LANHYDROCK is set to become a playground of ancient Cornish folklore this autumn as families are invited to take part in a new Halloween adventure.

Stranger Folk: Volume 1 – Crone Calling will run at the National Trust estate from October 1 to November 1, turning Lanhydrock’s grounds into a landscape of magic, mystery and strange goings-on.

Forget pumpkins and plastic fangs. Instead, families will be able to collect a magic password and embark on a digital adventure around the Cornish estate, following clues, tackling challenges and helping decide the fate of the mysterious Stranger Folk.

The experience is designed for families with children aged between seven and 12, with players working together as they explore the estate.

Using a single mobile phone, the adventure brings a story of ancient folklore to life, with goblins, boggarts and other mysterious creatures slipping through a crack between worlds.

Players must solve challenges, harness the elements and work together to seal the rift before chaos takes hold.

The National Trust says the experience offers a different take on Halloween, drawing on the myths, legends and strange tales associated with the British landscape rather than the more familiar American-style celebrations.

At Lanhydrock, the adventure will form part of a wider programme of folklore and storytelling running through the autumn.

During half term, Mythwalker will bring Cornish folklore to life with a specially created retelling of the legend of Jan Tregeagle.

Families can also enjoy Stranger Folk-inspired outdoor activities through Imagine Outdoors Together, while Step into a Story will offer visitors the chance to slow down with a book and discover folklore-themed tales.

The Stranger Folk adventure can be enjoyed at the pace families choose, with shorter sessions lasting around 20 minutes or the opportunity to spend much longer exploring the estate while combining the game with an autumn walk, picnic or visit for refreshments.

The adventure has been developed by design studio Thought Den in partnership with the National Trust and is accessed through the Stranger Folk app, available on Apple and Android devices.

John Glancy, National Trust experience development manager for families and connections, said the project was rooted in the folklore found across its properties.

He said: “Stranger Folk is rooted in the folklore that seeps into all of our beautiful places. This isn’t the Americanised Halloween filled with pumpkins and trick-or-treating, but one inhabited by the silly, and sometimes scary, creatures from our country’s myths and legends.”

He added the National Trust was excited to bring the ancient world into 2026 through visitors’ phones, which become a guide for a “very real” outdoor experience.

For Lanhydrock, the event provides families with another reason to explore the estate during the autumn months, combining its historic setting and extensive grounds with Cornish stories and interactive play.

The Stranger Folk adventure will be available daily at Lanhydrock from October 1 until November 1.