11 most spooky places in Britain

Here are findahood's top ten spookiest places in Britain

Halloween has long been reputed as the night where ghosts come out to play and pay us a visit! And Britain has always had a long enduring love affair with all that is spooky and haunted!

1. Pluckley, Kent

Without a doubt Pluckley a tiny village in Kent, the garden of England is the top spookiest place, and is often described as the most haunted village in Britain and inhabited by at least twelve ghosts. It has been suggested that this area which has been plagued with many tragic and untimely deaths is located in an area of strong geological magnetism.

The Screaming woods

If you want to visit Pluckley and scare yourself silly be sure to visit the Screaming woods which was originally called Dering woods which doesn't quite have the same ring to it. It has been reported that more than fifty people have died in these woods and because of that Findahood HQ takes no responsibilty if you do go there! 

But if you do still fancy visiting the screaming woods at night, you may be able to hear the screams of those who perished there.

Maltman's Hill

It has been sighted that a ghostly horse and carriage can be heard and sometimes seen racing through the village at break neck speeds. No one knows who the ghostly driver is or where they are going......

St Nicholas's Church

This church is Pluckley is fortunate enough to be haunted by not one, but by two ghosts! Which makes it twice as interesting a church to visit if you want to spot a ghost. The two ghosts are locally known as The Red Lady and The White Lady who were both members of the Dering Family.

The Red Lady, aka Lady Dering can be found buried in the crypt of the church where legend has it her remains alongside a red rose buired with her, are encased in an seven lead coffins within a oak coffin. She is said to still be searching for the unmarked grave of her stillborn child

The White Lady, aka Kira Lee is also said to be haunting the church  and whenever seen is always holding a wine glass. It is said these two ghosts are related and be possibly be sisters.

2. Bethnal Green underground station, London

Many London underground stations have long been considered haunted and in particular Bethnal Green Station. 

This tube station, located in the East End was frequently used as a bomb shelter during the Blitz of the Second World War and unfortunately on the night of 1st March 1943 170 people tragically lost their lives in the station due to a stampede of people trying to escape the bombs falling from the skies.

Many people since then have reported hearing screams and noises usually concentrated around the ticket office. The most intriguing sighting has come from a former station supervisor who claimed to have heard a young child sobbing follwed by many screams whilst shutting the station late at night.

3. Tower of London

The historic tower of London comes with a rich and violent history that includes many ghosts, some of which are incredibly famous. It is said that Anne Boleyn the infamous second wife of the equally infamous Henry VIII who was beheaded in 1536 in the grounds of the tower of London itself, haunts the White Tower carrying her head under her arm.

Other very notable apparitions sighted in the Tower of London include the tragic Two Princes, Edward V of England and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. There were the only sons of King Edward IV and were reportedly to have been killed in the Tower of London by their uncle Richard III who became King in their places. 

Even to this day, no one knows for certain what became of the two boys, only that they were never seen again after being taken to the tower. There are various accounts of them being seen after their deaths holding hands.

Other famous ghosts of the tower include: Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, Lady Jane Grey and Henry VI

4. Pendle Hill, Lancashire

Pendle Hill has gained notoriety since the world famous witch trials of 1612, where twelve people accused of witchcraft were charged with the murders of ten people using sorcery and black magic. As a result of the trial, ten were found guilty and were hanged, one was acquitted and one died in prison. 

The area has become very popular with ghost hunters and many people visit the site at Halloween to experience the supernatural. Yvette Fielding who present the popular Most Haunted television series, said it was the scariest place she had ever been to.

5. Borley Rectory, Essex

A mansion located in Essex that over the years has gained a reputation as the most haunted house in England. Built in 1862 it was badly damaged by a mysterious fire in 1939 and eventually demolished in 1944.

Hauntings associated with Borley Rectory occurred as soon as it was built in 1863 with many locals catching sights of ghosts including a nun who was allegedly bricked up alive in the walls of the vaults beneath the rectory after trying to elope with a monk. A large amount of poltergeist activity has been recorded there over the years. This unusual activity may be due to the fact that Borley Rectory was built upon a twelve century priory.

