Ghost Hunting in the City of York, England

The city of York in England is full of Roman and Viking history and there are many places of interest to visit. By day you can take a tour of York Minster and take tea at Betty's Tearooms, but at night you can have a whole different experience.

After dark in the back streets of this historical English city you will find groups of tourists. Some of these tourists will be nervously wringing their hands; apprehension will be clouding their faces whilst others will be cracking silly jokes.

The Minster bell rings and there comes into view a figure clad in funereal black, a hushed silence falls upon the group. The guide tour has arrived.

Making sure that all in the group can hear him, he leads his flock through the shadowy streets and the journey begins. Your guide will sweep you up and into the eerie past of this glorious city with his well-practiced theatrics.

But let's face it with its turbulent history its no wonder that York is such a popular hangout for phantoms.

York was founded by the Romans back in 71Ad as "Eboracum', the city suffered Viking invasion, Civil War, the Black Death and a cholera epidemic.

York has many narrow lanes, twisting alleyways, and looming Tudor buildings which really add to the spookiness of any ghost tour.

The Shambles (originally the Anglo-Saxon "Fleshammels"- meaning "Street of the Butchers") is a must stop off for any ghost hunt. This is one of the city's oldest streets and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is here that ghostly apparitions of a headless Sir Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland, who was executed in 1572 for plotting against Queen Elizabeth I have been spotted. Also it is here that you may get to see a forlorn Margaret Clitherow, who was crushed to death by the authorities for illegally harboring Catholic priests in 1586.

Another stop is The Treasurer's House, reputedly the most haunted building in Britain. Legless Roman soldiers, a murderous wife and sallow faced children are all said to lurk in the corridors of the house which was built in 1419.

But, the ghosts are not limited to humans: a large black hound with red glowing eyes is also said to patrol the city's gloomy snickleways and passages.

Over the centuries York has been witness to countless grim and gruesome deaths, making it a fitting location for a ghoulish hunt for things that go bump in the night.

There are 6 ghost hunts daily, usually starting at 7.15pm and lasting approximately an hour.

Meeting points - the Kings Arm pub, the Minster, and the Shambles.

During busy periods it is best to book. To do this, contact the York Tourist Information Board - www.visityork.org

Source:
Author's own travels
Rough Guides to the Ultimate Experiences in Britain and Ireland