Haunted Pubs in the UK: Spooky Inns With Real Ghost Stories
Last Updated on 17th October 2026 by Sophie Nadeau
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From tales of old kings to moving pints, there’s no shortage of spooky inns across the UK. Britain has thousands of historic inns, and the overwhelming majority of them come with a resident ghost. So whether you want a Halloween pub crawl or a spooky weekend away, this guide covers several of the best-known haunted pubs in the UK, what is said to haunt them, and how to plan a visit.
A quick overview of the UK’s most haunted pubs
The most famous haunted pubs in the UK include Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, The Skirrid Mountain Inn in Monmouthshire, The Old Ferry Boat Inn in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor, The Golden Fleece in York, The Grenadier in London and Ye Olde Man & Scythe in Bolton. Each has centuries of history and long-standing ghost stories from both staff and customers.
A note on the stories: ghost tales are folklore, not proven fact. Where we say a pub is “said to” or “reputed to” be haunted, we are reporting local legend and long-standing staff and visitor accounts.
Some ghost stories have a longer history than others (a few ghostly encounters only seem to have come about during the past few years as a result in the rise of paranormal tourism!)
What are the most haunted pubs in the UK?
There is no official ranking, but these seven appear again and again in ghost-hunting guides, local history and press coverage. I’ve been to the majority and my favourite ones to grab a pint are Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and The Grenadier (which feels like London’s most local pub):
| Pub | Location | Reputed haunting |
|---|---|---|
| Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem | Nottingham | Cursed galleon model and cave-bar spirits |
| The Skirrid Mountain Inn | Llanvihangel Crucorney, Monmouthshire | Executed prisoners and a hanging beam |
| The Old Ferry Boat Inn | St Ives, Cambridgeshire | Juliet Tewkesley, a heartbroken young woman |
| Jamaica Inn | Bodmin Moor, Cornwall | A phantom man in a tricorn hat |
| The Golden Fleece | York | Multiple spirits, including a Lady Peckett |
| The Grenadier | Belgravia, London | A soldier beaten for cheating at cards |
| Ye Olde Man & Scythe | Bolton, Greater Manchester | The ghost of an executed Earl |
UK Pubs with spooky ghost stories
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham, England
Haunted rating 8/10
Often claimed to be England’s oldest inn, of course, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem has its fair share of stories to tell. Dating back to 1189, its strangest story involves a cursed model ship. Legend says anyone who cleans or touches it meets an untimely death…thankfully, it’s kept behind glass!
Old George Inn, Newcastle, England
Haunted rating 4/10
Before his execution, King Charles I is said to have frequented this 16th-century Newcastle boozer. And to this very day, visitors claim to have spotted his ghost sitting in the historic chair inside the aptly named ‘Charles I Room’.
The Eagle, Cambridge, England
Haunted rating 6/10
Around 300 years ago, three children died in a fire at The Eagle pub. Legend has it that a window overlooking the beer garden must be kept open to let their spirits out, or else strange things are said to happen…
The Flask, Highgate, London, England
Haunted rating 9/10
Highgate is a leafy area of London perfect for exploring during the autumn when the fall foliage is starting to transform into burnt umbers and reds and you want nothing more than to cosy up is a quaint pub with a drink. It also happens to be home to several haunted pubs, including The Spaniards Inn and the Flask.
The Flask’s pub’s ghostly resident is said to be a Spanish barmaid, forever lingering after a tale of unrequited love. She’s even blamed for mysteriously moving pint glasses. The pub is also linked to a secret human dissection involving a body stolen from Highgate Cemetery during the age of grave robbing.
The Spice Island Inn, Portsmouth, England
Haunted rating 3/10
With a past rooted in smuggling and lawlessness, the inn has plenty of dark history. Local legend claims sailors would stumble into this historic Portsmouth watering hole, never to emerge again… while visitors have reported strange happenings, including pint glasses flying off tables.
The Last Drop, Edinburgh, Scotland
Haunted rating: 7/10
Public executions took place on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket throughout the 18th century. According to local legend, condemned prisoners were given a final dram of whisky at this historic pub before being led to the gallows.
