'Annus Horribilis' by Candlelight at Fairfax House

The Fairfax family cordially extend a select invitation to visit Fairfax House by candlelight during the following evenings in Ghost Week 2024 - Monday 28 October, Wednesday 30 October and Friday 1 November. Here you will be transported back in time to the year 1763 amidst their ‘Annus Horribilis’ - a time of dark clouds, anxieties and low fortunes for the family.

Evening guests will experience ‘Annus Horribilis’ after dark with the house lit entirely by the rich warm glow of candlelight This immersive experience will bring alive the intricate details of fabrics, furnishings and décor and offers a unique opportunity to see this magnificent historic house as it would have been on an eighteenth century winter’s evening.

Keen to entertain their guests despite their woes, the family have left a series of puzzles and challenges in each room for you to solve. Those who manage to investigate carefully and find all the correct answers will be entered into a prize draw and in with a chance of winning an exclusive ghost – the Ghost Merchants’ Black Box Edition, No. 22.

This coveted and limited edition ghost was gifted to Ann Fairfax to help lift her spirits. Its bespoke craftsmanship features exquisite details from the peacock and peony wallpaper Samuel Carpenter used to decorate Ann’s bedroom during this year of her troubles.

Can you help to alleviate the Viscount’s anxieties that the Fairfax name will be lost by helping to identify his next heir? Can you sniff out the latest quack remedy concocted by the Apothecary to ‘cure’ Ann’s woes or count the ghosts hidden in the Drawing Room?

‘Annus Horribilis’ also runs during the day at Fairfax House from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November.

Tickets to ‘Annus Horribilis’ by day and evening are £9.50 for adults and concessions are £8. Kids visit free with a paying adult. You will receive a free annual return ticket with every adult ticket.

Annual return tickets are valid for ‘Annus Horribilis’ by day but not the evenings.