London's Most Haunted Places to Visit This Halloween

Halloween is the perfect time explore a different side of London with spooky attractions, eerie settings and ghostly tales waiting to be discovered across the city. From royal palaces and atmospheric cemeteries to historic pubs with ghost stories attached to them, the capital has plenty of places to explore this October.

Whether you're after a genuinely eerie experience or simply want to get into the Halloween spirit, these five London locations are worth adding to your plans this October.

 

Tower Of London

 

The Tower of London is an obvious choice when visiting London, but it has more to offer than just exploring the beautiful architecture. The Tower of London is widely considered one of the most haunted sites in England due to the numerous reported ghost sightings linked to its violent past.

The famous ghosts that are said to haunt the building include Anne Boleyn who was executed in 1536, Lady Jane Grey who was also executed at just 16 in 1554, and the young princes Edward V and Richard, Duke of York who went missing in the Tower in 1483 and it is believed that they were murdered.

From the 24^th October to 1^st November, the Tower is hosting its Halloween experience allowing visitors to step into a world of chilling tales and haunting history.  It includes themed areas such as the Haunted Forge, Enchanted Wishing Well and the Raven’s Observatory.

Visitors can also encounter some of the Tower's ghostly residents during appearances at the Haunted Forge, making this a particularly good option if you want a Halloween activity rather than simply visiting a historic attraction.

 

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a strong choice for those looking for an eerie location or a seasonal activity.

The palace is the most known for its famous stories surrounding the Tudors and King Henry VIII. His wives are said to haunt the palace after their tragic deaths there. His fifth wife, Catherine Howard, was arrested after being accused of adultery and ran down one of the hallways in an attempt to reach the King. This hallway is now known as the Haunted Gallery and visitors can walk through it today. Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour, is also thought to haunt the palace after her death there in 1537 during childbirth. Legend has it that her ghost has been seen carrying a candle along the Silverstick Stairs.

Beyond the ghost stories, the palace itself provides plenty to explore during an October visit. Wander through the Tudor State Apartments, visit the Great Hall and explore the palace gardens before taking in the atmosphere of the Haunted Gallery.

From 24^th October to 1^st November, the palace will have atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects and magical spells to transform the palace into a hauntingly memorable adventure. Outside, the Wilderness will also feature an autumnal trail with pumpkins, scarecrows and other seasonal surprises.

For a Halloween city break, Hampton Court works particularly well as a daytime activity. Book a London stay with Book It Please and make Hampton Court one part of a wider October itinerary, with an evening in central London to follow.

 

The Old Operating Theatre

For something a little different, The Old Operating Theatre is a great addition to add to a Halloween itinerary.

Tucked away in the attic of St Thomas’ Church in Southwark, The Old Operating Theatre museum offers an unusual experience that is appropriate for Halloween. The preserved operating theatre dates back to the early 19th century, when surgery took place before modern anaesthesia and antiseptics.

While the museum isn’t scientifically proven to be haunted, its violent history of Victorian surgery has created many ghost stories. One of the legends is about the Weeping Woman in Black. Visitors and staff have reported numerous sightings of an elderly lady wearing black clothing and described as being extremely sad and wailing. It is believed that she may have died within the theatre or mourning the loss of one who passed whilst being operated on.

The setting itself adds to the atmosphere. Visitors climb a narrow 52-step spiral staircase into the attic before reaching the historic theatre, where they can learn about the medical procedures and practices of the time.

The museum offers something more unusual rather than being a traditional Halloween attraction. It offers the chance to explore one of London’s darker and more unsettling sides during the day.

 

The Ten Bells

For a Halloween evening in East London, The Ten Bells is worth adding to the list.

Located in Spitalfields, the historic pub is closely associated with the Jack the Ripper story and has become one of the most recognisable locations connected with the Whitechapel murders of 1888.

The pub is linked with Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly, who fell victim the Jack the Ripper in the 19^th century. Physic mediums often claim to sense the spirits of these victims alongside cold drafts and moving objects. Aswell as this, many of the upper-floor residents in the 1990s claim to have seen a phantom figure of an older Victorian man, sometimes lurking in hallways or appearing in beds.

Its location also makes it easy to build into a wider evening. Explore Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane before stopping at The Ten Bells, then continue into the surrounding area for food or drinks.

The Ten Bells is the perfect location to add to an evening itinerary and stay in the capital.

Planning a hotel alongside the activities means guests can explore London without having to rush home. Book It Please brings together London stays and experiences, making it easy to build your Halloween plans around the places you most want to visit.

 

Highgate Cemetery

For a quieter Halloween experience, head north to Highgate Cemetery.

The cemetery's winding paths, elaborate monuments and Gothic architecture create an atmospheric setting for an autumn visit, particularly as the evenings begin to draw in.

Highgate has accumulated numerous supernatural stories over the years, including the Highgate Vampire in the late 60s and 70s, which is claimed to be a tall, dark glowing-eyed figure haunting the grounds. Visitors and local have also reported seeing a spectral nun gliding silently through the overgrown pathways.

Unlike a dedicated Halloween attraction, Highgate offers a more peaceful way to spend an autumn afternoon. It can be combined with a visit to Hampstead, giving you another area of London to explore during a Halloween weekend.

As it remains a working cemetery, visitors are asked to behave respectfully, stay on the paths and avoid touching monuments.

 

Plan a Halloween break in London

From exploring the Tower of London after dark to discovering the stories behind The Ten Bells, London has plenty to keep Halloween fans entertained throughout October. Add in a visit to Hampton Court Palace, a trip to the Old Operating Theatre or an atmospheric afternoon at Highgate Cemetery, and you have the makings of a full Halloween weekend.

Book It Please can help bring the trip together, with London hotels and experiences available to book so you can spend less time organising and more time enjoying the capital this Halloween.