Places To Visit This Halloween

The UK is full of strange and wonderous places. If you’re looking for something different to do this Halloween, we’ve put together a list of odd but extraordinary places to visit.

Stone Henge, Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What would this list be if we didn’t mention the legendary Stone Henge. In case you’ve been living under a rock (or in this case a formation of large prehistoric rocks) the mysterious Stone Henge is a huge man-made circle, made up of large stones and stone arches. The site is said to have taken over 1000 years to build, estimated by archaeologists to have been finished in the Bronze Age.

No one knows the purpose of this structure, but theories range from it being a calendar used to study the stars due to its specific alignment with the sun, to a mystic place of healing, and some even believe it to be a temple to Gods!

One thing we do know about Stone Henge is it was used as a burial ground for over 200 people, who some believe still haunt the grounds!

 

Duntulm Castle, Isle of Skye

On the crumbling cliffs of The Isle of Skye you’ll find the ruins of Duntulm castle. The grounds are said to be haunted by many ghosts, but the most notable legend involves a nursemaid who accidentally dropped a baby from a high window onto the rocky cliff below, as a result she was murdered as punishment. The nursemaid’s ghost is said to haunt the grounds searching desperately for the child, and many visitors have reported to hear screams resonating within the castle.

 

The York Castle Museum, York

Previously declared Europe’s most haunted city, the historical town of York is brimming with haunted tales. The now, York Castle Museum has a rich haunting history including housing a prison for 1000 years! Many visitors of the museum have reported seeing ghosts while browsing exhibitions, and the museum even occasionally hosts paranormal ghost hunting events!

Blickling Hall, Norwich

This historic estate, now open to the public as a National Trust house, was once home to former monarch Anne Boleyn whose ghost among others is said to haunt the estate. Interestingly, Anne Boleyn did not die at Blicking estate, she was famously beheaded in The Tower of London after she could not provide King Henry VIII with a male heir. Her ghost has reportedly said to appear dressed in all white carrying her severed head. Activity around the appearance of her ghost is said to be mostly around the anniversary of her execution date 19^th May. Many believe her ghost returns around the time of her death to take solace at her childhood home.

 

Berry Pomeroy Castle, Devon

Image Source: Partanez | CC BY-SA 4.0

The Elizabethan gem that is Berry Pomeroy Castle is steeped in ghostly lore. This location is infamous for its 2 ghosts the White lady and the Blue lady. The White Lady is the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, she haunts the dungeons of the castle after she was tragically imprisoned there by her sister out of jealousy and starved to death. The Blue Lady is a presence said to lure visitors to various parts in the castle to get them lost and disorientated. There have also been many reports of mysterious unexplained lights, voices, and cold spots all adding further to the spooky atmosphere.

 

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

Once believed to be home to King Arthur of Camelot, the ruins of this 12^th century fortress evokes an aura of mystery and myth from its famous association with the legendary King and his trusted wizard mentor, Merlin. Below the ruins of the castle grounds is a cave that the ghost of Merlin reportedly inhabits, many have claimed they have seen his ghost emerging from the cave speaking unknown languages – perhaps even casting spells!

 

Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset

Image Source: Jim Champion | CC BY-SA 2.0

A place where folk stories and geology collide! Wookey hole is a remarkable series of limestone caverns where its sights and tales has captivated visitors for centuries. Legends tell of a witch who lives in the caves who met her fate at the hand of a monk, who turned her to stone with holy water! The cave has many interesting features, but most notable to legends is a striking human shaped stalagmite that is believed to be the witch who was cast to stone.

 

 Mermaid’s Pool, Peak District

Image Source: Graham Richter | CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED

The Peak District Mermaid’s Pools are wildly known for ancient Celtic water worship rituals believed to result in eerie and mysterious happenings occurring at the pools. Notably how strange that all animals shun away from the water refusing to drink it for an unknown and mysterious reason that many believe relate back to the rituals.

