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Historic sites around England are hosting a load of spooky new ghost tours

Expect everything from demon visits to the walking dead

Halloween might not be until the end of the month but there’s no reason you shouldn’t get into the spooky spirit already.

English Heritage is hosting new ghost tours around five historic monasteries, predominantly in Yorkshire. The tours   have been curated by  Michael Carter,  a historian at the charity, together with Dale Townshend, a professor of gothic literature at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Said to be academically rigorous but entertaining, t he tours should help you to actually wrap your head around the purpose of the monasteries. That doesn’t mean they’ll be any less gruesome, though: one of the stories includes an evil local priest buried at Byland, who is said to have gouged the eyes out of a woman. Yikes.

The first tours took place at  Roche Abbey this weekend. Upcoming tours will take place at Furness Abbey on October 8 and 9, at 10am and noon; Byland Abbey on November 5 and 6, at 11am and noon; Lanercost Priory on November 12 and 19, at 11am; Rievaulx Abbey on November 26 and 27, at 11am and noon.

Tours are free and no booking is required, although entrance fees to the sites apply. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Find out more here .

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

10 Terrifying Historical Ghost Tours in England

For fans of the fearsome, the ghostly and the macabre: discover england’s dark side at these 10 ghost tours and experiences around the country..

Harry Sherrin

21 oct 2021.

From brutal medieval torture methods to the grim crimes of Jack the Ripper, England has seen centuries of violence, gore and death. And relics of the country’s dark past can still be witnessed to this day – in the form of sinister prisons, gruesome torture chambers, infamous crime scenes and ghostly castles and churches.   

At some sites around England, even the faces of the country’s past are said to still exist, with ghosts and spirits purported to visit from beyond the grave.   

Here are 10 ghost tours perfect for those brave enough to dive into the country’s dark past. Expect tales of restless ghouls, sinister crimes and all manner of paranormal phenomena.

1. Pluckley: England’s Most Haunted Village, Kent

The English village of Pluckley was crowned ‘the most haunted village in England’ by the Guinness Book of Records and is reputed to be home to some 20 spirits and ghosts. Some of its most famed supernatural citizens include a highwayman, a horse and carriage and the body of a schoolmaster known as the ‘Hanging Man’.

Visitors to Pluckley can embark on a ghost tour through the village. Those with nerves of steel might like to join one of Ghost Hunt Events’ overnight tours through the village’s ‘ screaming woods ’, during which they’ll attempt to converse with spirits from beyond the grave.

2. Chillingham Castle Ghost Tour, Northumberland

The aptly titled Chillingham Castle makes for a spooky site that’s well worth a visit. It dates back to the 13th century, and as such the stronghold has seen its fair share of scandal, violence and invasion.

Chillingham is considered one of the most haunted castles in England and is supposedly a hotspot for spotting ghostly guests and paranormal events. Brave visitors to the former fortress can embark on evening ghost tours through its many rooms and dungeons, even venturing into its medieval ‘Torture Chamber’.

3. Chester, Cheshire

Chester, in northwest England, is considered to be one of Britain’s most haunted cities. It was established by the Romans and later proved a key battleground between warring Saxon and Welsh kingdom, so the area is steeped in history. And visitors to the city can uncover the darker side of the city’s past on a ghost tour through its historic streets and structures.

The ghost tour of Chester is an immersive, guided stroll through the city’s supernatural sites and eerie alleyways. The city is said to be home to dozens of ghosts and paranormal phenomena, so a tour through its most haunted locations promises to be an unmissable, though indeed unsettling, experience.

4. Jack the Ripper’s East End, London

The infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper terrorised Victorian London in 1888. His gruesome murders were never solved, and his true identity still remains a mystery. Many of the streets and alleyways he once stalked, and the sites of his crimes, can still be visited in the city’s East End to this day.

For an immersive guided tour, the East End Tour Company offers regular evening outings through the alleyways, streets and sites of Ripper’s London. Guides use projectors to shine clues and images on street walls, encouraging walkers to retrace the scenes of Jack the Ripper’s crimes and delve deeper into the mystery of his identity.

