Welcome to our grand tour of the haunted castles in England, a country that, with its rich history and hundreds of castles, it’s home to some of the most astonishing haunted castles in the world. From the ghostly cries of Anne Boleyn at the Tower of London to the solemn marches of Roman soldiers in the cellars of Treasurer’s House, this article focuses on some of England’s supposedly haunted strongholds.
Helpful Resources For Exploring Haunted Castles In England
Research Before You Visit: Each castle has its unique history and its own ghost stories and knowing a bit about these things will enrich your experience even more.
Check Opening Times and Accessibility: Some castles have limited visiting hours or might be closed during certain time of the year.
Also, many of these castles are kind of remote and might require renting a car to get there. You can use our Auto Europe link and compare the best deals from all local vendors to make sure you’re always getting the best deal. For more info, you can check out our honest Auto Europe review.
Dress Appropriately.
Stay on Designated Paths.
Join a Guided Tour: Many castles offer guided tours, which can provide deeper insight into the history and hauntings of the site and share ghost stories and lesser-known facts. For example, if you’re into dark tourism you might like this Staffordshire ghost tour, this York dark history walking tour, this Oxford City twilight ghost tour, and the London ghost walk.
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Chillingham Castle, Northumberland
Chillingham Castle is a 12th-century stronghold with medieval architecture and shadowy history that looks like it jumped out of a gothic novel. Supposedly, it’s home to the “Blue (or Radiant) Boy,” that wails through the castle at midnight, leaving an eerie blue halo in his wake and the ghost of Lady Mary Berkeley, who’s been wandering the halls in search of her husband who supposedly ran off with her sister.
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Alnwick might not have the same ghostly reputation as its neighbor, Chillingham Castle, but it has been around since the Norman times, and experienced a lot throughout the years. The castle’s most famous ghostly inhabitant, the “Grey Lady” supposedly the corridors and then there’s the supposed Alnwick’s vampire, a legend that has been scaring visitors for decades.
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Dover Castle, Kent
Dover Castle has seen everything from Roman times to WWII, but let’s not forget its more ‘spirited’ side. First off, there’s the headless drummer boy. The story goes that this poor lad met a grisly end centuries ago, and now he marches the castle grounds, drumming away. No body, no problem, right? Visitors have reported hearing the distant sound of drumming, but when they go looking, there’s no drummer to be found.
Hever Castle, Kent
Next on our list of haunted castles in England, we have Hever Castle in Kent and its supposed paranormal residents, including Anne Boleyn (the headliner ghost of Hever Castle) Henry VIII’s ill-fated queen, who grew up here, and it seems she’s not quite ready to leave her childhood home. The castle is also home to a few less famous, but equally intriguing, ghostly figures, including a young boy who’s been seen in the gardens, and a mysterious figure in an old-fashioned nightshirt.
Berry Pomeroy Castle, Devon
Tucked away in a lush Devon valley, this castle might be a ruin, but it’s far from forgotten. In fact, people still talk about the supposed paranormal activity inside. The most commonly mentioned figure is the White Lady, the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, who was imprisoned in the dungeons by her jealous sister. But there’s also a Blue Lady who is supposedly looking for someone to join her in the ghostly realm.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
This list of the most haunted castles in England couldn’t be complete without Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. The supposed paranormal residents of the castle feature King Henry VIII – a man who’s as famous for his six wives as he is for his ghostly wanderings around Windsor and Queen Elizabeth I, is said to have been seen in her regal attire, floating through the library.
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Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
Muncaster Castle is a place where the supernatural doesn’t just visit; it seems to have taken a permanent residence. Let’s start with Tom Fool, Muncaster’s own celebrity ghost. Tom, also known as Thomas Skelton, is a man with a history of mischief and, let’s say, questionable decisions. Legend has it, he still roams the castle grounds, probably planning his next prank but he’s not the only ghost in town. Supposedly, the Tapestry Room is where the action is – if by action, you mean eerie cries and unexplained noises.
Carlisle Castle, Cumbria
Carlisle Castle in Cumbria has witnessed several tragic stories during its existence, including the one of the popular “weeping lady,” said to be the ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots who was held prisoner here in the 16th century. Visitors have reported hearing soft sobs and seeing fleeting glimpses of a lady in a flowing gown.
Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire
Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire is a standout member of the ‘haunted castles in England’ club. The star of Tutbury’s spectral show is none other than the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots who passed a big chunk of her life in captivity and in different castles. She’s like the recurring guest star who’s appeared in several episodes (or, in this case, imprisonments).
Farleigh Castle, Somerset
Tucked away in the idyllic English countryside, this semi-ruined fortress is like the underrated indie film of haunted castles in England. The castle’s most notable spectral resident is the ‘Lady in Green.’ Unlike the usual grey or white ghostly attire, this lady opts for green, making her a bit of a fashion rebel in the spirit world. She’s said to occupy the area surrounding the chapel.
Thornbury Castle, Bath
Thornbury Castle, located near Bath, isn’t your average entry in the haunted castles in England directory. First off, it’s got a bit of a celebrity status, being more a luxurious hotel now than a spooky ruin. The castle’s most famous spectral resident is said to be none other than Henry VIII himself and the less formidable but equally intriguing ghost of a former housekeeper often seen in the older parts of the castle, doing… well, housekeeper things, I suppose.
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Perched on a hilltop, Bolsover Castle is like a sentinel watching over Derbyshire said to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Charles Cavendish, who apparently still takes his role as the lord of the manor very seriously. He’s often spotted in full 17th-century fashion haunting the castle in style.
Tower Of London, London
Standing tall on the River Thames, the Tower of London is a mix of royal palace, fortress, and infamous prison, with a ghostly guest list to match. The list includes the sad story of the Princes in the Tower, Edward V, and his brother Richard, supposedly murdered by their ambitious uncle Richard III. These young princes haven’t quite left the Tower, often spotted in their nightgowns, looking as confused and lost as you’d expect from kids who were supposed to be kings.
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Amberley Castle, West Sussex
Nestled in the picturesque countryside, this castle-turned-hotel has a charm that’s subtle yet unmistakable, and ghostly tales just as intriguing as some of the other castles on this list. It’s more the type of place where the supernatural is refined, understated – you know, very British. The most famous ghostly resident is a former bishop and the Lady in Grey, often spotted in the gardens and the older parts of the castle.
Pengersick Castle, Cornwall
Pengersick Castle in Cornwall certainly knows how to hold its own in the competitive world of haunted castles in England. Let’s talk about the resident specters. There’s the obligatory Lady in White, because no self-respecting haunted castle would be complete without one. The castle also boasts a phantom monk supposedly seen in the tower.
Conisbrough Castle, South Yorkshire
This castle, with its imposing keep and crumbling walls, has the kind of understated spookiness that creeps up on you, rather than jumping out screaming. The castle has a supposed resident specter known as the White Lady. She’s the classic ghostly figure who seems to have a penchant for dramatic appearances, usually around the castle keep.
Dudley Castle, West Midlands
Dudley Castle in the West Midlands, while not as headline-grabbing as some other haunted castles in England, carries its own unique blend of history and hauntings with a certain dignified spookiness. The star of Dudley’s spectral lineup is the Grey Lady, who is said to be the spirit of Dorothy Beaumont, who sadly passed away along with her baby. There’s also been talk of a drummer boy, who, true to his title, is heard rather than seen.
Lancaster Castle, Lancashire
This castle, with its robust towers and thick walls, has a vibe that’s more ‘mysterious guardian of history’ than ‘abandoned house of horrors’. The castle’s most famous supposed ghostly residents are the Pendle Witches. These poor souls, accused of witchcraft in the 17th century, were held and tried within the castle’s grim walls.
Carisbrooke Castle, Isle Of Wight
Last but not least, we wrap up this list of the most haunted castles in England with Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. The most famous ghostly resident of Carisbrooke is none other than Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of King Charles I. Her story is a blend of royal drama and tragedy – she was imprisoned in the castle and met her untimely death there at a young age. Visitors have reported seeing her ghostly figure in the room where she died, a solemn reminder of the castle’s less glorious past.
How did you like this list of the most haunted castles in England? Did you ever visit any of them? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
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