Local legends claim that the pools possess magical healing properties attracting visitors for its restorative essence. But beware because if you encounter a mermaid there, you’ll be met with an unpredictable fate! Folklore claims that a mermaid can bestow eternal life, cast a curse, or drag you into the watery depths of the mermaid pools!

 

Ram Inn, Gloucestershire

Image Source: Brian Robert Marshall | CC BY-SA 2.0

Image Source: Jeremy Bolwell | CC BY-SA 2.0

Infamously named ‘Britain’s most haunted house,’ the Ram Inn is a dark and fearsome house that has gained a reputation through appearances on TV shows like Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures. The house’s dark history is entwined with witchcraft and devil worship which has led to countless reports of supernatural activity and demonic attacks!

One chilling legend involves a woman, who burned as a witch for her non-belief in Christianity, her damned spirit is said to linger in the very room where she hid before she was murdered. However, the sinister happenings of the Ram Inn goes far beyond the spectral; the previous owner of the inn found the skeletal remains of children concealed beneath the house, found with a dagger connecting the remains to a demonic ritual! The Inn regularly hosts ghost tours; do you think you could stomach the night here?

 

St Dunstan’s in the East , London

The remains of this church have now been reclaimed by nature and the ruins of this church are overrun by lush greenery. The church was severely damaged during the Great Fire of London and later fixed up but was then destroyed during the blitz during WWII and now stands as a mysterious public park. But ghost stories date well beyond the building’s destruction, it was named after a monk St Dunstan who was said to have faced black magic, leprosy, and the Devil himself. The remains of this church are reportedly haunted by various different monks!

 

Edinburgh Vaults , Edinburgh

Image Source: FW42 | CC BY-SA 2.0

Beneath the busy bustling streets of Edinburgh, you’ll find the haunted Edinburgh vaults. The 18^th century tunnel system is a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts and ghost tours but bear a tragic and haunted history.  The vaults were once home to Edinburgh’s poorest residents, the living conditions were extremely poor. With no sanitation, running water or sunlight disease, illness and death spread like wildfire.

The Vaults’ grim history also includes stories of serial killers who disposed of their victims’ bodies in the vaults, hidden from detection and without ever being caught in the dark tunnels. Today, the Edinburgh Vaults are said to be one of the most haunted places in the city, with countless reports of haunted encounters and unexplained phenomena.

 

Longleat Hedge Maze, Wiltshire

Longleat Hedge Maze is the largest maze in Britain! With all those twists and turns it’s easy to get lost in this bushy green labyrinth while making your way to the observation tower in the centre. Seems like a fun day out? Well, all is not as it seems, nearby you’ll find Longleat house, a manner with a tale dark and unfortunate history.

Whilst searching for her favourite footman (who without her knowledge had been murdered), the lady of the house Lady Louisa, in her regular search for the footman developed pneumonia which led to her death while giving birth. Her unresolved spirit Is said to still wander the house in search for her favourite footman.

 

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands

Closing with a classic Lock Ness!  It’s Scotland’s most famous lake renowned for its mysterious resident the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately nicknamed Nessie! Nessie’s legends date back centuries, from random periodic sightings to blurry photographs where much speculation has been made about the existence of this creature. Do you believe there’s a long necked prehistoric creature lurking in the waters of the Scottish Highlands or do you think it’s all an illusion or hoax?

We want to hear your spooky stories!

If you’re intrigued by the supernatural and unexplainable and visit any of these captivating locations let us know your experience, message us on our social media or email your story in at info@comfort-insurance.co.uk

Get specialist cover this Halloween!

If you’re embarking on a spooky adventure to discover the unknown this Halloween, make sure your vehicle is fully covered, the last thing you want is a fright while driving! Get a quick and easy quote in minutes on our website, or give a member of our experienced team a call today, we’re happy to help.

Call 0208 984 0777 or get a quote online.