The 16 most haunted places in the UK to visit this Halloween

Signal as much as Simon Calder’s free journey e-mail for professional recommendation and money-saving reductions

Get Simon Calder’s Journey e-mail

With a previous as turbulent because the UK’s, it’s no shock that the historic buildings, cities and cities that make up a lot of our cultural heritage additionally harbour a darkish facet, with grotesque and violent recollections lurking within the shadows.

From ghost tales and eerie apparitions to unexplained happenings and overwhelming emotions, the UK has loads of native legends and unnerving rumours tucked away, even within the smallest villages.

With a historical past steeped in royal executions, bloody sieges and tragic household dramas, the occasions of the previous have come again to hang-out a few of Britain’s most noteworthy landmarks and pure landscapes.

From castles to stately properties, haunted cities to creepy forests, some blood-curdling locations are on the point of embrace the spectres stirring round their grounds with particular Halloween occasions, whereas others provide ghost excursions or paranormal investigations year-round.

Listed below are a number of the most haunted locations to find within the UK this Halloween.

Haunted locations within the UK to go to this Halloween 2025

1. Blickling Corridor

Norfolk

Unearth the story of Anne Boleyn’s ghost at her birthplace, Blickling Hall — Unearth the story of Anne Boleyn’s ghost at her birthplace, Blickling Corridor (Getty Photos)

This Jacobean stately dwelling in Norfolk is thought for having centuries-old gardens and 4,600 acres of woodland to discover, in addition to one of the vital in depth non-public library collections within the UK. Nevertheless, the historic dwelling has a sinister customer every year. It’s stated that Anne Boleyn, who was born on the corridor and beheaded by her husband Henry VIII on fees of treason and adultery, seems yearly on 19 Could, the anniversary of her execution. Anne Boleyn’s apparition is claimed to be wearing all white, carrying her severed head nonetheless dripping with blood, and it arrives by coach pushed by 4 headless horsemen on 4 headless horses.

Grownup tickets price from £17, youngsters from £8.50, below fives free. Ebook right here.

Learn extra: Greatest Halloween occasions to go to within the UK

2. Pendle Hill

Lancashire

Wicked things have said to have gone down on Pendle Hill ever since the Witch Trails of 1612 — Depraved issues have stated to have gone down on Pendle Hill ever for the reason that Witch Trails of 1612 (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

Pendle Hill is most well-known for the witch trials of 1612, when 10 folks had been executed on the moors after being discovered responsible of witchcraft and homicide primarily based on rumour. Some 400 years later, Pendle Hill has develop into synonymous with the ‘witches’ of Pendle, who are actually stated to hang-out the encompassing villages. Those that go to the hill itself say there’s an environment of anger. Guests can stroll the ‘Witch Path’ on Pendle Hill, tracing the steps of the Pendle Witches, and excursions can be found for individuals who need to study extra in regards to the horrific murders and executions in 1612.

3. Corfe Fort

Dorset

Try and catch a glimpse of the headless Lady Banks at Corfe Castle — Try to catch a glimpse of the headless Woman Banks at Corfe Fort (Getty Photos)

Dorest is thought for its mesmerising 95-mile stretch of Jurassic Coast, pure phenomena like Durdle Door and, after all, the 1,000-year-old fortress Corfe Fort. The fort is a well-liked day journey to discover the ruins and admire the views throughout Purbeck. But Corfe Fort additionally has an eerie facet to its historical past. Woman Mary Bankes defended the fort through the Civil Battle twice in two sieges, till she was in the end betrayed by considered one of her allies, permitting Parliamentary troopers to take over the fort. Guests have claimed to have seen a headless Woman Bankes stalking the fort gates earlier than fading away into nothing.

Grownup tickets price from £15, youngsters from £7.50, below fives free. See full costs right here.

Learn extra: The seashore that reveals the British seaside vacation is alive and nicely

4. Pluckley Village

Kent

The village has a whole host of ghoulish folklore stories — The village has an entire host of ghoulish folklore tales (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

It could solely have a inhabitants reaching simply over 1,000, however Pluckley Village has made a reputation for itself since being awarded the doubtful accolade of “probably the most haunted village in Britain” within the Guinness Ebook of Data in 1989. There are stated to be round 10-12 native ghosts that hang-out the village, together with The Pink Woman and The White Woman who stir round St Nicholas’ Church, in addition to the hanging physique of a schoolmaster on Dicky Buss’s Lane and a phantom coach and horses parading across the village. Guests can take a self-guided ghost tour across the village to see if they will catch a glimpse of those unnerving spectres, or have a wander by way of the moderately picturesque Dering Woods, the place walkers have reported listening to hair-raising screams coming from deep between the bushes.

