10 Most Haunted Places in London
What to Do in London that’s Unusual?
The most haunted places in London combine historic buildings, former royal residences, and a vast, foreboding forest. For underground adventures, explore dimly lit subway stations and a tunnel snaking its way below the River Thames. Alternatively, enjoy a spot of ghost hunting above ground in dense woodland and a spectacular city cemetery.
Locals love to participate in hair-raising ghost walks at twilight, so join them, if you dare. You’ll hear intriguing and suspenseful tales of paranormal happenings and discover the fascinating background of London’s haunted hotspots. Explore this capital city’s ghoulish places, by day or by night, and prepare to be intrigued.
1. The Tower of London
Royal specters in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Good for: History, Families, Photo
Behind the dazzling Crown Jewels and stoic Beefeaters, something eerie lurks in The Tower of London. Since the late 11th century, people have been tortured and executed in this former royal palace, so there are plenty of reasons for ghosts. No less than 3 Tudor queens met a gruesome death in the Tower, and most sightings of beheaded Anne Boleyn are around the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, where she is buried.
As you enter this impressive fortress, the ominous, deep croaking sound of ravens greets you. Visitors have reported hearing monks’ sandals slapping against stone floors and seeing strange apparitions. Arrive close to the opening time, when the lines aren’t long and it’s quiet enough for spooky encounters.
Location: London EC3N 4AB, UK
Open: March–October: Tuesday–Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Sunday–Monday from 10 am to 5.30 pm. November–February: Tuesday–Saturday from 9 am to 4.30 pm, Sunday–Monday from 10 am to 4.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)33 3320 6000
The Tower of London
2. Highgate Cemetery
A scenic walk in nature and history
Good for: Budget, Unusual, History
In daytime, visitors stroll through Highgate Cemetery, following winding paths through spectacular trees and wildflowers, admiring the elaborate tombstones. This Victorian cemetery is a haven of tranquility in the bustle of north London, where people come to honor the deceased and see where Karl Marx is buried.
But at night, ghostly sightings abound. Paranormal investigators visit the cemetery frequently, trying to corroborate reports of vampires, sightings from Gothic graves, and scary apparitions with red eyes. Take a guided tour of this enchanting place to learn about its fascinating history. Street parking is limited, so take the underground to Archway, and the cemetery is just a short walk from the station.
Location: Swain’s Ln, London N6 6PJ, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)20 8340 1834
Highgate Cemetery
3. Queen’s House
Ghostly visions captured on film
Good for: History, Budget
Queen’s House is an elegant museum in Greenwich that’s known for its iconic architecture. The Tulip Stairs will dazzle you with a bold, intricate design. This staircase was also the site of one of England’s most famous ghost photos. In the 1960s, Reverend Hardy captured what looked like a figure clawing itself up the staircase.
A seance followed, and to this day, visitors report hearing children chanting in the corridors or having their hands pinched by invisible entities. Ghoulish photos aside, Queen’s House remains a fascinating and free art gallery to visit, with the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I taking center stage. Download the app for the free audio guide and enjoy an intriguing tour of this historic place.
Location: Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)20 8858 4422
Queen's House
4. Charlton House and Gardens
Stunning flora and ghostly presences
Good for: History, Budget, Photo
Visitors to Charlton House and Gardens recount seeing the silhouette of a woman carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket. The Grey Lady, as she’s commonly known, is the building’s most terrifying apparition. This spectacular Jacobean manor house was built over 400 years ago, and its walls are rich with history. Once a residence of royal tutors and a wartime hospital, it’s no surprise that the house is haunted.
On Hallowe’en, you can take a tour of the terrifying attic and basement, where employees fear to go unaccompanied, or enjoy a self-guided tour of the house during summer and explore the grounds with their exquisite floral displays. Check online for free lunchtime classical concerts, too. They’re highly recommended.
Location: Charlton Rd, London SE7 8RE, UK
Open: Monday–Friday from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, Saturday from 9.30 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +44 (0)20 8856 3951
Charlton House and Gardens
5. Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Eerie underground happenings
Good for: Unusual, Budget
Winding its way under the River Thames, the Greenwich Foot Tunnel lends itself to spooky experiences. With its long, echoing pathway stretching out before you, entering this narrow tunnel can feel as though stepping into a horror film. Overhead lights flicker, the temperature drops suddenly, and you hear footsteps thudding behind you. But when you look, there’s nobody there.
