Norfolk is an area that has more than its fair share of ghosts and legends, and you never have to wander too far to stumble upon a reputedly haunted building! Many of the paranormal activity links into the area’s history – in particular, Kett’s Rebellion in 1549.

Other spirits that have been spotted are linked to well-known figures from the area – there is even a ghostly animal that serves as a harbinger of doom!

Whatever it is that you seek, it seems that you are sure to find it in one of the most haunted places in Norfolk!

1. Thetford Warren Lodge, Thetford

THETFORD WARREN LODGE, THETFORD
Brandon Rd, Thetford IP27 0AF

Thetford Warren Lodge was built sometime in the 1400s and can be found just a few miles west of Thetford.

At one time, there was a medieval leper colony close to the lodge, and witnesses believe that the regularly sighted apparition of a faceless man in cream and blue clothing is either a leper victim or perhaps a former warrener who is protecting his lodge for all eternity.

There are also reports of a ghostly rabbit with flaming red eyes in the area, but this paranormal activity is one that ghost hunters should hope that they never get to document. He is supposed to be an omen of your death if you lay eyes on him!

2. Adam & Eve Pub, Norwich

ADAM & EVE PUB, NORWICH
17 Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ

The Adam and Eve Pub is located in Norwich, and it is said to be the town’s oldest public house, with records dating it to 1249.

The hauntings are linked to Lord Sheffield, who was killed close to the pub by rebel forces during Kett’s Rebellion back in 1549.

It is said that his spirit still roams the pub, and he rings a bell in the bar when the room is empty. There have also been reports of hot and cold spots around the building and phantom footsteps. Some staff also claim to have been touched by unseen hands.

However, perhaps the most terrifying paranormal encounter at the Adam & Eve Pub was the one reported in 2006 when a terrified customer some a gruesome apparition of a spectral hand holding a severed head!

3. Norwich Castle, Norwich

Norwich Castle
Castle St, Norwich NR1 3JU

Norwich Castle is a scheduled ancient monument and a Grade I listed building built by William the Conqueror following the Norman invasion.

It has now become a local heritage site and a museum.

Like so many other castles, Norwich Castle is haunted by several Norfolk ghosts, and the hauntings date back as far as 1820!

In 1820, prisoners inside Norwich Castle were terrified when they witnessed a ghostly apparition of a Victorian woman all in black. Even today, staff members have reported a similar apparition, and on one occasion, they were terrified when she was seen floating in the air!

However, the black lady is by no means the most terrifying spectre to call Norwich Castle home! There is also a rather gruesome apparition of the rotting corpse of rebel leader Robert Kett which is frequently spotted hanging in a cage at the top of the Castle.

Unsuspecting people passing by the Castle have seen the apparition and been shocked and terrified by the sight!

4. Cromer Pier, Cromer

CROMER PIER, CROMER
Cromer Pier, Cromer NR27 9HE

Cromer Pier is another one of the most haunted places in Norfolk. The grade II listed pier is home to two haunted buildings: Cromer Lifeboat Station and The Pavilion Theatre.

Of the two buildings, the theatre is probably the better known of the two properties.

The most commonly reported apparition is of an ashen-faced man with black hair and a tall hat who is thought to be the Irish impresario Dick Condon referred to in his obituary as ‘the best known’ assuredly best-loved figures in Norfolk’.  The theatre is also said to have poltergeist activity in the bar area.

Over at the Lifeboat Station, there is also a great deal of paranormal activity in the area. It is thought that these spirits are those of deceased lifeboatmen, sailors lost at sea and perhaps even the lost residents of the medieval town of Shipden, which lies under the sea, just off the coast of Cromer.

5. The Muckleburgh Collection, Weybourne

THE MUCKLEBURGH COLLECTION, WEYBOURNE
Weybourne Camp A149 The Street Weybourne, Holt NR25 7EH

Whenever people mention haunted Norfolk, one of the first places that most people think about is The Muckleburgh Collection, mainly because it was featured on a well-known paranormal television show.

It is the UK’s largest privately owned military museum and is located on the former site of Weybourne Anti-Aircraft Training Camp.

Staff at the museum have reported seeing unexplained ‘spirit lights’ at night-time, usually close to the old pillbox. It has been suggested that these are the spirits of six ATS girls who died in the area.

It has also been suggested that the Russian T34 tank in the museum is haunted as well. People often hear the sound of it ‘cooling down’ as it would after being run.

However, the ignition has not been turned on in a very long time, so this is not at all possible. Significant temperature drops are also experienced close to the tank.

There have also been hundreds of reports of phantom footsteps, poltergeist activity, eerie groans, disembodied screams and shouting.

Particular hotspots are the office, the corridors and some of the old military ambulances. This suggests that some activity comes not from the building or the land but the objects themselves.

6. Maids Head Hotel, Norwich

MAIDS HEAD HOTEL, NORWICH
20 Tombland, Norwich NR3 1LB

One of the most haunted places in Norfolk is The Maids Head Hotel in Norwich.

It is believed to be home to a female spirit known simply as the Lady in Grey.

