The Fairfax House Ghost Count

A York Ghost Week Event

We have partnered with York Ghost Merchants to bring you the Fairfax House Ghost Count this Ghost Week IV.

From Saturday 18th October to Sunday 5th November, we’ll be hosting a secret number of ghosts who will be hiding around Fairfax House.

Wander through our historic rooms and see if you can spot all the hiding ghosts who are visiting for Ghost Week. Ghosts of both sizes can be found hidden in dark corners and nestled on ledges. You’ll need to look all over – some will be devilishly difficult to spot and some will be far more obvious.

Buying a ticket to Fairfax House during this week will grant you entry into the competition (please bring a pencil with you).

There are three prize Fairfax House Ghosts for winners who guess closest to the right number.

Children 16 and under are free!

You’ll need to pre-book a time slot to enter.

You can prebook your tickets by clicking here.

Would you like to join us in the evening for Ghost Week and see the ghosts lit by atmospheric candlelight? Click here to find out more about Echoes of the Past – from Monday 30th October to Friday 3rd November. Your Echoes of the Past ticket also grants entry into the ghost count…

FAQs

Can I book on the door?

Admittance is by pre-booking only and we will not accept walk-ins on the door – everybody needs a time slot to enter. However, you are more than welcome to book for the same day (assuming there are time slots are available). Click here to pre-book.

Do I need to bring anything?

You’ll need to bring along a pencil if you want to count a ghost – please note that pens are not allowed. If you do not have a pencil they will be available to purchase for 50p in the shop. You will receive a tally sheet and a competition form upon entry.

Can I take a bag with me?

Small bags are allowed – however rucksacks cannot be taken around the museum.

How obvious will the ghosts be to spot?

Some will be harder to spot than others – however you will not need to touch or move anything to spot a ghost – all will be out on open display. Please do not enter any roped off spaces.

I already have Echoes of the Past tickets – how do I book my free tickets for the Ghost Count?

You’ll need to pre-book a free ‘return’ ticket online.

Echoes of the Past tickets come with free year tickets, which will allow entry into the Ghost Count (and our Christmas exhibition, A TownMouse Christmas). When you visit for Echoes of the Past, you will be given a year ticket that you’ll need to sign.

Normally the year’s free entry starts on the day the visit is booked, however we’re making a special exception for Echoes of the Past and allowing people to book their time slot for the Ghost Count before they have visited for Echoes of the Past.

If you pre-book a time slot for the Ghost Count that is after your Echoes of the Past visit, you will already have your signed year ticket, and can bring that along with you.

If you pre-book a time slot for the Ghost Count that is on the day of or before your Echoes of the Past visit, you will not have your year ticket yet, so instead you can bring along your booking confirmation for Echoes of the Past AND a valid form of ID (for adults).

Please note that this is a one-off exception and we normally only admit signed year tickets and proof of ID.

Can I spot the ghosts during Echoes of the Past?

The ghosts will all be our during Echoes of the Past and we’ll have the tally sheets if you wish to count them. Whilst you can have more than one tally sheet if you want to come more than once, please note that the competition is one entry per person so you will not be able to submit multiple entries to the competition.

I already have a return ticket from a previous visit – do I still need to pre book?

Everybody must pre-book. If you have visited us for If Walls Could Talk and wish to come again for the Ghost Count, you are more than welcome. However you must bring along with you a signed year ticket – unfortunately we will not accept any other form of proof. You may be asked to replicate your signature and/or show proof of ID. Please pre-book a free ‘return’ ticket online.

Why are you closed on Friday 3rd November?

We are open for Echoes of the Past between 5pm and 7pm on Friday 3rd November. We are currently not open during the day for the ghost count, however we are hoping to open in some capacity. Please check back here for details.

I’m late to my time slot – can I still enter?

You do not need to arrive exactly on your time slot – i.e. if you book for 11am you can arrive up until 11:14am without any issue. If you are late for your time slot, you may have to wait for longer as we will only admit you during a quiet period.

Please note time slots are to help manage queues and prevent bottle necks, and so you may be asked to wait for a short time even if you arrive during your time slot. We thank you for your patience.

How long can I stay for?

A normal visit takes up to an hour. There is no set limit on how long you can stay, although we do ask you to be respectful if you have stayed for a long time and the house is busy.

We do close at 4pm. If you have booked at 3:30pm and find you need more time, we recommend that you pre-book another time slot for another day as well (which will be free with your return ticket).

How many times can I visit?

Your ticket lasts for an entire year from the day you enter, so you’ll be able to pre-book a free return visit to the Ghost Count.

However, it is only one entry per person into the competition, so booking for more visits does not grant more entries. If you want to split your ghost counting over two visits, you are welcome to take your tally sheet with you and bring it back.

We are experiencing very high demand, so do ask you to be respectful and not book to come an excessive number of times in order to allow everybody the chance to count the ghosts.

Does my Fairfax House Ghost Count ticket grant me entry into Echoes of the Past?

No. If you want to go to Echoes of the Past and the Fairfax House Ghost Count, you’ll need to book and Echoes of the Past ticket (which does allow entry into both).

Are carers free?

Carers are free with a paying adult. Carers do not need to pre-book their ticket (although the adult they are accompanying do).

What cards are you accepting?

We are accepting valid Historic Houses Association, Art Pass, and York Pass cards. We are not accepting York cards, Northern Museums Volunter cards, or Museum Association cards during Ghost Week.

Where do I post my competition entry?

At the end of your visit there will be a clear box for your to post your competition entry into. There are three winners for the correct number of ghosts (or closest to) – and in the event of more than three winners there will be a draw. Winners will be contacted individually soon after the competition ends.

Is it possible to visit for If Walls Could Talk: The Forgotten Story of Ann Fairfax or a guided tour?

The arrival of the ghosts does mean that If Walls Could Talk has come to an end a week earlier than planned – on Thursday 26th October. We apologise for any inconvenience. Our last guided tour of the season is Friday 27th October.

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