5. Dover Fort

Dover

This medieval fort has been witness to many battles, sieges and wars, together with when it was used within the effort to evacuate a whole lot of 1000’s of Allied troops from the seashores of Dunkirk in World Battle Two. Some have claimed that presences are hiding within the shadows of the twisty secret tunnels, having felt unearthly occurrences. One member of a tour group even dropped to the bottom, claiming somebody walked proper by way of him. Essentially the most well-known phantom of Dover Fort is a marching drummer boy, together with his decapitated physique stalking the fort grounds, typically banging his drum. At £17.20 for kids and £27.20 for adults, Dover Fort is internet hosting kid-friendly Halloween days this half time period.

For normal admission, grownup tickets from £22.70, £14.50 for kids, below fives go free. Ebook right here.

Learn extra: Greatest museums in London, from family-friendly days out to galleries stuffed with well-known artwork

6. Treasurer’s Home

York

York has lengthy been dubbed one of many “most haunted cities in Europe” attributable to its violent and darkish previous, with greater than 500 tales of hauntings throughout the metropolis partitions. One such story is about on the Treasurer’s Home, the place marching Roman navy phantoms have been heard by way of the cellar partitions. This isn’t the one unusual incidence on the historic home, with chairs shifting to the center of the room, unexplained cigar smoke, and even a gray woman noticed sitting on varied chairs. On previous events, youngsters visiting the home have climbed onto a historic chair within the tapestry room. It’s solely when adults inform them to get down that many have the identical spooky response: “The girl instructed me to”.

Grownup tickets from £11, youngsters from £5.50, below fives go free. Ebook right here.

7. Whitby

Yorkshire

Whitby’s ghostly horse and carriage feature on local ghost tours — Whitby’s ghostly horse and carriage function on native ghost excursions (Getty Photos)

Whitby is thought for having many connections to the spooky world, together with Whitby Abbey inspiring Bram Stoker to put in writing his novel Dracula after visiting the dramatic ruins. There have been many sightings of scary spectres capturing across the Yorkshire seaside city. It’s stated that those that climb the 199 steps to get to the seaview vantage level at night time could flip to have a look at the abbey and see a ghostly horse and carriage barreling in direction of them, with the motive force excessively whipping the horses to journey quicker. One other ghost story lies within the quaint pub, the White Horse and Griffin, within the centre of city, as soon as owned by a really merciless landlady within the Nineteenth century, who met her demise when she slipped down the surface steps and cracked her head on the cobbles. Some say if in case you have stopped in for a pint and begin to really feel uneasy, the previous landlady has taken a dislike to you. Ghost walks can be found round Whitby for anybody daring to take a more in-depth take a look at the paranormal goings on.

For Whitby Abbey, grownup tickets price from £11.80, youngsters from £7.20, below fives go free. Ebook right here.

With twin bedrooms to household rooms, you can even keep on the White Horse and Griffin.

Learn extra: The most effective lodges in York for a history-filled metropolis break

8. Buckland Abbey

Devon

After signing a pact with the devil, Francis Drake’s spirit was condemned to Buckland Abbey — After signing a pact with the satan, Francis Drake’s spirit was condemned to Buckland Abbey (Getty Photos)

Buckland Abbey started life as a Cistercian monastery, however later turned a grand home, with its most well-known inhabitant being that of privateer Francis Drake, who was a slave dealer through the Elizabethan period. Native legend says that Drake haunts the abbey since his ghost took residence at Buckland after signing a pact with the satan. As punishment, Drake has been condemned to the abbey, accompanied by a pack of howling hellhounds.

Grownup tickets from £17, youngsters from £8.50, below fives go free. Ebook right here.

