Across the UK, there are ancient cities that harbour strange stories. These terrible tales hide in haunted castles and around dingy alleyways, waiting to spook amateur paranormal investigators. Ghost walks offer thrill-seeking families a light-hearted dive into haunted history, while bolder visitors can step up to full-scale investigations and eerie theatrics.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your Halloween experience or dive into the histories that haunt city streets, join CrossCountry as we explore some of the UK’s most hair-raising haunted walking tours.
Creepy Cambridge: Ghost Tours After Dark
It’s hard not to associate Cambridge with grand university buildings, centuries of academic history, and scenic riverside views. However, if you look a little closer, you’ll find a darker side to this beautiful city.
Creepy Cambridge Ghost Tours dives into around 2,000 years of history, bringing stories of gruesome punishments and ghastly tales to the forefront. Experience one of the most haunted roads in England and uncover the dark past of the spooky scholars that roam the college halls.
Led by a lively guide full of theatrics, these tours provide a fun and refreshing way to explore the unsettling history of Cambridge. Combining folklore, history, and creative storytelling in a manner that’s suitable for kids, it’s a great way to spend an evening with the family. Plus, with the tour being wheelchair accessible, you won’t have to worry about mobility issues getting in the way of your experience.
There’s also plenty to see before the ghosts come out. With most of the major attractions in walkable distance from one another, you can spend the day exploring Cambridge in a different light, enjoying scenic walks and taking in the sights.
So, grab some comfortable walking shoes, jump on a CrossCountry train to Cambridge station, and get ready for a chilling experience you won’t forget.
The Oxford Ghost Tour
Oxford, with its centuries-old buildings and storied past, is great for a ghost hunt. Its ancient colleges and narrow streets provide an eerie backdrop once the sun sets. The Oxford Ghost Tour takes you through the historic centre, sharing tales of torment and terror along the way.
As you walk past colleges and courtyards, listen in anticipation to the grisly tales of famous hauntings, restless spirits, and dark secrets hidden behind the city’s academic facade. A specialist guide will accompany you the whole way, giving you first-hand stories of the chilling events that haunt Oxford’s streets.
The tour runs every day in the evening, making it easy to combine with a full day of exploring Oxford. Why not spend the day admiring the iconic Oxford Castle Quarter? Then when evening arrives, welcome a little ghoulish excitement with a haunted ghost tour that is sure to give you goosebumps.
Catch a CrossCountry train to Oxford Station from all over the UK, including Reading, Birmingham New Street, and Leamington Spa.
The Original Ghost Walk of York
York is a city oozing with history, from medieval architecture to centuries of battles and plagues that have left the city with an abundance of tales etched into the streets. Thanks to its extensive history, York has gathered an impressive collection of stories with a ghostly undertone that is worth unravelling.
Established in 1973, the Original Ghost Walk of York has over 50 years of experience creating authentic and unforgettable evenings. As you make your way through the cobbled streets and narrow alleyways, you’ll uncover centuries of stories about the ghosts and strange happenings said to linger within the city.
The nightly tour starts at the infamous King’s Arms pub, where you’ll make your way through the streets of York to uncover the history of a city haunted by its past. As you creep along the cobbled alleys, the Original Ghost Walk brings York’s fraught past to life with tales of plague victims, wandering ghost children, and sightings of restless spirits.
York station’s train connections make it an easy and exciting day trip for visitors looking for a mix of history, legend, and paranormal intrigue. Just catch a CrossCountry train from a variety of stations, including Newcastle, Derby, and Leeds.
Lincoln Ghost Walk
Lincoln’s steep streets and towering cathedral hold centuries of historic tales that have haunted the city’s eerie landscape. During the day, the streets are full of happy shoppers and students, but by night, those same streets provide a setting for dark and twisted stories.
The Original Lincoln Ghost Walk takes you into the atmospheric Cathedral Quarter, sharing unnerving stories of ghosts and supernatural occurrences that have left a mark on the city.
If you’re visiting during the month of October and want to get into the spooky spirit of Halloween, then be sure to dress up in your scariest costumes. Don’t worry, the experienced tour guides are known to dress up in dark cloaks during the season, so you won’t be the only one.
Getting to Lincoln station is easy when you travel with CrossCountry. If you’re travelling to Lincoln from Birmingham New Street, catch a CrossCountry train to Nottingham, where there are plenty of connections that’ll get you to Lincoln.
Edinburgh’s Haunted Graveyard Tour
Scotland’s capital is an absolute must-visit for occult enthusiasts, with its dark Gothic architecture and long history of hauntings. The Haunted Graveyard Tour takes you into one of Edinburgh’s most notorious locations: Greyfriars Kirkyard, where you get to explore the cemetery’s chilling history.
With sole access to locations like the Covenanters’ Prison and Black Mausoleum, you’ll feel the horror of past tales right beneath your feet. You’ll also get to experience a spine-tingling encounter with the famous Mackenzie Poltergeist, one of the most thoroughly documented ghost cases in history.
Despite its wicked humour throughout, the tour is intended to be just as intense as it is frightening. This means it is not suitable for those under 12 years old.
Edinburgh Waverley is only a short walk away from the tour’s starting point, making it easy to add to your travel plans. Catch a train to Edinburgh with CrossCountry from locations in Scotland and further south, including from Glasgow Central and Aberdeen. Prepare yourself for a wickedly terrifying experience in one of the UK’s most haunted cities.
Durham Ghost Walk
There’s no doubt that Durham is known for its magnificent castle, majestic cathedral, and beautiful university, but some prefer to forget that the city also has plenty of stranger stories tucked away amongst its historic streets. The Durham Ghost Walk takes you through city streets and along the River Wear, revealing tales of haunted castles, tragic figures, and ghostly monks.
The experience is run by the Durham Paranormal Research Group who are dedicated to unravelling the truth about the strange and sinister occurrences that haunt the city. With a variety of different walks available, you can find an experience that is best suited to you. Whether you’re looking for gore and grit or something that is a bit more playful, this experience is one that is sure to be unforgettable.
Durham station provides easy access to this small city, making it a great stop on a spooky UK tour. The city has so much to offer and there’s an abundance of things to do during the day, so be sure to make the most of your trip. Plus, with excellent connections across the country, it’s ideal for both a day trip and a staycation.
Craig Y Nos Castle Ghost Tours
For a haunted adventure in Wales, head to the Brecon Beacons to explore Craig Y Nos Castle. The venue is a “prestigious 1840s Gothic castle” where spirits roam freely, and an abundance of fascinating history lingers within its walls.
Their famous ghost tour takes you through the chilling corridors of a former tuberculosis hospital, where strange occurrences are said to be common. With tales of resident ghosts, including that of the opera singer Adelina Patti, who once called the castle home, this tour is perfect for visitors in search of a truly authentic scare.
If you like sinister stories and ghastly experiences alongside a little bit of history and mystery, Craig Y Nos certainly has the ingredients. Get stuck into an immersive tour that offers paranormal investigations, seances, and even table tipping.
Craig Y Nos Castle is located in the village of Pen-y-cae, roughly 40 minutes by bus from Neath station. To reach Neath by train, there are connecting services with alternate providers from Cardiff Central and Newport.
If you’re planning a ghostly tour of the UK, be sure to pay a visit to these haunted hotels and petrifying pumpkin patches too! Don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
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At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