5. Oxford Castle and Prison, Oxfordshire

Arguably Oxford’s most unsettling sight, Oxford Castle is a looming 900-year-old fortress with a sinister history. It was built in 1071 and was later converted into a prison after the English Civil War.

In the Halloween period, Oxford Castle and Prison hosts Ghost Fest, an annual celebration of the supernatural perfect for the whole family. Visitors can embark on a terrifying tour through the stronghold’s walls and even venture into the castle’s crypt for a potion-making session.

6. The Ghost Bus Tour, London

Part comedy, part supernatural storytelling, the London Ghost Bus Tour is the perfect way to discover the city’s sinister history. The tour is hosted on a vintage Routemaster bus from the 1960s by a team of gifted, and sincerely funny, storytellers who spin tales of violence, slaughter and the supernatural.

Those who take a ride on the London Ghost Bus can expect to visit some of London’s most popular landmarks, from Downing Street to the Houses of Parliament, and learn all about their darker sides.

7. Shrewsbury Prison, Shropshire

Shrewsbury Prison is said to be one of the most haunted jails in the world, so a tour through its walls is not for the faint-hearted. Now a museum, the 18th-century structure hosts ghostly walks through its walls and grounds, which are said to be home to all manner of ghosts and otherworldly residents.

The tour sets off from the gatehouse before descending into the depths of the former jail. Visitors will learn all about the structure’s reported ghosts and spirits and discover the prison’s sinister history, hearing tales of gruesome executions and killings that took place within its walls.

8. The York Dungeon, Yorkshire

The picturesque city of York in northern England is not without its horrors. Take the York Dungeon, for example, an eerie attraction that immerses visitors in stories of torture, plagues and violence. A tour through the dungeons lasts some 75 minutes, during which visitors will journey through eerie cells and passages, hearing all about the city’s terrifying 2,000-year-long history.

The Dungeon is the second attraction of its kind, linked to the original Dungeon attraction in London. Both sites’ exhibits are hosted by live actors, who reenact crucial moments in English history, from the Gunpowder Plot to the bloody story of the Viking invasion.

9. Durham Ghost Walk, County Durham

The city of Durham in northeast England is home to burial pits containing dozens – if not hundreds – of anonymous dead bodies. Given its grim history, the city has become a popular spot for ghost hunters and supernatural sightings.

Now, visitors to the city can embark on the Durham Ghost Walk, a unique and immersive ghost hunting experience. On the tour, guests can operate ghost hunting equipment as they search for spirits around the historic city, and they can even attempt to harness their own psychic abilities.

10. Bodmin Jail, Cornwall

Cornwall’s Bodmin Jail has a long and dark history. Built in the 18th century, it has seen dozens of executions carried out within its walls, primarily by hanging, and has housed some terrifying violent criminals. It fell into disrepair in the early 20th century, but has since been restored into an unsettling museum.

Visitors to Bodmin Jail can embark on a guided ghost tour around the prison, during which they’ll hear all about the site’s paranormal phenomena, fearsome former inmates and its life as a Victorian lockup. They’ll also hear about other scary sights in the area, such as the mysterious ‘Beast of Bodmin Moor’.

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Where to get spooked this Halloween in the UK

Our pick of bewitching Halloween events include the revamped Bodmin Jail, spooky canoeing, ghostly walks and glitzy discos

Ghostly tours

Paranormal paddling, New Forest Paddling around New Forest creeks and the Beaulieu River at night sounds evocative enough, but with stories of resident ghosts en route, including a spectral monk and the “Lady in Blue”, canoers will doubtless feel more than a little spooked. Fancy dress is encouraged for the two-hour trip around the private estuary near Lyndhurst in Hampshire, exploring nature-rich waterways and saltmarshes. After disembarking the illuminated canoes, participants will be rewarded with hot chocolate and Halloween sweets. £29 adult, £22 child , 26 October-31 October (more dates may be added) newforestactivities.co.uk

