It’s official: Britain is a ghost hunter’s paradise! Our new survey of 2,000 Brits has uncovered the UK’s creepiest hotspots, from ancient castles to haunted cemeteries, where people claim they’ve seen ghosts, apparitions, and other chilling paranormal activity.
The Top Terrors: Where History Refuses to Stay Buried
The historic Tower of London tops our list, with one in four (26%) of those polled claiming to have felt unearthly presences, heard unexplained sounds, or even seen shadowy figures. The most infamous sighting? Anne Boleyn, often seen carrying her own head near the site of her execution on Tower Green.
Just behind the Tower is Hampton Court Palace (16%), famed for the ghostly dash of Catherine Howard and the restless Grey Lady (believed to be royal nurse Sybil Penn).
The list also features:
Highgate Cemetery in North London (15%), infamous for the legend of the Highgate Vampire.
Bodmin Jail in Cornwall (15%), home to the sorrowful Wailing Woman, Selina Wadge, the last woman hanged there.
Pendle Hill in Lancashire (13%), where the ghosts of the ten witches executed in 1612 are said to roam.
Pluckley in Kent (10%), officially known as England’s most haunted village, thanks to its numerous restless spirits.
Hitting the Road for a Scare
Clearly, we love a good fright! 83% of Brits agree that the UK has some of the spookiest places in the world.
Our survey revealed that:
54% of Brits believe in ghosts, and 52% claim to have seen a spirit themselves, averaging five separate sightings!
It’s Gen Z who are the biggest thrill seekers: 65% believe in the supernatural, and 90% are planning a spooky trip this Halloween weekend.
Two thirds (66%) admit they love visiting scary places like haunted ruins and creepy cemeteries, even if it leaves them feeling uneasy (37%) or frightened (36%).
This desire for a dose of the dramatic means 70% of us are planning to travel an average of 63 miles to visit a supernatural spot this Halloween.
That’s where we, Drivalia, come in. As our Deputy Managing Director, Paolo Ronco, noted: “The research shows that as a nation we’re a bunch of thrill seekers… Travelling by car can be one of the easiest ways to get to these events across the UK.”
Ready to plan your ghost hunting road trip? More than half (53%) of those surveyed said they would be prepared to rent a car to ensure they get to their desired haunting spot this All Hallows’ Eve.
Planning Your Supernatural Scottish Adventure
For those venturing north to explore the ghostly tales of Glamis Castle or the eerie atmosphere of Mary King’s Close, Drivalia car hire in Edinburgh offers a convenient starting point for your Scottish paranormal journey. With flexible rental options, you can explore Scotland’s most haunted locations at your own pace.
Spooked Behind the Wheel?
Interestingly, the encounters aren’t limited to castles! 28% of those polled say they regularly feel a presence in the back seat of their car when driving alone, and nearly half (49%) go a step further and claim their car is actually haunted!
Whether you’re a devout believer or a curious sceptic, one thing is clear: the UK is rich not only in history but in chilling stories that ensure the past truly refuses to stay buried.
20 Spookiest Places in the UK
1. Tower of London, London (26%) – haunted by Anne Boleyn’s ghost, seen carrying her severed head.
2. Hampton Court Palace, London (16%) – Haunted gallery, Catherine Howard’s screams, the Grey Lady.
3. Highgate Cemetery (15%) – said to be haunted by the infamous Highgate Vampire and wandering spirits.
4. Bodmin Jail, Cornwall (15%) – home to the ghosts of executed prisoners and a wailing woman.
5. Windsor Castle, Berkshire (14%) – haunted by Henry VIII’s angry spirit and Queen Elizabeth I’s apparition.
6. Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire (14%) – haunted by a spectral nun who broke her vows.
7. Jamaica Inn, Cornwall (13%) – haunted by a phantom coachman and smugglers’ ghosts.
8. Pendle Hill, Lancashire (13%) – stalked by the ghosts of the Pendle witches executed in 1612.
9. Pendle Hill area, Lancashire (13%) – haunted by the witches’ spirits and eerie chanting on stormy nights.
10. Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh (12%) – home to plague victims’ ghosts and the famous spirit of Annie, a lost child.
11. Glamis Castle, Scotland (11%) – haunted by the Grey Lady and the legendary Monster of Glamis.
12. Chillingham Castle, Northumberland (10%) – famous for the Blue Boy ghost and echoes of medieval torture victims.
13. Borley Rectory, Essex (10%) – once called the most haunted house in England, with ghostly nuns and poltergeist activity.
14. Pluckley, Kent (10%) – known as England’s most haunted village, home to the Screaming Man and other restless spirits.
15. Hever Castle, Kent (10%) – Anne Boleyn’s peaceful spirit returns to her childhood home.
16. Haunted roads near Downing Street, London (10%) – phantom carriages and shadowy figures said to appear at night.
17. Chester City Walls (9%) – haunted by Roman soldiers still marching their ancient route.
18. Culloden Moor, Inverness (9%) – haunted by the ghosts of fallen Jacobite soldiers crying out in battle.
19. Ancient Ram Inn, Gloucestershire (9%) – infamous for demonic presences and spirits from alleged pagan rituals.
20. Corfe Castle, Dorset (9%) – haunted by the ghost of Lady Mary Bankes and slain Royalists.
This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Drivalia and conducted by Perspectus
Global in October 2025.