Haunted London
A Local’s Guide to 8 Haunted Places & Ghost Tours
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Why Haunted London Is Worth Exploring, Even Beyond Halloween
London is known for its royal history and grand landmarks, but many of its oldest buildings also carry quieter, darker stories. Some tales feature queens and princes; others belong to actors, monks and ordinary Londoners whose stories never quite faded.
Autumn is a lovely time to discover them. The evenings draw in, the light softens, and places you might visit for their architecture take on a different atmosphere. You can explore these sites at your own pace by day, or join a guided ghost experience in the evening, from small private tours to the theatrical Ghost Bus.
In this guide, I share eight of London’s most haunted places, with the stories behind them and practical tips to plan your visit.
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1. Tower of London – Spirits of the Crown
Known as Britain’s most haunted landmarks. Tower of London and its ancient walls have seen executions, betrayals, and centuries of fear.
Among the most famous spirits is Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s ill-fated queen. Her headless figure is often spotted near the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula. Some claim she still wanders the corridors, forever seeking peace.
The tragic mystery of the Princes in the Tower adds to the darkness. The two young heirs vanished in 1483 — and their spirits are said to haunt the White Tower. Lady Jane Grey, the “Nine Days’ Queen,” has also been sighted gliding along the battlements on moonlit nights.
The Tower’s ravens remain an eerie presence. Legend says if they ever leave, the kingdom will fall.
📍 Location: Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB
🚇 Nearest Tube: Tower Hill (District & Circle Lines)
⏰ Best time to visit: Morning for photos, evening for ghost tours
💡 Smart Tip: Combine with Tower Bridge and All Hallows by the Tower, one of London’s oldest churches.
Recommended Experience
Skip the Queues at the Tower of London
Arrive early with timed entry and enjoy the Crown Jewels and the White Tower before the crowds build.
2. Hampton Court Palace – The Haunted Gallery
Behind the beauty lurks tragedy, Hampton Court Palace dazzles visitors with Tudor splendour and stories.
The most famous spirit is Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife. Accused of treason, she fled down the long gallery screaming for mercy — guards dragged her back to her fate. Visitors still hear her terrified cries echoing through the “Haunted Gallery.”
Another ghostly figure is Sybil Penn, nursemaid to Prince Edward. She died of smallpox in 1562, and soon after, strange noises and cold draughts swept the palace. Known as the Grey Lady, her ghost is said to wander the corridors.
The palace’s blend of royal elegance and chilling legends makes it one of Haunted London’s most unforgettable stops.
📍 Location: East Molesey, KT8 9AU
🚇 Nearest Station: Hampton Court (South Western Railway from Waterloo)
⏰ Best time to visit: Late morning to explore, early evening for quieter moments
💡 Smart Tip: Arrive by riverboat from Westminster or Richmond — it’s a stunning journey and sets the mood perfectly.
Recommended Experience
Visit Hampton Court Palace
Walk the Haunted Gallery, explore Henry VIII’s Tudor kitchens and leave time for the beautiful gardens.
3. The Ten Bells Pub, Spitalfields – Jack the Ripper’s Shadow
Few pubs are as infamous as the Ten Bells in Spitalfields. This Victorian tavern sits at the heart of Jack the Ripper’s territory and oozes atmosphere.
Two of the Ripper’s victims — Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly — were last seen nearby. Locals still link their spirits to the pub’s haunting past. Many guests report icy chills or ghostly figures at the bar, while staff have seen shadowy shapes in the upstairs rooms.
Despite its dark history, the Ten Bells is still a lively local pub. Its creaking wooden floors, flickering lights, and East End charm make it an essential stop for true crime fans.
This pub and the stories around this area really gave me the chills!
📍 Location: 84 Commercial Street, E1 6LY
🚇 Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street or Aldgate East
⏰ Best time to visit: Evenings, when the atmosphere feels particularly eerie
💡 Smart Tip: Visit as part of a Jack the Ripper walking tour to get the full story of Whitechapel’s dark past.
Recommended Experience
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour
Explore Whitechapel’s lanes with an expert guide who brings the history of the East End to life.
4. Theatre Royal Drury Lane – London’s Most Haunted Stage
The Theatre Royal Drury Lane has witnessed centuries of drama — both on and off stage. It is often called the world’s most haunted theatre!
The best-known ghost is the Man in Grey, a mysterious figure dressed in cloak and tricorn hat. Actors say he appears during rehearsals before a successful run — a good omen cloaked in fear.
Staff also speak of a Lady in White, footsteps echoing backstage, and sudden bursts of cold air in empty dressing rooms. The theatre’s rich history and ghostly reputation make it a highlight for any Haunted London itinerary.
📍 Location: Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF
🚇 Nearest Tube: Covent Garden or Holborn
⏰ Best time to visit: Afternoon for tours, or evening if you’re seeing a show
💡 Smart Tip: Book a backstage tour to hear cast and crew stories about the theatre’s ghosts.
👉 Travel Tip: Book Drury Lane Theatre tours
5. Westminster Abbey – Ghostly Monks and Royal Spirits
For nearly a thousand years, the abbey has hosted coronations, royal weddings, and funerals. But at night, the Abbey grows silent and spectral. Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most sacred sites — and also one of its most haunted.
The Ghostly Monk of Westminster is said to wander the cloisters, sandals echoing on stone. Visitors have smelled incense and felt a cold presence in empty corridors. Some claim to see Edward the Confessor’s figure near his shrine, while others glimpse faint silhouettes among the royal tombs.