9. Craig y Nos Fort

Swansea

Seances, table-tipping and investigations all go down at Craig y Nos Castle — Seances, table-tipping and investigations all go down at Craig y Nos Fort (Google Maps)

Whereas the Gothic fort of Craig Y Nos is usually used as a romantic wedding ceremony venue, as its views stretch out over the Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park, this charming vacation spot additionally has an unearthly presence about it. The fort was as soon as the house of Victorian opera singer Adelina Patti, and was additionally as soon as used as a tuberculosis hospital. Some declare that quiet singing whispers will be heard within the non-public opera home, in addition to footsteps approaching the visitor. A TV crew making a present in regards to the hauntings stated they felt an awesome presence of a kid being pushed out the window. The fort isn’t shy about its occasional bumps within the night time, providing friends a variety of paranormal excursions, together with seances, desk tipping, and in a single day investigations. Particular Halloween occasions similar to all-night ghost investigations and homicide thriller weekends are additionally hosted right here.

Ghost excursions price £125 for folks aged 16+. Ebook right here.

Friends may keep at Craig Y Nos Fort, with dog-friendly lodging within the fort in addition to a health club and a scorching tub.

Learn extra: All the very best issues to do in Pontcanna, Cardiff’s most trendy neighbourhood

10. Margam Fort

Port Talbot

Don’t mind the slamming doors and hurling objects at Margam Castle, its probably just the ghost — Don’t thoughts the slamming doorways and hurling objects at Margam Fort, its most likely simply the ghost (Getty Photos)

The location the place this Nineteenth-century Tudor Revival mansion now stands has been occupied for over 4,000 years, relationship again to the Iron Age. Whereas guests can look across the grounds and parts of the inside, it must be warned that Margam Fort is not any stranger to spooky happenings, even attracting ghost hunters from Los Angeles to attempt to uncover the mysterious spectres. It’s believed that one spirit haunting the fort is Robert Scott, a gamekeeper who was murdered by a poacher, leaving his ghost to rage across the grounds. Scott has been seen ascending the Gothic staircase main as much as the fort, however his anger additionally leads him to slam doorways and hurl objects throughout the room. Different presences, such because the sound of laughing youngsters or operating footsteps, have been heard when there was no signal of anybody else within the constructing. The fort is internet hosting Halloween occasions this half-term. All the fort may also be rented out for paranormal investigations.

Entry to the park is free, automotive park fees apply.

11. Mary King’s Shut

Edinburgh

Uncover the spooky spectres at Mary King’s Close — Uncover the spooky spectres at Mary King’s Shut (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

From Edinburgh Fort to the South Bridge Vaults, the Scottish capital is teeming with phantoms, ghosts and spooky happenings. One among Edinburgh’s most haunted corners is down Mary King’s Shut, an underground highway simply off the Royal Mile within the historic Previous City. Hidden beneath the town lies this underground avenue the place working-class residents used to dwell between the Seventeenth and the Nineteenth centuries. The realm was hit laborious by the lethal plague, and as a result of crowded residing situations, the illness unfold quickly by way of properties. Whereas there have been many apparitions noticed there, probably the most well-known is that of a little bit woman named Annie. A widely known Japanese medium named Aiko Gibo visited the shut within the 90s and made contact with Annie after she clutched her trouser leg. Gibo bought the woman a doll and stated as long as the doll remained, the room would by no means once more be disturbed by her spirit. That was till 2019, when the doll disappeared into skinny air. Excursions are run throughout the shut for folks to journey again in time and witness what life was like in plague-stricken Edinburgh.

Grownup tickets from £24, youngsters from £17, below fives won’t be admitted. Ebook right here.

Learn extra: The most effective lodges in Edinburgh to profit from the town

12. Drovers Inn

Stirling

The 300-year-old Drovers Inn is home to chilling goings-on — The 300-year-old Drovers Inn is dwelling to chilling goings-on (Getty Photos)

The Drovers Inn is regarded as one of the vital haunted lodges in Britain, with friends reporting terrifying encounters with the apparitions. The story goes that one Seventeenth-century household had been on a protracted journey, making an attempt to achieve the Drovers Inn for a spot to relaxation, however ended up dropping their means and froze to loss of life whereas wandering the land. Many declare to have seen the younger household circling the close by space through the winter months. One couple, who had been staying in Room 2, stated they woke one night time with a chilly shiver, solely to seek out the household standing on the fringe of the mattress, with the younger boy waving as much as them, as if he was comfortable they’d lastly discovered their vacation spot. The 300-year-old Drovers Inn additionally operates as a standard place to remain, with rooms and pub meals obtainable.

