8 Most Haunted Castles In The UK

  • By Sam Ashford
  • First Published: November 11, 2024
  • Last Updated: September 21, 2025

Edinburgh Castle

The UK is a favourite holiday destination among global tourists – for many reasons. It’s hardly surprising that the nation’s beautiful castles top (or nearly top) that list.

These ancient structures are something to behold, but it’s often what’s lurking inside them that makes them even more appealing.

Ghost hunters from far and wide have ventured to the UK to explore some of the many castles that are notorious for their ghost stories. If you’re looking to do the same, we’ve got a list of the best… and if Scotland is top of your list, don’t miss our guide to the most haunted castles in Scotland.

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Top 8 Haunted Castles in the UK

If you love a good ghost story and dream of having a few paranormal experiences of your own, these UK castles should be first on your itinerary.

1. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is often referred to as the most haunted castle in the UK, mainly because of the number of ghosts said to dwell within.

One of the most famous stories is that of the Headless Drummer who is often seen wandering around the grounds. Seeing him is said to mean that disaster or war is on the way.

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There’s also the Lone Piper who once used music to guide his comrades back to safety. Legend has it, you can still hear his music playing within the castle walls. The Weeping Woman is another common sighting. Many visitors have claimed to see a woman dressed in a long gown, sobbing uncontrollably.

2. Dover Castle

This medieval castle is another prime spot for ghost sightings, with the Lady in Red being one of its most famous entities. Although her identity remains a mystery, visitors have often seen a lady dressed in red roaming the hallways of Dover Castle.

There have also been reported sightings of a ghostly cavalier wandering the castle grounds. It’s believed that he may be the spirit of a soldier who met his end in one of the many bloody battles fought here.

3. Carlisle Castle

Carlisle Castle, like many ancient fortresses in the UK, has its fair share of ghostly legends.

Lady Glen (sometimes referred to as Lady Hermione) is said to haunt the castle. According to legend, she was the wife of a castle governor who was murdered by her jealous husband. Her ghost is said to wander the grounds, sometimes appearing as a white lady.

“In the 1830s, during the construction of a parade ground and barracks, demolition work uncovered the skeleton of a lady bricked into one of the keep’s second-story walls. Three rings upon the boney digits of her fingers and remnants of her silk tartan dress were evident. There were no clues to her identity, although there was considerable speculation that she may have been walled up alive.” – Richard Jones (author of Haunted Castles of Britain and Ireland)

Some investigators have also claimed to see Roman soldiers marching through the castle. This ghostly legion is said to date back to Roman times when Carlisle was known as Luguvalium.

4. Berry Pomeroy Castle

Located in Devon, Berry Pomeroy Castle is renowned for its haunting atmosphere and ghostly legends.

Legend has it that the castle is haunted by the spirits of two Pomeroy brothers who were murdered within its walls. Their tragic deaths are said to have left an imprint on the castle, and their ghosts are occasionally sighted by visitors.

There is also a woman known as the Blue Lady. Her identity is uncertain, but she is often described as a benevolent spirit who appears to visitors in distress, offering comfort and guidance.

5. Muncaster Castle

Another one of Britain’s most haunted castles is the Cumbria Muncaster Castle.

One of the most famous ghosts at Muncaster Castle is that of Tom Fool, a jester who served the Pennington family during the 16th century. Legend has it that Tom Fool fell in love with a maid at the castle, but their love was forbidden. Heartbroken, he either jumped or was pushed to his death from the tower.

Another reported apparition is the White Lady. She is believed to be the spirit of Mary Bragg, a former resident of the castle who died tragically in the 18th century. Her ghost is said to wander the corridors, particularly in the Tapestry Room, where she is sometimes seen combing her hair.

6. Hever Castle

Hever Castle, located in Kent, England, has a rich history dating back to the 13th century.

Perhaps the most famous ghost associated with Hever Castle is that of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn spent part of her childhood at Hever Castle before her marriage to Henry VIII. Legend has it that her ghost haunts the castle, particularly the oak-panelled chamber where she slept as a young girl.

Another ghostly tale involves the apparition of a woman dressed in Tudor clothing who is said to wander the castle’s grounds. She is said to be the ghost of Anne Boleyn’s mother, Elizabeth Howard, who tragically died in childbirth. Some visitors have reported hearing her screams echoing through the castle, particularly on stormy nights.

7. Chillingham Castle

If you thought the name of this castle indicated it was haunted, you would be right – it is brimming with ghostly tales.

The most famous ghost at Chillingham Castle is the Blue Boy. Legend has it that a young boy dressed in blue was trapped within the walls of the castle centuries ago. His ghost is said to roam the Pink Room, where he appears as a glowing blue figure before disappearing into the walls.

Lady Mary Berkeley, the wife of the castle’s owner in the 17th century, is also said to haunt the castle’s corridors. Legend has it that she tragically lost her child and died of a broken heart.

Then there’s the castle’s darker history of torture and imprisonment. Many believe that the tortured souls of those who suffered within its walls still linger. Visitors have reported feelings of unease and sightings of ghostly figures in various parts of the castle.

8. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British monarchy, has a long history spanning over 1,000 years, so it’s no surprise that it’s steeped in ghostly tales and legends.

One famous ghost associated with Windsor Castle is the Grey Lady. Legend has it that she is the spirit of Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII, who is said to haunt the Dean’s Cloister.

There have also been reports of a ghostly cavalier riding through the castle grounds, dressed in full regalia. The identity of this spectral figure remains a mystery, but his presence adds to the castle’s atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.

And, similar to other castles, Windsor Castle has its own spectral drummer. Legend has it that the sound of a ghostly drummer can be heard in the castle’s corridors, with some believing it to be an omen of impending doom or royal death

FAQs

What are some of the most haunted castles in Europe?

If you want to venture outside of the UK, there are a few other castles you have to see if ghost hunting is your thing. Avid ghost hunters often recommend the following locations:

  • Predjama Castle in Slovenia
  • Burg Eltz in Germany
  • Castle of Carini in Italy
  • Bran Castle in Romania
  • Cachtice Castle in Slovakia

If you’re looking for somewhere new but don’t want to cross the Channel, Craig y Nos Castle in Wales is worth a visit.

Is Dudley Castle haunted?

Dudley Castle has a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in the UK. From a phantom monk to a ghostly drummer and countless haunted tunnels, countless people have reported ghostly sightings within these walls.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or simply fascinated by the mysteries of the past, exploring the most haunted castles in the UK offers a thrilling journey into the realm of the paranormal.

From the ghostly apparitions of kings and queens to spectral drummers and phantom monks that roam the corridors, these castles are shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

So… which one will you visit first?

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Sam Ashford
Sam Ashford - Author

Hey, I'm Sam Ashford! I'm a ghost-hunting expert, writer and founder of SpiritShack. My mission is to help people like yourself learn about spirituality and how to hunt ghosts!