15 Most Haunted Places in London

London’s cobblestone streets and ancient buildings harbor centuries of dark history, making it one of the world’s most haunted capital cities. As a travel writer who has personally explored these eerie sites during both day and night tours, I’ve created this time-optimized guide to help you experience London’s most spine-tingling locations while avoiding the tourist crowds and maximizing your chances of a genuine paranormal encounter.

This guide will save you hours of planning while maximizing your ghostly encounters. Each haunted site includes visitor information, optimal times, and strategic tips to experience the paranormal without wasting precious travel time.

In this haunted London guide, you’ll discover:

• The most active ghost sites based on reported sightings
• Strategic visiting hours for maximum spooky potential
• Time-saving transport combinations between haunted locations
• Cost-efficient ghost tour alternatives and Halloween specials

Let’s explore these 15 terrifying locations, ranked from merely spine-chilling to absolutely horrifying, with insider tips to make your haunted London adventure efficient and unforgettable.

1. Morpeth Arms: Phantom Prisoner in the Cellar

This riverside pub near Tate Britain disguises itself as ordinary, but beneath its floorboards lurks a disturbing secret. The cellar houses a network of old prison cells that once imprisoned convicts from the former Millbank Prison before their transportation to Australia.

Staff and visitors have consistently reported inexplicable shadows and eerie movements in these underground vaults. The Morpeth Arms’ innovative approach to haunting tourism sets it apart—it’s installed a live “ghost cam” monitoring the haunted tunnels. Look for the CCTV screen labeled “Can you see the haunted prisoner?” to potentially glimpse the restless spirit of an inmate who allegedly died in these cells.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 58 Millbank, Westminster
• Best visiting time: 7-9 PM when the pub is less crowded
• Cost: Free entry, just order a drink (£5-8)
• Time-saving tip: Combine with Tate Britain visit (10-minute walk)
• Closest tube: Pimlico (Victoria Line)

2. Covent Garden Station: Ghost of a Victorian Actor

While 44,000 commuters rush through daily, Covent Garden’s Underground station harbors a spectral secret that’s been spooking staff since the 1950s. Late-night workers have reported encountering a tall, cloak-wearing apparition that silently roams the empty platforms, often around 11:30 PM – notably, the time of Terriss’s murder.

This ghost is believed to be William Terriss, a famous 19th-century actor murdered near this site in 1897. Terriss was known to frequent a bakery that once stood where the station now exists. The haunting became so notorious that one station porter demanded a transfer after multiple terrifying encounters with a man in old-fashioned attire who vanished without a trace.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Covent Garden, WC2
• Best visiting time: Late evening (10-11 PM) when crowds thin
• Cost: Standard tube fare (approximately £2.50 with Oyster)
• Time-saving tip: Combine with Theatre Royal Drury Lane (#4) – just 5 minutes away
• Closest tube: This is the haunted station itself!

3. Bank of England: The Black Nun of Threadneedle Street

The imposing Bank of England’s neoclassical façade projects financial stability by day. Still, at night, it’s reportedly stalked by the mournful figure of Sarah Whitehead – better known as the “Black Nun.”

Sarah’s brother (a bank clerk) was executed for fraud in 1812, driving her to madness. For years, she visited the bank in a black dress daily, plaintively asking, “Have you seen my brother?” Long after her death, Londoners reported a forlorn woman in black prowling the Bank’s garden and nearby streets, still on her eternal search.

Night security guards claim to hear her ghostly question echoing in the darkness, making this one of the City of London’s most persistent hauntings.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Threadneedle St, EC2
• Best visiting time: Evening, after business hours (6-8 PM)
• Cost: Free to view from outside, Bank of England Museum (£10)
• Time-saving tip: The Bank station connects five tube lines, making it an efficient transport hub
• Closest tube: Bank (Central, Northern, DLR, Waterloo & City lines)

4. Westminster Abbey: Ghostly Monk Guide in the Cloisters

London’s historic royal abbey isn’t just a monument to the living – it’s a sanctuary for the dead, including some who refuse to rest. The most beloved ghost here is Father Benedictus, a kindly 16th-century Benedictine monk who continues his duties in the afterlife.

Multiple eyewitnesses report encountering his solid-looking figure, dressed in a traditional monk’s robe, around twilight. What makes this haunting remarkable is how interactive it is.

