England: The Ghost Tours of York

From Anglotopia.net, a Guest Post: The Ghost Tours of York

The GRFI (Ghost Research Foundation International) has named York as the world’s most haunted city. Learning about its scary past can be a humorous and entertaining way to learn more about the city’s history.

Ghost hunting is serious business in York! A huge amount of buildings in York are said to be haunted and many tours of the most infamous places take place throughout the year. Feeling brave? Some of the hotels in York are said to be haunted, such as The Golden Fleece, however since “Most Haunted” visited to try and make contact with the other side, the popularity of the place has risen dramatically and it is often booked up months in advance.

Number 35 Stonegate is reputed to be York’s most haunted house. Open each evening in summer, the house is over 700 years old. It has been said that visitors have heard eerie sounds emanating from the attic, as well as icy fingers touching their faces. It was reported that “Most Haunted” crew ran out of the house in fear of the restless spirits that still haunt the building.

York has its fair share of haunted inns, one being The Punch Bowl at Stonegate. This former house of ill repute has two resident ghosts, one being a landlord who perished in a fire centuries ago and the other a gentleman whose advances were rebuffed by a young lady who worked there. It is said that in a drunken rage, he strangled her and her spirit still runs from room to room in an attempt to avoid him.

Dating back to the time of Henry 7th, the Old Starre Inn has its own ghostly past. The cellars date back as far as the 10th century and were used to house soldiers from the Battle of Marston Moor. Their screams of death can still be heard in the dead of night.

York’s enterprising folk have devised many walks and talks to inform tourists and locals of the city’s fascinating and gruesome past. Take your pick from the many that are on offer.

The Original Ghost walk is one of York’s oldest. On this walk, you hear tales of persecution and betrayal as well as how many unruly citizens of the past shaped York’s history. This tour can attract over 150 people at a time and meets every evening at the King’s Arms Pub at 8pm.

If you don’t fancy walking, for a ghost tour with a difference, the York Boat Ghost Cruise is a great option. The tales you will hear are frightening, yet the experience is fun.

The York Dungeons are meant to scare and educate at the same time. With stories of executions and The Plague, the museum is fascinating as well as gory. A guided tour of York in the 14th century tells of how The Plague started and spread throughout the city. Dick Turpin, the infamous highwayman, is featured in one exhibit in the building and Guy Fawkes, famous for the Gunpowder Plot in which he attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament, in another.

For those who prefer to perform their own investigations, Garry Goldthorpe, York’s well known ghost detective, has his own suggestions. His advice is to bring a tape recorder to those places you feel are haunted and then play back the tapes on high volume. You may well hear voices that are not meant to be there!

Lasting over an hour is The Ghost Hunt of York, which takes place at Shambles, the most famous medieval street in England. Complete with Victorian guide in top hat and frock coat, the tour starts at 7.30pm daily.

At 7.30pm, York’s Premier Ghost Walk commences on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from the months of November to June. The walks also take place from 1st July to Halloween and start at Coppergate walk outside the Jorvik Viking Centre, whatever the weather.

The Ghost Trail of York starts outside the West doors of The Minster at 7.30pm every night. There’s no need to book. The tour takes you back across the centuries to experience the tales that make up the chilling history of York’s ghostly past.

York’s Ghost Walk Experience also tells tales of the city’s murky past and visits the places where some ghastly events took place in years gone by. This tour starts at the Roman Column nightly at 7pm. The Column can be found right outside the Minster.

“Ghost Story” provides mini ghost walks combined with ghost stories and suppers all held each month at the Red Lion pub. Ghost Story also arranges bespoke ghost walks, ghost pub tours and ghost parties.