From royal phantoms to the tormented spirits of witches and malevolent entities, England is a land steeped in history and haunted by the echoes of its past. This guide delves into 25 of the most paranormally active locations across the country, each with its own chilling story to tell.
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1. 30 East Drive, Pontefract
On a quiet council estate in West Yorkshire stands a house that is anything but ordinary. 30 East Drive is infamous for being home to one of Europe’s most violent poltergeists, often referred to as ‘The Black Monk of Pontefract’. In the 1960s and 70s, the Pritchard family endured years of terrifying paranormal activity, including objects being thrown, green foam seeping from taps, and family members being physically assaulted and dragged up the stairs by an unseen force. The entity, nicknamed ‘Fred’ by the family, remains active, making this unassuming semi-detached house a terrifying destination for even the most seasoned paranormal investigators.
2. The Tower of London, London
Arguably one of the most famous and haunted fortresses in the world, the Tower of London has been the site of countless imprisonments, tortures, and executions. Its most famous ghostly resident is Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, who is often seen, headless, walking the corridors of the White Tower and near the chapel where she is buried. Other spectral figures include the ‘Princes in the Tower,’ the young Edward V and his brother Richard, who are believed to have been murdered within the fortress walls.
3. The Galleries of Justice, Nottingham
Now the National Justice Museum, this imposing building in Nottingham has a dark and brutal history, having served as a court, gaol, and execution site for centuries. It is considered one of the most haunted locations in the UK. Visitors and staff report being touched by unseen hands in the dark cells, hearing disembodied screams in the courtyard where hangings took place, and seeing shadowy figures in the courtroom. The oppressive atmosphere of the underground caves and the sheer weight of suffering within its walls make it a truly terrifying place.
4. Schooner Hotel, Alnmouth
Reputedly the most haunted hotel in Great Britain, the Schooner Hotel in Alnmouth, Northumberland, boasts an astonishing number of ghostly residents. With reports of over 60 different spirits and thousands of paranormal occurrences, guests rarely leave without a story to tell. The hotel’s history is rife with smuggling, murder, and suicide. The most intense activity is reported in Room 28, where a family is said to have been massacred. Cries of children, phantom footsteps, and terrifying apparitions are common throughout the building.
5. Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor
Immortalised in Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel, the Jamaica Inn stands isolated on the windswept and desolate Bodmin Moor. For centuries, it was a notorious haven for smugglers and wreckers, and their spirits are said to linger. Visitors report hearing whispers in ancient Cornish, the sound of horses and carts on the cobblestones outside, and footsteps in empty corridors. The ghost of a murdered sailor is often seen sitting on the wall outside the inn, while a mysterious man in a tricorn hat is known to walk through locked doors.
6. Chillingham Castle, Northumberland
Marketed as Britain’s most haunted castle, Chillingham has a terrifying array of resident spirits. The most famous is the ‘Blue Boy,’ whose cries of pain were once heard in the Pink Room. During renovations, the bones of a young boy and fragments of blue clothing were discovered within a wall. The castle is also home to the ghost of Lady Mary Berkeley and a ‘Radiant Boy’ who is said to appear in the castle’s pantry.
7. Ancient Ram Inn, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire
Built on an ancient pagan burial ground, the Ancient Ram Inn is reputed to be one of the most paranormally active locations in the country. The inn’s dark history includes tales of witchcraft, devil worship, and child sacrifice. Visitors report being touched, pushed, and even attacked by unseen forces. The ‘Witch’s Room’ is said to be haunted by a woman who was burned at the stake, while the ‘Bishop’s Room’ is home to the spirit of a murdered clergyman.
8. Borley Rectory, Essex (Site of)
Although the rectory itself was destroyed by fire in 1939, the site remains a place of significant paranormal interest. Dubbed ‘the most haunted house in England’ by paranormal investigator Harry Price, the rectory was said to be haunted by a phantom nun, who was allegedly walled up alive after having an affair with a monk. Other reported phenomena included a phantom coach and horses, disembodied voices, and poltergeist activity.
9. Pluckley Village, Kent
Holding the Guinness World Record for the most haunted village in England, Pluckley is said to be home to at least a dozen ghosts. Among the spectral residents are a screaming man who fell to his death from the clay pits, a highwayman who was pinned to a tree with a sword, and the ‘Red Lady,’ the ghost of a member of the Dering family, who is seen wandering the churchyard.
10. Pendle Hill, Lancashire
The brooding landscape of Pendle Hill is forever associated with the infamous witch trials of 1612. The spirits of the twelve so-called ‘Pendle Witches,’ who were tried and executed for witchcraft, are said to roam the hillside. Visitors report feelings of intense dread and have witnessed strange lights and apparitions. The area is a popular spot for ghost hunters, particularly around Halloween.
