10 Haunted Places in the UK You Can Visit This Halloween

Introduction

As the nights stretch longer and the air sharpens with autumn chill, Britain’s ghost stories come to life. Castles, prisons, and pubs across the country are brimming with centuries of history—and with it, tales of restless spirits.

This Halloween, why not step beyond the usual pumpkin carving and scary films? The UK is home to some of the most haunted places in the world, and many of them open their doors to visitors. From eerie abbey ruins to pubs where the past never left, these sites offer a chilling mix of history and mystery.

1. The Tower of London – Haunted History and Ghost Sightings

The Tower of London has stood for nearly a thousand years, a fortress steeped in executions, betrayals, and imprisonment. Unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the most haunted landmarks in Britain.

Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s ill-fated queen, is said to wander near Tower Green, headless but unmistakable. The tragic Princes are also believed to haunt the Bloody Tower, where they vanished from history.

Visitors and staff alike have reported ghostly figures, unexplained chills, and even the mysterious “Man in Grey,” whose identity remains unsolved.

2. Chillingham Castle – The UK’s Most Haunted Castle

Often dubbed the most haunted castle in Britain, Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is not for the faint-hearted. Its 12th-century walls have witnessed battles, bloodshed, and betrayal.

The castle’s most famous ghost is the “Blue Boy,” whose glowing figure was reportedly seen in the castle’s Pink Room, followed by cries in the night. Other stories tell of Lady Mary wandering in sorrow, and even phantom processions moving through the halls.

Add to that a Torture Chamber still open for visitors, and you’ve got one of the UK’s eeriest haunted attractions.

3. Pendle Hill – Witches and Ghostly Legends

Pendle Hill in Lancashire is synonymous with witchcraft. In 1612, twelve locals were accused of practicing dark magic; ten were executed in what became one of the most infamous witch trials in England.

Today, the hill remains a magnet for paranormal investigators and curious visitors. Shadowy figures, disembodied footsteps, and sudden icy chills are among the many ghostly reports.

Climbing Pendle Hill at night isn’t for everyone—but those who dare often say the atmosphere feels thick with the weight of its tragic past.

4. Hampton Court Palace – Haunted Gallery and Royal Spirits

Henry VIII’s grand palace has its fair share of lingering residents. Catherine Howard, his fifth wife, is the most famous. Legend says that after being accused of adultery, she broke free of her guards and ran down what is now called the Haunted Gallery, begging Henry for mercy. She was executed soon after, but her screams are said to echo there still.

Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife, has also been spotted, and in recent years a strange figure caught on CCTV—nicknamed “Skeletor”—caused a stir. While never confirmed, it added fuel to Hampton Court’s ghostly reputation.

5. Whitby Abbey – Dracula’s Inspiration and Ghostly Nuns

Perched on cliffs high above the North Sea, the ruins of Whitby Abbey are dramatic enough on their own. But add in a few legends, and it becomes one of the UK’s most atmospheric haunted sites.

The abbey is inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and it’s said to be home to spirits of its own. St. Hilda, the abbey’s founder, is sometimes seen gazing out toward the sea. Then there’s Constance de Beverley, a nun supposedly bricked alive for breaking her vows, whose anguished cries echo on stormy nights.

A ghost walk through Whitby, starting from the graveyard below the abbey, is a Halloween experience like no other.

6. Craig y Nos Castle – Opera Singer’s Ghost and Haunted Hospital

Tucked away in the Welsh countryside, Craig y Nos Castle was once the home of world-renowned opera singer Adelina Patti. Later, it became a hospital for TB patients.

Ghost hunters report footsteps in empty corridors, whispers in the night, and unexplained shadows. Some even claim Adelina Patti herself still makes appearances. Tours of the castle include the former hospital wing and the embalming slab where Patti’s body once lay.

It’s a chilling stop for anyone exploring haunted places in Wales.

7. Oxford Castle & Prison – Dark Past and Paranormal Tours

Dating back to the 11th century, Oxford Castle has seen it all: royal drama, wartime struggles, and centuries as a prison.

Today, visitors can tour its crypts, cells, and towers. Many report strange footsteps following them, voices whispering in the dark, or sudden icy drafts. The popular Spectre Ghost Tour blends history, illusions, and spine-chilling stories, bringing the castle’s darker side to life.

8. The Skirrid Mountain Inn – Haunted Pub in Wales

The Skirrid Mountain Inn near Abergavenny is often called the oldest pub in Wales. Whether or not that title is strictly true, its haunted reputation is undeniable.

For centuries, it doubled as a courthouse where criminals were sentenced to death. Judge George “Hanging” Jeffreys is said to have ordered executions here during the Bloody Assizes. It’s claimed that the beams inside still bear the rope marks from hangings.

Guests have reported cold spots, a heavy atmosphere, and the feeling of unseen eyes watching them.

9. The Black Swan Hotel – Historic Coaching Inn with Ghosts

This Grade II* listed hotel in Devizes has welcomed travellers since the 18th century—and, according to many visitors, it still houses some who never checked out.

The most common sighting is a young woman in a long dress, seen gliding through corridors and even through walls. Guests often speak of icy drafts and the unnerving sense of being watched.

It’s the kind of place where a simple overnight stay feels more like a paranormal investigation.

10. Shepton Mallet Prison – Haunted Prison Ghost Hunts

Shepton Mallet Prison in Somerset is over 400 years old and once held some of the country’s most notorious inmates. It closed in 2013, but its reputation as one of the most haunted prisons in the UK has only grown.

Today, you can book ghost tours, escape rooms, or even overnight stays. From execution rooms to cramped Victorian cells, visitors often leave with stories of disembodied voices, strange movements, and shadows slipping across the walls.

If you’re after a true test of courage this Halloween, few places are more unnerving.

Conclusion

Britain’s haunted heritage is vast, but these ten locations stand out for both their history and their ghost stories. From castles echoing with the cries of long-dead royals to pubs and prisons where spirits still linger, these are haunted places you can actually visit this Halloween.

Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just curious about the past, each site offers a blend of history, atmosphere, and just enough spine-tingling mystery to make the hairs on your neck stand up.

So, grab a torch, keep your wits about you, and step inside. Who knows—you might just leave with a ghost story of your own.