October 18, 2023 |

We’ve always had a penchant for the peculiar. On our doorstep is St Mary’s Church, dating back to medieval times, and the National Justice Museum, which as a former police station, courtroom and prison, is said to be haunted by the criminals who met their end there. 

We’ve even had some (alleged) strange occurrences in our restored Victorian office after hours – shoulder taps and hair pulling when no-one was around. Although rich in history and full of character, supernatural activity in our office pales in comparison to sightings in other businesses, including pubs, theatres and castles around the UK. 

Naturally, our curiosity for the unknown piques like a witch’s hat when Halloween approaches, so we’ve compiled a list of the most haunted locations in the UK that you may, or may not, want to visit. 

If you’re a ghost hunter, you may know some of the more popular locations such as Arundel Castle, which some say is haunted by several apparitions. However, we also wanted to find some of the hidden haunts that could give you a more unexpected fright. 

Our researchers here at Tank, a leading digital PR agency, worked their magic to create an index score for each haunted location in the UK. Those with the most five-star reviews across both Tripadvisor and Google, and the fewest location tags on Instagram, scored highest in our index of hidden haunts.

Top of the haunted hidden gems list was Langham Hotel in London. It had 1,000 location tags on Instagram and 81% of its 5,279 Tripadvisor and Google reviews were awarded five stars. 

Second place was Llancaiach Fawr in Wales, perhaps bumped from the top spot as it had zero Instagram location tags, though 76% of its 1,273 Tripadvisor and Google reviews were awarded five stars. Arundel Castle followed with 5,000 tagged Instagram posts. 

Compared to the Tower of London, which has 846,000 location tags on Instagram, these haunted locations remain under the radar. 

We’ve excluded those with more than 5,000 tags from our list, in order to pick out the less popular locations. 

The top 20 locations to visit during Halloween are:

1: Langham Hotel — City of Westminster, London

Built in 1875, this five-star hotel is said to be the most haunted hotel in London. Beyond the luxury aesthetic, rumour has it that it’s home to five ghosts including that of a German prince. Room 333 is supposedly the most haunted, with reports of a Victorian doctor emerging from a fluorescent ball of light. 

  • Index score: 575.1
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 5,279 
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 80.92%

2: Llancaiach Fawr — Caerphilly, Glamorganshire

This 16th century Tudor manor house turned museum is steeped in gruesome history. The presence of a little boy who fell from the upper window and former housekeeper, Mattie, is still felt and seen. Visitors have left in tears with reports of hair pulling, children’s laughter and paranormal sightings. 

  • Index score: 554.9
  • Instagram location tags: 0
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 1,273
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 76.17%

3: Arundel Castle — West Sussex

With a history that goes back to 1067, this grand castle is reported to be home to several ghosts who have been seen roaming around. The most active ghost is the first Earl of Arundel who is protective of the castle followed by a young woman who jumped from the tower after a love affair went wrong. 

  • Index score: 554.0
  • Instagram location tags: 5,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 13,870
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 75.91%

4: Brookside Theatre — Havering, London

Once a Second World War memorial, this theatre came to the media’s attention in 2014 after CCTV footage caught chairs moving on their own and floating orbs. Perhaps, the most spooky part, this paranormal activity was after a psychic medium gave a reading on stage. 

  • Index score: 551.7
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 206
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 76.10%

5: Stag Inn— Hastings, Kent

Dating back to 1547, the Stag is one of the oldest pubs in Hastings. Sitting on display are two mummified cats which were found in the chimney in the 1940s and are believed to have belonged to a woman named as a witch, Hannah Clarke. There have been sightings of spirits including a girl dressed in white by the fireplace.

  • Index score: 548.6
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 647
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 75.49%

6: Raynhal Hall — East Raynham, Norfolk

The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall apparently haunts the country house and was even pictured in 1930 on the staircase. Many believe the spirit belongs to Lady Dorothy, sister of Britain’s first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole. Legend has it that she was locked up by her husband after having an affair. 

  • Index score: 548.0
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 19
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 72.86%

7: Theatre Royal — Drury Lane, Lane

Built in 1674, this grade I listed building houses one of London’s oldest theatres. It’s allegedly home to numerous ghosts including the ‘Man in Grey,’ who watches the actors rehearse and has become a good luck charm. 

  • Index score: 548.0
  • Instagram location tags: 500
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 9,191
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 74.20%

8: Royal Court Theatre — Liverpool

The theatre sits on a site that was a water well in the 12th century. It was destroyed by a fire in 1933 and rebuilt into a theatre. It’s supposedly haunted by a former caretaker, Les, who met his end after falling from the roof. 

  • Index score: 545.8
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 3,711
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 73.67%

9: Springhill House — County Derry, Northern Ireland

The 17th century plantation house was once home to George Lenox-Conyngham. He reportedly fell into depression after losing his daughter and chose to end his life in the 1800s. This tragedy was witnessed by his second wife, Olivia, whose spirit has been seen running towards the room. She is supposedly fond of children, and makes herself visible to them.

