Haunted Britain: A Guide to British Haunted Houses

You may not necessarily associate the United Kingdom with ghost stories, but there are actually an awful lot of haunted properties and places in the UK. In this guide to Haunted Britain, I am going to take you on a journey of some of the spookiest places in the British Isles, starting with a look at some of Britain's haunted houses.

1. Clandon House
Clandon Park, West Clandon, Guildford
01483 222482
Clandon House Website

Clandon House was built in the early 1730's for Thomas Onslow. The Onslow family were heavily involved in political careers, and quite possibly used to grandeur. The interior of Clandon house was not fully finished until 1740 and still features much of the original design, including a two storey Marble Hall. The property is now protected by the National Trust and has been since 1956.

Haunting at Clandon House

The grounds of Clandon House have often been visited by the ghost of a lady wearing a satin dress. She has been spotted roaming the surrounding area of the house carrying a hunting knife. Believers suggest that the lady is the ghost of Thomas Onslow's wife, who died before she could see her home built completely.

2. Courtiers House
Clifton Hampden, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Courtiers House Information

Courtiers House is a Georgian mansion, and was formerly a school and an institution. It was once owned by Captain and Sarah Fletcher. Captain Fletcher was a Captain in the Royal Navy, and after Sarah was given the news that her husband had died at sea, she found out that he was actually safe and well, and planning to marry another woman. Sarah managed to stop the wedding and her husband returned to sea, but unable to handle his betrayal, she took her own life.

Haunting at Courtiers House

Sarah's ghost would often appear wearing a black cloak and a ribbon in her hair. She made herself known with the sound of footsteps coming from the room that used to be her bedroom, then across the landing and down the stairs, but there were also cases when doors were slammed and door handles moved of their own accord.

3. Athelhampton Hall
Athelhampton, Dorchester
01305 848363
Athelhampton Hall website

Athelhampton Hall is said to be one of the most haunted houses in Dorset. It was built around 1485 by Sir William Martyn. The family crest was an ape sitting on a tree stump and the family even had a pet monkey. It is believed that the monkey was accidentally locked into one of the rooms of the house and starved to death.
Haunting at Athelhampton Hall

One of the most famous ghosts of Athelhampton Hall is that of the monkey that was accidentally starved. Nobody has ever seen the ghost of the monkey but it is said that the sounds of him scratching at the doors to escape can still be heard.

Other ghosts seen at Athelhampton Hall are two men duelling and The Grey Lady. The footsteps of a ghost cat have also been heard.

4. Gunby Hall
Gunby, Spilsby
01909 486 411
Gunby Hall Website

Now owned by the National Trust, Gunby Hall was originally built in 1700 for Sir William Massingberd. Stories say that Sir William's daughter fell in love with one of the workers at the Hall and Sir William did not approve. To put an end to the relationship, he shot his daughter's lover and threw his body in the pond.

Haunting at Gunby Hall

The ghosts of Sir William Massingberd's daughter and her lover can sometimes be seen strolling down a path near the hall which was later labelled Ghost Walk.

5. Burton Agnes Hall, Bridlington, East Yorkshire
Burton Agnes, Driffield
01262 490324
Burton Agnes Hall website

Burton Agnes Hall was built in 1173. Over the years, it was extended and changed as different families moved into it. The original lower chamber still exists today, though some of the rest of the building has been altered. In 1620, Burton Agnes Hall was lived in by Sir Henry Griffith and his three daughters. Sir Henry's youngest daughter Katherine - known as Anne - was attacked on her way home and her injuries made it impossible for her to survive and she died a few days later. Before she died, she told her sisters that after her death, she wanted her head to be severed and preserved in the Hall. Although her sisters agreed, after Anne died they ignored her wishes and buried her in the churchyard.

Haunting at Burton Agnes Hall

The angry ghost of Anne Griffith is believed to have caused much disturbance at Burton Agnes Hall by making lots of noise in the house until her body was exhumed and her wish granted. Anne's skull was removed twice more in the Hall's existence, but each time the owners were forced to put it back when chaos was brought by the ghost. Her skull is said to remain inside the Hall to this day, though nobody knows where.

This is small guide to some of the best haunted houses in Britain, but there are many more to be found. If you are interested in haunted houses when you are visiting the UK, be sure to search the area you plan to go because you will probably find there is at least one haunted house in every county.