There is nothing quite like an old British pub. Low ceilings, old wooden beams, a roaring fire, and a pint with friends. But across the UK, some pubs come with a little more history than others, including some permanent residents who never left.
Spooky season is well and truly upon us. From ghostly landlords to phantom regulars, we’ve uncovered the pubs where you’re most likely to encounter a spirit.
To find out where the UK’s most haunted pubs are, VELO analysed over 100 pubs based on reported ghosts, paranormal sightings, investigations, Google Reviews mentions, pub age and media coverage to rank some of the country’s most notoriously haunted watering holes.
The result? A list stretching from remote Scottish inns to historic London pubs, with centuries of stories and supernatural encounters.
Taking the top spot is The Drovers Inn in Inverarnan, Scotland. Dating back centuries and surrounded by mountains and mist, the idea of ghostly residents only adds to the atmosphere. The remote inn has built a paranormal reputation with three main spirits that are frequently reported, including a young girl and a cattle herder called Angus.
The top 10 haunted pubs in the UK: The spookiest pubs to visit
1. The Drovers Inn – Inverarnan, Scotland
The Drovers Inn is about as atmospheric as a haunted pub gets. With three reported ghosts, including a young girl and a cattle herder known as Angus, this remote Loch Lomond inn has plenty of stories to keep you looking over your shoulder.
2. The Golden Fleece – York
York is famous for its ghost stories, and this pub might be one of its most chilling examples. With around 15 resident ghosts associated with the pub – including the wife of a former Lord Mayor of York and a World War II airman - The Golden Fleece takes the number two spot in our ranking.
3. The Ancient Ram Inn – Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire
One of Britain’s most famous haunted inns, this pub has accumulated an impressive collection of supernatural stories, with reports of around 20 spirits associated with the building. Once home to a priest, a medium is said to have been lifted off the ground and thrown across the corridor when trying to open the door to the Bishop’s Room.
4. The Skirrid Inn – Llanvihangel Crucorney, Wales
With five commonly reported spirits said to haunt the building, this historic Welsh pub has plenty of spooky credentials. Its isolated location beneath the Skirrid Mountain certainly adds to the atmosphere. Despite being sceptical, owner Geoff leaves a tankard of ale out each night to appease the devil.
5. The Mermaid Inn – Rye
This historic pub has reported smugglers, phantom figures and plenty of other unexplained activity. With centuries of history behind it, The Mermaid Inn has developed a reputation for being one of Rye’s most atmospheric and haunted drinking spots. Guests stopping at this inn are particularly warned against staying in rooms five, 16 and 17 after sightings of shadowy figures, a lady in white and a phantom dog.
6. The Banshee Labyrinth – Edinburgh
Hidden beneath the streets of Edinburgh, The Banshee Labyrinth has at least four spirits reportedly calling the venue home. Many Scots met gruesome ends in the underground vaults surrounding the pub, with sightings including a six-year-old girl called Molly, who’s reported to have haunted the boozer since 1814. With its underground setting and the dark history of the city around it, this is one pub where the atmosphere does plenty of the haunting for you.
7. The White Horse Inn – Pluckley, Kent
Located in Pluckley, a village famous for its ghost stories, The White Horse Inn is surrounded by supernatural folklore. There are regular reports of a poltergeist moving glasses, causing items to disappear or rattle shelves in the inn. Four ghosts are reportedly associated with the pub, helping it secure seventh place in our ranking.
8. The Grenadier – London
You don't need a whole crowd of ghosts to make an impression. The Grenadier is reportedly haunted by one main spirit, Cedric, a soldier caught cheating during a game of cards in the cellar and beaten to death, said to remain at the historic Belgravia pub. One ghost is apparently more than enough to make things interesting.
9. The Bate Hall – Macclesfield
With claims ranging from 14 to 21 ghosts, The Bate Hall is packed full of spirits (and not just the alcoholic kind) and has one of the largest reported ghost counts in our research. The exact number may be disputed, but with that many potential spirits under one roof, it certainly earns its place in our top ten.
10. The Red Lion – Avebury
Rounding out our top ten, The Red Lion is reportedly home to at least five spirits, including Florrie (a 17th-century woman said to have been thrown down the pub’s well when her husband discovered she had another lover) and other local figures. Set in the historic village of Avebury and the only pub in the world directly located in a prehistoric stone circle, the pub's surroundings only add to its eerie reputation.
