The 9 Most Haunted Places in York

The City of York has gained a reputation as perhaps the most haunted city in England and it is often known somewhat affectionately as ‘the City of 1000 ghosts’. If you pay a visit to the city you will soon see why, there are York ghost stories aplenty!

It is incredibly atmospheric and there are historic buildings and landmarks on every corner. Visitors fall in love with the grand architecture and find themselves being drawn into a bygone age.

Let’s take a look at the top 9 haunted places in York.

Home to one of the most infamous York ghost stories is the York Castle Museum. In 1953, the museum caretaker, a Mr Jonas claimed to see a little man that he described as being dressed in Edwardian clothing. This happened shortly after Mr Jonas and his wife had locked up the Museum after closing and returned to their accommodation in the basement. As the pair settled down to relax they heard footsteps in the museum above and Mr Jonas went upstairs to check things out.  It was then that he saw the man pacing the floor. Assuming the man had somehow gotten locked inside he approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder at which point he promptly disappeared!

On another occasion Mr Jonas was with a colleague, again after the museum was closed and the apparition made another appearance this time witnessed by both men. From time to time new reports surface, but there is no information about who this man might be or why he is hanging around in the museum!

As the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, York Minster is probably one of York’s most famous buildings, it is a breathtaking sight to behold and the current building is believed to date all the way back to 627! With such a long history behind the building it is not great surprise that York Minster is considered to be one of the most haunted places in York.

One of the most frequently shared stories of ghostly goings on in this atmospheric structure dates back to the 1820s when two members of a tour group were separated from the crowd and found themselves wandering alone through the building. On their wanderings they encountered a man in a naval uniform. The man approached the ladies and whispered in one of their ears before walking off. The story goes that he was actually the woman’s brother and they had made a pact that whoever died first had to come and tell the other if there really was an afterlife. After dying at sea the brother came back to keep his promise to his sister!

Aside from this tale of a secret sibling pact, another spirit said to haunt York Minster is a young man believed to be Dean Gale who died in 1702 aged 26. His ghostly apparition has been reported sitting in the pews and listening to the sermons.

One thing that York is certainly not short on is haunted pubs and alehouses! Our tour of the ghosts of York takes us to one of the most notoriously haunted pubs in York, the Ye Olde Starre Inne. This old coaching inn dates back to around 1644, although its cellars are thought to be much older! The cellars are actually the focal point for the hauntings here as many people have reported hearing the screams of Royalist soldiers emanating from there. Historical records show that the cellars were used as makeshift hospitals for the soldiers during the English Civil War.

Some of the other paranormal activity linked to Ye Olde Starre Inne includes the old lady dressed in black who is often seen descending the staircase from the upper floors and the two ghostly black cats who are seen around the bar. Local legend states that the cats were bricked up inside a pillar that stands between the door and the bar. There are many reports of visitors bringing their dogs into the bar only for them to growl and snarl at the pillar. One dog even managed to knock himself out rushing at the pillar! The practice of bricking up cats in a building is a superstitious one found all across Yorkshire which is said to protect a building against both fire and ill-luck!

Over the years, 35 Stonegate has been known as York’s most haunted building. It is a building that is soaked in history and it is certainly very atmospheric. The current house was built in 1482 although records show that some form of building has been on the site for at least 1000 years.

This house is said to have at least 14 different ghosts, but many believe that there are actually many more! Many of them became active in the late nineties when the property was heavily renovated suggesting that the work stirred them. One of the most documented spirits of 35 Stonegate is known simply as Tom and he seems to occupy the second floor.

Located in Peasholme Green area of York, the Black Swan Inn is a half-timbered former private residence dating back to the 15th century. With such a long history, there’s bound to be a few ghost stories to tell at least, however, these are numerous at the Black Swan.

One of the most common sightings here is of a ‘wokman’ in a bowler hat from the late 19th century. Described as a Charlie Chaplin type character, his apparition stands at the bar, tutting and fidgeting as if waiting upon someone’s arrival. As well as waiting at the bar he’s seen walking abruptly from room to room, and his presence often fades before your very eyes.

Another common sighting here is of a young woman wearing a long white dress. She likes to stand at the bar in the back whilst gazing at the fireplace. Her appearance can change according to eyewitnesses, with her hair described as both long and glowing, and also black, long, and hiding her face.

• Nunnington Hall