England’s largest county Yorkshire is hauntingly big. Originally a vast county, it is now made up of 4 counties, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and East Ridings of Yorkshire and everywhere you go in it you’ll find the most amazingly spooky history. And here we share with you 5 of the most haunting places to stay in Yorkshire.
Content
- Haunted Yorkshire
- Things to see and Do in Yorkshire
- 5 Places to Stay and Visit – Haunted Yorkshire
Haunted Yorkshire
This indomitable, diverse, and charming county is a hub of natural beauty, it is rich in culture and steeped in history. There are haunting places everywhere to stay, eat, drink and visit aplenty here in Yorkshire.
Yorkshire’s emblematic symbol is the White Rose, which originated during the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487). This series of 15th-century battles for the English throne was fought between two cadet branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster, represented by a red rose, and the House of York, represented by the white. Today, this historic heraldic symbol can still be seen everywhere—carved into the wood and stone of historic palaces, and waving proudly in the wind on the Yorkshire flag.
Yorkshire is rich in castles; built to protect the land during more confrontational times. Magnificent castles include Castle Howard, Ripley Castle and Gardens, and Scarborough Castle. Even though many of these castles are now ruins there are more than 50 of these haunting places for you to explore. Choose too from Abbey ruins, old Monasteries and ancient Waymarkers (trails and footpaths) while making your way around this glorious countryside.
Why Stay in a haunted hotel? Read our Chronicles here
Monasteries were an important way of life for the monks that came here from France escaping the ‘French Revolution’ and before them in about 600 ad St Augustine, and St Gregory, and St Oswald (aged about 30, who became the King of Northumbria in 634) all left their mark trying to change pagan sites into christian communities. Sites including Rievaulx Abbey, one of Yorkshire’s finest treasures.
In about 1100 a group of French monks began to build the mother church of the Cistercian Order in England and the Rye (river) Val (valley) was considered to be a place austere enough for them. They prayed, they farmed sheep, smelted iron, built canals, and transported stone from local quarries to build the great Rievaulx Abbey.
Today the village is a delightful little place with thatched cottages and many yellow-stone houses being built from salvaged stone from the Abbey.
Things To See and Do in Yorkshire
In more recent times Yorkshire was also home to the Bronte sisters. Thornton near Bradford, West Yorkshire was the birthplace of Charlotte, Anne, and Emily Bronte. Work is currently being done to make this a great visitor experience, showcasing this small terrace house and keeping the houses’ memories alive so we might walk in the footsteps of its most famous residents. About 6 miles away visit the place where the sisters grew up, stay a while and have a cup of famous Yorkshire tea.
The Bronte Parsonage Museum (Church Street, Haworth) is where you can see for yourself amongst other wonderful things the original table where Charlotte Bronte sat down to write such famous stories including Jane Eyre.
The famous York Minster, is the largest Gothic (architecture, popular in 12th-16th centuries and was succeeded by the Renaissance) Cathedral in Northern Europe.
And while there is no actual capital city of Yorkshire; York is considered to be its historic and official county town. The Minster is also a Cathedral as it is the seat of the Archbishop of York: being the second highest office in the church of England. Soak up the history of this famous building and wonder at the work it took to achieve such magnificence; It is said to have been in a continuous state of building for 250 years.
One day in the city of York likely won’t be enough time to visit all the famous haunts this vibrant place can provide. But if you can get to see the famous ‘Shambles’, these streets alone will provide you with a rich history of tales and sights not much changed from the medieval way of life in the 14th and 15th century, with cobbled pavements; these are some of the best preserved streets in Europe.
As well as the Bronte sisters, Yorkshire has been home to some pretty inspired other pieces of literary work, including Bram stoker’s Dracula. St Mary’s Old Church on the East cliff, in Whitby, a good visit in itself – there you can take in what is said to be the final resting place of the man himself. Can this be true? According to the story, Count Dracula (a vampire) made it back to Transylvania to be killed by Jonathan Harker.
Jonathan Harker (a recently qualified English solicitor) was the man who brought the dreaded Count Dracula into England by way of Whitby on the boat, The Demeter.
However Dracula was here long enough to do much harm and terrorise the good people of Yorkshire before being captured and ‘killed’ by the shamed Jonathan.
