The best hotels in England for a murder mystery party
‘Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the bride and groom, Zoe and Mike!” a man in a suit announced to a room of about 60 of us. Everyone clapped, but no one had a clue who Zoe and Mike were. It was a most bizarre beginning to an evening, but then I wasn’t at a “real” wedding: I was a character at “Zoe’s Second Wedding”, a murder mystery night held at The Old Swan, a grande dame hotel in Harrogate. And though it was night of high drama, with a murder, dinner and a huge plot twist, I found it absolutely hysterical – especially the eccentric characters such as Aunt Gladys, a colourful whirlwind of a woman who fawned her way across the room.
I’ve been to a few immersive dinner experiences but you can’t really beat a good old murder mystery; there is something about participating in a story and pretending to be someone else for the night, getting to know the lead characters and deducing like a Poirot, that sets it apart. Add in an eerie setting, perhaps an old castle with a gruesome history, an Art Deco hotel on an island or a draughty manor house with a big Agatha Christie connection, and you can see why events like these draw a crowd – a few people I met at The Old Swan attend them regularly.
As I channelled my inner Miss Marple and mapped out the evidence over dinner and plenty of wine (you can see why they call it a party), I scribbled my conclusion. I got it wrong, but it didn’t matter. It certainly made a change from a night in front of the television. With Knives Out, the Christie-inspired, Cluedo whodunit film, hitting cinema screens last week, now’s the time to consider a drama-fuelled experience to mark the occasion. Here’s our pick of the best hotels for murder mystery events in the UK.
Burgh Island Hotel, Devon
Agatha Christie stayed at Burgh Island in its post-war heyday and penned Evil Under the Sun and And Then There Were None here. The glamorous four-star sits on its own tidal island just off the coast of Devon, with a coastal setting and interiors that inspire a Twenties backdrop to the hotel’s well-known murder mystery weekends. Aside from the views, Palm Court Lounge with its glass dome roof is particularly striking – in fact the original architecture dates back to 1929 and much of the interior has been restored to its former Art Deco glory. Weekends begin with Friday-night introduction before cocktails and canapes on the Saturday, when guests get ready for an evening of clue-hunting and mystery-solving.
Prices start from £1,100, based on two guests staying for two nights, including dinner, bed and breakfast, and entertainment. Upcoming dates: Jan 24-25; March 13-14; Nov 6-7 (01548 810514; burghisland.com).
Read the full review: Burgh Island, Devon
The Nare, Cornwall
For an adventurous twist on a classic, head to The Nare. Short thriller To Snare a Spy by acclaimed spy author (and Telegraph alumni) Jon Stock was set on the Roseland Peninsula and the south coast of Cornwall, and has a huge part to play in the hotel’s mysterious events. The hotel’s spy mystery experience ‘The Nare’s Espionage Adventure’ brings the book to life as aspiring spooks can follow Noah’s journey, gather intelligence and report their findings from the story’s locations – maybe even undertake an excursion on the hotel’s boat – before they solve the mystery and complete their mission.
Rooms from £299. Espionage Package £25, including book and background briefing documents; boat is extra (01872 501111; narehotel.co.uk).
Read the full review: The Nare, Cornwall
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The Old Swan, Yorkshire
The Old Swan hotel in Harrogate is where crime novelist Agatha Christie was found after disappearing for 10 days in 1926. Legend has it she had discovered her husband having an affair and knew his mistress liked to stay here. The abandonment of her car in the countryside led the public to believe she had tried to fake her own death before being outed after one of the biggest searches in history and so, with this epic backstory, amateur dramatic society 'Murder 57' host immersive whodunits here every month.
Package including dinner, bed and breakfast from £110 per person. Upcoming dates: Dec 6, 27; Jan 24 (01423 500055; classiclodges.co.uk).
Read the full review: The Old Swan, Yorkshire
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Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell, London
A princely sum of £20,000 will get you and your group exclusive use of the entire hotel for a murder mystery party like no other, including an immersive theatre production, meals and a bed for the night. Guests arrive in character, with a well-acquainted knowledge of their backstory already. After check-in, guests are assembled for afternoon tea with champagne cocktails before a four-course dinner with wine. Breakfast is also included, along with a butler. For those who’d prefer to forego the stay, murder mystery experiences in the Games Room of the Clerkenwell townhouse with dinner for 20 guests costs £4000, which works out at £200 a head.
Murder mystery house hire from £20,000 (020 7324 4560; thezettertownhouse.com).
Read the full review: The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell, London
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Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire
In 1605, the infamous Guy Fawkes tried (and failed) to kidnap Princess Elizabeth from Coombe Abbey and put her on her father’s throne following his assassination. Rooms echo the atmosphere, with roll-top baths, thick gold and amber curtains and elegant four-poster beds. Furthermore, the hotel celebrates its historic charm by hosting medieval and themed banquets alongside murder mystery nights every month. The next one follows the story of the Craven family who, while celebrating 100 years of living at Coombe with the servants, discover the head gardener has been killed.