Haunted Happenings ghost hunts, various locations

Not for the faint-hearted, overnight ghost hunting with Haunted Happenings takes place in some of the UK’s most atmospheric buildings, from former asylums and mansions to museums and castles. “Experiments” throughout the night include table tipping, glass moving, vigils, séances, experiments and ouija boards. Events run year-round, and for Halloween week venues include decommissioned Shrewsbury prison, the “satanic mills” of Armley near Leeds, and the former underground military complex of Drakelow Tunnels in Kidderminster. From £2 0pp, hauntedhappenings.co.uk

Beastly Bodmin Jail, Cornwall

Following an extensive development project, 18th-century Bodmin Jail reopens on 1 October, with ghost tours, scary movies and special all-night Halloween events towards the end of the month. The jail’s own “paranormal manager” will share spiritual and scientific explanations and techniques behind mysterious phenomena. During the daytime, the new immersive Dark Walk experience combines digital technology with the history of the jail and its former inmates plus other dark tales of the region, from highway robbers and smugglers to the Beast of Bodmin Moor. The evening tours are not suitable for children. Halloween events from £20 (18+), 26 October-1 November; other evening events from £25 (16+); day entry adult £15, child (5-15) £12.50, Bodminjail.org

Haunting trails

Spooky walks with English Heritage, various locations

Many of England’s most historic sites have a reputation for ghostly happenings – from the two lovers and a phantom horse at medieval Goodrich castle in Herefordshire, to the nun of Whitby Abbey and the footsteps and laughter at the Cornish castle of Pendennis. Outdoor trails for all ages are on offer at several English Heritage venues for Halloween, including creepy clues along the way and fancy dress competitions. For those brave enough to explore after dark, there’ll also be storytelling performances through the woods at five of the sites for Halloween weekend (29-31 Oct). Trails are included in the entry price, which start at £10 adult and £8 child (5-17), advance booking required), 24 October to 1 November, english-heritage.org.uk

Pumpkin grotto at Groombridge Place, Kent

Behind a thick wooden door, around a stream that tumbles down rocks and into a moat, the secret garden of 17th-century manor house Groombridge Place is being transformed into a Halloween grotto. Pumpkins have been secreted away for children to spot before they head off into Crusoe’s World next door. This adventure area includes wooden rope bridges and swings, a giant wooden ship, zipwire, twice-daily bird of prey displays, and walks by the canal and in forest that’s home to fallow deer and “zeedonks” (zebra-donkey hybrids). Treats for anyone in fancy dress. Adult £8.95, child £6.95, family (one under-12) £25, 26 October-1 November, groombridgeplace.com

Wizard afternoon tea, London

“Lemon cursed” tarts, “eye of newt” scones, “eggspelliarmos” and wild cress “sandwitchs” await wannabe wizards at Georgian House Hotel in London’s Victoria, with the option of bottomless bubbles or magic-themed cocktails. The immersive afternoon tea experience is available Fridays and Saturdays (from £30) and can be upgraded with a weekend break package, including a stay in the Enchanted Chamber – a series of wizard-themed rooms with four posters, velvet bedspreads, stone arches, stained-glass windows and other Harry Potter-esque details plus breakfast ( from £199 for two ). Magic potion cocktail-making sessions also run alongside, mixing “dragon blood, phoenix teardrop, blue mountain flower and frozen crystals” (£15 alcoholic, £12 mocktails). georgianhousehotel.co.uk

Cadbury World Halloween Spooktacular, Bournville, Birmingham

Freddo’s Haunted Mansion is the new attraction for Halloween 2020 at this chocolate themed attraction, with live entertainment, spooky games and a self-guided mystery trail to help uncover the ghostly inhabitant (17 October-1 November). The Chocolate Making zone is also open, where visitors can see the chocolatiers in action and try their delightful output. This can be followed by piping names in chocolate in the Have a Go Zone as well as a 4D audio-visual rollercoaster experience, which dives into a pot of liquid chocolate. Creepy costumes are encouraged; advance booking essential. £18 adult, £13.25 child over four , online discounts, cadburyworld.co.uk

