Haunted York
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, York claims to be Europe’s most haunted city, and sometimes it seems as though a ghostly figure with a score to settle is in residence in 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 where a young plumber sighted a legion of Roman soldiers only visible from the knee upwards. Minster Yard, Tel: 01904 624247. Press contact: Jane Whitehead, email: treasurershouse@nationaltrust.org.uk
Ghost Cruises
Join the ‘spirits’ at the bar for an entertaining one-hour cruise with costumed storyteller. Board a ghost cruise with YorkBoat. Lendal Bridge, Tel: 01904 628324. 1 April - 31 October, 7 pm from King’s Staith. Press contact: Louise Grapes, Tel: 01904 628324, email: louise@yorkboat.co.uk
Ghost Walks
Take part in one of the many ghost walks that entertain and inform intrepid visitors every night:
Ghost Trail of York
7.30 pm every evening from Minster entrance (West End) – no need to book. Traditional tales, Victorian tragedies and true accounts of ghostly phenomena. “Shockingly enjoyable!” Tel: 01904 633276, www.ghosttrail.co.uk
The Ghost Hunt of York
7.30 pm 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. Tel: 01904 608700, website: www.ghosthunt.co.uk
Original Ghost Walk of York
8 pm from the King’s Arms Pub, Ouse Bridge – no need to book. An exploration of the world of folklore, legend and dreams. Expert storytellers reveal all kinds of secrets about the ancient city of York. Tel: 01904 764222, www.yorkshirenet.co.uk/yorkghostwalk/
The Haunted Walk of York
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. Tel: 01904 621003.
The Ghost Detective of York
7.30pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November to March, outside Jorvik Viking Centre – Meet the Ghost Detective of York. Follow him as his evening walking tour takes you along narrow passageways and dark streets to investigate bloodcurdling tales of scandal and death. Tel: 07947 325239, www.garygoldthorpe.com
Hidden and Forbidden
*Daylight tours of York’s wonderful sights exploring secret places, passageways, undercrofts, sinister relics, stunning ruins and much more…Tel 01677 470354. Starts at York Minster every day 1030am and 2.15 pm. Feb-Nov. No need to book.
Entertainment
Century Adventures
Entertainers extraordinaire – history as you have never seen it before. Historical murder mysteries and melodramas, Regency evenings, lectures with costumes and artefacts can be arranged to suit. Press contact: Lucy Adlington, Tel: 01904 620805.
Haunted Pubs
The Black Swan – Peaseholme Green
Renowned for its live entertainment, this beautifully timbered 15th century pub is one of the oldest in the city. Folk music is a speciality and they host regular beer festivals. One of the regular visitations is by a beautiful young woman in a long white dress, who stares distractedly into the fireplace. There is also a man, who by the cut of his clothes and his bowler hat, belongs to Victorian times. He appears to be waiting impatiently for someone…but gradually fades away. Tel: 01904 686911
The Old Starre Inn – 40 Stonegate
The Old Starre Inn, a heritage tavern in Stonegate, dates back to 1644, or the time of Henry VIII and it is also said to be one of the most haunted pubs in York. In addition to the piteous cries of wounded soldiers, the pub is haunted by a pair of black cats. There have been sightings of an old lady climbing the stairs, though the apparition is only ever seen by young children. Tel: 01904 623063
The Cock and Bottle – 61 Skeldergate
The spectre seen on occasion at the Cock and bottle in Skeldergate has been identified as George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham, who lived during the reign of Charles II. He led a rakish life, marked by a number of affairs that scandalised the King’s court and was the original Georgie Porgie of the childrens’ rhyme (who ‘kissed the girls and made them cry’). His ghost still haunts the pub but appears only to women – sometimes even fondling them. Tel: 01904 654165
The Snickleway Inn – 47 Goodramgate
The Snickleway Inn has a long history of hauntings. On the top floor is an evasive ghost whose presence is marked only fleetingly by the scent of lavender. The friendly ghost of a Victorian child has been seen sitting on the stairs. More malevolent is a spirit that has been known to turn off the beer taps in the cellar. Tel: 01904 656138
York Arms – 26 High Petergate
A phantom figure has made a number of appearances at the York Arms, opposite York Minster. Witnesses have described the figure variously as a young woman, an old woman and a child. Objects have been known to move and doors open and close, as if by an unseen hand. Tel: 01904 624508
The Roman Bath – St Sampson’s Square
There have been many instances of ghostly occurrences in the Roman baths below the pub with the same name. Though most of these have been sounds rather than sightings. More commonly footsteps can be heard when no one is around and the sound of water splashing as though someone were washing themselves. There have been occasions of visitors fleeing in terror and refusing to go back down convinced that something has brushed against them. More recently during refurbishment of the entrance in the pub, which for obvious reasons took place at night. The decorator who was painting the walls at the bottom of the staircase refused to continue, he said: “something was there”. The wall was only completed when a slightly braver painter was found, but even he would only work during the day!
