Six haunted heritage places to visit this Halloween. If you dare…
The National Lottery supports over 42,000 heritage projects across the UK – but not all their previous inhabitants have moved on.
Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
Terrifying tales revolve around Tom Fool, a notoriously cruel court jester who lived at Muncaster Castle during the 16th century. You’re unlikely to see him, but you might feel him – possibly standing on your bed, poking you in the leg, or gently stroking your hair. You can stay in the Tapestry Room, where most of the castle’s paranormal activity takes place. If you dare.
Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire
The most famous ghosts at Tamworth Castle are The Black Lady – a 9th-century nun returned to avenge herself for being made homeless by the Barons of Marmion – and the White Lady, who threw herself from the tower after the death of her lover (even though he was the one who had locked her in there in the first place!).
Aston Hall, Birmingham
This Grade I listed Jacobean house is home to several spirits – from Dick the houseboy who hanged himself after being accused of stealing, to the former housekeeper who appears sitting in a chair wearing a distinctive green dress. But most famous is the grey ghost, believed to be Mary Holte, a daughter of the house who was locked up by her father for 16 years after she tried to elope. She is said to haunt the room in which she died, and is so lifelike, people mistake her for a member of staff in period costume.
Nunhead Cemetery, London
Consecrated in 1840, Nunhead Cemetery is of classic gothic design. Its first burial was of a 101 year old grocer from Ipswich; the last was that of a volunteer soldier who became a canon of Lahore Cathedral in India. Bank Clerk William Jenkins, is said to haunt the graveyard. In 1923 his remains were removed from the court garden of the bank and re-interned in a catacomb at Nunhead where he rested until the 1970s when the cemetery was robbed. There have also been sightings of a female ghost in Victorian dress and ghost children playing around the gravestones.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Visitors have reported sightings of a phantom piper, headless drummers, a wandering ghost dog and the spirits of French prisoners from the Seven Years War. Edinburgh Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted spots in Scotland. And Edinburgh itself has been called the most haunted city in all of Europe. Parts of this hilltop fortress are more than 900 years old.
The Pele Tower, Northumberland
The tower is a Grade II Listed building, probably built in the 15th century. In 1750 a grand Mansion House was built onto the side of the tower. It is said that the beautiful daughter of the Cresswell family fell in love with a young Danish prince and plans were made for their marriage. When he finally landed on the shore she watched her brothers ambush and kill him. She died of a broken heart. Her ghost – in the form of a white lady – can still be seen gazing out to sea from the tower roof.
Not all National Lottery-funded projects are haunted. National Lottery players raise more than £30 million each week for projects. More than £37 billion has been raised since The National Lottery began in 1994.
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