In a country with a long history like ours, you can be sure that something grisly, terrifying or blood-curdling has happened pretty much everywhere. There aren’t always those blue tourist information plaques proclaiming these things – all too often they were just par for the course in bygone days. But stories, ghostly visions and more keep the scariness alive. Since the most devilish of nights is looming on the horizon we thought we’d issue you a challenge: do you dare to visit one of the UK’s most haunted places this Hallowe’en?
Pluckley, Kent
It may not be the largest of the challengers to the title of Britain’s most haunted but it does boast some pretty chilling names, like Fright Corner where a highwayman was murdered and Screaming Woods where you can hear faint screams. Villagers are inundated with visitors every year and most definitely begrudge it – will you be their first victim?
Derby
If it’s the sheer number of ghosts you’re after then Derby is the place, as it has more annual reports of ghostly sightings than any other city in the UK. This includes the notorious Derby Gaol and at least four resident ghosts at the Dolphin Pub. Get thee to the condemned man’s cell for the most haunted spot in this city of ghostly residents.
York
Declared Europe’s Most Haunted City by the International Ghost Research Foundation, what they haven’t got in numbers they make up for in activity, with more terrifying accounts than any other city. Creaks, bumps, scrapes, icy cold touches and other things too abound, with more sceptics converted here than anywhere else – why not try a Ghost Walk to really get the goosebumps tingling?
Edinburgh
An ancient city with more than its fair share of skeletons in the closet, the Edinburgh Vaults are where you’ll find concentrated grisly stories, as these dark underground lairs are where serial killers Burke and Hare kept their victims for medical experiments. Ghost Tours are no-holds-barred, with the caves no longer echoing to the laughter of the comedy festivals of the summer.
Chester
Laying claim to having the most concentrated numbers of ghosts, Chester is not for the faint of heart. Within the walled city, over 2000 years of settlement have seen many meet an untimely demise. The narrow streets, dark cellars and crypts house more ghosts and poltergeists than you could ever hope to meet on one night – how many will you see?
Sure, they look fine by day…but dare you visit after dark? Book your sleepless night here.
