The history of England goes back thousands of years, and stories of ghosts and the paranormal are embedded into English folklore and history. With so many castles, old pubs and colourful characters from the past, it’s no surprise that so many towns, cities and even villages in England host a wide array of ghost tours, that guide the public through the streets and regale the with tales of hauntings, horrid history and unheard of stories from the past.
We’ve collated some of the best Ghost Tours in England, based on their popularity and reviews. Some focus purely on the paranormal, others cover the gorier aspects of history, and even combine both!
The Weird Walk of Warwick
This ghost tour of Warwick was launched in 2023, and combines the ghost stories, real history and folklore of this 1000 year old town, right in the heart of England. Visitors praise the tour for its humour and thorough research, with locals even claiming they learned things about their hometown they never knew before.
Highlights of the tour include the ghost of a headless knight said to roam the Tudor almshouse known as the Lord Leycester Hospital, and the story of a hellhound that was once an elderly servant who worked at Warwick Castle.
The tour is led by the Worthingtons, two gentlemen dressed as Victorian undertakers, who are equally humorous as they are horrific.
The Deathly Dark Tours of York
Considered by some to be the best ghost tour in York, and even in the country! The Deathly Dark Tour became a viral sensation during the 2020 lockdown, as its charismatic leader Dorian Deathly livestreamed his ghost tour of York, while the streets were completely empty at night.
The tour soon found fans all across the world, desperate to hear ghost stories while isolated. Once lockdown lifted, the tours soon welcomed in-person guests, and has been flourishing ever since.
You are guided through the historic city of York by the “Deathly” gang, a mix of odd characters who use a mixture of props and humour to tell some of the scariest stories from York’s past.
York is considered the most haunted city in Europe, so any visitor who loves the paranormal will need to do this tour.
The Jack the Ripper Tour
Anyone who loves the macabre and has visited London needs to do a Jack the Ripper tour, and the original is considered the best!
Head into Whitechapel, and visit the spots where each of Jack the Ripper’s victims were found, and hear how London’s most infamous serial killer became an urban legend and sensation for the press.
Their tour even features Ripper-Vision TM, where your guide projects scenes from the past of the spot you are standing on, as a living window into the past, so you can see exactly what the people of Victorian London saw back in the days of Jack.
The Bloody Tour of York
Another York tour, but don’t be surprised, there are quite a few to choose from in the city, but only one tour does what this one does. The Bloody Tour of York is led by the legendary Mad Alice, a veteran ghost tour guide who has probably now led tens of thousands of people through York’s streets.
This tour covers the gory side of York’s history. You may hear about a ghost or two, but the real horror lies in the real-life executions and criminals that once plagued York’s streets.
Told with humour and exceptional drama, The Bloody Tour of York is considered a must for lovers of dark history.
Shiverpool
Not only does this ghost tour have arguably the greatest name of any other tour on this list, it’s also one of thew few top quality ghost tours you will find in the North West of England.
Shiverpool is Liverpool’s number 1 ghost and history tour. Their tours take you to the city’s most historic and picturesque locations, where spooky tales of ghosts and the macabre are revealed.
These tours are highly rated by guests, who praise the guides’ personality and humour. There are said to be a few surprises and scares on the tour, though those who attend keep quiet about what they are.
There is even a tour that ends in the city’s old morgue, aptly named “The Dead House”. Shiverpool should be at the top of all ghost lovers lists.
Skipton Ghost Tour
A surprising newcomer is the Skipton Ghost Tour in North Yorkshire. Led by “The Butcher”, this is a tour that takes you through the quaint streets of Skipton and reveals the dark past that is hiding in plain sight.
Visitors will take in sights including Skipton castle, the canal and even a few local pubs that are said to be haunted by the long departed.
The tours are developed and ran by a professional theatre company, so expect a dark atmosphere and polished storytelling from this new gem of a ghost tour.