Dracula had the power to turn people into vampires by biting them and infecting them with the Vampiric disease, thereafter these people were not able to die unless killed with a wooden stake through the heart. So Dracula is said to rest back in Transylvania with a wooden stake through his heart, thus keeping him powerless to get up again.
Fancy a Dracula Experience? HERE
The Abbey at Whitby ( St Hilda of Whitby) is a 199 step approach to this famous building. An ancient monastic place which was an important religious site, with archaeology turning up some fascinating finds from the Anglo Saxon period here.
If you don’t fancy or are not able to climb for these amazing cliff views, there is a lift available and wheelchair access and/or hire for those that need it. A gift shop and tea room provide an excellent break.
5 Places to stay and visit – Haunted Yorkshire
1. Witches in Ryedale – Unearthing Yorkshire’s Witches
This county steeped in folklore and rugged landscapes, holds a dark and fascinating history of witchcraft. While the most famous witch trials took place in Pendle, Lancashire, Yorkshire had its own chilling stories and accusations that reveal a deeply held fear of the supernatural and a society grappling with superstition. The belief in witches was widespread, often targeting women who were seen as outsiders, healers, or simply those with a cantankerous nature.
Visit Ryedale Folk Museum – Open 10am-4pm most days. Tales of local witchcraft and of the famous Nanny Pearson who was accused of witchcraft for being able to turn herself into such a small person she could ‘run about her cupboard’ HERE
Then stay at the Royal Oak at Gillamore, this lovely little pub is haunted by the tormented 18 year old Kitty Garthwaite, or ‘Sarkless Kitty’, not a witch but a tormented ghost.After discovering her body drowned in a pool outside the Royal Oak Inn in about 1809 it is said to have just disappeared after getting her ready for burial. ‘ No Coffin, No Body’ claimed the vicar at the burial. – In the following couple of years it seems she had ‘come back’ to wreck her vengeance on her true love (she was carrying his child when jilted by him) and other men! – 16 strangers to the village over a 2 year period after she died have been found dead in the pool outside the Inn, and a headless rider approaches the Royal Inn frequently even to this day.
Want to stay? HERE
2. Ghosts in York – Visit York and get a glimpse of places the public don’t normally see.
York’s Minster’s hidden underground tour gets you up close to the heart of the building. Discover the site of 3 cathedrals built on this site nearly 1,000 years ago. Go inside the crypt and climb to the top of the scaffolding and get spectacular views over this haunting city.
Then stay close by at The Dean Court built in about 1855, altering 3 separate dwellings this fabulous hotel will accommodate even the fussiest visitor. With parking off-site, this will have to be booked in advance, but with 37 en-suite rooms and a great restaurant and a porter to see to your whims this stay is a must.
If it’s ghosts you’re after that too should not be a problem – The Dean Court possesses many spooks. If you are happy to stay in a place where you hear whispers in the night, perhaps the feeling that you are being held down while in bed or coming across random cold spots even in the summer be prepared for a scary stay, but one with added comfort.
Want to stay? HERE
3. Ghouls in Wensleydale – It’s not Just the Cheese that’s legendary here
Magical, curious giants, ghouls, and ghastly black dogs roam these windswept moors. Such ‘things’ are often seen and ancient tales of the ‘Strid Kelpie’ have been feared by folk for a long time. Legends such as the all-watching black horse that can shape-shift often appears as a normal traveller, so beware!
Gytrash ( Charlotte Bronte writes about the spirit of Gytrash in her novel Jane Eyre) is another, watch for a giant dog lurking in the darkness on a mist covered moor who can catch you unaware. And Boggarts or Hobgoblins, these small hairy, cave- dwelling creatures are often happy to turn up in your bothy and do the household chores for you while you sleep, but be careful if you make them cross these nasty little fellows could turn your dog lame or sour your milk!
Watch out too for Churn Milk Peg, the name Yorkshire has given to the old hag. She can be seen wearing peasant clothes and sucking on a pipe. She is happy to scare children off with her screeching chant –
“Smoke a Wooden Pipe, Getting Nuts Before they Ripe”
Churn Milk Peg – The Old Hag
And if this doesn’t work she ‘tacks em!’ – she can be seen in woods and thickets especially in the Craven area of the West Riding.
Want to experience some Harry Potter magic? And if it’s a rugged (lots of walking), middle of nowhere place you’re looking for, then stay at The Quarrymans Bothy perched on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park this little gem could be just up your rugged path. Sleeps 2– Wild by day, starry by night,with plenty of hikes and mountain biking routes. And lots of wild and magical country to explore.
