Witch Hunt UK - A History of Witchcraft tour
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 5-day private coach journey through England and Scotland, exploring the dark history of witchcraft trials and persecution. From the infamous Pendle Witch Trials of 1612 to Edinburgh's haunting witch memorial, discover the locations where history's most misunderstood accusations took place.
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This immersive tour takes you through ancient villages, historic castles, and atmospheric landscapes while uncovering the stories of Matthew Hopkins, the "Witchfinder General," and the tragic events that shaped an era.
Background
Witchcraft in the United Kingdom has a long and often grim history, evolving from medieval folk beliefs to a period of intense persecution between the 16th and 17th centuries. Following the Witchcraft Acts of 1542, 1563, and especially 1604, thousands of people—mostly women—were accused of making pacts with the Devil, with Scotland experiencing some of the harshest trials in Europe. Notorious figures like King James VI (later James I of England) fueled witch-hunting fervor, and witchfinders such as Matthew Hopkins intensified panics during the English Civil War. By the late 17th century, skepticism grew, and prosecutions declined, eventually leading to the repeal of witchcraft laws in 1736. Today, the history of witch persecution is remembered as a cautionary tale about fear, superstition, and injustice.
Your Holiday Essentials
5 Days
4 and 5-star hotels, meals as indicated,
drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,
tour manager and expert historian
throughout, all internal travel,
optional travel from UK.
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Flexible (Individual or Group)
Standard price: £1,295
Room occupancy supplement: £1,295
Non-refundable deposit: £475
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – London: Witchcraft, Superstition & the Occult
Base: London
Theme: The roots of witch-hunting and early modern superstition.
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Museum of London: Explore exhibits on early modern London, including sections on crime, punishment, and magic.
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The Clink Prison Museum: See how “witches” were imprisoned in the 16th–17th centuries.
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Westminster Abbey & St. Paul’s Churchyard: Sites where early witchcraft accusations and exorcisms were recorded.
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Overnight: London D,B.
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Day 2 – Essex & Suffolk: The Matthew Hopkins Trail (“Witchfinder General”)
Travel from London → Colchester → Manningtree → Ipswich (approx. 2–3 hrs)
Theme: The height of English itch persecutions.
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Colchester Castle Museum: Excellent displays on local witch trials; Hopkins’ victims were held here.
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Manningtree & Mistley: Visit the home of Matthew Hopkins, self-styled “Witchfinder General.”
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Follow the Witchfinder Trail, with plaques and local lore.
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Ipswich Museum: Contains records of East Anglian witch trials.
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Total driving today (approx): 2–3 hours of driving + local short journeys.
Ipswitch D,B
Base: Travel to Lancashire 4-5 hours.
Theme: The most famous witch trials in English history (1612).
Highlights:
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Pendle Hill: Walk the Pendle Witch Trail, visiting villages like Barley, Newchurch, and Roughlee (home of Alice Nutter).
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Pendle Heritage Centre: Offers an excellent exhibition on the 1612 trials.
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Lancaster Castle: Visit the courtrooms and cells where the Pendle witches were tried and executed.
Afternoon (Pendle): Arrive mid/late afternoon and head for Pendle Hill / Pendle Witch Trail. The Pendle is the home of villages central to the 1612 trials (Barley, Newchurch, Roughlee). We visit the Pendle Heritage Centre exhibits with your own private guide.
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Evening: Optional ghost walk in Lancaster.
Overnight: Lancaster D,B
Day 4: Pendle / Lancaster → Edinburgh (Scottish witch trials & North Berwick)
Morning (Pendle recap): Short walk to Pendle Witch Trail.
Theme: The Scottish witch hunts and King James VI’s obsession with witchcraft.
Highlights:
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The Witchery by the Castle (restaurant/hotel): Atmospheric dining at the foot of Edinburgh Castle.
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The Edinburgh Dungeon or Real Mary King’s Close: Themed tours on witch trials and superstition.
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North Berwick: Visit the coastal town where the infamous 1590 witch trials took place (train from Edinburgh, 30 min).
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Witch Trial Memorial on Castlehill: A moving site marking those executed for witchcraft.
Optional (short trip): North Berwick (coastal town with famous 1590 trial links) is a ~30–40 minute drive/train from Edinburgh if you want to visit the original North Berwick trial area.
Overnight: Edinburgh D,B
Day 5: Edinburgh
National Museum of Scotland
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Witch-hunting documents from the reign of King James VI, author of Daemonologie
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Protective charms, talismans & Scottish magical folk items
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Early judicial instruments and trial records
Free entry and excellent context. -
Make your way back to home or stay an extra night
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What's Included
4 Star Hotels
Comfortable modern coach travel
Pre and post tour planning
Dedicated Tour Manager
Dinner parties hosted by your expert historians and tour manager
The company of like-minded travelers
Helpful and friendly travel advice
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
Tour information booklet
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
Important Notes
level 2 fitness required. ​
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This is our standard tour type which necessarily involves in a certain amount of walking along country tracks and up slopes in order to reach vantage points. As these vantage points may be exposed to the elements, sensible shoes and outdoor clothing are needed - but no more than on a country ramble at home. Distances of up to a few miles a day may be involved, occasionally up to 6 miles - which any reasonably fit person should be able to cope with.
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Dark Atlas Tours reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone who has failed to notify them of any disability requiring assistance, or who in The Dark Atlas's opinion is unfit to travel.
About Your Guide
Crow is a practising witch of 34 years, as well as having 25 years of teaching experience in education.
She teaches modern witchcraft and magick and is passionate about learning from the past and
bringing the stories of history to life.
