The UK is a real hotbed of paranormal activity. With ancient buildings and long gruesome history, it’s little surprise it’s regarded as the most haunted country in the world!
Discover the United Kingdom’s vast array of haunted places, from ancient houses and castles, to inns, and hotels.
Below you’ll find what we believe are the twelve most haunted places in the UK, and if you want to explore a little more, we even list the most haunted locations in several cities, counties, and countries!
Dating back to the 12th century, The Ancient Ram Inn has often been referred to as ‘the most haunted house in Britain’. The house is said to have been the location of many sinister happenings, including child sacrifice, suicide, and black magic rituals and was also used as a hideout by criminals.
The building is home to all sorts of spooks – two demons, a witch, orbs and other ghostly presences, and many people who have visited the property have described it as the ‘scariest place’ they’ve ever visited. The house regularly opens its doors to ghost hunters, but you must book in advance.
Pendle Hill is located in an area known as Pendleside. It’s famous for its links to George Fox, which led to the foundation of the Quaker movement. A Bronze Age burial site was also discovered at the foot of the hill, and it was also home to the Pendle witches, prompting many people to visit the site in search of ghosts and spirits.
Most Haunted visited the site in 2004 for a live episode. Yvette Fielding maintains that it was the scariest episode of Most Haunted that they have ever filmed.
Pendle Hill Hauntings North West Ghost Hunts
Borley Rectory was a Victorian mansion in the pretty village of Borley, Essex. It was destroyed by fire in 1939 but gained a reputation as being the most haunted location in the country after a series of locals reported some unexplained paranormal goings-on.
The hauntings at Borley caught the nation’s attention when the hauntings were covered in the Daily Mirror and by noted paranormal investigator Harry Price. Then (June 1929), one of the country’s most famous haunted houses was born.
The first indication that something paranormal was happening at the house was footsteps heard in the dead of night in the 1860s. The ghost of a nun, two headless horsemen, a phantom carriage, the phantom ringing of the servant’s bells and bottle-throwing are just some of the paranormal incidents reported at Borley.
Berry Pomeroy Castle is known for being a picturesque castle in an even more picturesque town. Still, the pretty façade hides a sinister secret – the castle is haunted and is reported as being one of the most haunted places in Devon.
Two female ghosts, the White Lady and the Blue Lady are said to haunt the castle. The White Lady is said to haunt the dungeons. The Blue Lady is said to haunt the tower, luring passers-by to her aid – and if they help her, it is said that they fall to their death.
The Ghosts of Berry Pomeroy Castle South West Ghost Hunts
Located on the shores of Co. Antrim, the stunning Ballygally Castle, dates back to 1625 and is steeped in history. It’s haunted by the spirit of Lady Isobel Shaw, who fell to her death more than 400 years ago.
Her husband (Lord James Shaw) locked her in a room at the top of the castle when she failed to produce a male heir. Left to starve, she was trying to escape when the tragic fall occurred. Her spirit is said to wander the hotel to this day, knocking on doors and appearing in rooms then disappearing.
Many other ghosts call Ballygally Castle home. Madame Nixon, a woman that lived there in the 19th century, has been seen and heard walking around the castle in a silk dress. There are also the spirits of children that have been heard running and giggling in the hotel rooms.
Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished Gothic revival mansion in Gloucestershire. Whilst it looks complete from the outside, inside, several rooms, lots of plaster and whole floors are missing.
Over the years, it has gained a reputation as a haunted location. Several paranormal sightings have been reported, including a phantom horseman, the Tall Man of the Chapel and a ghost in the cellar.
Ghosts have attacked some visitors to the mansion, and others have collapsed, whilst women who have been to the bathroom have reported seeing a floating head. The ghost of a little girl and the spirit of an elderly woman has also been spotted at the site.
The Ghosts of Woodchester Mansion South West Ghost Hunts
Pluckley village has a reputation for being the most haunted village in England – and it was named just that by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.
Between 12 and 16, ghosts have been reported in the village, including a screaming man, a highwayman who appears at Fright Corner, a schoolmaster found hanged by a group of children and an old woman who used to sit on a bridge smoking.
Pluckley has been featured on numerous television programmes and is a favourite spot for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts across the country.
Buried deep beneath the ancient streets of the Royal Mile, Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh is thought to be the most haunted place in Edinburgh and one of the most haunted places in Scotland. This unique location has a dark and mysterious past, with the first ghost sightings dating to the 17th century.
During the plague epidemic in 1645, it’s believed half of the population of Edinburgh died. The disease was rampant in Mary King’s Close due to the lack of proper sanitation and the cramped tenements.
One of the most famous ghosts to haunt here is a 10-year-old girl named Annie, who died of the plague. Visitors to this day leave dolls and sweets for her in her old home.
Mary King's Close Hauntings Scotland Ghost hunts
Athelhampton House is located in Dorset and is thought to be one of the most haunted places in England. A pair of duellists haunts the Great Chamber, where they once interrupted a female guest by fighting.
Tapping sounds have been heard coming from the wine cellar, whilst the ghost of the Grey Lady has been seen around the house on numerous occasions. The padding sound of a phantom cat’s feet has also been heard on the bare floorboards around the house.
The Tower of London has sometimes been described as the most haunted building in Britain and has been investigated by countless paranormal investigators and teams over the years.
The Wakefield Tower is thought to be haunted by the ghost of Henry VI, and on the anniversary of his death, his sad figure is said to pace around Wakefield Tower until the clock strikes midnight.
The White Tower is thought to be haunted by the White Lady, who has been seen waving at groups of schoolchildren. Her perfume is also believed to linger around the White Tower, and the scent has made numerous guards physically ill.
If you’re visiting the most haunted city in England, then a tour around the Tower of London should be high on your list.
Tower of London Ghosts South East Ghost Hunts
Samlesbury Hall in Preston is a black and white medieval house that dates back to the 14th century. It’s reported to be haunted by the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth, amongst others and has been investigated twice by Most Haunted, once in 2004 and once in 2009.
It also appeared on an episode of Ghost Hunters International. Several ghosts have also been caught on camera in the hall.
Chillingham Castle dates way back to the 12th century and has its fair share of ghostly tales and encounters.
It holds frequent ghost tours to allow visitors to spot some of the castle’s other-worldly inhabitants, including that of a blue boy, a tortured child, the ghost of Lady Mary and a spooky Royal procession.
Regarded as the most haunted castle in Northumberland, and perhaps the most haunted castle in England, countless deaths occurred here, with no less than eight public executions too. The ghosts of these souls are thought to haunt the castle to this day.
View more of the most haunted places in Northumberland
North East Ghost Hunts