British Halloween Myths and Traditions

A Blend of Fun and Folklore

When we think of Halloween, many of us picture trick-or-treaters in spooky costumes, pumpkins with grinning faces, and perhaps the odd black cat slinking across a moonlit street. While Halloween may seem like an American import, the truth is that many of its traditions and spooky stories have deep roots right here in the UK. Halloween in Britain is a fascinating mix of history, myth, and modern-day fun, from ghostly processions to ancient rituals aimed at warding off spirits. So, let’s dive into some of the best British Halloween myths and traditions.

Before Halloween became the commercial event we know today, it started with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"). This festival celebrated over 2,000 years ago, marked the end of the harvest season and the start of the cold, dark winter. It was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest during Samhain, and spirits could wander the earth.

To protect themselves from these spirits, the Celts would light bonfires, wear costumes made of animal skins, and leave offerings of food to appease the wandering souls. This idea of dressing up to blend in with the spirits is thought to be the origin of our modern tradition of wearing Halloween costumes.

We all know the image of a pumpkin carved into a scary face with a candle flickering inside. But did you know that the tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns began with turnips in the UK?

This spooky custom comes from an Irish folk tale about a man named Stingy Jack. Jack was a trickster who managed to trap the Devil not once, but twice. When Jack finally died, neither heaven nor hell wanted him, so he was left to roam the earth with nothing but a burning coal, which he placed inside a carved-out turnip to light his way. People began carving their own turnips (and later pumpkins) to ward off Stingy Jack and other malevolent spirits. When Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, pumpkins became the go-to vegetable because they were larger and easier to carve.

If you love a good ghost story, you’ll be glad to know that Halloween in Britain has always had a spooky, supernatural vibe. One old belief was that if you stood at a crossroads or in a churchyard at midnight on Halloween, you could see a ghostly procession of the dead making their way back to the graveyard. According to legend, if you dared to join the procession, you might be taken away to the land of the dead.

Halloween was also thought to be a special night for predicting the future. Young women would try to catch a glimpse of their future husbands by peeling apples in one long strip and throwing the peel over their shoulders. It was believed that the peel would land in the shape of their future husband’s initials.

Witches have always had a strong association with Halloween, and in Britain, that’s especially true. The idea of witches gathering for a Sabbat (a meeting to cast spells and brew potions) on Halloween night comes from old folk beliefs. Halloween was seen as a time when dark forces were at their most powerful, and people feared that witches could use this night to cause all sorts of mischief. One of the most infamous stories tied to Halloween and witches is the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, where a group of women in Lancashire were accused of witchcraft and put on trial. Most of the accused were women, and the evidence against them was shaky at best—relying on confessions that were likely forced and the testimony of a nine-year-old girl. In the end, ten people were found guilty and hanged. The trials have become infamous for showing how fear and superstition can spiral out of control, and to this day, Pendle Hill remains a spooky, eerie landmark.

While trick-or-treating has gained popularity in the UK in recent decades, some traditional British Halloween customs are still alive and well. One such tradition is the bonfire. In some parts of the UK, people would light bonfires on Halloween night, a practice that likely started with Samhain. The flames were thought to scare away evil spirits and protect the community from harm.

Apples also play a starring role in British Halloween traditions. Apple bobbing, a game where you try to grab apples floating in water using only your mouth, has been a popular activity for centuries. It’s thought that this tradition comes from the Romans, who celebrated the harvest festival of Pomona (the goddess of fruit and trees) by offering apples.

While many of the older, spookier traditions of Halloween have faded, modern British Halloween is a fun blend of ancient customs and new influences. Trick-or-treating, which didn’t become widespread in Britain until the 1980s and 1990s, is now a key part of the celebration, with children dressing up in spooky costumes and going door-to-door for sweets.

But unlike in the US, where Halloween often leans more toward fun than fear, Britain still embraces its haunted past. Ghost stories, haunted house tours, and creepy history walks are all part of the Halloween season, especially in towns with rich histories like York or Edinburgh, which are famous for their haunted locations.

Halloween in Britain is a wonderful mix of ancient Celtic beliefs, medieval superstitions, and modern-day fun. Whether you’re carving pumpkins (or turnips), bobbing for apples, or simply enjoying a scary film with friends, Halloween is a time to embrace the spooky and celebrate the mysteries of life and death. So, light your candles, watch for wandering spirits, and enjoy this frightfully fun time of year!

Have you discovered the Elizabeth Cage series by Jodi Taylor? They’re perfect reading for this time of year.