York - with its history of conflict and many tragic events - boasts more than its fair share of ghoulies, ghosties and things that go bump in the night. In fact, in 2002 the International Ghost Research Foundation declared York to be ‘Europe's most haunted city', and sometimes it seems as though a ghostly figure with a score to settle is in residence is just about every street or ginnel in town. Here are just a few...

Legendary Legionnaires
One morning in 1953 apprentice plumber Harry Martindale was installing a new central heating system in the cellars of the Treasurer's House in the shadow of the Minster. Suddenly he heard the distant sound of a horn, which became gradually louder. Then a great carthorse emerged through the brick wall, ridden by a dishevelled Roman soldier. He was followed by several more soldiers, dressed in green tunics and plumed helmets. It looked as though they were walking on their knees - their lower legs and feet were nowhere to be seen. Then the ghostly crew moved into a recently excavated area, and it became clear that they were walking on an old Roman road, the Via Decumana, which had been buried 15 inches below the surface. When a bewildered Harry scrambled upstairs to safety, the Treasurer's House curator reportedly said to him, "You've seen the Roman soldiers, haven't you?" It seems the ghoulish visitors had been spotted on several previous occasions.

Mad Alice
Lund's Court (linking Swinegate and Low Petergate) was formerly known as Mad Alice Lane, in honour of Alice Smith who lived in the lane until 1825, the year she was hanged at York Castle for the perceived crime of insanity. Does her spirit still haunt the alleyway?

The Grey Lady
A theatrical ghost, the Grey Lady haunts a room behind the dress circle of the Georgian Theatre Royal. In medieval times, as the story goes, this was part of the old Hospital of St Leonard, which was run by an order of nuns. One young nun fell in love with a nobleman and the pair became lovers, but when her scandalous behaviour became known she was thrown into a windowless room - now part of the theatre - which was bricked up to become her living tomb. A gruesome tale, but apparently if the nun in her grey habit is spotted in the dress circle it's a good omen for that night's production!

The Funeral Guest
Once known as the most beautiful of York's many ghosts, this long-haired, elegant apparition has frequently appeared at All Saints Church, Pavement, one of the city's most striking churches, and is in the habit of welcoming funeral processions at the door. Perhaps, a turbulent spirit who was herself denied a Christian burial?

Brothers in crime
St William's College, the beautiful medieval building behind York Minster, which is today a much sought-after conference venue and popular eatery, harbours a ghost with a very guilty conscience. Apparently in 16th century York, two brothers were lodging at the College and, desperate for money, hatched a plan to rob a wealthy priest from the Minster. They mugged him, stole his jewellery and purse - and slit his throat. The younger brother was overcome with remorse, and the older sibling feared he would give the game away. He reported his brother to the authorities, and stood by while he was tried and hanged for murder. The elder brother died soon after, racked with guilt. But his unhappy spirit paces the floors of St William's College to this day.

A Ghostly Tudor Lady
Could the finely dressed Tudor lady who walks through walls at the King's Manor be the ghost of Queen Catherine Howard, who was King Henry VIII's guest here in 1541? The lady carries roses in her hands, and the part of the building where she has been spied was once the Rose Garden. Catherine, the fourth of Henry's six wives, was executed shortly after her stay, and possibly the fact that she entertained her lover Thomas Culpeper in the Manor didn't help her chances of a long and happy marriage to the fickle Henry.

The Headless Earl
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland, was executed for treason in York: as a staunch Catholic he had plotted against the Protestant Elizabeth I. He was beheaded in 1572, and his head stuck on a large spike on Micklegate Bar as a warning to anyone else with similar ideas. There it remained for many years until eventually recovered and buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity church in Goodramgate. The body of the Earl has been seen on many a night staggering between the graves, searching for his mislaid head.

York's Ghostly Attractions

York Dungeon
For a truly ghoulish experience. 12 Clifford Street, Tel: 01904 632599. Press contact: Helen Douglas, email: yorkdungeon@merlin-entertainments.com.

Treasurer's House
It was at the Treasurer's House cellar where a young plumber sighted a legion of Roman soldiers only visible from the knee upwards. It is considered York's most famous haunted cellar and is open to the public daily except Friday. Minster Yard, Tel: 01904 624247. Press contact: Jane Whitehead, email: treasurershouse@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Ghost Walks
Take part in one of the many ghost walks that entertain and inform intrepid visitors every night:

Original Ghost Walk of York
Tel: 01904 764222
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk/yorkghostwalk
8pm from the King's Arms Pub, Ouse Bridge - no need to book.
An exploration of the world of folklore, legend and dreams. Expert story-tellers reveal all kinds of secrets about the ancient city of York.

Ghost Trail of York
Tel: 01904 633276
www.ghosttrail.co.uk
7.30pm every evening from Minster entrance (West End) - no need to book.
Traditional tales, Victorian tragedies and true accounts of ghostly phenomena. "Shockingly enjoyable"!

The Ghost Hunt of York
Tel: 01904 608700
www.ghosthunt.co.uk
7.30pm from the Shambles - no need to book
Takes you through the streets and snickleways with a professional guide for an evening of horror and hilarity.

The Ghost Detective of York
Tel: 07947 325239
www.ghostdetective.com
7.30pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November to March and every night from Easter to Halloween from outside the Jorvik Viking Centre in Coppergate.
Meet the Ghost Detective of York, England. Follow him as his evening walking tour takes you along narrow passageways and dark streets to investigate bloodcurdling tales of scandal and death - of phantoms, ghosts, apparitions and supernatural stories of the strange and macabre. Simply dressed in his trademark Homburg hat and black cravat, he will take you to parts of old York that even some long-standing residents never knew existed. And for Halloween, you may even meet one or two of those residents yourself - just when you least expect them!

The Haunted Walk of York
Tel: 01904 621003
8 pm from Exhibition Square (in front of the Art Gallery) - no need to book
No masks or gimmicks - just story telling at its best! The history, haunting, murders and mysteries of Europe's most ghostly city.

For any further information and your free guide to York, please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org.

Press contact:  Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org, website: www.visityork.org.