HAUNTED PLACES IN ENGLAND

BORLEY RECTORY, ESSEX

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 heavily haunted after a series of locals

reported some unexplained paranormal goings-on. In fact,

the hauntings at Borley caught the nation’s attention when the

story of Borley was covered in the Daily Mirror and by noted

paranormal investigator Harry Price. The first indication that

there was something paranormal happening at the house were

footsteps heard in the dead of the night in the 1860’s. 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.

ANCIENT RAM INN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

The Ancient Ram Inn has often been referred to as the most

haunted house in Britain. The house itself is said to have been the

location of many sinister happenings, including child sacrifice,

suicide, black magic rituals and was also used as a hideout by

criminals. The current owner, John Humphries believes that he

shares his home with 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 been to.

PENDLE HILL, LANCASHIRE

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

and the presenter, Yvette Fielding, maintains that that episode

was the scariest episode of Most Haunted that they

have ever filmed.

BERRY POMEROY CASTLE, DEVON

Berry Pomeroy Castle is known for being a picturesque castle

in an even more picturesque town, but the pretty façade hides

a sinister secret – the castle is haunted and is actually reported

as being one of the most haunted castles in Britain. Two female

ghosts, the White Lady and the Blue Lady are said to haunt the

castle. 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 White Lady is said to haunt the dungeons.

WOODCHESTER MANSION, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

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

and several paranormal sightings have been reported, including

that of a phantom horseman, the Tall Man of the Chapel and a

ghost in the cellar. Some visitors to the mansion have been

attacked by ghosts 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 ghost of an

old woman have also been spotted at the site.

 VILLAGE OF PLUCKLEY, KENT

Pluckley village has a reputation for being the most haunted

village in Britain – and it was actually 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 in numerous

television programmes and is a favourite spot of ghost-hunters

across the country.

ATHELHAMPTON HOUSE, DORSET

Athelhampton House is located in Dorset and is thought to be

one of the most haunted places in the county. 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.

TOWER OF LONDON, LONDON

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 mournful 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 thought to linger around the White Tower and the scent of it

has made numerous guards physically ill.

 SALMESBURY HALL, LANCASHIRE

Salmesbury Hall is a black and white medieval house that dates

back to the 14^th 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 has also appeared on an episode of Ghost Hunters International.

A number of ghosts have also been caught on camera at the hall.

 CHILLINGHAM CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND

Chillingham Castle dates way back to the twelfth 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. The castle had a

record 8 executions and the ghosts of the executed are

thought to still haunt the castle today.