These are some of the paranormal activities regularly reported in the tunnel. Not to mention the Victorian couple who appear and disappear without a trace, giving both locals and tourists quite a scare. Visit the tunnel during daytime hours for a less frightening experience. But be sure to keep to the left side of the walkway, especially during commuter rush hours.
Location: Greenwich Foot Tunnel, London SE10 9HT, UK
Phone: +44 (0)20 8854 8888
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
6. Ragged School Museum
Paranormal activity in a former schoolhouse
Good for: History, Families
The Ragged School Museum showcases school life in the Victorian East End. The Ragged School was the largest free school in London during the latter half of the 19th century. Impoverished families had access to an education, but the treatment of the children attending this school was harsh and often violent. The spirits of these suffering children are said to haunt the building since its closure in 1908.
With its imposing, somber facade, the museum sends a chill down the spine. Venture into the basement, if you dare, where poltergeists lurk and doors slam inexplicably. Visit on the first Sunday of the month for a lesson in an authentic Victorian classroom. It’s an unforgettable experience.
Location: 46-50 Copperfield Rd, London E3 4RR, UK
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +44 (0)20 8980 6405
Ragged School Museum
7. Liverpool Street Underground Station
Unusual sightings in a commuter hotspot
Good for: Budget, History
If you see a man in white overalls carrying a toolbox at Liverpool Street Underground Station, things may not be as they seem. This subway station is said to be haunted by a man on his way to work, who just disappears into thin air from the Central Line platform. Be sure to look out for him.
The station was constructed on a mass burial ground, which could explain the paranormal fun and games that occur. Archeologists discovered around 3,000 skeletons at this site. Nowadays, it’s a popular commuting station, with visitors using it for access to the nearby Tower of London, too. Take a leisurely stroll a mile towards the river to get there and enjoy more ghoulish escapades.
Location: Underground Station, Liverpool St, London EC2M 7PD, UK
Liverpool Street Underground Station
8. Bruce Castle Museum
The sinister side of one of Haringey’s most beautiful spots
Good for: History, Photo
Legend states that the wailing ghost of Lady Constantia Lucy haunts Bruce Castle Museum every November. In the late 17th century, her cruel husband, Lord Henry Coleraine, is said to have locked Lady Constantia in a room beneath the huge exterior clock. In despair, she threw herself off the balcony. Visitors report hearing a lady crying as a silhouette walks along the balcony next to the clock.
Around Hallowe’en, the museum hosts special after-dark events. Listen to spine-tingling tales of paranormal encounters as you’re led through the sprawling estate by candlelight and a costumed guide. You’ll need to reserve tickets well in advance for these events, as places are limited.
Location: Lordship Ln, London N17 8NU, UK
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +44 (0)20 8489 4250
Bruce Castle Museum
9. Bethnal Green Underground Station
The site of a chilling tragedy
Good for: Budget, Nightlife, History
Today, Bethnal Green Underground Station is one of the East End’s busiest stations. Yet, on 3rd March 1943, it was home to one of wartime England’s most tragic events. As air raid sirens pierced the air, panicked families rushed to the safety of the subway station. In the ensuing chaos and darkness, over 170 people were crushed to death as people fell down the station’s narrow stairwell.
There are frequent visions of ghostly silhouettes to this day, thought to be the victims of this tragedy. Many visitors claim they feel an oppressive weight and general malaise in the subway station. Once you’ve hunted for ghosts, head above ground and check out the diverse restaurants this area is known for.
Location: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 0ET, UK
Bethnal Green Underground Station
10. Epping Forest
A dense, dark woodland teeming with scary encounters
Good for: Nightlife, Budget, Photo
Weave your way through the creaking trees and sinewy paths of Epping Forest at twilight, and you’ll soon understand its reputation as one of London’s most haunted places. It’s easy to imagine how an evening stroll in the forest, hearing bloodcurdling screams and seeing terrifying apparitions, would set your pulse racing.
Ghost sightings of the notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin, charging through the clearings on his horse, are common. Poltergeist activity is rife too, with invisible hands shoving people as they walk along the pathways. There’s also the headless horseman who appears out of nowhere, then disappears again. Check the website for entertaining, interactive ghost walks that are not for the faint of heart.
Phone: +44 (0)20 8508 9061
Epping Forest
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