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Welcome to the haunted streets of York, also known as “the city of a thousand ghosts“! Here, you’ll find plenty of unique paranormal encounters and tons of supernatural legends. But this is never more true than when you visit one of its haunted pubs – and trust us, there are a few!
If you’re not afraid of a little spine-tingling adventure, then grab your ghost-hunting gear and get ready for a different type of pub crawl – one that’s designed to hunt down the spectres of York’s most haunted pubs.
6 Haunted Pubs In York
1. The Golden Fleece
The Golden Fleece technically used to be a pub (it still has a small pub on-site) and has been renovated into the hotel it is today. However, before it was transformed, it built itself a reputation as one of the most haunted UK pubs – and now stands as one of York’s most haunted hotels!
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The building’s origins trace back to 1503 and it has a treasure trove’s worth of history, including tales of spectral visitors and tons of paranormal occurrences.
Among some of its more famed apparitions is Lady Ann Peckett, who was the wife of the former mayor John Peckett. Often sighted wandering the corridors or rearranging the furniture, it seems as though she has taken on the role of a ghostly housekeeper.
Additionally, the old pub is also believed to harbour the ghost of a Canadian airman who is commonly seen in his full red coat uniform.
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Usually, he can be spotted alongside the infamous One-Eyed Jack, who also proudly dons his red coat and wields what seems to be a pistol. These two apparitions seem to favour the bottom bar, frightening unsuspecting patrons as they appear – and disappear – seemingly out of nowhere. Talk about eerie!
2. Ye Olde Starre Inne
Situated on Stonegate, the Ye Olde Starre Inn is almost as old as the Golden Fleece, dating back to 1644. And its hauntingly creepy cellar is believed to be even older!
Renowned by staff and patrons for its unsettling ambience, this 17th-century pub is steeped in tales of paranormal activity. In fact, staff members will often refuse to enter the cellar alone for fear of what may be lurking in the dark…
Not only can you hear the echoes of Royalist Civil War soldiers’ cries, but there is also an enigmatic older woman dressed in black, Victorian-style clothes who is frequently sighted on the staircase – especially by children. The story of her appearance was once retold by a young boy who swore that the full-bodied apparition appeared to him before slowly dissolving into nothing.
Legend also speaks of two black cats that were allegedly bricked up within the building’s walls. To this day, most dogs who walk past the outside of the pub begin to growl or bolt out of nowhere, as if an unseen force has spooked them beyond their wits.
3. The Punch Bowl
Yet another Stonegate pub that has a rich history is the Punch Bowl, and it stands today as another one of York’s most haunted pubs. While records suggest that parts of the inn were constructed as early as 1675, its current look actually took form in the 1930s.
Here, you’ll find the spirit of the pub’s former landlord who is said to have perished in one of the two historic fires that ravaged the building. Apparently, his ghost walks back and forth to the cellar, seemingly pacing as if he were confused. This may perhaps be because of the alterations made to the building after the fires.
Another haunting tale that comes from the Punch Bowl is that of the ‘grey lady‘, allegedly driven to suicide by her lover’s infidelity. Now, she roams the pub in search of reconciliation with her lover and to mend her broken heart.
Lastly, the pub houses the spirit of a beautiful young woman who was tragically strangled to death in the 18th century. This vengeful spirit is less forgiving than the others, although patrons have reported no malice from the apparition. Instead, her anger is etched on her face for all of eternity, with only a select few catching a glimpse before she disappears.
4. York Arms
As potentially the most haunted city in the UK, York’s haunted history is deeply rooted. The same can also be said for York Arms, the next haunted pub on our list.
The York Arms, named after the city’s coat of arms, is steeped in legends and has plenty of unique ghost stories. Dating back to 1587, this former coffee house reportedly harbours the apparition of one of York’s famed grey ladies. It’s said that she will often manifest as a floating mist or a gentle lady in a long white dress.
Sightings of this ghostly figure have been reported not only on the staircase but also in the most unexpected places. For instance, she is often said to appear in the men’s toilets, scaring male patrons out of their wits.
In addition to its eerie reputation, the pub has experienced poltergeist activity, with loud bangs echoing through its halls and objects that are seemingly moved by unseen forces. These phenomena, which have been reported since as far back as the 1980s, only add to the pub’s allure as one of the most haunted UK pubs.
5. The Guy Fawkes Inn
The Guy Fawkes Inn, nestled just steps away from York Minster, is believed to be the birthplace of Guido Fawkes. Besides being connected to this infamous figure (who is responsible for the Gunpowder Plot), the pub itself is reportedly haunted by several spirits.
For example, the Belfrey Suite in the hotel portion of the Inn is said to be frequented by two ghostly children who are thought to have perished as a result of cholera in the 1700s. Guests of the Inn and patrons of the pub have reported disembodied footsteps and objects moving as if on their own – particularly in the middle of the night.
If you truly want an immersive experience or to capture evidence of these hauntings for yourself, then you may want to test your bravery by staying the night at this haunted pub.
6. The Black Swan Inn
Now we come to one of the most well-known haunted pubs in the world: The Black Swan Inn. Initially constructed in 1417 and rebuilt in the 17th century, this old building has witnessed countless ghostly sightings. These include:
- A man in a bowler hat who roams the ground floor
- A woman in a white gown who sits near the fireplace, seemingly warming herself before vanishing into thin air
- In the bar area, glasses seem to move of their own accord, and footsteps echo on the stairs as unseen patrons make their way to the second floor.
Despite these hauntings, the most intriguing spirit at the Black Swan Inn is the disembodied pair of men’s legs that can be seen walking around the premises – particularly around the landlord’s living quarters. Could this be a previous landlord checking up on his precious inn?
FAQs
Can visitors stay overnight at these haunted pubs?
Yes, you can stay at most of these pubs overnight. Since most of them double as hotels, they’re open for guests to book accommodation and spend the night amongst the resident ghosts. However, it’s important to remember that if you’re going to go ghost hunting, you may need to obtain permission from the hotels beforehand.
Are these pubs safe to visit?
While it may seem a little daunting to step into these haunted buildings, it’s completely safe to do. Although the ghosts here are active, they’re completely harmless and usually don’t interact with guests (other than giving them a good scare, that is!).
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to catch a glimpse of a ghost while you enjoy a cold drink, or you’re brave enough to stay overnight in one of these haunted pubs, York is the place to be. With so many haunted locations, these pubs are only the beginning. Just be sure to have your ghost-hunting equipment with you to document your experiences!
