Spook-tacular: The Most Haunted Places To Visit In The UK
It’s the time of year when the nights are drawing in and there is a noticeable nip in the air. The so-called snuggle season can be a lovely time of year, but it also turns our attention to the spookier side of life with Halloween on the horizon.
Whether you are a serious spirit hunter or you just enjoy a good ghost story, here are some of the most haunted places in England to visit. Why not gather a group of friends and hire a coach to take a trip to the paranormal hotspots this autumn.
The Tower of London
The imposing Tower of London has been at the heart of British history since its construction in 1078, and some of that has been distinctly bloody and brutal. It was a place where enemies were imprisoned and tortured, including some of history’s most famous names such as Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes and Sir Walter Raleigh.
From the screams of Guy Fawkes being tortured on the rack, to a supernatural procession led through the chapel by a headless Anne Boylen, it doesn’t take much imagination to feel the horrors of history chill your bones.
Corfe Castle, Dorset
The prominent ruins of Corfe Castle perched on a hilltop are a striking feature amongst the gentle Dorset countryside. Perhaps it is no surprise that over the years it has become a magnet for tales of the supernatural and is steeped in a rather otherworldly atmosphere.
The original castle dates back to the age of William the Conqueror, so it’s a place swirling with centuries of the sometimes turbulent history of our small island. The most famous apparition is that of a headless woman in white who can be seen shimmering around the ramparts at dusk, and was said to have died when she betrayed the occupants of the castle.
Chillingham Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland
Alnwick is now world famous for its castle that was used as the setting for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film franchise, but just a twenty minute drive away is the aptly named Chillingham Castle. It is considered one of the most haunted castles in England, with multiple reports of a whole host of ghosts, from the benign to the more sinister.
Pendle Hill, Lancashire
Pendle Hill will be forever associated with the terrible injustices that were carried out during the height of the witch hunts in the 17th century. Hundreds of blameless women were accused of witchcraft on the so-called ‘evidence’ of neighbours or relatives falling ill or passing away.
In Lancashire in 1612, one of the most famous witch trials took place after 12 women were accused of carrying out 10 murders between them. 10 of the women were subsequently hanged at Pendle Hill, and the area is said to be haunted by their presence to this day.
There are organised ghost walks to take part in where you can learn more about the haunting detail of the story, or you can just enjoy the beautiful landscapes as you take an autumn walk.