In one famous incident from 1900, a group of American tourists was led on an informal “tour” by a genial monk who explained abbey history for 20 minutes – then slowly backed into a wall and vanished. In 1932, two lost visitors were guided out of the cloisters by a soft-spoken friar who staff later confirmed didn’t exist.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 20 Deans Yard, SW1
• Best visiting time: Late afternoon before closing (3-4 PM)
• Cost: £27 for full admission (check the official website for current prices)
• Time-saving tip: Book online to skip queues, saving up to 40 minutes
• Closest tube: Westminster (Jubilee, District, Circle lines)

5. St. Paul’s Cathedral: Whistling Clergyman in the Crypt

Sir Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece conceals a peculiar spectral resident – a ghostly clergyman with an unusual habit of whistling loudly. For decades, visitors seeking spiritual solace have instead heard inexplicable whistling echoing through the All Souls’ Chapel.

Described as a shadowy holy man in archaic clothing, this ghost has been reported by multiple witnesses and is said to whistle so clearly that it disturbs people at prayer. Cathedral staff have also noted disembodied footsteps and faint crying sounds in the crypt’s darkness.

This whistling ghost is one of London’s more unusual paranormal phenomena, creating an unexpected soundtrack to your visit.

Visitor Information:

• Location: St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4
• Best visiting time: Weekday mornings (10-11 AM) for fewer crowds
• Cost: £21 for full admission
• Time-saving tip: Wednesday afternoons often have shorter queues
• Closest tube: St. Paul’s (Central Line)

6. Old Operating Theatre Museum: Wailing Woman in the Attic

Hidden in the garret of an old church near London Bridge, this museum was once a 19th-century surgical theatre where operations were performed without anesthesia. Some say the patients never left.

Visitors have described a sorrowful female apparition in antiquated dress sobbing among the wooden spectator galleries. Nicknamed the “Weeping Nurse” or sometimes a grieving widow, she’s observed wringing her hands before fading away.

Another ghost, a “woman in white,” has been spotted silently roaming the herb garret. Staff have arrived in the morning to find every cabinet and drawer in the museum inexplicably flung open – as if unseen hands rifled through them during the night searching for forgotten remedies.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 9a St. Thomas St, SE1
• Best visiting time: Weekday afternoon (2-4 PM)
• Cost: £8.50 adult admission
• Time-saving tip: Combine with nearby London Bridge attractions (5-minute walk to The Clink)
• Closest tube: London Bridge (Northern, Jubilee lines)

See Related: London vs Chicago: Key Differences Every Traveler Should Know

7. The Clink Prison Museum: Screams and Chains on Bankside

On a narrow medieval lane by the Thames sits the Clink, one of England’s oldest prisons with nearly 900 years of brutal history. Its dark cells supposedly still echo with the sounds of former inmates, making it one of London’s most actively haunted sites.

Visitors and staff regularly report sudden cold spots and the unmistakable noise of rattling chains in empty corridors. In the dimly lit torture exhibit, some have heard faint cries and moans from the oubliette (dungeon pit) below.

A shadowy female specter, believed to be a jailer’s wife or prisoner, has been glimpsed lingering near the entrance, dragging chains behind her. The museum embraces its terrifying reputation, making it a must-visit for serious ghost hunters.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Clink St, SE1
• Best visiting time: Last hour before closing for fewer visitors
• Cost: £8 adult admission
• Time-saving tip: Part of an efficient Bankside ghost walk (Globe Theatre to Tower Bridge)
• Closest tube: London Bridge (Northern, Jubilee lines)

8. The Charterhouse: Headless Duke and Plague Victims

This medieval complex near Smithfield Market has seen it all: monastery, mansion, plague pit, and school. With such a bloody history, multiple ghosts linger in its ancient halls.

The most dramatic specter is a headless nobleman identified as Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. Residents have claimed they’ve seen the decapitated Duke descending a staircase, carrying his severed head under his arm – a grisly replay of his 1572 execution for treason.

Even more disturbing is the tranquil garden built atop a Black Death mass grave. Witnesses describe hearing faint, pitiful cries on quiet nights – believed to be the voices of 14th-century plague victims “crying out for mercy” from beneath the earth.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Charterhouse Square, EC1
• Best visiting time: Tuesday or Thursday afternoon tours (2 PM)
• Cost: £15 for a guided historical tour
• Time-saving tip: Pre-book a tour, as they often sell out
• Closest tube: Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines)

9. The Grenadier Pub: The Soldier in the Cellar

Tucked away in a Belgravia mews, The Grenadier looks like a charming traditional pub – but locals insist it’s London’s most haunted tavern. The cellar is reportedly stalked by the ghost of “Cedric,” a young guardsman brutally beaten to death after cheating at cards in the 18th century.