Beyond its history, sightings of a mischievous young girl, alongside unexplained noises and moving objects, have been reported… Edinburgh is widely reputed to be among the most haunted towns in Europe and other ghostly sites include Greyfriars Kirkyard, South Bridge Vaults, and Edinburgh Castle.
The Haunch Of Venison, Salisbury, England
Haunted rating: 9/10
Dating back to the 14th century, this is Salisbury’s oldest pub. Look closely inside the bread oven, and you’ll see a mummified hand… said to have belonged to a card cheat whose hand was cut off after a rigged game.
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, London, England
The 18th-century Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith was once a regular here. Today, this historic London literary location is said to be haunted by its famous former patron. Ye Olde Cock Tavern is also one of the best literary locations in London as a result.
The Mermaid Inn, Rye, England
Haunted rating: 7/10
With a history that dates back to the 12th century, Rye’s historic inn, the Mermaid, has a history intertwined with smuggling. One of its most famous rooms is said to echo with the sounds of a sword fight and the sound of a body being thrown down the stairs.
Rye itself is a quaint market town that’s easy to reach as a day trip from London. Other nearby haunted sites include Lamb House, Needles Passage, and Turkey Cock Lane.
The Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Haunted rating: 4/10
One of the pub’s best-known ghost stories is centred on Amelia, a woman said to have worked in the nearby red-light district. According to local legend, she died after falling (or being pushed down) the stairs; her spirit is said to still linger in the pub.
Jamaica Inn, Cornwall, England
Haunted rating: 8/10
Made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s novel, Jamaica Inn has its own team of paranormal investigators, and you can even stay overnight in one of its reportedly haunted rooms! One of its resident spirits is said to be Jack, a mischievous ghost with a reputation for playing pranks on guests.
Three Crowns, Devon, England
Haunted rating: 9/10
A haunt for many a restless spirit, the pub’s most famous ghost is Sidney Godolphin, a Royalist poet and MP who was fatally shot during the English Civil War in 1643. His ghost has reportedly been spotted in full Cavalier dress, wandering the halls and even passing through the inn’s thick granite walls.
House of Trembling Madness, York, England
Haunted rating: 5/10
With its winding medieval streets, timber-framed buildings, and over two millennia of history, York has seen its fair share of historical events over the years and is now considered to be one of the most haunted cities in England.
The House of Trembling Madness is one of my favourite pubs in York and it also happens to be one of its most haunted!
If its name didn’t already allude to it…the low ceilings, creaky stairs and centuries-old stonework date back to around 1180, and its ghostly reputation extends to a nearby apartment known as the ‘Haunted Chamber’, where overnight guests have reported strange noises and unexplained happenings.
How to plan a haunted pub trip
- Go in autumn or winter. Dark evenings add atmosphere, and many pubs run Halloween events.
- Book ahead. Rooms and ghost-night tables at famous pubs sell out, especially around 31 October.
- Check before you travel. Pubs change hands, close and reopen, so confirm opening times and any events on the pub’s own website or social media.
- Pair with a ghost walk. York, Edinburgh and London all have well-regarded guided tours.
- Drink responsibly and respect the venue. Staff are there to serve customers, not run séances.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most haunted pub in the UK?
There is no official title and most of the pubs we’ve listed claim to be the most haunted one! The Skirrid Mountain Inn, The Golden Fleece in York and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham are among the most frequently named.
What is the oldest haunted pub in England?
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham claims to date from 1189 and is often called England’s oldest inn, though several other pubs dispute the title. When I asked someone at the Nottingham pub about this discrepancy, they told me it’s because the definition of inn and pub aren’t quite the same thing!
Can you stay overnight in a haunted pub?
Yes. Many haunted pubs, including the Skirrid Mountain Inn and Jamaica Inn, offer rooms.
Are the ghost stories true?
The stories are local legend and personal accounts rather than scientifically proven events. Many are part history and part folklore, which is much of the fun.
Final thoughts
Haunted pubs are a uniquely British blend of history, folklore and good beer. Pick one near you, or build a weekend around two or three, and ask the landlord for their best ghost story. They almost always have one (that’s probably part of what helps keep the tourists coming!)
