A new Muncaster Express Ghost Train will whisk visitors to a 'haunted' Cumbrian castle for its Halloween Family Festival this year.
The Muncaster Express, running on the scenic route to Ravenglass via Carlisle and the picturesque Cumbrian coast, promises a 'spine-tingling' yet family-friendly journey with onboard characters to set the Halloween mood.
The first Muncaster Express is set to roll on Tuesday, October 29.
Adventurous souls keen on the Halloween escapade will commence their return journey from Carlisle, Workington, or Whitehaven.
Upon reaching Ravenglass, they will be swiftly transported by coach to Muncaster Castle for the Halloween Family Festival.
This is a new addition to the festival, contributing to making this year's event 'bigger and better than ever'.
Ewan Frost-Pennington from Muncaster Castle said: "We are thrilled with all the new Halloween developments and the Muncaster Express Ghost Train will be a magical way to arrive at our famous festival.
"It’s more than just great value transport - it’s an integral part of the Halloween experience we’ve created here and we can’t wait to see visitors enjoy it."
The ghost train, operated by West Coast Railways on behalf of Muncaster Castle, is powered by a vintage diesel engine.
This year's festival will feature a host of new features including a pumpkin patch, a scarecrow competition, a Halloween maze, and a vampire parade.
The first 2,500 children's Halloween tickets sold will allow the holder to pick a pumpkin from the castle's new pumpkin patch.
The scarecrow competition invites families, schools, and businesses to create a spooky scarecrow, with the winner receiving a £250 donation to the charity of their choice.
There will also be taster sessions in archery, axe-throwing and crossbow skills, all with a Halloween twist.
Mr Frost-Pennington said: "Muncaster is already a huge part of many families’ Halloween tradition and these new developments will add to that.
"The Muncaster Express is just the start of all the Halloween fun and sets the perfect family-friendly spooky atmosphere for everyone to enjoy."
The Muncaster Express service has been made possible thanks to funding awarded by Cumberland Council from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The Halloween Family Festival will run every day from Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, November 3, from 10.30am to 8pm.
For more details on Muncaster Express tickets, visit westcoastrailways.co.uk/the-muncaster-express/details.
For full information on the Halloween Family Festival, visit muncaster.co.uk/halloween.
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