Countless visitors have felt an icy presence brush by or witnessed objects move independently, especially during September (the month Cedric died). The ceiling is now plastered with money – banknotes left by patrons hoping to pay off Cedric’s gambling debt and calm his restless spirit. Staff firmly attest to seeing a shadowy soldier suddenly appear and vanish into thin air while others hear muffled moans rising from the empty cellar.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 18 Wilton Row, SW1
• Best visiting time: Weekday evenings (6-8 PM) for a quieter experience
• Cost: Free entry (just purchase a drink)
• Time-saving tip: Combine with Hyde Park ghost walk
• Closest tube: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)

10. The British Museum: Cursed Mummy and Restless Artifacts

By day, the British Museum showcases humanity’s greatest treasures. By night, it reportedly transforms into one of London’s most haunted institutions, with artifacts that refuse to rest quietly in their display cases.

The most infamous legend is that of the “Unlucky Mummy,” an Egyptian coffin lid blamed for a series of deaths and supernatural occurrences after it arrived in the 1880s. Victorian-era guards reported hearing frantic hammering and sobbing emanating from the mummy’s display case at night.

One photographer who captured the artifact supposedly died by suicide shortly after developing the image, deepening the mummy’s sinister reputation. Security staff have shared stories of ghostly figures roaming the Egyptian galleries and a strange oppressive aura around certain artifacts.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Great Russell St, WC1
• Best visiting time: Late afternoon (3-5 PM) when crowds thin
• Cost: Free general admission
• Time-saving tip: Enter via the back entrance on Montague Place to avoid main entrance queues
• Closest tube: Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern lines)

11. Viaduct Tavern: Newgate’s Restless Inmate

Opposite the Old Bailey, this ornate Victorian pub hides a chilling slice of prison history. In the cellar are five tiny cells believed to be remnants of Newgate Prison’s medieval debtor jail.

The tavern’s most famous haunting occurred to a former landlord locking up one night: the lights suddenly went out, the cellar door slammed shut, and a disembodied voice whispered in his ear, “It’s just you and me down here now.” Terrified, he fumbled in darkness until the door mysteriously released on its own.

Other staff have reported the upstairs air turning icy cold and unseen forces snatching items from their hands. In one particularly dramatic incident, a barmaid’s newspaper was yanked away and thrown to the floor by invisible hands.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 126 Newgate St, EC1
• Best visiting time: Early evening (5-7 PM) before it gets crowded
• Cost: Free entry (purchase a drink)
• Time-saving tip: Ask staff to show you the old cells – they’re often willing
• Closest tube: St. Paul’s (Central Line)

See Related: Is London Safe? Surprising Facts Every Tourist Should Know

12. Theatre Royal Drury Lane: Man in Grey and Other Thespians Unseen

London’s oldest working theatre is also its most haunted, with so many spirits it’s been called “the world’s most haunted theatre.” Its best-known phantom, the Man in Grey, appears as a Regency-era gentleman in a tricorn hat and cloak who limps along the upper Circle before vanishing through a wall.

After a skeleton with a knife in its ribs was found bricked into that same wall in 1848, many believe this unfortunate soul’s ghost is doomed to patrol the venue eternally.

Actors and crew report countless paranormal experiences, including mysterious footsteps in empty corridors, doors slamming backstage, and a mischievous spirit who enjoys tampering with the stage equipment. Unlike many hauntings, the theatre’s ghosts are seen as good omens—a sighting of the Man in Grey is considered a sign that a production will be successful.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Catherine St, WC2
• Best visiting time: Book a backstage tour (when available) or attend an evening performance
• Cost: Tours are about £17; show tickets vary
• Time-saving tip: Book tours well in advance as they frequently sell out
• Closest tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)

13. The Langham Hotel: Room 333 and Its Restless Spirits

This five-star Marylebone hotel is renowned for both luxury accommodations and supernatural residents. The notorious Room 333 is said to host the spirit of a Victorian doctor who murdered his wife and then took his own life during their honeymoon.

In the 1970s, a BBC news anchor staying in that room awoke to see a fluorescent orb form into a partial human figure – sans legs – hovering beside his bed. He fled in terror, and a colleague who returned with him witnessed the apparition before it faded. Other guests have reported encounters with a ghostly German prince who jumped to his death from a window, a tuxedo-clad butler who walks through walls, and even the spirit of Emperor Napoléon III, who lived here in exile and is occasionally seen in the basement.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 1c Portland Place, W1
• Best visiting time: Book an overnight stay for a full experience
• Cost: Rooms from £350/night
• Time-saving tip: If not staying overnight, visit the historic Palm Court for afternoon tea
• Closest tube: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, Bakerloo lines)

14. 50 Berkeley Square: Nameless Horror of the Attic

Known as “the most haunted house in London,” this elegant Mayfair townhouse gained a terrifying reputation in the 19th century. Its abandoned top-floor attic was said to be home to a formless entity so dreadful that it drove people mad.

