13 Haunted Places in London and Where to Find Them

London is known as one of the most haunted cities in the world, and it’s not difficult to see why.

With nearly two thousand years of recorded history, layers of Roman settlements, medieval executions, plague outbreaks, and wartime destruction sit beneath a modern city.

These overlapping eras have created stories and sightings that continue to shape how people experience the capital today.

Many of the famous haunted places in London are historic buildings that once served as prisons, royal residences, theatres, or burial grounds. Over time, tales of ghosts, unexplained sounds, and repeated eyewitness accounts have spread and refused to fade.

Below is a list of locations frequently cited as London’s most haunted places, each with its own chilling history and enduring folklore.

Tower of London

The Tower of London stands as one of the most historically charged landmarks in the city.

Built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, the tower was originally intended to be a symbol of royal authority rather than fear, but its role shifted over time.

As political intrigue, religious conflict and rebellion intensified, the Tower evolved into a prison for those considered threats to the Crown.

Its long association with betrayal and punishment has laid a foundation and given it its reputation as one of London’s most haunted places.

Spirits said to haunt the Tower

Of the many ghosts reportedly associated with the Tower, Anne Boleyn is the most famous.

She was executed on the grounds in 1536 on the charge of treason, and witnesses have claimed to see her headless figure walking down the corridors near the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, where she is buried.

Other apparitions include Lady Jane Grey and the young “Princes in the Tower”, whose disappearance remains one of the most disturbing mysteries in British history.

Guards and visitors alike have also reported cold spots, whispered voices and shadowy figures - reinforcing the Tower’s reputation as one of the spookiest locations in the city.

Today, the Tower of London is featured in many ghost walks and historical tour experiences across the city.

Highgate Cemetery

Highgate Cemetery is one of London’s most striking burial grounds, opened in 1839 during the height of the Victorian era.

Designed as part of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, it reflected the period’s fascination with death, mourning, and elaborate funerary rituals.

Over time, neglect and overgrowth transformed the cemetery into a dense, shadowy landscape, contributing to an eerie atmosphere.

Spirits said to haunt Highgate Cemetery

Highgate gained notoriety in the 1970s following reports of a tall, dark figure later dubbed the “Highgate Vampire”.

While the existence of such a creature is debated, numerous visitors have reported seeing apparitions between the tombs, sensing unseen presences or experiencing sudden drops in temperature.

The cemetery’s Gothic architecture and secluded paths have made it one of the most frequently cited spooky locations in North London.

Today, Highgate Cemetery features on many guided ghost walk routes,

50 Berkeley Square

50 Berkeley Square in Mayfair is often cited as the most haunted house in London, having been associated with unexplained deaths and disturbing experiences.

The Georgian townhouse dates back to the late 18th century and was once considered a prestigious residence before its reputation took a darker turn.

Spirits said to haunt 50 Berkeley Square

Stories surrounding the house talk of an attic room, where occupants reportedly experienced madness, violent fear, or sudden death.

Legend has it that there was a woman who committed suicide in the attic, and that Thomas Myers roamed the attic with a candle in the 1800s.

Other accounts describe an unseen presence, scratching noises, and something moving in the darkness.

Berkeley Square is considered one of the city’s most unsettling addresses and has stood vacant since February 2020.

The Langham Hotel

The Langham Hotel, which opened in 1865, is one of London’s oldest grand hotels.

It was designed to cater to royalty and high society, and its long guest list has included emperors, politicians and artists.

However, its reputation has taken an opposite turn, and it is now considered the city’s most haunted hotel, with numerous reports of paranormal activity centred around Room 333.

Spirits said to haunt the Langham Hotel

The most famous apparition is said to be Emperor Napoleon III, who stayed at the hotel during his exile.

Staff and guests have reported sightings of a man in military uniform, a Victorian doctor, a butler, a man with no legs, and even a German prince.

These sightings are often accompanied by unexplained footsteps and flickering lights.

The Clink Prison Museum

The Clink Prison dates back to the 12th century and was one of England’s oldest prisons. Located near London Bridge, it housed criminals and was notorious for brutal conditions.

The prison was overcrowded, and prisoners were expected to pay for their own food and restraints.

Today, it operates as a museum, but its past remains felt.

Spirits said to haunt the Clink

Visitors frequently report hearing screams, clanking chains, and sudden temperature drops.

Given the suffering endured within its walls, it's often cited as one of the most intense haunted places tied to human cruelty.

The Clink is a frequent stop on ghost walks or tours exploring London’s medieval justice system.

Spaniards Inn

The Spaniards Inn is a historic pub located on the edge of Hampstead Heath, dating back to the 16th century.

Spirits said to haunt the Spaniards Inn

The pub is associated with highwayman Dick Turpin and tales of murdered guests and secret tunnels.

Patrons have claimed to see figures near the fireplace and hear footsteps after closing hours.

London Bridge

Long before its modern incarnation, London Bridge was a site of public executions. For centuries, the heads of traitors were displayed on spikes as a warning to others.

