10 most haunted places in England

By Parkdean Resorts on 09/08/2023

If the looming darker autumn nights and Halloween creeping up have ignited your appetite for a ghostly tale or two, we've collated a list of some of England's most haunted places to get you into the spirit. From haunted church yards to inns built on hallowed ground, these locations are guaranteed to chill you to the bone.

1. Pluckley Village, Kent

• Where is Pluckley? Ashford, Kent, TN27 0QS
• Where can I stay nearby? Romney Sands Holiday Park is a 40 minute drive from Pluckley

Nestled amidst peaceful countryside, in a quiet part of Kent you’ll find the picturesque village of Pluckley, famously used as the backdrop in the 1990s for shooting of The Darling Buds of May. Despite appearances, Pluckley is widely considered one of the most haunted places in Kent, and across England.

Looking at this this pretty place, you might find it hard to believe that it was once named the Most Haunted Village in Britain in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989. An astounding 12-16 distinctive ghosts have been reported to reside in the village so it’s easy to see why it’s so popular for ghost-hunters hoping to catch a sighting.

Amongst Pluckley’s numerous ghostly tales is that of The Watercress Woman who witnesses have reported to have seen sitting on Pinnock Bridge smoking her pipe. The elderly woman was well-known in the village for making a living gathering watercress from the river and selling it to the villagers. It is said that one evening, after drinking, she fell asleep and her pipe dropped onto her clothing, within moments she was consumed by the flames. She is believed to still haunt Pinnock Bridge with some witnesses describing a faint pink glow which hovers in the air above the spot where she died.

Many have travelled to Pluckley in the hopes of capturing evidence of spirits, and one such group asked to spend a night in the village’s Church of St. Nicholas in the 1970s, bringing along cameras and tape recorders to document their stay. The story goes that the next morning when the vicar of the church came to greet them, they were disappointed that the night had been uneventful and commented that the only interesting part had been the Vicar’s dog who had come to visit them a few times, to which the vicar replied that he did not have a dog!

Visit Pluckley to see for yourself why it was given the title of the most haunted village in Britain, as there are a number of ghost walks and tours held here throughout the year. Or, visit to appreciate this quintessentially-English village that’s surrounded by beautiful countryside.

3. Pendle Hill, Lancashire

• Where is Pendle Hill? Lancashire, BB12 9JR
• Where can I stay nearby? Todber Valley Holiday Park is less than a 20 minute drive away

Pendle Hill is certainly an area that is shrouded in mystery and speculation, attracting visitors from far and wide and even ghost-hunters - particularly on Halloween. During the 17th century in England there was mounting hysteria surrounding the practicing of witchcraft - and if someone was ill or passed away suddenly, witchcraft was often blamed.

12 women in Lancashire were accused of witchcraft and were to become the most famous witches in Britain. They were put on trial at Lancaster Castle in 1612 for the murder of up to 10 people, and 10 were subsequently found guilty. Pendle Hill is said to be the home to the restless spirits of the witches, who are buried there overlooking the village of Newchurch. The witches are also said to haunt the villages that lie in the hill’s shadow.

There are many stories of supernatural encounters from those who have spent time on Pendle Hill, and a number of television programmes have been filmed there. Some crew members have reported the feeling of being strangled with invisible hands.

A number of chilling ghost walks and overnight ghost hunts are offered for those who are brave enough to venture up to Pendle Hill. If that doesn’t sound too appealing, there are plenty of picturesque walking routes to help you take in the stunning landscape.

5. Chillingham Castle, Northumberland

• Where is Chillingham Castle? Chillingham, Alnwick, NE66 5NJ
• Where can I stay nearby? Cresswell Towers and Sandy Bay Holiday Park are both a 50 minute drive from the castle

The castle’s name hints to the chilling stories that have been told about Chillingham Castle, and it's widely considered to be Britain’s most haunted historic castle. You’ll find it in the village of Chillingham, just a 20 minute journey from Alnwick.

The castle was originally built as a stronghold in the 12th century, and has seen a turbulent history that saw the castle being attacked due to its crucial position on the border of Northumberland. There are said to be a mixture of tortured spirits and friendly ghosts at Chillingham Castle, with one of the most talked about being the White Pantry Ghost.

The ghost of a frail figure in white is said to appear in the inner pantry begging for water. Historically, the story is told that a footman guarded the pantry because the silver was stored there, one night when he was asleep he was confronted by a lady in white who begged him for some water. The footman assumed that she was one of the castle’s guests and went to retrieve it when he realised that he was locked inside and nobody could have entered.

Another one of the castle’s most talked about spirits is that of the Blue Boy who is thought to haunt the Pink Room and witnesses have claimed to see blue halos of light inside.

If you want to explore the haunted halls of Chillingham Castle yourself, there are regular ghost tours and some all-night vigils to try and catch a glimpse of the paranormal.

7. Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire

• Where is Samlesbury Hall? Samlesbury, Preston, PR5 0UP
• Where can I stay nearby? Todber Valley is our closest holiday park at just over a 30 minute drive away, but Samlesbury Hall is within easy reach of all of our parks in Lancashire

Samlesbury Hall in Lancashire is a picturesque stately home that dates back to the 14th century, with the original façade that was covered in black and white still remaining. Samlesbury was originally built to be a family home.

Today, Samlesbury is renowned for being one of the most haunted locations in Britain. The stately home is believed to be haunted by a collection of paranormal entities including the ghost of the White Lady who is thought to be Dorothy Southworth, a former resident.

The story goes that Dorothy would have to meet her beloved in secret due to their differing religions. When they had decided to secretly elope, their relationship was discovered by Dorothy’s family. The young man was ambushed and killed by Dorothy’s brother and she was banished to a convent abroad where she died of a broken heart. Witnesses have claimed to catch a glimpse of the heartbroken Lady Dorothy’s spirit a number of times within the hall and grounds, and some visitors also claim to have captured Samlesbury’s spirits on camera.

You can visit Samlesbury Hall for free so why not wander the halls and learn about the house that is steeped in over 700 years of history, alongside a few ghost stories. Please note that Samlesbury Hall is closed every Monday and Saturday, to avoid disappointment please check the opening times before your visit.

9. Buckland Abbey, Devon

• Where is Buckland Abbey? Yelverton, PL20 6EY
• Where can I stay nearby? Challaborough Bay Holiday Park is just under an hour's drive from Buckland Abbey

In a secluded part of the Dartmoor landscape sits Buckland Abbey, in a pretty woodland estate and gardens. Originally built as a monastery but disbanded by King Henry VIII, Buckland was purchased by Sir Francis Drake in 1581 from his great rival, Sir Richard Grenville. At this time Drake had just returned from his 3 year voyage around the world and was widely considered a hero.

However, it is believed that many of the locals feared Drake and believed that he had made a deal with the devil to defeat the Spanish Armada. When Drake purchased the Abbey it is also said that his renovations only lasted three days – which was also believed to be the devil’s work. His ghost is believed to haunt Buckland Abbey and is doomed to ride across Dartmoor in a black coach that is driven by headless horses, led by chattering goblins.

The property is now owned by the National Trust, so visitors can witness the infamous drum that belonged to Sir Francis, the drum is said to host his spirit and sound whenever England is in danger. The last time the drum is supposed to have sounded was prior to the beginning of the First World War.