The only real “sighting” so far took place approximately 12 years ago. Two men were spending the night in the bath in order to raise money for charity. Both saw the exact same thing as they were settling down. A blinding light filled the room and the shape of a figure could be made out, the light disappeared as quickly as it came fading into the area where the bottom of the baths cold-room (the Fridgearium) can be seen. The light was seen again by one of the men a couple of weeks later reflected in the mirrors that used to be fixed to the wall. Again it faded as though it were being sucked into a hole, at the same spot. The second man at the time was manager of the Roman Bath and had been for some time. After the second sighting he packed his bags and left. I would like to put out a challenge for anyone that could spend the night in the Roman bath alone! Tel: 01904 620455
Haunted places to stay
The Golden Fleece Inn – Pavement
The Golden Fleece is said to be the oldest and most haunted Coaching Inn in York. It is mentioned in the York archives as far back as 1503, and it initially belonged to The Merchant Adventurers, who were responsible for the burgeoning woollen trade based on the River Ouse. The yard at the rear is named after Lady Alice Peckett, whose husband John was the Lord Mayor of York and also owned this historic inn around 1702. Many guests have reported seeing the late Lady Peckett wandering the endless corridors and staircases of the Golden Fleece in the small hours. Including ghostly apparitions and moving furniture, hers is just one of the five supposed resident spirits at the Golden Fleece! Tel: 01904 625 171, Prices start at £80 for a twin room.
The Black Swan – Peasholme Green
First built as a family residence back in the 15th Century, the Black Swan Inn oozes authenticity and beauty. Alongside countless years of history are a few interesting stories of Ghostly apparitions. One of the regular visitations is by a beautiful young woman in a long white dress, who stares distractedly into the fireplace. There is also a man, who by the cut of his clothes and his bowler hat, belongs to Victorian times. He appears to be waiting impatiently for someone…but gradually fades away. Tel: 01904 686911, email: info@blackswanyork.co.uk website: www.blackswanyork.co.uk Average price per room per night: £70.00 (2 double ensuite rooms available).
The Old White Swan – Goodramgate
This deceptively large building is proud to be known as one of York’s oldest pubs. Dating back to the 16th century, it is a collection of at least nine buildings that reflects an extraordinary history. Ghostly occurrences have become a part of this history. One such story concerns ghostly figures huddled around a fire laughing and chatting, the odd table and chair is also believed to unexplainably move… Tel: 01904 540911 Average price per room per night: £25.00 per person per night (2 rooms available).
Dean Court Hotel – Duncombe Place
A Roman soldier has been seen walking around one of the hotel’s rooms and three staying guests recently saw a ghostly figure in their bathroom mirror. Tel: 01904 625082, email: info@deancourt-york.co.uk website: www.bw-deancourt.co.uk Prices from £65 per person per night.
Please note that the information given above is subject to change.
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