The Golden Fleece is a historic pub in the heart of York, England, dating back to 1503.
Home to at least five spirits, the Fleece has earned the reputation of being York’s most haunted pub and is believed to be one of the most haunted sites in Britain.
Date Built | 1503 |
Resident Ghosts | Lady Alice Peckett, Victorian Boy, Geoff Monroe (Canadian Airman), One Eyed Jack, Grumpy Old Man, Roman Soldier |
Paranormal Activity | Apparitions, Poltergeist, Objects moving, Crying noises |
Fear Factor | 👻 👻 👻 👻 👻 |
Overnight Stay | Book here |
History of The Golden Fleece York
Lying at the foot of York’s historic shambles, the 500-year-old timber-framed Golden Fleece is reputed to be the City’s oldest and most haunted public house.
The Golden Fleece was first mentioned in the York City Archives in 1503, and it is believed to have been owned by members of the Merchant Adventurer’s Guild.
The City’s prominent wool trade in the 14th century led to the Fleece’s distinguished title, which remained largely unchanged despite the pub being renamed The Golden Hart for a short period in the 1850s.
The Golden Fleece has been a popular destination for locals and travelers for centuries. The notorious highwayman Dick Turpin is said to have spent a night at the inn before his incarceration at York Castle Prison and execution at Knavesmire in 1739.
The timber-framed property features a free house pub on the ground floor and four guest bedrooms on the floors above.
Many landlords have called time here, but this is one corner of York that refuses to change.
The Golden Fleece York Ghosts and Hauntings
The Golden Fleece in York is reportedly home to several spirits.
The most famous ghost is said to be that of Lady Alice Peckett, the wife of a former Lord Mayor of York and the inn’s owner in the 18th century.
Guests and staff members have reported encounters with Lady Alice, who is often heard rearranging the furniture or seen roaming the endless corridors and staircases of the historic building.
It is said that Lady Alice is searching for her lost husband, whose portrait still hangs in the inn.
Perhaps the most tragic tale connected with the Golden Fleece is that of a young Victorian boy who is believed to have been trampled to death by horses in the coach house.
His apparition has been seen near the pub entrance, and his blood-curdling screams are often heard outside the street.
Another frequently reported sighting is that of a former airman dressed in World War II attire, believed to be Geoff Monroe, who also died in tragic circumstances.
Monroe is believed to have fallen to death from one of the pub’s upper windows during the Second World War. His spirit has been seen on the third floor, and there have been reports of guests being woken by a ghostly figure dressed in a 1940s pilot uniform.
An overwhelming sense of sadness and sudden temperature drops are often felt in the Minster Room, particularly close to the window from which he fell.
The pub’s cool cellars are a particularly foreboding area and have a sinister past, having been used to temporarily house the bodies of those hanged on the Knavesmire until their families collected their corpses.
Former Fleece employee Ricky Mann told GhostMag that staff regularly hear laughing from the cellar and refuse to enter alone following one of his disturbing experiences.
Ricky recalled: “I was carrying a full basket of beers from the cellar to restock the fridges. As I walked up the stairs, my shirt was pulled from behind. I fell and knocked myself out.”
The frightening apparition of a Roman soldier is also seen in this area. His restless spirit is drawn to the Golden Fleece due to its location on the ancient Roman road known as Vyse Lane.
Heavy footsteps, objects moving, rattling doors, and scratching noises are also commonly reported in the Fleece’s four historic bedrooms.
The bedroom with the most unsettling activity is, without question, the Shambles Room, where a particularly angry spirit has physically attacked guests and staff.
Ricky Mann describes how a skeptical couple demanded to check out early following a frightening experience: “Against our advice, they began challenging the spirits before they retired to their room for the evening. I received a frantic call from the guests at around 3 am explaining that the male had been dragged halfway out of bed! They were so terrified that they checked out immediately!”
One-Eyed Jack is another well-known ghost that haunts the Golden Fleece. Appearing as a figure dressed in red, he is often seen in the bottom bar area. Jack wears a distinct 18th-century military outfit and is known for his mischievous nature.
Guests have reported the sensation of being watched, tugging on their pockets, and the occasional glimpse of his distinctive red coat.
Another spirit seen in the bottom bar is the apparition of a grumpy older man, who crouches in one of the small nooks and scowls at guests.
Visiting The Golden Fleece York
With a skeleton at the bar, the macabre replica skull of hanged prisoner Elizabeth Johnson, and historical links to its ghostly past, the Golden Fleece takes pride in preserving its rich history and paranormal heritage.
Guests can enjoy delicious food and a variety of beverages in the pub’s cozy atmosphere.
The Golden Fleece also offers a comfortable stay with well-appointed rooms and an excellent location for exploring the historic City of York.
Address: 16 Pavement, York, YO1 9UP
To book a spooky getaway, check out our comprehensive list of York’s Haunted Hotels.
Other haunted locations nearby
York is arguably one of the most haunted cities in the UK. If you want to visit some of the City’s haunted hotspots, there are several spooky locations just a stone’s throw from The Golden Fleece.
Treasurer’s House: This stunning mansion was built on a former Roman road site and is said to be haunted by a group of Roman soldiers who march through the cellar. Visitors and staff have reported seeing the soldiers’ apparitions and feeling a sense of unease in certain parts of the house.
35 Stonegate: 35 Stonegate dates back to 1482 and has 14 ghosts haunting its halls. A man dressed in black and wearing a hat is said to linger on the second floor. The old Lantern Room is reportedly haunted by a balding monk, and an elegant Georgian Lady has been seen in the Dining Room. The building is now home to fashion store Oliver Bonas. During renovations, staff reported hearing footsteps when everybody in the building was accounted for.
York Castle Museum: This museum is housed in two former prisons and is said to be haunted by several former inmates. Visitors have reported feeling as though they are being watched, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling sudden drops in temperature.