Tickets from £45 include a three-course dinner, glass of wine and post-show disco. Upcoming dates: Jan 24 (024 7645 0450; coombeabbey.com).
Read the full review: Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire
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Lumley Castle, County Durham
A 14th-century castle with battlemented towers and thick walls set in the heart of Durham. Medieval style prevails inside, with four-poster beds, lavish drapes and lots of red velvet. Lumley Castle is an excellent setting for themed events, and they know it. The hotel holds Elizabethan banquets and murder mystery dinners, the latter of which are held regularly and include a welcome drink, three-course dinner, murder re-enactment – and even a disco. Don't miss the Festive Afternoon Tea in the holiday season with mulled wine, cake and mince pies followed by a murder mystery to solve.
Murder mystery evening includes drink on arrival, a three-course dinner, entertainment, from £36. Package including murder mystery, bed and breakfast from £85. Upcoming dates: Dec 8, 11, 16; Jan 11 (l0191 389 1111; lumleycastle.com)
Read the full review: Lumley Castle, County Durham
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Lewtrenchard Manor, Devon
Dating back to 1926 and bedecked with original period features, oil paintings and wood panelling, this family-run Jacobean manor house on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park is described as a hotel for history lovers. It was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086AD when it was owned by the sheriff of Devon and leased to a relative for £4. Among its colourful past are tales of dead brides, king's confidantes, gun fights, gamblers and hidden tunnels. With this in mind it's obvious why 'murder at the manor' nights are so popular. Bubbly and canapés are served on arrival, followed by a four-course dinner in the ballroom
Rooms from £80 when booked with event; tickets £80. The event takes place once a year with the next set for Oct 31, 2020 (01566 783222; lewtrenchard.co.uk)
Read the full review: Lewtrenchard Manor, Devon
Cave Castle Hotel & Country Club, Yorkshire
This turreted country castle hotel oozes Old-World character, with grandiose touches including a gatehouse, cannons, suits of armour, mounted stag heads and a giant bear. Did you hear a scream? Mystery nights feature regularly on the menu here, with events led by 'It's Murder' and creative plots which could be seasonal (Easter Eggstravaganza with an antique dealer, dumped socialite, possibly the Easter bunny; The Christmas Killing where a festive party goes wrong) or general, such as Checking Out with celebrity chef Ramsay Gorden or Fowl Play with chicken farmer Bernard Legge (tickets from £35).
Dates for next year to be confirmed (01430 422245; cavecastlehotel.com)
Read the full review: Cave Castle & Country Club, Yorkshire
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Wood Hall Hotel & Spa, Yorkshire
What a backdrop: this delightful pocket-Georgian mansion is set in 100 acres of woods and overlooks sheep and cattle-covered fields sloping to the River Wharfe. The colonnaded entrance, sash windows and creeper-covered façade provide an historic feel, while contemporary accents add a touch of the modern without it being too new-fangled. ‘It’s Murder' also run the events here, with the same rotating programme as Cave Castle Hotel & Country Club. If that doesn’t take your fancy, there’s a range of activities, from croquet to fishing and an excellent spa.
Packages for two people cost £219 including drink on arrival, three-course dinner, show, bed and breakfast. Upcoming dates: Feb 8 (01937 587271; handpickedhotels.co.uk).
Read the full review: Wood Hall Hotel & Spa, Yorkshire
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Boringdon Hall Hotel, Devon
The Elizabethan Boringdon Hall dates back to the 16th century and has an illustrious royal history, with Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth among some of its previous guests. Rooms are crammed with original period features, including mullioned windows, beamed walls, tapestries and flagstone floors. Guests are involved in the murder mystery events from the very start, and are given clues and information about special traits of the guests among them will. Shows are highly immersive with simple rules: piece together the clues, interrogate potential suspects and solve the crime
Tickets from £49 including welcome drink and three-course meal. Upcoming dates to be announced (01752 344455; boringdonhall.co.uk).
Read the full review: Boringdon Hall Hotel, Devon
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The Pilgrim Hotel, Herefordshire
This lovely boutique hotel in the middle of Hereford's beautiful countryside has been owned by former Gloucester and British & Irish Lions rugby union player Steve Boyle for more than a decade. Inside, leather armchairs and tasteful art feature heavily, and the bar houses a roaring fire in winter. The hotel specialises in murder mystery dinners and has a full schedule, including a Yuletide Mystery, a grisly country house murder and Dr Maybe which sees Special agent 007 James Bland determined to find out who has infiltrated his '00 agents'.
Upcoming dates: Jan 18, 25 (tickets £36.50); Feb 22, 29 (tickets £37.50); March 21, 28 (tickets £39.50). (pilgrimhotel.co.uk; 01981 540742).
Read the full review: The Pilgrim Hotel, Herefordshire
