The Peak District's Spookiest Walk: Haunted Heritage at The Cupola this Halloween
Published On Wednesday 8 Oct 2025 by Sticky Beak
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This Halloween, visitors are invited to step into the Peak District’s darkest tales with eerie twilight walks through Stoney Middleton - one of Derbyshire’s most haunted villages - followed by ghostly feasts, spooky cocktails, and a haunted garden at The Cupola Kitchen & Rooms.
Spooky Walks with a Story to Tell
A special Halloween walking map (available at The Cupola) guides visitors through the dale and beyond, with two routes to choose from - a shorter 45-minute trail or a longer adventure of around two hours. The routes reveal some of the Peak District’s most chilling tales, including:
• Black Harry Lane - home of the notorious ghostly highwayman.
• The Moon Inn - the site of a brutal 18th-century murder.
• Lover’s Leap - where Hannah Baddeley’s death-defying jump is said to echo through time.
• The Boundary Stone - where vinegar-soaked coins marked the boundary of plague-struck Eyam.
• The Murder of Allen and Clara - young lovers on the run in 1758, cut down for their valuables on the Winnats Pass near Castleton, their story forever tied to Stoney Middleton.QR codes along the way bring history to life with songs, stories, and atmospheric descriptions.
Witches Wood and a Ghoulish Menu
Back at The Cupola, guests can step into ‘Witches Wood’. A woodland transformed with lights, eerie sounds, and Halloween décor. Inside, the restaurant will serve a limited-edition Ghost Story menu, featuring:
• Black Harry’s Flame-Grilled Burger
• Witch’s Wood-Fired Pizza
• Boundary Stone Ghoul-ash Stew
• Cocktails including The Gallows, Blood Moon, and Eyam Elixir - plus family-friendly mocktails like Phantom Punch and Ghostly White Hot Chocolate.
Seasonal favourites such as pumpkin soup, sticky treacle pudding and Halloween cake will also be on offer.
Stay the Night - If You Dare
For those brave enough, The Cupola’s Halloween packages include overnight stays in its Rock Mill apartments, a spooky supper, and a trail map - making for the ultimate haunted Peak District escape.
Colin Hall, owner of The Cupola, said:
“Stoney Middleton is already one of the most atmospheric villages in the Peak District, with stories of ghostly highwaymen, tragic lovers, and eerie plague stones. This Halloween, we’re bringing those stories to life in a fun, family-friendly way - blending local heritage with delicious food and a touch of fright.”
About The Cupola
Opened in early 2024, The Cupola Kitchen & Rooms is an independent, family-run venue set within the dramatic limestone gorge of Middleton Dale. Built on the site of the historic 18th-century Lords Cupola smelting mill, it combines heritage and hospitality with flame-cooked food, a visitor centre, luxury self-catering apartments, and award-winning heritage walking trails.
Known for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, hearty griddled breakfasts, and flame-grilled dishes, The Cupola has quickly become one of the Peak District’s most talked-about destinations - winning multiple awards and recognition for its commitment to quality, community, and sustainable tourism.
Event Details
• When: 24th - 31st October 2025
• Where: The Cupola Kitchen & Rooms, Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire
• What’s on: Self-guided spooky walks, Witches Wood, Halloween-themed menu, and special overnight packages
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