Halloween is drawing closer and, to tell the truth, it is always time for a few good ghost stories. So today we’re looking at a few of the many reportedly haunted places in spooky Britain.
Britain’s Most Haunted Castle?
The first thing people notice about the castle reputed to be Britain’s most haunted is the name. Chillingham. It was built on the site of a fortress in the 13th century and its location in Northumberland means that it has seen many battles in its history, primarily between the English and the Scots. The castle’s current resident, Sir Humphrey Wakefield, has lived here since the 1980s. His wife is part of the Grey line, owners of Chillingham since the 15th century.
However, it is not the castle’s current residents that draw attention. Instead, it is those from its past. American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote of its ghosts and the castle has featured on many paranormal TV shows because of its high levels of spooky activity. Among those you might encounter are:
- Eleanor, a young girl who resides in the Chapel
- Three prisoners kept here until their deaths in the 12th century, one French and two Scottish
- The lady in white who frequents the pantry
- Various other spirits or “presences’ that be felt in the bedchambers, the Chapel, or the courtyard.
Participate in a ghost hunt, or even stay in one of the castle’s apartments… if you dare.
Britain’s Most Haunted Village?
Is a peaceful village in Kent the most haunted in the UK? The Guinness Book of World Records thinks so. For that was the title they bestowed upon Pluckley in 1989. The village is home to 12 official ghosts (and possibly many unofficial ones). During the day this is a charming spot to visit with some beautiful countryside walks and a friendly local pub, the Black Horse. However, after dark, things get a little livelier. All sorts of strange sounds emanate from nearby Dering Woods, nicknamed the Screaming Woods. You may spy the Red Lady wandering through St. Nicholas churchyard. She was reportedly a member of the Dering family. Does the spectral white dog also seen roaming belong to her? Or perhaps you will spot an angry highwayman ride through the streets, or fall prey to the pub’s pickpocketing poltergeist!
Britain’s Most Haunted City?
Edinburgh may be the most haunted city in Britain, but it may also claim the title of Most Haunted City in Europe! Its long, colourful history has seen enough plague and war to leave more than a few disgruntled spirits roaming the streets of the Old Town. Mary King’s Close stood beneath what is now the Royal Mile. Still perfectly preserved as it was in the 17th century, it retains the stories of those who lived and died here. Edinburgh Castle is said to be rife with paranormal activity, from soldiers, former prisoners, and even a headless drummer. The latter was first seen and heard on the battlements in 1650 before Oliver Cromwell attacked. His drumbeats are said to be a harbinger of bad news. And don’t forget a visit to the spooky Edinburgh Vaults. Add the otherworldy residents of Greyfriars Kirkyard and The White Hart Inn, and you may just start losing count of the spirits you encounter.
Remember to keep an ear open for those ominous drums!
The Most Haunted Pub?
We’ve mentioned the Skirrid Inn before. It is one of the oldest pubs in Britain, dating back to 1110. It is also the most haunted pub in Wales, and one of the most haunted in the entire UK. What makes its history so interesting is that for centuries this was not just an inn, it was also a courtroom and place of execution. Historians estimate that more than 200 people were hanged on the premises.
The name of this Monmouthshire tavern comes from the nearby mountain, and while it is fairly remote today, once it was a wild, fierce place. You may encounter some of those former wild residents during your visit. In 1685, 180 participants in the Monmouth Rebellion were hanged here by the infamous Judge Jeffries. You can still see a rope hanging from the original beam. Another man hanged here was John Crowther, a sheep thief. He has been spotted on multiple occasions. Some guests haven’t seen any of these hanged men, but they have reported waking up finding it hard to breath, as if a rope were around their neck. Some even claim to have seen rope burns on their skin!
Not all of those who haunt the Skirrid Inn are criminals. A female ghost seen in Room 3 is believed to be that of Fanny Price, a barmaid who passed away from tuberculosis. Another female ghost is the lady in white. Is it also her perfume that guests catch a scent of?
Which of these locations in spooky Britain do you dare visit?