Halloween at St Mary's Guildhall

St Mary's Guildhall is handing over the keys to the witches this Halloween. The event is called The Cursed Guildhall, and it runs across 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31 October, with the main activity in the Great Hall open from 10:00 to 16:00 on the 29th, 30th and 31st. It's one of Coventry's oldest buildings, with history going back to the 14th century, and for these few days it's being taken over by Gertie the Witch and her friends, who'll be brewing potions and stirring up a bit of mischief in the Great Hall.

If you're bringing the kids, there's plenty to keep them busy: you can meet the witches, try your hand at some Halloween-themed crafts, and follow a plague-themed family trail through the building. For the older crowd, there's a different kind of encounter in the Princes Chamber, where you can meet the Plague Doctor and hear about the history and practices surrounding the plague. Those sessions run in slots of about 15 minutes for groups of up to six, so it's a good one to book ahead if you're coming with a specific group in mind.

There's also a Halloween afternoon tea on the menu on the same dates, and it carries over into 1st November, for children accompanying a full-paying adult. The whole thing is part of the Guildhall's regular admission, so you can combine the spooky stuff with a proper look around the historic building itself.

It's at St Mary's Guildhall, Bayley Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RR. Entry is the usual Guildhall charge, and advance booking is recommended. If you've got a Go CV or Go CV+ card, there are discounts available.