Beckford’s Tower: The Folly of Shadows
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Beckford’s Tower
Tickets from
£27.50
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
Climb a candlelit Gothic tower for a paranormal investigation, then stargaze and enjoy a live string quartet on the hilltop terrace. 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A candlelit climb of a Gothic tower for a guide-led paranormal investigation, then stargazing and a live string quartet on the hilltop terrace.
- The tower involves a 154-step staircase — not suitable for very young children or anyone with mobility or breathing difficulties.
- 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.
Built by the eccentric and reclusive writer William Beckford as a retreat above the city, this striking Gothic tower has stood on Lansdown Hill since 1827, complete with its own consecrated cemetery. This Halloween, the timed headline experience combines a candlelit ascent of the tower’s spiral staircase with a paranormal investigation session in the adjoining cemetery chapel — while the tower grounds below host a genuinely special evening of hilltop stargazing, a live string quartet, and a mulled wine terrace with panoramic views over Bath.
Why you should book this
The 154-step climb to the Belvedere is genuinely worth it for the views alone, and on clear nights the hilltop stargazing session (weather permitting) is a rare treat away from city light pollution. A live string quartet and mulled wine terrace make this one of the more elegant nights in the whole pack.
What you’ll experience
- The Folly of Shadows — the timed headline experience: candlelit tower ascent plus a paranormal investigation in the cemetery chapel
- Hilltop Stargazing — on clear nights, a telescope station on the tower grounds lets guests view the night sky away from the city’s light pollution, with a volunteer astronomer on hand
- Live String Quartet — a classical ensemble performing on the terrace from 6pm, setting an elegant, atmospheric tone for the evening
- Mulled Wine Terrace — a hilltop outdoor bar with panoramic views over Bath, open all evening
- William Beckford Story Talk — a genuinely fascinating talk on the eccentric life of the tower’s builder, held twice nightly
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm | Terrace opens — mulled wine bar and stargazing station live |
| 5:00pm, 8pm William Beckford Story Talk | |
| 5:00pm–9:30pm | Tower ascent and investigation departs every 20 minutes |
| 6:00pm | Live String Quartet begins |
| 9:00pm | Final string quartet set |
| 9:30pm | Last entry to the tower |
| 11:30pm | Terrace last orders |
| 12:00am | Grounds close |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: Free on-site car park at Beckford’s Tower — about a 2-minute walk from the car park to the tower entrance. By train: Bath Spa Station is a 25-minute bus ride away; this venue is not realistically walkable from the station given the hilltop location, so a car or the bus is recommended.
🕐 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: 154-step spiral staircase (moderate fitness required), outdoor cemetery section, cold — dress warm. Not suitable for those with knee, hip, or breathing difficulties given the sustained stair climb. The terrace event does not require the tower climb. Good for: Couples · Architecture fans · Stargazers · Visitors wanting Bath beyond the Roman Baths
Getting there
Where
Venue
Beckford’s Tower
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
£27.50
Early Bird — 20% off