The most haunted regions in the UK
1. Scotland
It is no surprise that Scotland has made a name for itself when it comes to haunted pubs – its spooky haunts scored the highest average score in our rankings.
The Drover Inn is said to have its own resident ghost, with stories of a mysterious woman appearing in the pub and disappearing just as quickly. This only adds to the eerie reputation of this centuries-old Highland inn.
From misty highlands and ancient castles to Edinburgh’s underground vaults, Scotland has more than its fair share of haunted history. It is home to the spookiest pub in our study, The Drover Inn, as well as several others that cropped up in our research, including The Banshee Labyrinth, The Last Drop, The Tolbooth Tavern and Deacon Brodie’s Tavern.
With tales of prisoners, historic figures and unexplained sightings, Edinburgh in particular has enough ghost stories to keep everyone on their toes. So, if you’re looking for a night where spirits are guaranteed to be stirring, Scotland might be the place to start.
2. Yorkshire
Yorkshire isn’t short of history, and some of its former residents aren’t keen to leave it behind.
With medieval cities, ancient buildings, and centuries of battles, Yorkshire has everything it needs for a good ghost story. York itself is particularly famous for its haunted streets, making it a natural hotspot for paranormal pubs.
Our research found nine Yorkshire pubs in the ranking, including the number two spot, The Golden Fleece, alongside The Punch Bowl, The Guy Fawkes Inn and Ye Olde Starre Inn.
York’s spooky reputation is perhaps best summed up by The Golden Fleece, where stories of ghostly figures, unexplained footsteps and objects moving on their own have helped make it one of the city’s most famous haunted pubs.
From phantom figures to historic spirits, there are plenty of stories to get the conversation flowing.
3. London
London may be known for its busy streets, late nights and bright lights, but a look beneath the surface reveals the capital’s darker side.
Centuries of executions, prisons, plagues, fires and infamous characters have left London with a seemingly endless supply of ghost stories. London had 27 pubs represented in our research, more than any other region. From The Grenadier and The Viaduct Tavern to The Ten Bells, The Spaniards Inn and The Prospect of Whitby, there are haunted drinking spots scattered across the city.
At The Ten Bells in Spitalfields, the pub’s dark history is intertwined with the story of Jack the Ripper, with two of his victims known to have visited the pub, adding an unsettling edge to its already atmospheric surroundings.
The stories range from soldiers and smugglers to prisoners and mysterious figures, proving that in London you’re never too far from a little history haunting your evening.
How to enjoy the perfect spooky pub night
A spooky pub night is all about staying in the moment. Whether you’re swapping ghost stories, exploring historic pubs or waiting to see whether the unexplained noises happen again, nobody wants to miss what is next - so stepping outside for a break isn’t always an option mid-poltergeist.
For adult nicotine users looking for a tobacco-free, smoke-free alternative, VELO nicotine pouches can be used without having to take focus off the paranormal activity. Never miss a moment when tensions are rising high.
With a range of flavours and nicotine strengths available, VELO allows adult nicotine users to choose an option that suits them.
Whether you prefer:
• Wintry watermelon nicotine pouches for a refreshing flavour fusion for a crisp taste
• Minty lemon nicotine pouches for a citrus yet cool taste
• Smooth papaya nicotine pouches for a tropical flavour
There is one for every spirit.
When the weather outside is cold, the pub is busy, and the ghost stories are getting scary, being able to stay inside can make it easier to remain part of the conversation. Rather than heading outside for a cigarette and potentially missing the next chapter of the story, VELO can be used anytime and anywhere.
VELO nicotine pouches are made using only five ingredients and are available in a range of strengths, from mellow through to intense, meaning there’s an option for any adult nicotine user.
Of course, the best haunted pub experiences aren't necessarily about seeing a ghost. They’re about the atmosphere, the history and spending time with friends. So, settle in, pick your favourite spot and see where the night takes you.
The final spirit
Whether you're heading to one of the UK's most haunted pubs, settling into your favourite local or planning a night around the places with the most intriguing ghost stories, make the most of every moment; you never know what you might see.
And for adult nicotine users looking for a tobacco-free option that fits around the moments they don't want to miss, VELO's range of nicotine pouches offers a choice of flavours and strengths, so you can stay part of the conversation without stepping outside for a cigarette.
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