Midwinter ghost story at Exeter Guildhall

If you fancy a bit of the supernatural to round off the year, Exeter's Guildhall has a ghost story lined up for December. Blabbermouth Storytelling brings 'Midwinter: A Ghost Story in Two Parts' to the historic hall on Sunday 13 December, with Dan Broadbent at the helm. Broadbent is an award-winning archaeologist as well as a storyteller, and he's spent more than a decade working traditional tales, folk stories and local legends to audiences across the South West, so the subject matter is right up his street.

The show is an original piece built around the Winter Solstice and the darker folklore tied to some of the most mysterious prehistoric sites in south-west England. It's told in two parts and spans thousands of years, with stories tucked inside stories and a cast that runs from Edwardian archaeologists and self-styled gurus to ancient gods. It's billed as a spellbinding supernatural journey, and the two-part structure means it's more of a proper narrative than a collection of unrelated tales.

As for the practical side, the performance runs from 19:30 to 21:00, with doors opening at 19:00, and it lasts about 90 minutes including a short break. It's aimed at adults and older children, with a recommended age of 13 and under-14s needing to be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are £16 for adults and £11 for anyone 16 or under, with a £1 booking fee built into those prices. The Guildhall itself, at 203 High Street, is a building of outstanding architectural interest and an ancient monument in the heart of the city, and it's hosted royalty and dignitaries over the years, so it's about as atmospheric a setting as you could ask for a ghost story.

Broadbent's work reaches beyond the stage, too. He's a regular contributor to the BBC podcast 'Secret Somerset' and has worked with the Museum of Somerset, the South West Heritage Trust and the National Trust, which gives some weight to the 'award-winning' label. The reviews for Blabbermouth Storytelling lean into the atmosphere, with one calling it 'an otherworldly journey through stories, once forgotten, breathed into existence once more', another describing it as 'haunting' and 'highly recommended', and a third calling it 'a Yuletide delight' and 'a perfect way to kick start the festive season'.

If you're the sort who enjoys a good story told well, this is an easy one to slot into a December evening. It's a single night's show rather than a run, so if you want to catch it, it's worth sorting tickets in advance. Between the solstice theme, the prehistoric folklore and the Guildhall's own history, it's shaped up to be a properly moody night out, and at 90 minutes it won't take up your whole evening. Whether you're genuinely into the supernatural or just after a bit of winter storytelling in an old building, it's a solid shout for a cold December night.