📍 Location: 20 Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3PA
🚇 Nearest Tube: Westminster (Jubilee, District & Circle Lines)
⏰ Best time to visit: Early morning for quiet reflection, or twilight for atmosphere
💡 Smart Tip: Combine with a walk along Whitehall to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament glowing at dusk.
👉 Travel Tip: Book Westminster Abbey tickets
6. Greenwich – Haunted Foot Tunnel & the Queen’s House
Greenwich is known for royal history and maritime heritage — but its calm exterior hides strange stories.
Beneath the Thames runs the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, opened in 1902. Its curved brick walls and dim lighting create a sense of unease. Locals often hear footsteps echoing behind them when no one is there — whispers suggest the spirits of tunnel workers still patrol the passage.
Nearby stands the elegant Queen’s House, home to one of Britain’s most famous ghost photographs. In 1966, a retired clergyman visiting from Canada photographed the graceful Tulip Staircase. When the film was developed, it appeared to show a shrouded figure climbing the stairs. Photographic experts who examined the original negative found no sign of tampering, and staff still speak of doors closing on their own and faint voices in empty galleries.
The Tulip Staircase is one of my favourite places in Greenwich, my home for over 35 years. I was back recently on a private tour, and it struck me again how serene and beautiful it is, with its sweeping spiral and delicate ironwork. Few visitors would guess it holds one of London’s most famous ghost stories.
📍 Location: Greenwich, SE10 9NF
🚇 Nearest Station: Greenwich (National Rail & DLR) or Uber boat from Westminster Bridge, London Bridge, Embankment, Tower and various locations in central London
⏰ Best time to visit: Late afternoon or early evening
💡 Smart Tip: Arrive by Thames Clipper boat from Westminster for scenic views before stepping into Greenwich’s eerie side.
👉 Travel Tip: Join a Greenwich Walking Tour
7. Highgate Cemetery – Gothic Shadows and the “Vampire” Legend
Highgate Cemetery is one of London’s most atmospheric places — a haunting mix of beauty and decay.
Opened in 1839, it’s the resting place of Karl Marx, George Eliot, and many Victorians whose ornate tombs are now entwined with ivy. Yet it’s the supernatural legends that draw ghost hunters here.
The most famous is the Highgate Vampire, a dark figure said to glide between the graves at night. In the 1970s, it sparked national hysteria — even vampire hunts by candlelight. Visitors still report strange lights and whispers along the winding paths.
📍 Location: Swain’s Lane, N6 6PJ
🚇 Nearest Tube: Archway or Highgate
⏰ Best time to visit: Daylight tours for safety, evening for atmosphere
💡 Smart Tip: Book a guided tour — it unlocks private areas of the cemetery and reveals incredible Victorian stories.
👉 Travel Tip: Book Highgate Cemetery guided tours
8. The London Ghost Bus Tour – Theatre on Wheels
For a lively finale, step aboard the London Ghost Bus Tour, a black Routemaster with a sinister twist.
Actors guide you through London’s dark history — executions, haunted theatres, and unsolved mysteries — all told with macabre humour. As the bus glides past Westminster Abbey, Fleet Street, and the Tower of London, you’ll feel the city’s ghostly pulse come alive.
It’s spooky, theatrical, and surprisingly funny — a perfect mix of chills and laughs. Ideal for visitors who want an immersive experience without much walking.
📍 Departure Point: Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square
🚇 Nearest Tube: Embankment or Charing Cross
⏰ Best time to ride: Evenings (7:30 pm onward) for full Halloween effect
💡 Smart Tip: Arrive early for photos with the bus before boarding.
Recommended Experience
The Ghost Bus Tour
See London’s landmarks lit up at night from a vintage Routemaster, with ghost stories told along the way and little walking needed.
Planning Your Haunted London Evening
London by day is fascinating, but after dark it reveals a different character. Royal history, true crime and old legends are woven through the city’s streets, from the Tower of London to the quiet curve of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
Whether you pause in the Tower’s shadow, enjoy a pint at the Ten Bells or take an evening ride on the Ghost Bus, each place adds a story to remember from your trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most haunted place in London?
A: The Tower of London is widely considered London’s most haunted place. Anne Boleyn’s ghost is said to appear near the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, and the Princes in the Tower and Lady Jane Grey are linked to the White Tower and the battlements.
Q: Can I visit haunted places in London without joining a ghost tour?
A: Yes. The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Queen’s House in Greenwich can all be visited independently, and entry to the Queen’s House is free. Highgate Cemetery’s East side can be explored on your own, while the West side is by guided tour only.
Q: What is the best ghost tour in London if I don’t want to walk much?
A: The Ghost Bus Tour is a good choice. It’s a 75-minute theatrical tour on a vintage Routemaster bus that passes landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, with only a short stop on foot.
Q: Which London pub is said to be haunted?
A: The Ten Bells in Spitalfields is one of London’s best-known haunted pubs. Two of Jack the Ripper’s victims were linked to the area, and staff have reported ghostly figures upstairs. It’s still a lively local pub and makes a good stop after a Whitechapel walking tour.
Q: Is the Tulip Staircase ghost photo real?
A: The photograph was taken in 1966 by a retired clergyman visiting from Canada, and it appears to show a shrouded figure on the staircase at the Queen’s House in Greenwich. Experts who examined the negative found no sign of tampering, and it remains unexplained.
Q: When is the best time to explore haunted London?
A: Autumn is ideal, especially October and November. The clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, so darkness falls early and evening visits feel atmospheric. The stories are part of London’s history, though, so these places are worth visiting at any time of year.
Keep Exploring London Like a Local
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