Considering its violent and unruly past, it is not surprising that York has been described as “the most haunted city in the world” by the Ghost Reseach Foundation International.
Ghost Tours
As a visitor to York there are plenty of opportunities to be scared witless. To find out more, try one of the many ghost tours …read more
Ghost Stories
There are over 500 recorded hauntings within the city, and so not surprisingly many stories have emerged. Whether you believe them or not, they are still entertaining to read. Here is a selection of some of the best ones:
The Roman Legion at the Treasurer’s House
Perhaps York’s most famous ghost story relates to the “Lost Roman Legion” that has frequently been seen marching through the basement of the Treasurer’s House, just outside York Minster. Bizarrely it was reported that all of the soldiers’ legs were cut off at the knees………but after further investigation it was found that the ancient Via Decumana Roman road actually ran in that exact spot, 15 inches below the cellar floor.
Goodramgate Orphonage – In the 19th century, an orphanage was established in the slums off Goodramgate to house local children. Known as the York Industrial Ragged School, the conditions were ghastly. It had a greedy master called George Pimm who spent little on clothing or food, in order to save the allowanced received from the church for each child. Due to the poor conditions, several of the children died. Rather than lose his allowance for the dead children, he stored their bodies in a locked cupboard. However, he gradually began to suffer from paranoia, claiming to hear screams of the children who had died. When the church investigated the matter, he was committed to an asylum and the true horror of his actions were revealed. Pimm couldn’t handle the torment and committed suicide shortly afterwards. But the ghosts of the children remained, and visitors to the Bedern Arch (off Goodramgate) often report hearing the laughter and screams of children, or even feel their clothing being tugged by an invisible force.
Plague house – Another famous story involves a small house in between St Williams College and the Minster. During the Black Death of the 17th Century, it was condemned as a plague house. The custom at that time was to board up any house that was condemned, and paint a big red cross on the door to warn bypassers to stay away. No-one was allowed in or out. However, as the legend goes, a little girl was left in the house and was unable to escape. She was left there to die. It is said that she now stands at the window in the attic, and taps on the glass to passers-by, crying for help. People have inquired about the little girl in the window, only to be told that no children live in the house!
Holy Trinity Church – Dates back to the Doomsday Book – haunted by a phantom nun!
The Cock and Bottle pub, Skeldergate – haunted by George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham who used to live on Skeldergate. Regulars at the pub have heard the sound of knocking on the door, and the apparition of an ugly man – however this may just be the effects of the beer!
The Grey Lady (The Theatre Royal) – The Theatre was built in 1744 over and among the ruins of the medieval St. Leonard’s Hospital. The Grey Lady is apparently a nun from the Middle Ages who fell in love with a nobleman. This was unacceptable in those days, so as punishment she was locked in a room of the hospital. The room was sealed with bricks, and she was left to die. She can now be seen wandering through the Theatre Royal.
Park Inn Hotel, Skeldergate – was built on an old haunted house which was the scene of a grisly murder. The victims allegedly reappear from time to time. Staff at the hotel claim to have seen a shadowy shape on the stairs.
Cliffords Tower – In 2008 a “ghostly shape” was caught on camera. Cliffords Tower has the bloodiest history in York – in 1190 around 150 Jews were massacred or committed suicide in the Tower when they were surrounded by a violent mob. Many ghost-hunting groups have spent the night at Clifford’s Tower and claim they have felt cold in the chapel – the same room the photo was taken in.
The Yorkshire Hussar pub, Skeldergate – Four decorators working late in to the night saw a black cape clad figure pass them and disappear behind the bar where an old door had once been. The ghost was also known to smash glasses and overturn bar stools.
The Golden Fleece pub, Pavement – Dating back to 1503, the Golden Fleece is considered by many to be York’s most haunted pub. Its back yard is named after Lady Alice Peckett whose husband, John, owned the premises as well as being Lord Mayor of York around 1702. Many guests have reported seeing the Lady Peckett wandering around the corridors of the pub, as well as moving furniture and glasses. She is just one of the five resident spirits in the Golden Fleece!
Lund‘s Court (linking Swinegate & Low Petergate) is the place to meet Mad Alice – a restless soul executed in 1825 for the crime of dangerous insanity after poisoning her husband.
For more information about haunted locations in York try this website.