Dead cool discos

More groovy than spooky: Costa del Tottenham, London

Several special events will be taking place at north London’s open-air venue Costa del Tottenham, part of warehouse-with-a-conscience nightclub the Cause. On 31 October a jungle drum’n’bass barbecue brunch starts at noon, for pre-booked tables of up to six (from £25pp), which includes one hour of bottomless rum cocktails, and music from Randall, Nicky Blackmarket and more. On 1 November, a fancy dress party starts at 4pm, hosted by promoters Raindance and Kapow (from £15pp). The large all-weather space includes table service via an app and a rota of street food traders, from Neapolitan pizza to jerk chicken. costadeltottenham.co.uk

Moonlight on the Mersey: Liverpool Disco Festival’s Halloween Party

A “ blue moon ” will illuminate the skies this Halloween. Celebrating the unusual occurrence alongside its fourth birthday, Liverpool Disco Festival heads to warehouse venue Camp and Furnace, in the heart of the city’s Baltic Triangle cultural district, on 31 October. The fancy dress disco will include live house and disco classics from Hope Street Jazz Orchestra and other special guests to be announced, plus prizes for the best-dressed. £22/£18pp , pre-book tables of up to six in advance , 3pm-10pm, skiddle.com

Amsterdam in the Haus: Lakota Gardens, Bristol

New open-air space Lakota Gardens in Bristol is throwing several Halloween events this year. The space includes pre-bookable large tables, where old-school Italian pizza and aperitivi are served, among other drinks. The Haus of Horrors party, from promoter Into the Wild and student-run charity Fuze, takes place on 29 October (6pm-10pm), including disco, house and tech DJs, live pole and aerial performance, plus fancy dress competitions (from £20 for a table of up to six). Across Halloween weekend (30 and 31 October) the Revenge of the Redlight District party will be hosted by Viva la Disco (30 October) and Wide Eyes Drum & Bass (31 October), transporting revellers from the streets of Stokes Croft to the neon-lit alleyways of Amsterdam, with creepy characters prowling and performing between tables, Shade Cartel dancers and live DJs (from £40 for a table of up to six). lakota.co.uk

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Reviews and other writing…, posts tagged ‘english heritage ghost tour review’, historical site/place review: english heritage 1066 battle of hastings, abbey and battlefield ghost tour (battle, near hastings, east sussex, england).

Posted in Historic places and sites , tagged 1066 Battle of Hastings , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield information , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield review , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour information , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour review , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour reviews , 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tours reviews , Battle of Hastings ghost tour , Battle of Hastings ghost tour review , Battle of Hastings ghost tour reviews , Battle of Hastings ghost tours , Battle of Hastings ghost tours information , Battle of Hastings information , Battle of Hastings review , Battle of Hastings site information , Battle of Hastings site review , battle of hastings tour , battle of hastings tour review , english heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield review , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour information , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour review , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tour reviews , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tours , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tours information , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tours review , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site ghost tours reviews , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site information , English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield site review , English Heritage Battle of Hastings ghost tour , English Heritage Battle of Hastings ghost tour information , English Heritage Battle of Hastings ghost tour review , English Heritage Battle of Hastings ghost tours , English Heritage Battle of Hastings ghost tours information , English Heritage Battle of Hastings ghost tours reviews , english heritage ghost tour review , english heritage ghost tour review 2012 , english heritage review on November 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Historical site/place review : English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield ghost tour Tour date : 9 November 2012 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AD English Heritage 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield – map Review by : Alexa Williamson Rating : *** (out of 5)

Review overview (see below for full review) : fairly good and historical ghost tour. Worth going on as the grounds are quiet and you can wander through and learn about the battle, the abbey, the site and the goings-on of the time at a relaxed pace. Plus, there is the bonus of being able to go into the private school on site, which is in an amazing old building that is reminiscent of Harry Potter (and even has carved, wood-panel walls).

