The most haunted houses in the UK
October 31, 2021
With Halloween on our doorstep, we’ve found ten incredible haunted houses all around the UK that you might want to steer clear of this time of year! Or not, if that’s your vibe!
Biddesden House, Hampshire
A portrait of the original owner of Biddesden House, John Richmond Webb, still hangs in the hallway which is a rather prominent place for someone that hasn’t resided in the house for many years.
But, it has been said that should the painting be taken from that very spot, a ghostly rider appears and proceeds to gallop up and down the stairs all night.
Taking that portrait down and moving it is not a risk we’re willing to take!
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
When it comes to historic hauntings, you won’t find much better than Blickling Hall, which stands on site of an older medieval manor thought to have been Anne Boleyn’s birthplace. Poor Anne was beheaded on May 19th after not being able to give Henry VIII the son he so badly desired, and this is the date she’s most frequently sighted arriving at the house in a horse-drawn carriage with her head in lap. She disappears from sight soon after along with the headless horsemen.
Her father, Sir Thomas, has also been sighted on a frantic journey through Blickling to Aylsham, Burgh, Buxton, Coltishall, Meyton, Oxnead and Wroxham to cross 12 bridges before the crack of dawn.
Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire
At Samlesbury Hall, which is a haven for history lovers, you'll find plenty of spooky tales awaiting you.
Dorothy Southworth, known as the White Lady, is said to reside here after she died of a broken heart, with many reported sightings. She is often felt and sighted in the Great Hall with many Wedding guests at the venue feeling her presence. Some have even reported feeling a clip around their ears; a warning to be on your best behaviour should you be brave enough to visit.
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Sir Francis Drake has always been a historical hero, but there are stories of him making a pact with the devil during the Spanish Armada! His ghost is believed to ride across Dartmoor in a dark coloured coach driven by headless horses which is being led by 12 goblins, all whilst being pursued by a pack of baying dogs.
When he’s not out terrorising Dartmoor, he is said to angrily roam the halls and corridors of Buckland Abbey.
Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
Ghost hunters will want to head straight to the library where the spirit of former resident and bookworm William Windham III is said to appear on one of the chairs if a particular combination of books are placed on the library table.
Rumour has it that William loves books so much that he risked his life rescuing certain volumes from a friend's home in 1807 when a fire swept through the home. He was so badly injured that this book saving act was his last as he passed away from the burns.
Croft Castle, Herefordshire
If you’re looking for somewhere to visit that has a whole spectrum of spectres, then Croft Castle is said to have seven spanning various periods of history. One of the most prevalent is said to be a looming seven-foot man, known as Welsh freedom fighter Owain Glyndwr who wears a leather jerkin.
Another is the apparition of a woman wearing crinoline and a close-fitting cap who looks longing out of the window awaiting money to be sent home to her by a relative in Ireland.
Newton House, Carmarthenshire
Newton House is a 17th-century house with a rather eerie history. Lady Elinor Cavendish, a well-known visitor to the house, was followed to Newton House by a gentleman that wanted to claim her hand in marriage. Lady Elinor was far from interested and expressed this to him; she then retreated to the nursery to find safety. The gentleman, not wishing to take no for an answer, followed her, and strangled her to death after an argument broke out.
Some say, he used her ribbon from her hair to commit the act and then killed himself to be with her once he was overcome with guilt. There’s often a cold feeling when in the room and even rumours of ghostly hands gripping the necks of visitors.
50 Berkeley Square, London
London is filled with ghostly stories, but 50 Berkeley Square is one of the most well known of all the haunted houses in the Big Smoke.
By the 19th Century, word had spread of the hauntings and people from out of town would come to stare at the ghastly figure that would lurk in the top window. As the stories go, many who have tried to spend time in the loft space have run off in terror, gone insane or simply died on the spot of fright!
This was just the beginning of the haunted history that surrounds the address.
Glamis Castle, Angus
As this castle has over 600 years of royal history, you’re sure to find a grisly past. Lady Glamis was suspected of being a witch who was burnt at the stake in 1537.
Visit the castle and you might just glimpse the ‘Grey Lady’ roaming.
Ham House, Surrey
Ham House in Surrey is said to be one of the National Trust most haunted properties and it’s easy to see why with Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale at the forefront of most of the haunted stories.
Elizabeth played a dangerous political game, befriending both Charles II and Oliver Cromwell which shows just how ruthless and ambitious she was for a woman of her time. It has been noted that when her first husband died suddenly, she was surrounded by speculation as her hopes of climbing the social ladder coincided drastically.
She married her second husband, the 1st Earl of Lauderdale, very soon after which didn’t help the rumours. After his death, Elizabeth was crippled with financial complications that lead her to a single ground floor apartment at Ham House which is said to be where she still resides today.