London is renowned for being one of the most haunted cities in the world, due to a rich history of gruesome beheadings, grisly murderers and street slayings. To celebrate Halloween this year, Chic-Londres -with the help of Visit London- is highlighting some of the spooky places you can visit near London’s underground stations.
A “spooky” tube map designed by Visit LondonBerkeley House
Nicknamed “The House of Horrors” for the number of scary stories attached to it, 50 Berkeley Square -nearby private club Annabel’s- is widely held as the most haunted house in London. It earned its title after a series of incidents in the 19thcentury, when a maid was driven to madness by apparitions and a gentleman died of fear after spending a night alone in the house. In 1887, two sailors broke in to spend the night there as a joke. After the apparition of a ghostly figure, one sailor escaped through the door, whilst the other impaled himself on railings below after jumping out the window. 50 Berkeley Square, W1 (Green Park)
The Bloody Tower
In 1483, the Duke of Gloucester’s nephews, princes Richard and Edward, were imprisoned in the “Bloody Tower” after misbehaving. They disappeared mysteriously and were never seen again. It was assumed that the boys were murdered by their uncle, a claim corroborated when two skeletons were discovered in 1674. Their whimpering ghosts are often seen wandering the tower until they return to the room of their former imprisonment. Tower of London, Tower Hill, EC3 (Tower Hill)
St. Botolph’s Church
In 1982, photographer Chris Brackley took a picture inside the 18th century church of St Botolph’s. When it was developed, he was astonished to see the transparent form of what looked like a woman, dressed in old-fashioned clothes. The negative was subjected to considerable expert analysis, which revealed that there was no double exposure to the film and it was also proved that none of Chris’s equipment was faulty. A few years later Chris was contacted by a builder who had been employed on restoration work in St Botolph’s crypt. He explained that, in knocking down a wall he had inadvertently disturbed a pile of old coffins. One had come open to reveal a reasonably well-preserved body the face of which bore an uncanny resemblance to the figure that had appeared in the photograph. Aldgate High Street, EC3 (Aldgate)
Charterhouse Square
Passer- by have heard anguished screams as they walk by at night coming from an enclosed grassy area used as a makeshift mortuary following the 1348 Black Death. It is estimated that 50,000 bodies were buried here. Between Chartehouse Street and Clerkenwell Road, EC1 (Barbican)
The Coronet Cinema
In the early 1900s, a female cashier caught stealing from the night’s takings killed herself in the building when confronted by the manager. Her footsteps are heard running up the stairs towards the area where she leapt from, breaking her neck in the fall. Meetings in the cinema have to be held in the lower parts of the building today as the ghost allegedly causes too much disturbance, especially during Christmas week, the anniversary of her death. 103 Notting Hill Gate, W11 (Notting Hill Gate)
Kenwood House Hotel
Best known for its Sherlock Holmes connections, Baker Street is held to be one of London’s most haunted streets. At Kenwood House Hotel, one of the rooms has a desk with drawers which are said to open and shut of their own accord. The hotel is also reportedly haunted by a ghost dressed as a Cavalier. 114 Gloucester Place, W1 (Baker Street)
Bank of England
The famous Bank of England is said to be haunted by The Bank Nun, also known as Sarah Whitehead, whose brother was executed for forgery in 1812. Refusing to accept his death, Sarah visited the Bank every day asking passers-by if they had seen her brother. Even after her death, she supposedly continued to visit the Bank as a spirit, convinced she would catch a glimpse of her late brother. Threadneedle Street, EC2 (Bank)
The Viaduct Tavern
The Viaduct Tavern and the Old Bailey opposite were built on the site of Newgate Prison, notorious for its appalling conditions and public hangings, which continued until 1868. The cellars of the Viaduct are former cells of the prison and the pub is supposedly haunted by a mischievous ghost who has been known to drink people’s drinks when they’re not looking. His other antics include tapping people on the shoulder, switching the lights out on staff in the cellar below and locking them down there. On one occasion in the 1990s it even lifted a rolled up carpet off the floor and threw it towards astonished electricians. 126 Newgate Street, EC1 (St Paul’s)
Visit London is the official visitor organization for London and works in partnership with the Mayor of London, the London Development Agency, London Councils and the tourism industry.