Friends can keep within the haunted rooms on the Drovers Inn. Ebook right here.

13. Crumlin Highway Gaol

Belfast

This former prison is thought to have presences lurking in the corners — This former jail is assumed to have presences lurking within the corners (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

The previous jail, Crumlin Highway Gaol, was shut down in 1996 after 150 years. Whereas it was working, the Northern Irish jail had murderers locked behind its bars, and witnessed inmate deaths, executions, escapes, starvation strikes and riots. Whereas the jail has been related with paranormal exercise because it shut, some former jail officers and prisoners recommend that otherworldly happenings occurred even whereas it was nonetheless working. Previous guests have skilled unusual sounds, doorways slamming by themselves, and voices calling out for assist, in addition to a person strolling down the C wing then vanishing. The jail provides paranormal excursions to those that dare to study extra in regards to the jail’s spine-tingling previous.

Paranormal yours price £20 for folks aged 15+. Ebook right here.

Learn extra: The prettiest UK cities and villages to go to

14. Ballygally Fort

Antrim Coast

Discover the tragic story of Lady Isabella Shaw at Ballygally Castle — Uncover the tragic story of Woman Isabella Shaw at Ballygally Fort (Google Maps)

Most will know Ballygally Fort as a highly-regarded four-star luxurious resort, with scenic views overlooking the advantageous sands of Ballygally Bay and the Irish Sea, common with coastal getaways and wedding ceremony celebrations. Nevertheless, lurking within the shadowy corners is believed to be one of many fort’s most well-known phantoms, the tragic Woman Isabella Shaw, whose household constructed and owned the grand construction. The story goes that after giving beginning to a daughter, her husband took the newborn from her and locked her in a small room. Ravenous and harrowed by her child’s cries, Isabella tried to flee however fell on the rocks under. Some say that after her loss of life, she wandered the resort corridors at night time, knocking on doorways, making an attempt to seek for her little woman. Friends who’ve the center will pay a go to to Isabella’s room within the previous a part of the fort to study extra about her alleged tragic ending.

Ballygally Fort provides a lot of rooms and suites, alongside the tower room, which the fort claims is among the many oldest resort bedrooms in Northern Eire.

15. Tower of London

London

The Tower of London has a dramatic previous, getting used as a jail within the sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries for disgraced gentry and high-profile executions. Whereas a ghostly determine of the queen is claimed to hang-out Blickling Corridor in Norfolk, tales have additionally been whispered of an Anne Boleyn apparition stalking the positioning of her well-known execution on Tower Inexperienced. Anne’s ghost isn’t the one one which haunts the tower. Arbella Stuart, the cousin of Elizabeth I who was starved whereas below arrest for marrying with out royal permission, is claimed to wander across the King’s Home on the tower website. Extra of the tower’s supposed victims, the 2 princes who mysteriously disappeared throughout Richard III’s reign and are presumed murdered, are additionally regarded as the identification of two smaller ghosts haunting the grounds.

For normal admission, grownup tickets price from £35.80, youngsters from £17.90, below fives go free. Ebook right here.

Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in London with youngsters this October half time period

16. Historic Ram Inn

Gloucestershire

There is no shortage of spooky sensations at the Ancient Ram Inn — There isn’t any scarcity of spooky sensations on the Historic Ram Inn (Getty Photos)

There isn’t any restrict to the unexplained and spooky experiences friends have reported on the Historic Ram Inn, one of many UK’s most haunted buildings. The constructing is located on the facet of a hill often known as The Cloud, the place a Pagan ritual website as soon as sat on the cross-section of ley traces (imaginary traces that join historical websites throughout the UK), thought to behave as a motorway of religious exercise. From the sensation of somebody pushed on the shoulders (reported by one ghost hunter) to shouts and whispers heard from down the hallway, and a toy pram caught on CCTV shifting totally by itself, paranormal exercise isn’t unusual on the Inn. Ghost hunters can e-book in a single day vigils, detecting spirits and uncovering supernatural mysteries, to really feel the eerie sensations for themselves.

In a single day ghost hunts from £59. Ebook right here.

Source link