Haunted York

York is well-known in Britain for being one of its most-haunted cities but if anyone ever needed proof then they can take comfort in the fact that York was named the most haunted city in Europe by the Ghost Research Foundation International (GRFI). York is haunted by no less than 140 different ghosts, and with an amazing 500+ recorded hauntings (this figure is still growing) it seems that every room, building or street seems to be haunted in this beautiful city.  If you are looking for accomodation in York and intend to take on one of the ghost hunts or walks then you could try the York Pavilion hotel where they have scheduled events that include 3 course dinner followed by a ghost hunt.

To begin any ghost seeking visit you may want to visit the York Dungeon to get the nostalgia, where live actors re-enact scenes of torture and execution in the most grisly details. Probably best to do this after lunch, but maybe not straight after! You could do worse than to follow on with a visit to the Micklegate Bar Museum, which stands at the main gateway of the city. This is where the heads of executed traitors were once displayed in York’s rich but grisly medieval past.

There is an abundance of ghost walks to choose from, some being serious and informative from a historical perspective, and others being down-right silly and theatrical but lots of fun, especially for families, with actors in grisly costume ambushing the group at particular points on the tour.

Here is a list of some of the most popular ghost walks/tours taking place:

1. We have to start with The Original Ghost Walk of York. Started in 1973 this tour is still going strong and takes place very night at 8pm, starting at The Kings Arms, by Ouse Bridge. This is good ghost story telling with guides that are BTA Blue Badge or Equity award holders.
2. The Ghost Detective – every night from July to Halloween at 7.30pm starting at the Jorvik Viking Centre.  This is another good tour if you have kids with you but best to be aware that the guides like to get the kids involved when telling some of their stories. The guides are Equity members with an award for stand-up comedy.
3. The Ghost Hunt of York – this walk runs every night at 7.30pm from the Shambles and is one of the theatrical walks. It is great for children as the guides are dressed up in period costume.  This one is quite popular so you should expect large groups.
4. The Ghost Trail of York - again, runs every night at 7.30pm from York Minster, and is led by Equity Qualified guides. Another good tour for families but is popular so expect large groups.

York is apparently haunted by a 2000 year old ‘lost’ Roman Legion, as an apprentice plumber named Harry Martindale found out whilst working on the heating system in the cellars of the old Treasurer’s House in 1953.  Martindale reported that he first heard a horn in the distance, and then witnessed a disheveled Roman soldier on horseback emerge from the brick wall, followed by a few hundred others, all armed with swords and spears. He reported that that the ghosts appeared to be walking on their knees, which is interesting since the old Roman road is located approximately fifteen inches below the cellar and would make sense that the legion would have been walking on their own familiar road, on their way to the garrison at the Minster. Martindale was apparently unaware of this fact when questioned. There have been numerous other sightings since Martindales’ but sadly the old cellars are now  closed to visitors.