The most haunted destinations to visit in the UK
31 October 2023
In the spirit of Halloween, we have taken the opportunity to explore some of the UK's most haunted towns and cities. From the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula, to the many ghostly sightings across the city of York. The UK has an eerie past, so let us take you on a journey to discover some of the most supposedly haunted destinations, all of which you can visit with Just Go! Holidays.
Pendle Hill and The Pendle Witch Trials
The Pendle Witch Trials in 1612 were a significant event in English history, marking a dark chapter where witchcraft was a deeply feared and misunderstood concept.
The trials took place in the Pendle Hill area of Lancashire, where a series of witchcraft accusations and subsequent trials unfolded. The result of the trials led to nearly a dozen men and women being wrongly condemned for the practice of witchcraft.
The trials in Pendle began with the arrest of Alizon Device, a local woman who was accused of using witchcraft to harm others. This arrest set off a chain of events that led to the accusation and subsequent trials of numerous individuals, primarily women, from the Pendle area.
The Pendle Witch Trials serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of a flawed justice system. The trials were fuelled by fear, superstition, and prejudices, resulting in the loss of innocent lives.
Today, there have been numerous sightings and experiences of ghostly figures travelling along Pendle Hill. Explore Lancashire and Pendle Hill for yourself with our brand-new 2024 Pendle Witch Trials tour.
Whitby
The Yorkshire fishing town of Whitby has an extensive history. From being a smuggling port for Rum and Brandy, to being the town where Captain Cook learned to sail. This small town has quite the past! But perhaps the most famous fact of all is that Whitby holds a significant place in literary history as the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's iconic novel, Dracula. The gothic atmosphere of Whitby served as inspiration for Stoker, shaping the backdrop of his vampire tale.
Bram Stoker, an Irish author arrived in Whitby in 1890. The dramatic landscape of Whitby, with its rugged cliff tops and the Abbey looking over the town left a lasting impression on him. Several years later he published his novel, Dracula, one of the most famous novels ever to be written.
Whitby is known as one of the most haunted towns in the UK for a couple of other reasons as well. Aside from Dracula, it’s said that the ghost of St. Hilda, who founded Whitby Abbey is rumoured to roam the Abbey, where she peeks from one of the highest windows of the ruins.
The ruins of Whitby Abbey are also supposedly home to the ghost of Constance de Beverley, a nun who broke her vows of chastity. As punishment she was bricked up, alive, in the walls of the Abbey. It is thought she can still be heard pleading for her release, even today.
If you want to explore Whitby, and the Abbey ruins for yourself, check out our Whitby coach holidays.
York
Just 50 miles from Whitby is the beautiful and historic city of York. Known for its city walls, stunning Minster, and ancient, cobbled streets. York also is renowned for being one of the world’s most haunted cities.
It took over 250 years to build York Minster. The gothic cathedral was completed in 1472 and has a reputation as being the spookiest place in the city. It is said to be haunted by multiple ghosts, including that of a man who has been seen sitting in the pews where he appears to be listening to the sermons. It is suggested that this ghost is of York Minster Clergy, Dean Gale, who died at the age of 26 in 1702.
Another haunted hotspot in York is the Treasurer's House, a historic mansion that is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Roman soldier. Legend has it that the ghostly figure appears in full armour, marching through the cellar.
The Shambles, a narrow, winding street lined with timber-framed buildings, is not only the most photographed street in the city, but also rumoured to be haunted. It is believed that the spirits of former residents, including a butcher and his wife, are still seen in the area. Visitors to the Shambles have reported hearing ghostly voices and feeling a sense of unease while walking along this street.
Other haunted locations in York include the Golden Fleece Inn, said to be haunted by several ghosts, including a former landlady and a young girl, and the Clifford's Tower, where the ghostly visions of executed prisoners are said to roam. It’s not hard to see why York is named as one of the most haunted cities in the world.
Besides a whole host of ghostly tales, York is also a beautiful and interesting city, with lots to see and explore. If you want to find out more about travelling to York, take some time to browse our breaks.
Tower of London
The Tower of London has been a popular landmark of the English Capital since its construction by William the Conqueror in 1078. But aside from being very well known as the home of the Crown Jewels, it also has a sinister reputation for being a prison, housing some of the UKs most high-profiled prisoners such as Guy Fawkes.
Among the most famous ghosts said to haunt the Tower of London is the spirit of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. Her ghost has been sighted walking the corridors, often carrying her head under her arm. Another well-known ghostly sighting is that of Sir Walter Raleigh. His ghost is said to wander the Bloody Tower, where he was held captive for 13 years.
But not all ghosts in the Tower of London are of human form. Many claimed to have seen the ghost of a bear in the tower. It is thought that this ghostly bear is the spirit of the animal that was once kept in the tower as part of the ‘Royal Menagerie’.
Explore these haunted destinations with Just Go! Holidays
So, whether you believe in these ghostly sightings or not, you must admit that the UK has a spooky past. There are lots of opportunities to visit these destinations yourself in 2024 on one of our Just Go! coach holidays.