The UK’s most haunted coastlines — from lost towns to ghost ships | UK | Travel
It’s not just haunted houses that can give you a scare this Halloween, Britain’s coastlines are brimming with ghost stories, eerie ruins and misty beaches that have inspired centuries of folklore. From North Yorkshire’s Dracula connection to Cornwall’s phantom shipwrecks, the UK coast is home to plenty of spooky sightings.
With this in mind, Simply Sea Views has compiled a list of the country’s most haunted coastlines. Josh Williams, the founder of the holiday letting agency, said: “Britain’s coastline has a real magic about it in autumn, especially as Halloween approaches and the nights draw in. From ruined abbeys to shipwrecked shores, these places offer more than just great views – they’re steeped in eerie legends that make them perfect for a spooky seaside escape.”
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire – Dracula’s Inspiration
Towering over the harbour, Whitby Abbey’s Gothic ruins inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula and remain one of Britain’s most atmospheric landmarks.
The abbey itself is said to be haunted by a number of ghosts, including that of Lady Hilda, the abbey’s first abbess, a mysterious spectre said to be protecting lost treasure, and a walled-up nun.
Whitby itself is known to embrace its dark side and hosts an annual Goth Weekend, but it’s certainly still worth a visit even on a quieter weekend.
(Image: Getty)
Dunwich, Suffolk – The Town Lost to the Sea
Dubbed the ‘Atlantis of the UK’, Dunwich was once a thriving medieval port, before most of the town was swallowed by the sea after centuries of erosion.
Included in the buildings that slipped away into the sea were at least two churches, and today, fishermen claim they can hear the bells of these churches tolling beneath the waves.
Today, visitors can explore Dunwich’s crumbling cliffs and eerie shoreline. Although the majority of the town’s medieval buildings have been lost to the sea, the remains of Greyfriars Monastery are still standing on the cliffs, with some visitors reporting sightings of ghostly monks.
(Image: Getty)
Berry Pomeroy and Start Bay, Devon – Ghostly Shores
Berry Pomeroy Castle in Devon is often described as one of England’s most haunted ruins, with visitors claiming to have seen a ghostly guard, a blue lady, and a white lady. Along with these, some have even reported hearing deafening screeches that seem to have no source.
The nearby Start Bay adds a maritime twist, with local fishermen telling stories of phantom sails gliding silently across the horizon.
(Image: Getty)
