)
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By train + bus: The nearest stations are Oxford (9.1 miles), Oxford Parkway (6.2 miles), Long Hanborough (3 miles). From Oxford city/rail, use Stagecoach S3 (Gloucester Green & Oxford rail) or Stagecoach 7/S7 (via Oxford Parkway)—both stop right by the Palace gates. The Oxford Bus Company 500 also serves Blenheim from Oxford Parkway.
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Operator links and promo: Stagecoach confirms S3/S7 frequencies and a 20% entry discount for car-free visitors; Good Journey also lists a GREEN20 discount. Check the latest before you travel.
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From London: Trains run from London Paddington (to Oxford) or Marylebone (to Oxford Parkway), then bus/taxi to the Palace (15–25 mins).
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By car: 8 miles NW of Oxford on the A44; signposted from M40 J9. Use OX20 1UL in sat-nav. Parking is limited and must be pre-booked with your tickets.
Parking & arrival: Blenheim Palace Halloween parking, entry process & finish times
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Pre-book parking online with your trail tickets (including Blue Badge spaces). Coaches must pre-book too.
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When to arrive: get to the start of the trail ~5 minutes before your slot. E-tickets on your phone are fine—turn your screen brightness up.
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Finish & car park closing: everyone must exit the car park no later than 2 hours after the last trail start time and by 11:00pm at the latest.
What to expect on the trail: is Halloween at Blenheim Palace scary for kids?
This is an immersive, lit-up outdoor trail designed for all ages. Expect towering skeletons, glowing eyes in the trees, ghostly lights and theatrical moments that make for epic photos without being horror-movie intense. Photography is welcome (share with #HalloweenAtBlenheimPalace); drones are not permitted.
Food & drink: hot chocolate, hot toddies & family-friendly eats
Blenheim normally lays on snack huts and hearty street food near the trail—think gourmet hot dogs, burgers, “sinister” hot chocolate, mulled toddies—plus the on-site gift shop stays open late (until 10:00pm on trail nights). Note the event is card-only at sales points. (Final 2025 F&B line-up is TBC, but this is what’s typically offered.)
Accessibility & families: wheelchairs, terrain, quiet sessions
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Trail length: about 1.3km over natural paths and varying gradients; some sections can be challenging in wet weather.
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Wheelchairs for hire are available from Blenheim (subject to availability); mobility scooters not available to hire—bring your own if needed. Accessible toilets at start and mid-trail.
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Quiet Access session: 16:00 on Wed 29 Oct with limited capacity and a gentler transition into darkness; carers go free.
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Assistance dogs only on the Halloween trail—no pets (please don’t leave dogs in cars).
What to wear & pack: best clothing for an October night hike
It’s all outdoors. You may queue on busy nights, and low lighting is part of the vibe. Blenheim recommends warm, waterproof layers and sturdy footwear. You can bring a torch for emergencies, but please don’t use it unless necessary—it spoils the atmosphere.
Weather & refunds: does Halloween at Blenheim Palace cancel for rain?
The event goes ahead in typical British rain. If weather poses a safety hazard, a cancellation decision is made by 2:00pm on the day and you’ll be emailed/texted with re-booking options. No refunds for ordinary bad weather. For other reasons, tickets are non-refundable unless you purchased Refund Protection and meet its terms.
Add-ons & nice-to-have extras
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Afternoon Tea at The Orangery (separate, book in advance; all diners must hold a valid ticket for the seating). Allow ~90 mins for 2–4 guests.
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Gift shop open late on trail nights (great for last-minute pumpkin mugs and glow sticks).
Suggested day plan: Woodstock + Oxford + Halloween at Blenheim Palace
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Morning/afternoon in Oxford, then head to Oxford Parkway and hop the S7/7 bus to Blenheim for a Twilight slot. Eat on site, do the trail, and bus back. Car-free? You may snag 20% off entry when you show proof of public transport—check current terms before booking.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace 2025 – FAQs
Q: When is Halloween at Blenheim Palace 2025 (dates and opening times)?
A: It runs from Thursday 23 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, with timed entry slots from late afternoon (from around 16:00) into the evening depending on the date.
Q: How much are Blenheim Palace Halloween tickets 2025 (off-peak, advance, Anytime)?
A: Advance prices: Adult £22 (standard)/£18 (off-peak), Child 3–16 £16.50/£12.50, Family (2+2) £73/£57. On-the-day is slightly higher. “Anytime Ticket” is £40 adult/£30 child. Off-peak sessions are marked on the booking grid.
Q: What is an “Anytime Ticket” and is parking included?
A: It lets you arrive any time between the first session and 10 minutes after the last session on your chosen date. You may still queue. Parking is not included and must be purchased separately.
Q: Is parking included for Halloween at Blenheim Palace?
A: No. Parking is limited and MUST be pre-purchased online with your trail tickets (Blue Badge spaces available).
Q: How long is the Blenheim Palace Halloween trail?
A: The illuminated trail is around 1.3km in length.
Q: Is Halloween at Blenheim Palace suitable for toddlers and young children?
A: Yes. It’s designed for all ages. Daylight is gentlest, while Twilight/Moonlight feel spookier but are still family-friendly.
Q: What time should I arrive and when does the car park close?
A: Aim to be at the trail start about 5 minutes before your slot. All visitors must exit the car park no later than 2 hours after the last trail start time and, in all cases, by 11:00pm.
Q: What happens if it rains or the weather turns bad?
A: Decisions to cancel for safety are made by 2pm on the day; you’ll be emailed/texted with re-booking options. No refunds for normal bad weather.
Q: Can I exchange or refund my tickets?
A: Tickets are strictly non-refundable. Exchanges can be made in the Ticketek UK app (subject to availability) but not within 24 hours of your visit.
Q: Is there a Quiet/Relaxed Access session for Halloween at Blenheim Palace 2025?
A: Yes. A quieter session is scheduled for 4:00pm on Wednesday 29 October 2025 with limited capacity; carers go free.
Q: How do I get to Blenheim Palace for the Halloween trail (train, bus, car)?
A: Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL. Nearest rail: Oxford (9.1 miles), Oxford Parkway (6.2 miles), Long Hanborough (3 miles). Buses: Stagecoach S3 and 7 (via Oxford/Oxford Parkway) and Oxford Bus Company 500 stop by the gates. By car: A44, signposted from M40 J9; pre-book parking.
Q: What should I wear and can I bring a torch?
A: It’s fully outdoors with some low-light areas; wear warm, waterproof layers and sturdy footwear. You can bring a small torch for emergencies (keep it off unless needed).
Q: Are there toilets, food and shopping — and is it cashless?
A: Toilets (including accessible) are at the start and midway. Blenheim’s gift shop opens on trail nights (typically until 10pm). The event operates card-only at sales points.
Q: Are dogs allowed at Halloween at Blenheim Palace?
A: Only guide and registered assistance dogs are permitted. Please do not leave pets in cars.
Q: Does my Halloween ticket include daytime Palace entry?
A: No. Halloween tickets are valid only for the evening trail at your selected time.
