As Halloween approaches, Brits are gearing up to don their spookiest outfits, carve pumpkins, and deck out their homes in ghoulish decor.
For those looking to take their fright night experience a notch higher, venturing into some of the UK’s most haunted spots might be on the cards from ghostly villages and eerie houses to abandoned churches.
Nestled in the North East of England, close to the Scottish border, lies the quaint village of Chillingham.
With a population of less than 250, this village has gained notoriety for its imposing medieval castle.
This 13th-century fortress isn’t just any historical building it’s frequently referred to as “Britain’s most haunted castle”, reports MyLondon.
The Grey and Bennett families, later known as the Earls of Tankerville, were the custodians of this castle for over four centuries until the 1980s when Sir Edward Humphry Tyrrell Wakefield took residence.
Sir Edward is wed to a descendant of the original Grey lineage. A stroll through the castle corridors may lead to encounters with some permanent ethereal inhabitants.
One such spirit makes an appearance in the ‘Inner Pantry’, where a ghostly white apparition continues to manifest itself, even frightening a footman who once served there.
Legend has it that this footman, while protecting the pantry’s silver, was startled by a pale lady in white requesting water.
As he moved to grant her request, he was struck by the realization that he was securely locked in, with no way for anyone to have entered.
Within the Chamber, visitors have reported feeling an unseen presence, with some describing it as a cold, eerie sensation and others noting an oppressive atmosphere.
Venturing into the Chapel, it’s said that the voices of two men can be heard conversing, though they fall silent if sought out.
For those brave enough to linger past sunset, when moonlight bathes the courtyard, shadows cast by the battlements are rumoured to come alive.
Explore the gardens, Castle State Rooms, and if you dare, the Torture Chamber. The site also features St Peter’s Church, believed to date back to the Norman era.
Inside, an elaborate 15th-century tomb dedicated to Sir Ralph Grey and his wife Elizabeth can be found – the same Greys who once resided at Chillingham Castle. The tomb houses painted effigies of Sir Ralph and Elizabeth.
Sir Ralph is perhaps best known for executing his own son within the castle walls.
While Chillingham may boast only a few attractions, it is also home to its famous white cattle, which have roamed these lands for at least 700 years and are considered among the rarest animals on Earth.
Should you work up an appetite after a day spent ghost hunting, dining options can be found just outside Chillingham.
In Chatton, The Percy Arms offers both accommodation for the night and a bite to eat.
Indulge in hearty pub classics such as the celebrated Percy burger, a homemade steak and ale pie, a mouthwatering wild mushroom and sweet potato wellington, or the timeless favourite, fish and chips.
For those visiting at the weekend, you mustn’t miss out on the Sunday roast a meal that’s received glowing “fantastic” reviews on Tripadvisor, accompanied by duck fat roasties, velvety mash, honey-glazed roasted vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, and lashings of gravy.
If it’s a lighter bite you’re after, pop over to Doddington Milk Bar in Wooler for a delightful assortment of sandwiches, snacks, and ice creams crafted from their very own cows milk. And don’t forget to try their legendary milkshakes and floats!
For those intrigued by the supernatural and looking for an eerie escape this Halloween, why not visit Britain’s most haunted castle?