There are records of strange and ghostly encounters at historical sites around the UK. Here are a few I was able to research. If you know of more, let me know.
Battle Abbey, Sussex (EH):
At Battle Abbey staff recount a chilling encounter during an after-hours tour, when an unidentified “visitor” appeared to join the group - only to vanish without explanation.
Belsay Hall, Northumberland (EH):
At Belsay Hall reports tell of doors swinging open and closing on their own. A spectral hand appears on an armchair, and ghostly children are seen playing among the gardens. Visitors have even reported seeing Victorian-clad figures wandering through the Quarry Garden, despite no actors being present.
Blickling Hall, Norfolk (NT):
Anne Boleyn is one of the ghosts believed to reside at Blickling Hall. It's said she reappears every year on 19 May, the anniversary of her execution.
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire (EH):
At Bolsover Castle witnesses tell of ghostly piano music echoing through the halls, while some visitors claim to have felt the hand of a phantom child guiding them through the Venus Garden.
Buckland Abbey, Devon (NT):
Some say that the doomed spirit of Sir Francis Drake haunts Buckland Abbey. His ghost supposedly took up residence after signing a pact with the Devil and leads a supernatural pack of snarling dogs.
Chester Castle, Cheshire (EH):
An unexplained image appearing to show ghostly activity has been captured on camera. The Fort’s security cameras recorded a mysterious figure in front of the main gates, where the medieval gatehouse used to be. When a security guard went to investigate, the area was empty. Strangely, his usually fearless dog refused to enter.
Corfe Castle, Dorset (NT):
The headless ghost of a woman in white reportedly stalks the battlements at Corfe Castle. She's believed to have committed an act of treason during the Civil War.
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire (NT):
There've been plenty of spooky reports from Newton House at Dinefwr. Lady Elinor Cavendish's ghost allegedly roams the halls, having been murdered by a rejected lover.
Dunster Castle, Somerset (NT):
Floating lights, a man in green and dungeon skeletons found chained together are some of the strange encounters reported at Dunster Castle.
Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk (NT):
There's said to be a phantom book-lover at Felbrigg Hall. They died trying to save the books after a fire broke out in the library.
Framlingham Castle (EH):
EH Staff at Framlingham Castle have reported an eerie encounter in the potwash area, where one employee claims to have heard their name whispered mysteriously.
Furness Abbey, Cumbria (EH):
Staff at Furness Abbey have reported a curious phenomenon in the undercroft. One groundskeeper felt a strong presence following just behind her, always to her left, while locking up each evening in winter. A former maintenance contractor later revealed he had experienced the exact same sensation in the very same spot, early in the morning.
Gainsborough Old Hall, Lincolnshire (EH):
A visitor to Gainsborough Old Hall reported an eerie experience while chatting with a volunteer in the Clerk's Room. He suddenly felt a gentle hand rub the back of his head, each finger distinct, the touch delicate and unmistakably feminine, adding another curious tale to the Hall’s ghostly legends.
Great Yarmouth Row Houses, Norfolk (EH):
During the end of day cash up at the Great Yarmouth Row Houses, staff witnessed an unusual sight, A solitary boot appeared to move on its own, walking from the bakehouse door straight into the fireplace. The peculiar incident has left both employees and customers intrigued and puzzled.
Helmsley Castle, North Yorkshire (EH):
At Helmsley Castle team members have described shadowy figures at the windows and disembodied voices in deserted rooms.
Houghton House, Bedfordshire (EH):
At Houghton House a local resident shared with one of the volunteers that she visits the house every Friday around lunchtime to catch a glimpse of the ghostly figure of a lady, reportedly standing by one of the windows. This haunting tradition has sparked curiosity and fascination among both locals and visitors alike.
Lanercost Priory, Cumbria EH):
At Lanercost Priory multiple staff members reported witnessing a mysterious dark figure moving across the transept on the same day,
Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire (EH):
One of the most striking reports comes from a fog-shrouded evening at Scarborough Castle around 6pm. With just one family confirmed still on site, two staff members began their routine walk of the grounds. While making his way from King John’s Hall, a staff member spotted what appeared to be a pair of legs moving through the mist towards the sea. After radioing the gift shop, he was assured that the family had already returned inside, yet the mysterious figure continued ahead, always just out of reach. The figure appeared to drift toward the Sally Port gate before vanishing completely. When the staff member reached the brow of the hill seconds later, the path was empty, and no one had passed his colleague on the opposite route. With no place to hide and the perimeter fence in clear view, the sighting remained unexplained. Years later, when recounting the experience to a former custodian, he was met with a chilling reply: “Oh yes, that would have been Piers Gaveston, luring you off the cliff in the fog.”
Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire (NT):
The marching Roman military phantoms seen at Treasurer's House may be our oldest known ghosts, but they're not the only reason it's known as the most haunted house in York. A cat haunts the café, a grey lady has been known to invite children to sit on historic chairs and you can sometimes smell the cigar smoke of a previous owner as he checks in on his beloved home.
Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire (NT):
The National Trust's oldest nature reserve is said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, evil spirits whose lights flicker across the marshes and lure people to a watery grave. They are apparently attracted by whistling, so take care what noises you make when visiting.
Wrest Park, Bedfordshire (EH):
At Wrest Park whilst locking up for the night staff reported unexplained sightings near the pavilion, including figures resembling soldiers vanishing into the surrounding woodlands. Inside the historic mansion, the eerie sound of a ball bouncing in the staircase hall has been heard long after visitors have departed.
