East Anglia: Head to favorite haunts to find the best frights
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We supposedly live in the most haunted region of Britain.
The East of England boasts more ghosts per square mile than any other part of the country, according to the regional tourism board.
From Suffolk to Cambridgeshire, the areas in and around RAFs Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Alconbury are full of ghosts, or at least ghost stories, said Janice Kent, public relations manager for Visit East of England.
"I don’t think there’s a big tourist market for this kind of stuff," Kent said. "But there’s always somebody asking."
The organization’s Web site includes a list of haunted sites and stories from the region, such as the ghost of Dr. Henry Butts, who can be seen mourning his widow at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge from time to time. And the stone lions outside the gates of the nearby Fitzwilliam Museum supposedly come alive at midnight.
Suffolk is noted for its haunted inns, according to the Web site, www.visiteastofengland.com. The Scole Inn near Diss is thought to be haunted by a "White Lady" who was killed by her jealous husband. In the village of Long Melford, a 17th-century poltergeist is said to reside at the Bull Hotel.
For guaranteed spooky fun, see the list below and check out any of the following organized Halloween events in the area:
Haunt World
RAF Mildenhall Building 518
Check out the creepies and the crawlies at the haunted house on base. Open 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 for kids; 6 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 for adults.
Haunted House
Ickworth House
There’s spooky fun for all ages at this eccentric estate centered on a massive rotunda. 9 pounds for adults, 6 pounds for children, 25 pounds for adults. Open 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5QE
phone: 01284 735270
Scaresville
Kentwell Hall
Check out the haunted Tudor village at this 500-year-old estate home and farm in Suffolk. Not for the faint of heart. Prices range from about 13.95 pounds for adults and 6.95 pounds for children depending on the night and time. Open 6:30 to 11 p.m Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
Long Melford, CO10 9BA
phone: 01787 310207
www.kentwell.co.uk
Haunted Punting and Walking Tour of Cambridge
Scudamore’s Punting Company
Guided tours include macabre tales and walks through the haunted lanes of Cambridge. Seven tours per evening leave every 30 minutes. 17.50 pounds for adults, 16 pounds for students, 8.75 pounds for children younger than 12. Open 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 – Nov. 1.
Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RS
phone: 01223 359 750
www.scudamores.com
Halloween at High Lodge
High Lodge Forest Centre
Explore the "terror trail," play in the Halloween village and beware of witches, ghosts and things that go bump in the forest. 20 pounds for family group when booked in advance. Open starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 30 – Nov. 1.
Thetford Road (B1107), Thetford IP27 0AF
phone: 01842 814612
www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge
Halloween Fun
The Milton Maize Maze — Rectory Farm Shop
Carve pumpkins in the Halloween barn at this rural attraction outside Cambridge. The bouncy castle and petting zoo will also be open. 5.50 pounds for adults, 4.50 pounds for children, free for children younger than 3, 20 pounds for family group. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29-31.
Follow the signs on the A-10, Milton (Do not go into Milton village after exiting motorway.)
phone: 01224 860374
www.themiltonmaizemaze.co.uk
BeWILDer Wood
This family-friendly forest amusement park closes for the season on Halloween weekend, so check it out for a little spooky fun with the before it’s too late. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends. 10 pounds for adults, 5 pounds for children, free for children younger than 3.
Among the attractions at the BeWILDer Wood are:
Giggling Pumpkin Parade
Children can make their own paper masks, bats and lanterns throughout the day and then parade around in what they made. Open Oct. 29-31.
Monster Party
Old-fashioned party games including Pin the Tail on Mildred, bobbing for apples, a wet sponge throwing contest and a disco. Open Nov. 1-2.
Horning Road, Wroxham, NR12 8JW
phone: 01603 783900
www.bewilderwood.co.uk
