Charles Dickens' Haunted House - A New Ghost Story for Christmas

Samlesbury Hall Presents a Brand-New Ghost Story for Christmas in December 2025

Following the sell-out success of The Forever House in 2024, Samlesbury Hall is delighted to present Charles Dickens’ Haunted House – A Ghost Story for Christmas for the 2025 festive season.

Lancashire’s most haunted hall will once again set the stage for a thrilling Christmas ghost play, running for seven consecutive evenings in December 2025. This immersive theatrical experience will bring Dickens’ eerie yet enchanting tale to life within the atmospheric surroundings of Samlesbury Hall, near Preston.

Sharon Jones, Director of Samlesbury Hall, said: "Christmas and ghost stories go hand in hand, and over the past four years, we have established our annual ghost play tradition. As we enter our fifth year, we are excited to present this dramatic new production, offering audiences a family-friendly yet eerie festive experience."

This 40-minute promenade theatre production is designed for families and lovers of ghost stories alike. Audiences will ‘travel through time’ as Dickens’ ghostly tale unfolds across multiple rooms, creating a unique four-dimensional storytelling experience.

A portmanteau story infused with festive chills, The Haunted House by Charles Dickens follows a group of friends who gather in a supposedly haunted house, each spending the night in different rooms and sharing their eerie encounters. From the sinister secrets of The Mortals in the House to the unsettling visions in The Clock Room, The Double Room, The Corner Room, The Cupboard Room, and The Garden Room, each tale explores hauntings that stem not from spirits, but from human memories and hidden truths. In classic Dickensian fashion, this Christmas ghost story serves as a chilling reminder that the past can be the most haunting spectre of all.

Jason Karl, from AtmosFEAR! Scare Entertainment, who are producing the play, added:
"Charles Dickens stayed at Samlesbury Hall in 1867, making it the perfect setting for this rarely performed tale. As a portmanteau story, Charles Dickens’ Haunted House naturally lends itself to a series of interconnected ghostly experiences, and we are committed to staying as true to the original text as possible."

Performance Details:

• Dates: 16th–22nd December 2025
• Showtimes: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm
• Duration: 40 minutes
• Location: Samlesbury Hall, near Preston
• Tickets: £22 (+ booking fee), available exclusively in advance at Skiddle

Experience an unforgettable Ghost Story for Christmas at Samlesbury Hall—where history, hauntings, and holiday tradition come together in an immersive theatrical event.

Terms and Conditions of Admission

·       The audience enter the experience in groups of 22.

         We may alter the group size without notice.

·       The experience is a ‘promenade theatre’ style show, which means the audience are guided from scene to scene by a performer, and remain standing throughout the performance.

·       The performance lasts approximately 35-40 minutes, including the time for the audience to move from scene to scene.

·       The experience is a ghost play and is designed for families. It may not be suitable for young children who may get scared.

·       Once you enter the experience there are no toilets, please use the facilities before you enter the experience.

·       Photography or recording of any kind is strictly forbidden.

·       No bags or anything which disguises the face are allowed inside the experience.

·       If you lose anything during your visit, we will not be able to conduct a search for it until the following day. Anything bought into the experience is at your own risk and we will not be held liable for any loss.

·       Your ticket is only valid for the time slot you have booked, it is not transferable, changeable, or refundable once purchased.

·       You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your allotted time of entry, please do not arrive more than 30 minutes before your entry time.

·       We are carrying out filming and photography inside the experience for the purpose of security, monitoring quality and marketing. These recordings may feature audience images or voices. By entering the experience, you irrevocably waive all rights in these recordings and agree that we may use them in perpetuity and without limitation in any promotional, advertising or publicity material in any format whatsoever without payment, notification, or credit to you. You further agree that all copyright within these recordings lies solely with the organisers.

·       Images and photography used in the promotion of – Charles Dicken's Haunted House -A New Ghost Story for Christmas are not contractual. Exact sets and characters may differ from those featured in marketing material.

·       By buying a ticket to the experience you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions of Admission, and entry is at your own risk.

·       We reserve the right to remove you from the venue if you do not follow our Terms and Conditions of Admission, without refund.

The experience includes:

·       Low lighting levels.

·       Uneven floors.

·       Steps up and down.

·       Strobe lighting.

·       Sound effects.

·       Live performers.

While inside the experience you must not:

·       Touch the performers or sets inside the experience.

·       Run.

·       Eat or drink.

·       Smoke.

·       Attempt to record any aspect of the experience by any means.

·       Use your mobile telephone, this must be switched off.

·       Turn on any form of light, including laser pointers, glowsticks, torches or mobile phone lights.

·       Spoil the experience for the rest of the group by misbehaving or breaking the rules in any way.

We will refuse admission and not refund you if:

·       You appear to be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.

·       Your behaviour is perceived as threatening.