The 5 Best Haunted Pubs In Britain To Celebrate Halloween

Have you had one of those occasions when you're out with friends at the bar and you just wish the night could go on forever ... and ever ... and ever? In Britain, some pub denizens get their wish, and many self-respecting historic boozers have at least one resident ghost lingering long after last orders were called. Dozens of drinking establishments across the nation claim the title of "Britain's most haunted," which makes sense when you consider the British affection for both pubs and ghosts. Around 15 million people visit their favorite watering hole at least once a week, per London Drinks Guide, and around 70% of Brits believe in the paranormal, per The Mirror. Whether you believe in specters or not, these ghostly stories can add a little extra atmosphere to your Halloween celebrations.

Britain has always had a spooky reputation, and its storied history has provided fertile ground for things that go bump in the night. In a 2018 list from Country Living of the scariest countries in the world, the U.K. lagged behind only the United States in sheer volume of paranormal activity. Considering the relative size of both nations, that arguably makes Britain the most haunted country per square mile. It is no surprise that ancient inns and taverns claim to have ghosts — pubs, with their unspoken rules of etiquette, are still an important part of British culture, and many opened for business centuries ago. Indeed, London alone is said to have over 100 haunted pubs. Here are five of the best spooky British boozers with fascinating supernatural tales.

With almost 2,000 years of history and well over 3,000 pubs, it is no shock that London has such a high concentration of haunted inns. One that regularly comes on top of lists is the Ten Bells in Spitalfields — not only for its ghosts, but also due to its sinister connection with Jack the Ripper. It's a classic East End boozer not far from Spitalfields Market dating back to the mid-18th century, and modern punters come to enjoy a pint and the cozy Victorian interior. But if you were to visit back in 1888, you might have found yourself rubbing shoulders with Mary Kelly and Annie Chapman, two regulars who met their grisly fate nearby at the hands of the notorious serial killer.

The pub takes its name from the bells of Christ Church across the street, one of Nicholas Hawksmoor's striking masterpieces that has become linked in popular culture with occult rituals and Ripper lore thanks to Peter Ackroyd's "Hawksmoor" and Alan Moore's "From Hell." Somewhat distastefully, the Ten Bells was rebranded as The Jack the Ripper in the '70s before reverting back to its original name. Naturally, it is said that Annie Chapman's ghost still frequents the bar, and its reputation as one of the most haunted pubs in London stems from phenomena like moving objects, sudden cold gusts, and two other morbid apparitions — that of a former landlord who was killed with an ax, and a baby supposedly murdered in an upstairs room.

Located in the north of England, York is one medieval town you shouldn't skip when visiting Europe. Like London, it originated in Roman times and has become a popular destination for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. It also has its fair share of haunted pubs, and the Golden Fleece — established in 1503— is a great spot to grab a bite to eat while looking out for its 15 resident ghosts. That's a lot of specters, and the pub is regularly ranked as one of Britain's most haunted. It also featured in an episode of "Most Haunted" in 2005.

The Golden Fleece's ghosts are a varied bunch, reflecting the city's long history. Roman soldiers have been spotted passing through the walls of the cellar while the spirit of a young Victorian boy — said to have been trampled to death by horses outside — plays pranks on punters in the bar area. The spirit of Lady Alice Peckett, the wife of a former York Mayor, wanders the halls and rooms, rearranging furniture that displeases her. The bottom bar is visited by two more threatening manifestations: One-Eyed Jack, wearing a frock coat and always carrying a pistol, and the Grumpy Man, who swears at people who disturb him. The pub's most modern apparition is the ghost of Geoff Monroe, a Canadian flier who mysteriously fell to his death from a top window during World War II. You can book a room at the pub if you are brave enough.

Tales of smugglers and ghosts go hand-in-hand, if only because smugglers may have encouraged spooky stories to keep superstitious locals from prying into their nefarious business at night. Located on a lonely stretch of road between Bodmin and Launceston in Cornwall, Jamaica Inn is perhaps the most well-known smuggler's hangout in the U.K., and one of its most haunted pubs to boot. Made famous by Daphne du Maurier's novel of the same name, the rambling restaurant with ancient beams and a roaring fire began life as a coach inn back in 1750. This part of the country was a major smuggling hotspot in the 18th century, and it is believed that many travelers stashed and traded illicit goods during their stay.

Staff have heard footsteps treading the corridors, disembodied voices muttering in a strange tongue (which may be an old Cornish dialect), and the sound of hooves on the cobbles outside on wild and windy nights. The Inn's most notorious spirits include a man in a tricorn hat who passes straight through closed doors and the ghost of a man who was called outside and murdered halfway through his pint. Some attribute the spectral footsteps to the man returning to finish his drink, and a mysterious figure spotted sitting on the wall outside in 1911 was rumored to be the slain patron. Nowadays, the modern Jamaican Inn offers paranormal investigations and murder mystery events alongside its draught ales and full menu of classic pub grub.

Not far across the border in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park is The Skirrid Inn, reputedly the oldest pub in Wales and recently named one of the most haunted places in the world by Time Out. At over 900 years old, the inn takes its name from the jagged peak of Skirrid Mountain in the distance, which has its own uncanny legend. The story goes that the summit's dramatic appearance was caused by a bolt of lightning that struck at the very moment Jesus Christ perished on the cross.

One of the earliest recordings of the inn goes all the way back to 1100, and a lot has happened within its walls over the centuries since. The staircase holds a ghoulish reminder of the building's former life as a prison and courthouse — an ancient beam bearing rope marks where hundreds of criminals were executed on the site in the 17th century. It is said that some visitors have suddenly fallen to their knees, struck down by the sensation of a hangman's noose tightening around their throats. One paranormal investigator has even claimed that rope burns manifested themselves on her body during a stay. Cold spots, inexplicably broken glasses, and the eerie feeling of being watched are all common occurrences. The resident ghosts include Fanny Price, a bartender who died from consumption in an upstairs room, and a spirit who delights in playing tricks on overnight guests.

A popular stopover near Loch Lomond in Scotland, the Drovers Inn was built in 1705 and has welcomed famous guests such as Dr. Samuel Johnson and Rob Roy. It has a chilling history of ghostly sightings over the years. There is the tragic story of an impoverished 18th-century family who got lost in a blizzard trying to reach the inn and froze to death. Witnesses have seen their spirits wandering nearby and in the hotel itself, bringing with them a frigid blast of air.

Another sad tale involves a young girl who drowned in the river behind the inn. Her lifeless body was laid in Room 6 before her burial, and some guests have reported feeling a cold wet body in their bed at night. In 2022, paranormal investigators set up cameras in the room and captured footage of strange floating orbs and a photo resembling the ghost of a little girl.

The hotel's other regular ghost also met an unfortunate end. Angus was a cattle drover robbed by a rival clan while staying at the inn. The chief of his own clan was not pleased, killing Angus's family and banishing him. Seeking revenge on the clan that robbed him, Angus returned to Drovers Inn but was captured by the thieves and hanged from a tree outside. People claim to have seen him at night dressed in tartan and screaming in agony. The modern Drovers Inn offers pleasant accommodation for overnight stays, including the dreaded Room 6.