Eerie Adventures

15 Spectral Trips to Blow Your Mind

Do you long to hear things go bump in the night? Do you dream of hunting down ghosts like they do on television?  Now you can with this list of spooky cities, eerie hotels and paranormal adventures.

1. Edinburgh Ghost Tour - Edinburgh

Edinburgh is famed for creepy cobbled streets and spooky side lanes. Many tour operators have taken advantage of this, and walking ghost tours run throughout the city by day and night. The tours allow you to explore the murky depths of Scotland’s capitals dark past, while many have dramatic actors who will take you underground to the creepy vaults where ghost are rife.

Mercat Tours are rated 5 stars by the Scottish Tourist board and offer many different tours www.mercattours.com. However, there are many other tour operators throughout the city.

2. The Red Lion Pub - Wiltshire

This seemingly cosy little pub appears on countless haunted lists. Set in the tiny village of Avebury, the 400-year old pub is placed in the centre of the famous prehistoric stone circle which only enhances the supernatural atmosphere. Visiting the pub could result in a meeting with 'Florrie', the resident ghoul who was killed by her husband.  You can even view the well which he is believed to have thrown her body down.

The pub is located at High Street, Avebury, Wiltshire, SN8 1RF.  Tel 01672 539266.  It is a working pub and sells meals and beverages.

3. Highgate Cemetery - London

By day this looks like a beautiful surrounding for grave stones… but by night it will make your blood run cold. In 1839 this was a very fashionable place for Victorians to be buried and it would seem they have never wanted to leave. Many corners of the cemetery are overgrown and desolate: it's hard not to imagine the residents roving abroad at dusk.

www.highgate-cemetery.org gives information and history about the famous cemetery.

4. 3-Day Haunted Ghost Tour of Durham and Northumberland - Durham and Northumberland

This takes you on a walking tour of Durham’s most haunted places, including Durham Castle where the ghost of Lady Gray may be seen. The second day sees a visit to Alnwick Castle where it is believed a vampire once ventured. The aptly named Chillingham Castle also features on this tour, a 'Most Haunted' favourite. The final day takes you to Lindisfarne Castle where an old monk is said to haunt the grounds.

This tour, and longer tours to different areas can be booked through www.toursofexcellence.com

5. Ghost Hunt - Ireland

If trying your hand at being a Ghost Buster is more your scene, head to Ireland and take part in a paranormal investigation. Charleville Castle is haunted by the ghost of a young girl: she fell down the castle stairs to her death in the 1800 and the place is believed to have been haunted by her ever since. The investigation invites you to discuss the history and hunt out cold spots and orbs using state-of-the-art equipment.

Visit www.ghosthuntireland.com for exact listings and prices.

6. Borley Rectory - Essex

Getting demolished by a fire in 1939 hasn’t dampened the spirits at this famous paranormal site.  Brought to fame by real life ghostbuster Harry Price, it has attracted attention from supernatural enthusiasts. Harry believed a nun haunted this area. The building no longer remains at the site but it still attracts pilgrims hunting out spirits.

The village of Borley lies on the River Stour, two miles north-west of Sudbury, Suffolk and 24 miles north-east of Chelmsford in Essex. You can view a map here.

7. Glamis Castle - Angus, Scotland

Known as one of the most haunted castles in Britain, Glamis has a plethora of ghoulish stories attached to it. A ghost with no tongue is said to haunt the grounds of the castle, pointing to her mutilated face. The cruel Earl Beardie, perhaps the most famous ghost here, is sometimes viewed leaning over children’s beds. A non-ghostly happening which occurred at the castle was the birth of Princess Margaret by the Queen Mother… let’s hope Beardie wasn’t hanging over her bed in the small hours.

Visit www.glamis-castle.co.uk for information about the castle and any seasonal ghost tours.

8. Creepy Cardiff - Wales

A walking tour through all the spooky streets of Cardiff could send chills down the spine. Following in the footsteps of the established tours around Edinburgh, the Welsh capital has just as much to offer the amateur ghost-hunter. The tour tells of dragons, reincarnation and even the burial of Queen Boadicea.

Find out more at www.creepycardiff.com

9. Ghost Tour - UK-wide

This group of paranormal investigators organise spectral adventures throughout the UK. They delve into the dark past of the buildings they trawl. They guide guests through vigils, paranormal experiments, let you use ghost hunting apparatus and aim to prove ghosts really do exist!  Experiencing the unknown realms of the paranormal can also be arranged for charity through this adventure company.

Visit www.ghosttoursuk.co.uk for more.

10. Berry Pomeroy Castle - Near Totness, Devon

This spine-tingling castle is sure to spoil any supernatural fan with its spooks. Ghost hunters could find a Blue Lady and a White Lady when visiting this attraction. The mournful pair have been known to make visitors feel exceedingly uneasy. The bunny boiler tale saw Margaret Pomeroy (White Lady) fall in love with the same man as her ugly sister Lady Eleanor (Blue Lady) who locked her in the castle dungeons to die.

The castle is looked after by English Heritage www.english-heritage.org.uk

11. Jamaica Inn - Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

If you're brave enough to stay all night in a seriously haunted house, then Jamaica Inn is the place to go. The 250-year old tavern is known for creepy sounds, footsteps and a ghoulish gentleman caller. A murder victim likes to hover around the grounds… and maybe in your bedroom.

www.jamaicainn.co.uk for more information and details on paranormal nights.

12. Talbot Hotel - Oundle, Northamptonshire, England

See one of the most famous ghostsin history – Mary Queen of Scots. The celebrity ghost likes to stroll around this beautiful Elizabethan building, and she even revisits the stairs she passed down before her execution. The décor of the hotel offers a spine-chilling atmosphere too.

Visit www.thetalbotoundle.com for rates.

13. Rosslyn Chapel - Scotland

Film buffs may remember this chapel from the block-buster hit The Da Vinci Code.  This church was built for the Sinclair family in the 15th Century.  Visitors may see ghostly flames above the burial vault or an apparition of the apprentice who carved the famous Apprentice Pillar who was murdered by his teacher.  Unfortunately, Tom Hanks cannot be viewed here!

Visit www.scotland.org for more info.

14. Elvey Farm - Pluckley, Kent

The title of Britain’s most haunted village – according to the Guinness Book of Records – belongs to Plukley. It may look like the set of the Vicar of Dibley, but it is rife with ghouls and creepy characters.  The medieval Elvey Farm is a quaint hotel in which somelucky rooms could come with a free haunting. A wandering ghost is believed to live there with many of his freaky friends: remember to take your camcorder and set it on night vision!

www.elveyfarm.co.uk for more information.

15. Victorian Séance - Stratford Upon Avon

Nerves permitting, this company offer to let you partake in a recreation of a Victorian séance. The séance will attempt to connect you with the dead during a spooky period extravaganza, and will also tell you the fascinating history of the mediums of the day. One for the adventurere with true nerves of steel.

Visit www.supperandseance.com if you are brave enough.