Want to stay? The Quarryman’s Bothy | Bothy in Yorkshire
4. Haunted Harrogate – So you think it’s just a Spa town?
This historic Spa town of Harrogate has much to offer, with its famous Turkish Spa, Tea rooms, Grand Hotels and amazing Victorian and Edwardian architecture, Harrogate and its surrounding countryside will entertain and delight you.
Not to be missed for a photo opportunity- is the amazing sight of the flowering (around April, but can be earlier depending on the weather) Japanese Cherry trees. There are about 200 of these big blousy pink trees and they line a path in The Stray. The Stray in Harrogate is a large park; it dates back to about the 1780’s when created to link natural springs together to one area. This has now been filled in and once again a grassy parkland full of shops, places to visit, eat and drink, and covering about 200 acres. These springs of natural water were highly praised for their medicinal qualities, and people came from near and far to bathe. The Cherry trees were planted in the 1950’s to commemorate Queen Elizabeth ll ‘s Coronation.
There’s also lots of lovely Edwardian and Victorian architecture (this place was thriving in times where people were looking for cures for their ill’s such as arthritis and skin disease) made popular with grand hotels catering to rich people’s needs.
I remember well staying at Cedar Court a few years back, and was given a room which I immediately felt uncomfortable in. It felt oppressive, dark and filled with a bad energy. I asked reception for another room; they agreed and I was upgraded to a beautiful room, which was in comparison much lighter, brighter, had no awful feeling to it, and it overlooked the front gardens … .Mmmm… much better. I normally look for this sort of feeling when visiting a hotel, but I can tell you this was bad, and I was in no mood to be facing those demons this time!
How about staying at The Swan Hotel in Harrogate, this building was originally an old coaching Inn dating back to the 18th century. Reports from guests claiming to see other people in their mirrors besides themselves only to look around and no one is there. It’s no surprise you might encounter some hauntingly historical stuff here. The hotel has been operational for a long time and many scary stories come with a stay. You might even want to go along for the ride and book a Murder Mystery Night/Weekend at the Swan Hotel.
Or if a chilly ghost walk is your thing – HERE
One famous story from the hotel dates back to the 1920’s when Agatha Christie (the renowned mystery writer) was found here after having been missing for 11 days. She had booked in under the name Theresa Neale and no one in the hotel took much notice as they didn’t know who she was. After being found she said she knew nothing of her disappearance from her Berkshire home and it was reported as an amnesia event. It was not known if this was a publicity stunt or a genuinely low mental state brought on by the recent death of her mother coupled with the knowledge her husband had been unfaithful.
Want to stay here? HERE
.5. Journeys and Haunts along the Worth Valley – Are you looking for a heart pounding adventure?
Journey along the Worth Valley in a steam train scare of your life. Your train journey at Halloween will take you through eerie landscapes and desolate rail tracks, you will encounter ghosts, ghouls, witches and more. Are you brave enough to board The Scare Train? Visit this unique 5 mile branch line set in industrial North Yorkshire and experience the old steam and some diesel trains at their best.
There is also an All Age train adventure which runs 29th, 30th and 31st October departing from Oxenhope.
The Worth Valley was important to its contribution to the textiles industry of West Riding and was furnished with several reservoirs to allow mills to operate within the valley.
Want to know more? HERE For the Spooky Express!
Afterwards stay at Holdsworth House for more haunting experiences! This beautiful Jacobean Manor dates back to about 1600, and there is some evidence to suggest as early as the 13th century where in parts this ancient place retains some original features. With connections to some notable people in the past having occupied the building, including Anne Lister, a wealthy diarist, (of the TV series Gentleman Jack) Holdsworth House is well worth a stay.
The ‘White Lady’ of Holdsworth House it seems has never gone and her ghostly spirit can be seen in many of the main rooms including the restaurant. George Harrison (from The Beatles pop group) when staying here in the 60’s was said to have asked ‘Is this place haunted?!’
With breakfast feasting of both full English and Irish, buffet, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free meals on offer what’s not to like? Traditional afternoon tea, and an a’la carte evening menu, why not round your day in one of the hidden terraces at this creepy hotel? free ample parking. HERE
Until next time dear friends x