Overview of the history of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and battlefield (from Wikipedia ) : “The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II. It took place at Senlac Hill, approximately 10 km (61⁄4 miles) northwest of Hastings, close to the present-day town of Battle, East Sussex, and was a decisive Norman victory.

Harold II was killed in the battle—legend has it that he was shot through the eye with an arrow. He was the last English king to die in battle on English soil until Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. The battle marked the last successful foreign invasion of the British Isles. Although there was further English resistance, this battle is seen as the point at which William gained control of England, becoming its first Norman ruler as King William I.

The battle also established the superiority of the combined arms attack over an army predominately composed of infantry, demonstrating the effectiveness of archers, cavalry and infantry working cooperatively together.  Battle Abbey marks the site where it is believed that the battle was fought. Founded by King William “the Conqueror” (as he became known), it serves as a memorial to the dead and may have been an act of penance for the bloodshed. Run by English Heritage, the site is open to the public and is the location of annual re-enactments of the battle.”

Overview of the building of Battle Abbey (from Wikipedia ) : “In 1070 Pope Alexander II ordered the Normans to do penance for killing so many people during their conquest of England. So William the Conqueror vowed to build an abbey where the Battle of Hastings had taken place, with the high altar of its church on the supposed spot where King Harold fell in that battle on Saturday, 14 October 1066. He did start building it, dedicating it to St. Martin, sometimes known as “the Apostle of the Gauls,” though William died before it was completed. Its church was finished in about 1094 and consecrated during the reign of his son William Rufus. William the Conqueror had ruled that the Church of St Martin of Battle was to be exempted from all episcopal jurisdiction, putting it on the level of Canterbury. It was remodelled in the late 13th century but virtually destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII.” Further information about the various inhabitants of Battle Abbey after this time period, and how it became  a school and public site like it is today can be found both on Wikipedia.

Full review of the English Heritage, 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield ghost tour – 9 November 2012 : Not hard to explain this one. Like the title states, this is a “ghost” tour of the Abbey and battle ground for this Battle of Hastings site, which is done by the English Heritage staff that works here. The tour I went on wasn’t extremely theatrical or creepy (as I have heard some of the tours can be), but it was informative and interesting to see the different parts of the Abbey grounds on a guided tour, on a sunny, chilled late autumn day and even inside the library of the gorgeous, old private school (which, in the library at least, is reminiscent of Hogwarts school in the  Harry Potter series  due to the age and old carvings and features of the building) there (which is usually closed to visitors).

This ghost tour was also done outside of normal, summer visiting days as the season shortens at  the beginning of November. Therefore, it was great to be able to walk the picturesque grounds, in the sunshine, at a leisurely pace with very few people around.

On the tour, we…

• were told about how tea kettles in the office in the main building unplugged themselves
• shown the grave of a dog of a former Victorian resident
• invited to walk along the site’s high stone wall, which is called Camellia Walk (and where there had previously been some hauntings )
• go inside the Harry Potter-esque type school and in the library, see an old picture of a noble lady who had eyes that followed you
• hear tales of hauntings around the site

Plus, the views of the Abbey ruins and also the rolling hills where the battle took place were gorgeous on a chilled, sunny afternoon. Strolling in front of the battlefield, you also get to see a tower that was built for a visit from Elizabeth I (although the visit never happened), go into storage areas where the monks put things, are shown where how they would give excess food to the people of the village through a huge stone gate. And, even see other Vicotorian influences upon the property, including a Victorian folly of a dairy.

Good stuff and I am glad I went. A great way to absorb the atmosphere and learn about the Battle of Hastings site.

Further information : 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield (English Heritage) 1066 Battle of Hastings history (Wikipedia) 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield (Wikipedia) Battle Abbey (Wikipedia) Battle, East Sussex (Wikipedia)

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