Britain’s Spookiest Locations

Britain offers tourists an amazing range of historical sites, natural beauty and famous attractions, but it’s also well-known for its history of the spooky and the macabre. From ghost-haunted castles to monster-stalked moors, lovers of the unknown will find lots to interest them in a holiday or day out in Britain. Now that the Halloween crowds are gone, travelers will find shorter wait times, less crowds and the chance to explore these uncanny sites in peace and quiet.

Scotland

Starting in the north, Scotland has its share of mysterious locations. One of the most famous of these is Glamis Castle in Angus, ancestral seat of the Lyon family and birthplace of the late Queen Mother. The Castle is said to be haunted by a number of spectres, including the famous Monster of Glamis Castle. Other ghosts include the Grey Lady and Earl Beardie, believed to be a degenerate nobleman doomed to play cards with the Devil for eternity. Culloden Moor, in the north of Scotland near Inverness, was the sight of a bloody clash between government forces and rebel Jacobites in 1746. The ghosts of the battle’s dead are said to walk the battlefield on April 16, the anniversary of the battle, but the rugged, eerie landscape is haunted by its history year-round.

Southern England

At the other end of the UK, Southern England boasts an unparalleled number of spooky and macabre sights. London itself could keep a horror enthusiast busy for weeks. Quite apart from themed attractions such as the London Dungeon, the city offers sites of real historical terror, such as walking tours of the locations of the infamous Jack the Ripper murders. The Tower of London, in addition to being a major historical site and museum, is said to be the haunt of any number of phantasms, including many of those executed or murdered there during the Tower’s centuries of use as a prison.

 
London’s many cemeteries also contain their share of ghouls and night terrors. Highgate cemetery in particular is notorious for being the home of an apparition known as the Highgate Vampire. Guided tours lead visitors through the historic cemetery.

Northern England

Many of the country’s scariest places are in the North of England, within easy reach of an onward Holland ferry journey. One such place is Whitby, a seaside town in Yorkshire, is famous as the site of Dracula’s arrival in England in Bram Stoker’s novel. The town has become a pilgrimage destination for members of the Goth subculture, who flock to Whitby twice a year for festivals which combine Goth music, art, tours and other events. Away from the festival, the ruins of Whitby Abbey and the stark grandeur of the landscape provide the perfect backdrop for a little Gothic brooding. Whitby is also centrally-located for the scenic Yorkshire coastline and a beautiful town in its own right.
No matter what sort of spooky experience you’re looking for, Britain’s historic houses, castles, cemeteries and prehistoric monuments are rich in dark and macabre lore – so have fun, either now or next Halloween!

This article was written by Eugene Gardener on behalf of P&O Ferries. The information and views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of P&O Ferries.