New research has identified the most haunted pubs in the UK, revealing that Brighton is the city with the highest number of ghostly encounters. As Halloween approaches, the study documented over 1,300 ghost sightings in various pubs, hotels, and restaurants throughout the country.
Brighton stands out with 39 reported supernatural experiences, such as phantom footsteps echoing in seaside cellars and glasses mysteriously flying off shelves. This study, conducted by Where The Trade Buys, utilized data from The Paranormal Database, a comprehensive online archive of ghost sightings across the UK and Ireland.
Regionally, Greater London leads with 79 reported hauntings, followed by Sussex with 74 and Lancashire with 50. Historic cities like York and Edinburgh are also prominent on the list, known for their rich folklore and ghost stories.
In York, for instance, the Cock and Bottle Inn is haunted by a spectral figure referred to as “The Man with the Big Nose,” believed to be George Villiers, the Second Duke of Buckingham. This ghost reportedly wanders the establishment, which stands on land that Villiers once owned.
Edinburgh has its own share of eerie encounters, particularly in The Banshee Labyrinth, where staff report interactions with a spirit named Rosie, a former prostitute who is said to leave her mark on male employees. Another entity, known as “Six Finger Bill,” has been described as lurking beneath tables, frightening patrons.
Brighton, however, showcases an impressive collection of haunted venues. At Ali Cats, workers renovating the bar in the 2000s encountered strange noises and sudden cold spots. Just nearby, staff at the Aquarium Public House have reported hearing voices calling their names when the building was empty.
The Bat & Ball pub has witnessed a ghostly woman in a nightdress dancing silently before disappearing. Additionally, patrons at the Bath Arms have described sightings of a Victorian gentleman and another ghostly figure in a tricorn hat, both present since the 1990s.
The Black Lion, one of Brighton”s oldest pubs, is said to be haunted by Deryck Carver, England”s first Protestant martyr. Historical accounts indicate that Carver was executed in 1555, and his spirit is believed to haunt the pub”s cellar, where many have reported feeling an unsettling presence.
Emma Thompson, Marketing Director at Where The Trade Buys, remarked that these findings highlight Britain”s rich hospitality history, with each pub and hotel holding its unique narrative, often intertwined with chilling tales.
Pubs constitute the majority of reported hauntings, accounting for 871 of the sightings. Brighton alone is home to 33 haunted pubs, making it the leading city in the UK, followed by York with 11 and Edinburgh with nine. Other cities like Bolton, Newcastle, and Birmingham also have their share of ghostly legends, with tales of phantom patrons returning to their usual spots.
In Kent, one landlord reportedly avoids entering his cellar alone after witnessing a pair of disembodied boots. Meanwhile, in Devon, visitors have recounted sightings of a Victorian-clad man staring wistfully into a fireplace before vanishing.
Hotels rank as the second most haunted venues, with 451 recorded incidents. Cities such as Edinburgh, Brighton, and Aberdeen have five haunted hotels each, with Manchester, King”s Lynn, and Derby closely following.