One oft-told tale involves a young maidservant sent to make a bed in the attic; moments later, her horrified screams rang out. She was found in shock, mumbling, “Don’t let it touch me,” and reportedly never regained her sanity.

In another incident, a brash nobleman vowed to spend a night in the attic to disprove the ghost stories – by morning, he had died of fright, his face frozen in terror. The legend peaked in 1887 when two sailors seeking shelter broke in. One sailor fled the house screaming; the other was later discovered dead, his eyes wide with horror.

Visitor Information:

• Location: 50 Berkeley Sq, W1
• Best visiting time: Exterior viewing only (now a private office)
• Cost: Free to view from outside
• Time-saving tip: Join a Mayfair ghost walk that includes this location
• Closest tube: Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria lines)

15. The Tower of London: Royal Ghosts and Grisly Shadows

The Tower of London isn’t just a premier attraction but arguably England’s most haunted fortress. Over 900 years of executions, imprisonments, and intrigue infuse its ancient stones with otherworldly energy. The bone-chilling sensation visitors report on the execution grounds isn’t just your imagination—it’s the residue of centuries of terror.

The most famous apparition is Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 and buried in the Tower’s chapel. Guards have reported seeing a headless Anne leading a solemn procession of ghostly knights through the locked chapel at night. In the Bloody Tower, visitors have heard the faint laughter of two little princes (presumed murdered there in 1483).

A Yeoman Warder once encountered a phantom bear by the Jewel House. The spectral creature lunged and then vanished, leaving the guard in shock. Other visitors have sighted the White Lady peering from a window and the ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh pacing the ramparts.

Visitor Information:

• Location: Tower Hill, EC3
• Best visiting time: First entry or last entry of the day for fewer crowds
• Cost: £29.90 adult admission
• Time-saving tip: Book online and arrive 30 minutes before opening to beat queues
• Closest tube: Tower Hill (District, Circle lines)

Planning Your Haunted London Experience

To maximize your ghostly encounters across London, follow these strategy tips:

📍 Time-Optimized Ghost Tour Routes

East London Route (4-5 hours):

• Start at the Tower of London (#1)
• Walk to The Clink Prison Museum (#9) via London Bridge
• Continue to Old Operating Theatre (#10)
• Finish at The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields (famous Jack the Ripper connection)

Central London Route (3-4 hours):

• Begin at Theatre Royal Drury Lane (#4)
• Walk to Covent Garden Station (#14)
• Continue to the British Museum (#6)
• End at 50 Berkeley Square (#2)

📅 Seasonal Ghost Hunting Tips

Halloween Season (October):

• Book special Halloween-themed tours at the Tower of London and other sites
• Look for extended evening hours at museums
• Consider the Jack the Ripper tour, which visits multiple haunted East London sites

Winter (November-February):

• Earlier darkness means ghost tours start around 4 PM
• Fewer tourists lead to more intimate experiences
• Misty weather creates the perfect spooky atmosphere

🔦 Ghost Hunting Equipment Worth Packing

• EMF Meter: Detects electromagnetic fluctuations (£25-40) – highest readings reported at Viaduct Tavern
• Infrared Thermometer: Measures sudden cold spots (£15-20) – essential for the Clink Prison
• Digital Voice Recorder: Captures EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) – Westminster Abbey produces clear results
• Portable Backup Charger: Ghost hunting mysteriously drains batteries – bring 2X what you think you’ll need!

See Related: London vs Rome: Which Historic Capital Offers the Ultimate European Adventure?

Final Thoughts

London’s haunted history offers travelers a unique way to experience the city beyond traditional tourism. By strategically planning your visits to these locations, you’ll encounter potential paranormal activity and gain deeper insights into London’s rich, often dark past. Just remember, as you explore these haunted locations, sometimes the spirits of London’s past are watching you just as intently as you’re looking for them.

Have you experienced anything supernatural at these or other London locations? Share your ghost stories in the comments below! And if you’re planning your own haunted London adventure, bookmark this guide to ensure you visit these sites at the optimal times for paranormal activity – your ghostly encounters await!

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