This green putrescent land…this spectred isle…and no realm as haunted as Dartmoor…
…runs the tagline for 2025’s Hell Tor Festival, making its much-anticipated return to Devon this weekend (September 26th – 28th) after a hugely successful haunting in 2024.
The South West’s most successful Gothic Horror festival, resurrected last year after a four-year coronavirus-induced hiatus, will once again possess the Exeter Phoenix celebrating all things horror film, fandom and frights in Devon.
Held over three nights, the theme this year is ‘Ghosts…and ghosts of our lives’, which was announced with a creative trailer showing legions of spectres shuffling through the city of Exeter, featuring familiar locales like the Quay and the Cathedral, before possessing the home of the Phoenix itself.
To whet your appetite for the weekend ahead, take a look at the teaser here:
So what can you look forward to this time around? Among the screenings, special guests and lectures, highlights include:
- Lee Rawlings opening the festival with a live reading of M.R James’ chilling ghost stories;
- A celebration of The Woman in Black with actor Pauline Moran (Poirot);
- Paranormal Folklore explored by Mark Norman (Screaming Skulls);
- Hammer horror legend Caroline Munro in conversation with Jonathan Rigby;
- Renowned illustrator Graham Humphreys (Evil Dead, Inside No. 9) on his iconic poster art;
- Writer Stephen Volk (Ghostwatch, Gothic, Afterlife) on the “ghosts of his life” with special guests.
Plus, each classic ghost film screening this year will be preceded by an exclusive ‘Ghosts of My Life’ short film. These films will only be available to view at the festival, so make sure to see them while you can!
You can grab yourself individual tickets, or go all in for a day pass, details below. Either way, you’ll want to be a part of this iconic event, positioning Devon as the thudding heart of horrors past, present and future.
Hell Tor Festival, Friday 26th – Sunday 28th September, Exeter Phoenix. Tickets and more information HERE