Strawberry Hill House & Garden, which inspired the world’s first Gothic novel back in 1764, is delighted to announce its inaugural Festival of the Gothic Imagination, 21 – 23 May 2027.
Taking place at Strawberry Hill House & Garden and the neighbouring 19th century Waldegrave Rooms of St Mary’s University, the Festival will bring together a stellar line-up of writers, performers, academics, filmmakers, historians and cultural thinkers to delve into the extraordinary world of gothic literature and culture – in the place where it all began.
Horace Walpole’s trailblazing novel The Castle of Otranto launched the Gothic literary genre and set the template for centuries of haunted house stories to follow.
The packed schedule of literary talks will include established and emerging names across talks, panels and ‘in conversation with’ sessions. In-depth discussions will explore Gothic-inspired music, film, fashion and art. From vampires, monsters, ghosts and haunted castles, the Festival of the Gothic Imagination is a unique celebration of this dark yet captivating genre and aesthetic.
Tickets for the Festival will be released on Friday 4 December 2026 along with the festival schedule. Early booking is recommended, owing to high anticipated demand and limited capacity.
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Photographs (c) Justine Trickett