  • Index score: 543.0
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 402
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 71.71%

10: The Black Horse — Pluckley Village, Kent

Dubbed ‘Kent’s most haunted pub,’ the Black Horse was built in the 1470s as a farmhouse. It’s said to house numerous ghosts who make their presence known by moving glasses, hiding belongings and breaking equipment. Customers have complained about feeling and seeing the presence of a young child. 

  • Index score: 529.4
  • Instagram location tags: 500
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 743
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 74.06%

11: Fleur de Lys — Pilley, Hampshire

The Fleur de Lys pub is said to be haunted by the ‘Grey Lady’ and a darker spirit. Visitors have experienced the smell of fire, changes in temperature and even seen dark shadows. Paranormal investigators visited when filming for the TV show, ‘Help! My house is Haunted,’ and apparently witnessed a figure who shapeshifted into an animal. 

  • Index score: 528.6
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 929
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 72.17%

12: Ettington Park Hotel — Ettington, Warwickshire

The hotel was formerly a manor house with evidence suggesting it dates back 2000 years. Staff and visitors have reported hearing strange noises, seeing floating candlesticks and spirits vanishing into walls. The site has even been used to shoot horror films including The Haunting. 

  • Index score: 528.1
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 2,118
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 70.24%

13: Athelhampton House — Dorset

This Tudor manor house dates back to 1485 and is said to be a supernatural hotspot. Perhaps, the most bizarre ghost – a pet monkey who was accidentally trapped in the stairway and starved. Believers say that you can hear his spirit scratch the wall where he was left. 

  • Index score: 524.4
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 1,792
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 70.87%

14: Plas Teg House — Pontblyddyn, Flintshire

Built in 1610, this Grade I listed jacobean house is said to house a minimum of 15 ghosts. The most famous one being Dorothy, a young girl who was forbidden from seeing her lover. Allegedly, she planned to run away and elope but fell to her demise. 

  • Index score: 522.7
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 88
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 69.13%

15: Newton House — Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire

Built in 1660, Newton House is now owned by the National Trust who have labelled it haunted. In 1999 and 2000, archaeologists found strange items during a renovation which they believe to be magical house protection to keep away evil spirits. There have been reports of ghosts, which people believe to be Lady Elinor Cavendish and an old lady, dressed in black with a dark energy. 

  • Index score: 520.1
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 351
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 68.91%

16: Hoghton Tower — Hoghton, Preston

Hoghton Tower is a 16th century stately home with a history of high profile guests including kings, queens, and even William Shakespeare. Staff kept ghost profiles based on theirs and visitors’ supernatural experiences – there is said to be the ghost of a Tudor woman, young girl, and black dog. 

  • Index score: 517.9
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 1,734
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 70.07%

17: Plas Teg House — Beaulieu, Hampshire

This 13th century house is believed to be haunted by the ‘Lady in Blue.’ Many believe this is the spirit of Countess Isabella Beaulieu with reports of a lady disappearing into the walls and making loud noises. 

  • Index score: 517.4
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 1,805
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 69.34%

18: Bickling Hall — Bickling, Norfolk

Blickling hall is said to be the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, former queen of England. Many believe and reportedly have witnessed her ghost return to the hall on the anniversary of her execution, May 19th, in a carriage ridden by a headless coachman and horses. 

  • Index score: 514.1
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 7,219
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 68.19%

19: Margam Castle — Port Talbot, Glamorganshire

This 19th century Tudor gothic castle was built in the 1800s and staff have reported seeing Victorian children, doors slamming and hearing footsteps. It’s thought the ghost is Robert Scott, a former gamekeeper. 

  • Index score: 513.5
  • Instagram location tags: 1,000
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 3,346
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 67.60%

20: Ballygally Castle — County Antrim, Northern Ireland

This 17th century castle turned hotel is said to be haunted by the ghost of Lady Isobel Shaw. She was allegedly locked up by her husband as she couldn’t produce a male heir. Witnesses have reported seeing her wandering around the castle and even knocking on doors. The hotel has a ‘ghost room’ dedicated to her. 

  • Index score: 510.2
  • Instagram location tags: 100
  • Total number of Tripadvisor and Google reviews: 3,857
  • Percentage of five-star reviews: 67.93%

Methodology

To discover the locations full of paranormal activity, and those which are falling back, Tank looked at eight key indicators: 

  • Instagram location tags 
  • Number of Tripadvisor reviews
  • Number of 5* Tripadvisor reviews
  • % of 5* Tripadvisor reviews
  • Number of Google reviews
  • Number of 5* Google reviews
  • % of 5* Google reviews

We gave every haunted location an index score for each separate data point with equal weighing, adding up each score over the seven data points to calculate an overall score out of 800.