Spirits said to haunt London Bridge

Accounts describe shadowy figures and strange sensations near the bridge, particularly at night.

The bridge’s association with punishment and public spectacle has embedded it deeply into London’s darker folklore.

London Bridge remains a recurring feature on historical tour routes exploring the city’s medieval past.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Theatre Royal Drury Lane is one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the world, with performances dating back to the 17th century.

It is often described as the most haunted theatre in England.

Spirits said to haunt the theatre

The most famous apparition, known as the “Man in Grey”, is believed to be the ghost of an 18th-century aristocrat whose remains were discovered during renovations.

Actors and stagehands have reported sightings during rehearsals, along with sudden temperature drops and mysterious noises backstage.

It is rumoured that the Man in Grey only appears when a show is going to be a success.

Other figures said to haunt the theatre include Joseph Grimaldi, a famous Regency-era clown who’s said to offer assistance to performers.

Another is Dan Leno, a renowned music hall comedian whose ghost is said to linger in the dressing rooms.

The ghost of William Teriss (“Breezy Bill”), an actor murdered at the nearby Adelphi Theatre, is also said to haunt Drury Lane.

The theatre has offered Halloween ghost tours to explore its history.

Charing Cross Underground Station

Charing Cross is one of several abandoned or partially closed stations on London’s Underground network.

Its disused platforms and tunnels have inspired decades of urban legends.

Spirits said to haunt the station

The most prominent ghost story associated with Charing Cross involves the spirit of an ancient Egyptian woman.

Allegedly, a secret tunnel links the station to a nearby museum and this ghost, which appears as a priestess or princess in a headdress, has been known to visit the tunnels and scare the staff and passengers with vicious screams.

A more modern tale involves Minnie Bernardi, a woman murdered in 1927.

Her remains were reportedly left at the luggage department of the station.

It is believed her spirit haunts the station as an act of revenge for her brutal death and dismemberment.

These stories contribute to London’s reputation for ghost walk tours that explore the city below street level.

Enfield House

Located in North London, Enfield House became internationally known during the late 1970s due to reports of poltergeist activity experienced by a local family.

It is one of the most documented paranormal cases in Britain and inspired The Conjuring 2.

Spirits said to haunt Enfield House

The case involved claims of moving furniture, knocking sounds, and unexplained noises, drawing significant media attention.

Whether paranormal or psychological, the case remains one of Britain’s most discussed hauntings.

Enfield House continues to be referenced in modern ghost storytelling and paranormal discussions.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum

The Old Operating Theatre Museum is one of the oldest surviving surgical theatres in Europe.

Dating back to the early 19th century, it was used for medical procedures at at ime when surgery was performed without anaesthetic or antiseptics.

Patients were restrained while operations took place in front of observing students.

Spirits said to haunt the Old Operating Theatre

Visitors and staff have reported suddenly feeling cold or dizzy.

Others claim they've heard faint moans or footsteps, or getting the inkling they're being watched, especially when the place is empty.

There have been instances wherein a staff member found every single cabinet or door inside the museum open, when they were previously left shut.

There have been sightings of an elderly lady in black clothing, who is described to be crying.

Some believe she may have lost someone who could’ve died in the theatre, while others think she may have died while being operated on.

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a former royal residence associated with King Henry VIII.

Built in the early 16th century, the palace was the site of political intrigue and personal tragedy during the Tudor period.

Spirits said to haunt Hampton Court Palace

The most famous apparition is Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife, who was executed for adultery.

Witnesses have claimed to see her screaming through what is known as the Haunted Gallery.

Other reported spirits include Jane Seymour, Henry’s third wife, who is said to appear carrying a candle.

There have been also sights of the ‘Grey Lady’ aka Sybil Penn, who was a servant to four monarchs, and wet nurse to Henry VIII’s son, Edward VI.

When she died, she was buried in Hampton church. But when the church was renovated in 1829, her tomb was disturbed.

Shortly after, stories of the ‘grey lady’ started circulating.

The Ten Bells Pub

The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields dates back to the 18th century.

It gained notoriety as one of London's most haunted pubs due to its association with victims of Jack the Ripper, several of whom were believed to have frequented the place before their deaths.

Spirits said to haunt the Ten Bells

The pub is said to have experienced poltergeist activity, with sounds of unexplained footsteps, glasses moving on their own, and cold spots.

Staff and patrons have reported seeing the ghost of a former landlord, Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly, who were all murdered in the pub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary - 13 of London’s Most Haunted Places

London’s reputation as a haunted city is deeply tied to its long and often violent history.

From royal executions and medieval prisons to plague-era burial grounds and centuries-old theatres, many of the city’s most famous buildings have been shaped by human suffering, secrecy, and spectacle.

These conditions have laid a fertile ground for tales of mysterious occurrences that captivate both visitors and locals.

The Tower of London, the site of royal executions, and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, known for its ghostly performers, are among the locations where power, punishment, or performance played a central role in paranormal legends.

Over time, repeated eyewitness accounts, folklore, and cultural retellings have allowed these stories to endure, even as the city around them modernised.