11. Berry Pomeroy Castle, Devon
This picturesque ruin is said to be haunted by two female phantoms: the ‘White Lady’ and the ‘Blue Lady.’ The White Lady is believed to be the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, who was imprisoned in the dungeons by her jealous sister and starved to death. She is said to haunt the castle’s dungeons. The Blue Lady is believed to be the ghost of a Norman lord’s daughter who is said to lure passers-by to their deaths.
12. Hampton Court Palace, London
This grand royal palace is home to several famous ghosts. The most sighted is the ‘Screaming Lady,’ believed to be the ghost of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife, who was dragged screaming from the gallery to her execution. The ghost of another of Henry’s wives, Jane Seymour, is said to appear on the anniversary of her death, while the spectre of Dame Sybil Penn, a nurse to Prince Edward, has also been reported.
13. Blickling Hall, Norfolk
The magnificent Blickling Hall is said to be the haunt of Anne Boleyn’s headless ghost. It is believed that on the anniversary of her execution, she arrives at the hall in a phantom coach drawn by headless horses, with her own head resting on her lap. Her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, is also said to haunt the estate, cursed to cross 12 bridges before cockcrow each night.
14. Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
The dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey, which famously inspired Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula,’ are said to be haunted by several spirits. A ghostly nun, who is said to have broken her vows, is often seen in the windows of the abbey. The sound of a phantom choir has also been reported, and some visitors have claimed to see a strange, dark figure ascending the abbey steps.
15. Highgate Cemetery, London
This Victorian cemetery is as famous for its gothic architecture as it is for its ghostly inhabitants. The most notorious is the ‘Highgate Vampire,’ a tall, dark figure with hypnotic, burning eyes that was reported throughout the 1970s. Other apparitions include a spectral cyclist and the ghost of a woman in white.
16. Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire
This beautiful black-and-white timbered house is haunted by the tragic figure of Lady Dorothea Southworth, the ‘White Lady.’ She is said to have died of a broken heart after her lover was killed by her family. Her sorrowful spirit is seen drifting through the corridors and grounds of the hall.
17. Aston Hall, Birmingham
This magnificent Jacobean mansion is said to be home to several ghosts, most notably the ‘Grey Lady.’ This is believed to be the spirit of Mary Holte, who was locked away by her father after she tried to elope. Her ethereal form is often seen gliding through the upper floors of the hall.
18. Corfe Castle, Dorset
The dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle are said to be haunted by the ghost of a headless woman in white, believed to be the woman who betrayed the castle to Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War. Her shadowy figure is seen wandering the castle walls.
19. Treasurer’s House, York
This historic house is famous for one of the most remarkable ghost sightings on record. In 1953, an engineer in the cellars witnessed a legion of Roman soldiers marching through the room. He could only see them from the knees up, as they were walking on what would have been the original Roman road level.
20. Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
This historic castle is said to be haunted by Tom Fool, a mischievous jester from the 16th century, who is said to play tricks on visitors and staff. The ‘Tapestry Room’ is a particular hotspot for paranormal activity, with reports of a child crying and the sound of a woman singing.
21. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
One of London’s oldest theatres, the Theatre Royal is haunted by the ‘Man in Grey,’ a powdered wig-wearing gentleman who is seen as a good luck omen by actors. He is often spotted in the upper circle before silently fading into a wall. The ghost of the famous clown Joseph Grimaldi is also said to haunt the theatre.
22. Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
This area of outstanding natural beauty has a darker side, with a reputation for strange and paranormal occurrences. The most famous is the ‘Lady of the Chase,’ a ghostly figure seen wandering the woods. There have also been numerous reports of ‘black-eyed children’ and other unexplained phenomena.
23. Woodchester Mansion, Gloucestershire
This unfinished Gothic revival mansion is one of the most paranormally active locations in the country. The mansion was mysteriously abandoned mid-construction, and it is said that the spirits of those who worked on it still linger. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions of workmen, hearing strange noises, and even being touched by unseen hands.
24. The Golden Fleece, York
As one of the most haunted pubs in the historic city of York, The Golden Fleece has a number of resident ghosts. The most famous is Lady Alice Peckett, the wife of a former mayor of York, who is often seen wandering the corridors. The ghost of a Canadian airman who fell from an upper window during World War II is also a regular spectral visitor.
25. The Old Nick Theatre, Gainsborough
Once a formidable police station and magistrates’ court, The Old Nick Theatre in Lincolnshire now entertains a different kind of audience. The building, which has seen at least 25 documented deaths within its walls, is a hotbed of paranormal activity. Staff and visitors report poltergeist action, with objects moving on their own, and the disembodied voices of former inmates are often heard echoing through the old cells. The spirits of former police officers are also said to still be on duty, their apparitions seen patrolling their old beats.
Awesome list! I went to a few of these when over in the UK. I found the Hellfire Caves cool and the village it was situated in. Would happily live there.