Yuck Yard: Barnaby Bilge’s Big Mess

Activity Description

Visitors can enjoy a frightfully fun, mess-filled Halloween activity at The Historic Dockyard Chatham this October Half Term.

Every morning, the Dockyard’s Night Security Team arrives to find another disgusting surprise: slimy puddles, glowing green handprints, tangled rope, missing tools, and galleries in complete chaos. While some suspect the return of Barnaby Bilge, others remain unconvinced.

For over 400 years, rumors have circulated about Barnaby Bilge, a former Dockyard Matey who continues to drift around after dark attempting to help—though his efforts invariably leave behind a trail of slime and chaos.

This October, the Night Security Team is inviting families to help investigate these unusual occurrences across the Dockyard. Guests can follow the Incident Trail, inspect each ghostly “grime” scene, gather clues, and decide for themselves whether Barnaby Bilge is real. Ideal for families looking for a Kent Halloween event that offers hands-on fun and live theatre with more “eeeuw” than “boo.”

Live Show: ‘The Night Shift’

Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026

Showtimes: 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Attendees begin their shift with an emergency security briefing hosted by Senior Officer Sam Stern, who seeks logical explanations for the mysteries, and Junior Officer Kit Keel, a believer in Dockyard legends who is convinced Barnaby Bilge is behind the chaos. The live stage show follows the pair as they search for evidence to solve the mystery.

The Incident Trail

Dates: 24 October – 8 November 2026

Participants pick up an official Security Incident Report and follow a path of slimy handprints. By investigating various “grime” scenes around the site and collecting clues about the suspect, visitors can weigh the evidence and determine if Barnaby Bilge is truly behind the disruption.