London is always fascinating! With its beheaded queens, epic murders and notorious bandits, it's no wonder the idea of ghosts in the English capital. If you're curious, here are five of the most haunted places in London.
But before diving into the spine-chilling stories of these haunted places, planning your stay in the city is as essential. For a comfortable and satisfying accommodation, the London apartments at hotels-of-london.com offer a perfect blend of luxury and relaxation.
1. The Tower of London
One of the most haunted castles in the world, the imposing Tower of London is full of ghosts. Tens of thousands have lost their heads in what was once a place of execution, including Queen Anne Boleyn, the second wife of the tyrannical Henry VIII, whose headless apparition is often seen wandering around the site. The term "princes in the tower" refers to Richard III's 12 and 9-year-old nephews. They were before Richard III in the line of succession to the throne, but mysteriously disappeared when they were kept in the Tower for "protection". The boys have never been seen again, and there are rumours that they also haunt the Tower.
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2. Highgate Cemetery
The idea of a cemetery being haunted is not new, but real sightings of ghosts in a cemetery significantly up the spook factor, as is the case with Highgate Cemetery in Hempstead. Its Victorian and Egyptian-inspired tombs are fascinating, and supernatural activity has already been reported here. Reports include seeing a tall man in a hat, a face looking through the gates and a man wandering around the pond. However, the Highgate vampire became a sensation in the 1970s, but it is likely that the blood-drained foxes found dead at the time were the work of occultists.
3. Drury Lane Theatre
Old theatres are practically a magnet for paranormal activity, and London's West End is home to several of them. The Drury Lane Theatre is known for the "man in grey", a fellow wearing a cape and tricorn who usually appears during the day. Several actors have seen him walking in the upper circle and then disappearing into the wall. In addition, the spirit of comedian and pantomime Joseph Grimaldi, who died in 1837, has also been seen here. He likes to make his presence felt by kicking the actors and theatre staff as they work.
4. Ten Bells Pub
This historic pub in London's East End in Shoreditch, near Spitalfields Market, has been around since the mid-18th century and is perhaps best known for three of its most unfortunate customers: Elizabeth Stride, Annie Chapman and Marie Kelly, all victims of Jack the Ripper. Although this affiliation alone is not enough to consider the institution haunted, Chapman's ghost is said to haunt the pub along with an old Victorian man, believed to be a former owner, who roams the upper floors.
5. The underground
The most efficient way to get around London is by underground. A vast network of trains and stations that hide spooky mysteries, especially late at night when the crowds disperse. Liverpool Street station was built over a mass grave (more than 3,000 victims of the Black Death were unearthed in 2015), and staff have seen unexplained flashes on CCTV footage during the night. At Elephant & Castle station, a young woman boards a carriage, but never gets off. Annie Naylor, a young hat maker killed by her boss in the 18th century, ran screaming through the tunnels of Farrington station before her death, and many still report hearing her scream in the station. These are just a small sample of the paranormal activity in the underground.