The Round Church: Bells of the Damned
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Church of the Holy Sepulchre (The Round Church)
Tickets from
£25.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
A gentle, all-ages storytelling walk through Cambridge’s oldest streets from a 900-year-old round church, with live folk music and a street market. 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A gentle, all-ages storytelling walk through Cambridge’s oldest streets from a 900-year-old round church, with live folk music and a street market.
- Story-led and all-ages — atmospheric folklore rather than a hands-on paranormal investigation.
- No contact: Performers will not make physical contact with guests; please don’t touch performers, fixtures or historic fabric.
- Supervision & age: All ages welcome; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, given uneven ground and low lighting.
- Optional: Your ticket covers the whole evening — only the timed headline experience needs a booked slot, so you can enjoy the festival, market and food areas without it.
One of only four surviving round churches in England, built in 1130 and modelled on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this ancient building anchors a storytelling-led walk through Cambridge’s oldest streets. This Halloween, professional storytellers lead groups from the church through hidden courtyards and alleyways sharing centuries of university ghost stories — while the streets around the church fill with an evening market, live folk musicians, and extra walking-tour loops for those who want to keep exploring after their first pass.
Why you should book this
This is the gentlest, most broadly appealing event in the entire pack — no jump scares, suitable for all ages, and includes rare access inside a 900-year-old round church. At £25, it’s an easy first Halloween outing for families, with an optional Second Loop for anyone who wants to keep exploring afterwards.
What you’ll experience
- Bells of the Damned walk — the timed headline storytelling walk from the Round Church through historic streets and hidden college courtyards
- Round Church Street Market — food and craft stalls set up around the church all evening
- Live Folk Musicians — traditional folk performers playing on the street from 6pm
- Second Loop Option — guests who finish the first walk can join a second, different route (extra local legends not covered in the first) departing later in the evening at no extra charge, subject to availability
- Digital Ghost Story Booklet — a keepsake booklet of Cambridge ghost stories included with every ticket, to read at your own pace after the walk
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm | Street market opens around the Round Church |
| 5:00pm–9:30pm | Bells of the Damned walk departs every 20 minutes |
| 6:00pm | Live Folk Musicians begin |
| 8:00pm–10:30pm | Second Loop walks depart every 30 minutes (subject to availability) |
| 9:30pm | Last entry to the first walk |
| 11:00pm | Market last orders |
| 12:00am | Street market closes |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: Park Street multi-storey car park is about a 5-minute walk to the Round Church. By train: Cambridge Station is a 20-minute walk to the Round Church, or a short taxi/bus ride if you’d rather not walk that far.
🕐 Entry & times
Daily 4:00pm–12:00am, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you to the whole evening; the timed headline experience needs its booked slot. Arrive a little before your slot — late arrivals are accommodated in a later slot subject to availability.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: No jump scares; suitable for a wide age range; moderate walking pace over cobbled streets. This is the gentlest event in the whole pack and works well as a first Halloween outing for families with children. Good for: Families · Couples · Culture-and-history-first visitors · Anyone wanting to make a full evening of it with the market and Second Loop option
Getting there
Where
Venue
Church of the Holy Sepulchre (The Round Church)
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£25.00
Early Bird — 20% off