6. Berry Pomeroy Castle, Devon

A tudor castle located near the village of Berry Pomery, South Devon holds the reputation as being one of the most haunted castles in Britain. It is frequented by two ghosts: the Blue Lady and the White Lady.

The Blue lady is thought to have been the daughter of a Norman lord and frequents the dungeons of the castle mourning the loss of her baby, whom she murdered because it was fathered by her own father. She is also said to call for help from her tower and if anyone responds to her they ultimately fall to their deaths.

The White lady is believed to be Margaret Pomeroy who also haunted the dungeons after being imprisoned their by her jealous sister, Eleanor.

7. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

The city of Edinburgh has often been hailed as the most haunted city in Europe and a lot of its ghosts can be found in Edinburgh Castle. Built upon an extinct volcano the castle has stood for over 2,000 years.

Many ghosts have been sighted in the infamous dungeons where many unfortunate prisoners were often tortured and killed. A headless boy known as the ghost drummer has repeatedly been seen during the ages when the castle was about to be attacked.

Another of Edinburgh Castle's famous ghost is Janet Douglas, the Lady of Glamis who in the 16th century was found guilty of witchcraft amongst other crimes and burnt at the stake within the castle. She is said to haunt the castle.

8. Jamaica Inn, Cornwall

Located deep in the atmospheric beauty of Bodmin moor deep in Cornwall, a county long associated with myth and legend is Jamaica Inn, an old coaching house built in 1750. It has become famous after being associated with smugglers and pirates as well as being the setting for the wonderful book, Jamaica Inn written by Daphne Du Maurier.

Many people who have stayed at the inn have reported strange going ons in the night, such as unexplained hand prints on the walls, strange conversations believed to be spoken in the Cornish language, and the ghostly sound of horses hooves ringing out on the cobbles in the courtyard.

9. The Skirrid Inn, Monmouthshire, Wales

One of the oldest pubs in Wales built around 1100 and has a long rich history to match. It is located in an area of beauty and looks out onto Skirrid mountain in the east and the black mountains to the west. It was said to be a hang out for local supporters of the Welsh revolt against Henry IV, and that the first floor was once used as a court of law where 180 people were sentenced to hang, a nasty business that was often carried out at the inn.

As a result of this activity there are several ghosts associated with the inn alongside many occurrences of paranormal activity such as the sudden powerful scent of perfume, glasses flying of their own accord and the rustling of a lady's dress. The Hanging Judge has been seen many times and is believed to haunt the upper floors of the inn looking for victims to condemn to death.

10. Highgate Cemetery, London

Located in North London and opened inn 1839 this wonderfully gothic, Victorian necropolis has earned the reputation as being one of the most haunted graveyards in Britain. It was once the most sought after burial spots in Victorian times and has featured before in one of findahood's articles - See Highgate Cemetery's spooky sights

In the past there have been rumours of sinister cults holding powerful ceremonies within Highgate cemetery, and it also boasts of it's very own vampire haunting the grounds. The area fell into decline after the second world war and since then many ghosts has been spotted. However in the 1980's there was a massive restoration of Highate Cemetery courtesy of, "The friends of Highgate Cemetery," and since then paranormal activity has declined. Though they are a few still about and where is best to find ghosts other than a graveyard!

11. Ancient Ram Inn, Wooton-under-edge, Gloucestershire

This ancient inn was built in 1145, reportedly on the site of a pagan burial ground. It also sits on the intersection of two ley lines one of which leads to Stonehenge. The Ancient Ram Inn has become famous in time with its association with macabre activities such as murder, satanism and child sacrifice.

The inn is alleged to be haunted by a witch who was burned at the stake in the 1500's and even has a room named after her. However the most haunted room in the inn is supposed to be the, "Bishop's Inn," and was said to be so haunted that guests would refuse to sleep in it.

Also frequently spotted at the ancient Ram Inn is a centurion on horseback, and a succubus that creeps into bed with unsuspecting sleeping visitors!

The wide array of paranormal activity at this site could be attributed to the redirecting of water on the property which allegedly caused a portal for dark energy to open up.

You have been warned...........