Some say that she is a maid who once worked in the building. She is most often seen in the oldest part of the hotel, and guests have said that she usually leaves the scent of lavender in her wake.

One of the bedrooms in this part of the building also seems to attract her attention, and it is not all that uncommon for visitors to request rooms in the newer section of the hotel when booking to avoid the ghost!

The hotel is also haunted by a former mayor who is often seen walking around the hotel’s courtyard, shaking his head.

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7. Thetford Priory, Thetford

THETFORD PRIORY, THETFORD
Water Ln, Thetford IP24 1BB

Thetford Priory is the 12th-century ruin of a Cluniac priory that ghostly monks haunt.

The reports of these hauntings go as far back as 1932, when witnesses have heard the disembodied voices of monks chanting and singing in Latin.

In 1992, there was a sighting where a group of teenagers exploring the ruins heard what sounded like keys clinking together and turned around to see the apparition of a monk running straight past them.

However, the most famous sighting of the Thetford Priory Monks happened in 1987.

Christean Jensen-Romer, who is now a renowned parapsychologist featured on various paranormal television shows over the years, was visiting the priory with friends when they spotted the apparition of a monk descending a set of non-existent steps!

8. Castle Rising, King's Lynn

CASTLE RISING, KING’S LYNN
Lynn Rd, King’s Lynn PE31 6AH

One of the most infamous Norfolk ghosts is undoubtedly the ‘mad queen’! Castle Rising dates back to around 1138, and the upper floors of the Castle are allegedly haunted by the spirit of Queen Isabelle – the mad queen.

Isabella’s husband, King Edward II, was dethroned by their son Edward III and was later murdered.

It is believed that Isabella’s lover Roger Mortimer Mortimer was the culprit. Roger was executed in 1330, and Isabella was ordered to return to Castle Rising, where she was confined for the remainder of her life.

She developed a mental health condition and died alone and completely insane. Visitors to Castle Rising say that she can still be heard shrieking and laughing maniacally all around the Castle and its grounds!

The Ghosts of Castle Rising

9. Blickling Hall, Norwich

The Haunted Blickling Hall
Blickling Hall, Blickling, Norwich NR11 6NF

Blickling Hall is a Jacobean mansion that sits in an estate covering over 4000 acres. The property was the home of Sir Thomas Boleyn and his wife, Elizabeth. Their children George, Mary and Anne were all born in the hall.

Anne Boleyn, of course, would go on to become a Queen. It is she who is the building’s most famous apparition.

It is said that she walks the hall dressed in white and carrying her severed head! It has been told that she arrives in a coach driven by a headless horseman and four headless horses.

Anne Boleyn’s father is also reputed to haunt the building. Like his daughter, Sir Thomas was beheaded, and he now walks the halls carrying his head, which is said to gush flame from the mouth! There are also the spirits of a 15th Century knight and a grey lady haunting the property.

10. Diss by Verve (formerly the Scole Inn)

DISS BY VERVE
The St, Scole, Diss IP21 4DR

In 1759, Diss by Verve was the site of a brutal murder.

The young woman, known as Emma, was violently slaughtered by her husband in a fit of jealous rage, and she is now said to haunt the former coaching inn, which dates back as far as 1655 when it was built by the wealthy merchant, John Peck.

Emma has been reported in the bar area and one of the inns’ bedrooms, and it is especially common for her to terrify unsuspecting guests when her ghostly apparition materialises on the stairs in front of them!

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11. Elizabethan House Museum, Great Yarmouth

Elizabethan House Museum, Great Yarmouth
4 S Quay, Great Yarmouth NR30 2QH

Built in 1596 by local merchant Benjamin Cawper, the Elizabethan House Museum is a former home, made famous by its connections to Oliver Cromwell, and several high status Yarmouth families.

Cromwell frequently visited his friend John Carter at the home, and it would become a regular meeting point for Parliamentarians during the Civil War. In fact, King Charles I’s fate was decided here.

The location is a hive of paranormal activity, but perhaps most unnerving is the shocking sighting of period-dressed full-bodied apparitions that are witnessed walking through its dark and imposing rooms.

Disembodied footsteps are common throughout the building, and poltergeist activity has been witnessed several times.

Join a Ghost Hunt at Elizabethan House

12. Tolhouse Gaol, Great Yarmouth

Tolhouse Gaol
Tolhouse Gaol, 12 Tolhouse St, Great Yarmouth NR30 2SQ

Built sometime in the 12th century, this imposing building has served a variety of purposes over its 800+ year history.

A long history marred with death, murder, execution, and witchcraft. As soon as you enter this chilling location, you can feel the sorrow and the terror that was once often felt by those unlucky enough to be incarcerated here.

In 1645, the Tolhouse was used by witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins during his infamous witch trials, and five of the accused were executed by hanging in “the hold” area of the building.

The common reports of activity include full-bodied apparitions and extreme drops in temperature.

You may also experience being physically touched, grabbed, or pushed by unseen hands, and the disembodied sounds of chilling screams.

Tolhouse Gaol Ghost Hunts

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