Celebrate World Goth Day in the house that gave birth to the Gothic imagination.
Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill House inspired his groundbreaking novel The Castle of Otranto (1764), widely regarded as the first Gothic novel and the beginning of the Gothic literary tradition.
On 22 May, the house will be open as usual for daytime visits, offering the chance to explore Walpole’s extraordinary Gothic villa at your own pace.
Visitors are encouraged to dress in black or Gothic-inspired costume to fully embrace the atmosphere of the house.
From 10am–4pm, you can even have your portrait taken on site by Teddington Tintype using a specially built Strawberry Hill–inspired camera to provide a unique keepsake of your visit (from £40). Portraits will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Alongside general admission (select 22nd May), visitors can also choose two special ways to explore:
During the day, a guided tour will reveal how Walpole transformed his villa into a theatrical setting for Gothic storytelling — uncovering the medieval fantasies, supernatural elements and dramatic architecture that inspired The Castle of Otranto.
In the evening, the house reopens for a candlelit Gothic late, where you can explore the villa after dark while harpist Katie Sherratt performs a haunting Gothic soundscape — from My Chemical Romance and Evanescence to the cinematic world of Tim Burton.
Choose your Gothic adventure…
Strawberry Hill After Dark: World Gothic Day with Live Harpist | 6–8pm
Explore after dark as candlelight transforms Walpole’s fantastical interiors, with a glass of fizz served in the Gallery.
Throughout the evening, harpist Katie Sherratt will perform a haunting Gothic soundscape inspired by everything from My Chemical Romance and Evanescence to the cinematic world of Tim Burton.
Tickets: £25 | Students £17.50
The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Origins Guided Tour | Book at 11am, 1pm or 2.30pm
This special guided tour explores how Walpole’s villa and The Castle of Otranto (1764) helped shape the Gothic imagination. Moving through the house, discover the medieval inspiration behind Strawberry Hill, the supernatural elements that shocked eighteenth-century readers, and how Walpole’s vision paved the way for Gothic literature and culture.
Tickets: £24.50 | Students £20
Dress the Part – Black attire, gothic dress and costumes encouraged!
World Goth Day is the perfect excuse to embrace the drama of the Gothic. Visitors are warmly invited to dress in black, gothic attire or imaginative costumes inspired by Gothic literature, film and music.
Whether subtle and elegant or gloriously theatrical, dressing the part will only add to the atmosphere of candlelit rooms and Walpole’s extraordinary Gothic castle.
Don’t forget to tag us on social media @strawbhillhouse.
