Readers Pick the UK’s Spookiest Spots for Halloween
From a cliff‑top castle to a ruined church, the public votes on the most chilling locations across the UK.
Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire
Dunnottar Castle looms on cliffs above the North Sea, hailed as one of Scotland’s most unsettling sites. The Whigs Vault once held more than 160 prisoners in 1685, and visitors report a palpable sense of fear when standing in the dark chamber. One contributor, who traces Fraser ancestry, notes that several Fraser names are etched on the walls, adding a personal connection to the tragedy.
“It’s beautiful, tragic and wonderfully spooky, especially beneath Aberdeenshire’s brooding grey skies.”
Shepton Mallet Prison
Formerly known as “the Mallet,” this former military prison opened in 1625. Visitors can crawl through a wall into an original cell and explore three Victorian blocks. The site boasts stories of notorious inmates, including the Kray twins. Guests may choose a daytime tour or a night‑time ghost walk, and the facility even offers the chance to spend a night in a genuine prison cell.
“The staff are friendly and all great characters, I can’t recommend it enough!”
St Thomas à Becket, Heptonstall
High above Hebden Bridge, the roofless shell of this 13th‑century church stands as a striking ruin. A storm in 1847 left it open to the sky, while a 19th‑century successor remains nearby, creating a rare pair of churches sharing a single churchyard. Towering arches frame the heavens, and the hollow stone tower evokes a striking visual.
Expect goosebumps!
The Four Crosses Inn, Staffordshire
Described as the most haunted pub in England, this historic inn sits on the edge of Cannock Chase moor, an area noted for past murders. Family lore claims Dr Johnson once stayed here. Visitors can explore dank cellars and creaking attics, adding to the chilling atmosphere.
Cooneen Ghost House, near Fivemiletown
This abandoned farmhouse in Northern Ireland is privately owned but visible from the road, enhancing its eerie reputation. Nearby Crocknagrally Forest provides a secluded, mist‑filled setting for winter walks, where locals share numerous poltergeist stories linked to the house.
Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex
An Iron Age hill fort ringed by beech trees on the South Downs, folklore says that walking around the ring seven times may reveal the devil. Writer Robert Macfarlane recounted a night of terrifying screams from the tree canopy while camping there, as described in his 2012 book.
Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire
Perched above the coast, the ruined arches of Whitby Abbey look dramatic in daylight and become even more haunting at dusk, with mist drifting in from the sea. The narrow streets and harbour add to the atmosphere, and the site is celebrated for its blend of history, landscape and legend.
Slains Castle, Aberdeenshire
Located on cliffs north of Aberdeen, this ruin offers a spooky ambience with bats and the sound of waves. Though rumors linking it to Bram Stoker’s Dracula are unverified, the setting provides an evocative backdrop for visitors.
Nant Gwrtheyrn, Llŷn Peninsula
The former quarrying village sits at the foot of Yr Eifl, reachable via a steep, winding road. On misty days, the crashing waves and a lone goat on the cliffs create an eerie scene. Local folklore tells of a tragic pre‑nuptial game, with a bride‑to‑be’s skeletal remains revealed by lightning.
Share your own spooky escape for a chance to win a £200 holiday voucher.
