London Weekend Break

London ghost walks

If you want something different and slightly off-beat from your London weekend break, you can choose to take one of the many London Ghost tours on offer.

With more ghosts and ghouls per square mile than any other city in the world, London is the ghoul capital for thousands of ghost-hunters who flock to England's capital city every year. When you consider that London's history can be traced back to the Roman invasion of 43AD, it's hardly surprising that so many ghostly presences have become caught in the city's “world within a world” - unable, or perhaps unwilling, to pass to the other side.

Many of the places that you discover on a ghost walk can be far removed from the busy main roads and the well trodden tourist routes, but there are of course the popular locations like the Tower of London – renown for its ghostly activity.

Typical spectral presences include those of Sir Walter Raleigh (he is among a host of celebrated phantoms sought by ghost hunters at the Tower of London). Then of course there is Jack the Ripper and his many victims, ghost sightings of which are seen in some of the “seedier” parts of the old city.

If you are not happy with regular ghosts, then poltergeists, screaming spectres, headless women and even phantom trains and buses have all been reported at one time or another – though on some occasions by those who have had a little too much to drink.

Jack the Ripper

Many of the London ghost tours are famous for retracing the steps and murders of Jack the Ripper. These London ghost walks are hugely popular and are nearly always sell-outs.

If you join a "Jack the Ripper" tour expect a story of murderous happenings so terrifying that the streets and buildings will literally come to life.

These tours focus on the creepy cobbled alleyways where the infamous “Jack” murdered and carved up his victims in 1888. They are atmospheric and not for those of a nervous disposition.

Ghosts at the Tower of London

With an atmosphere that is grim, grey and awe-inspiring, the Tower of London has dominated the city landscape since its construction by William the Conqueror way back at the turn of the tenth and eleventh centuries. Today this ancient structure is claimed to be the most haunted building in England.

The Tower of London is said to be rife with the ghosts of those who were tortured and executed there. Famous ghouls associated with the Tower include, Thomas a Becket, the Little Princes, Sir Walter Raleigh, Queen Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and of course the infamous pyromaniac Guy Fawkes.

Other strange sightings at the Tower of London have included, "Phantom funeral carriages" and "a beautiful veiled lady ". A lot has taken place over the Tower's illustrious 900 years of service.

These days any ghostly happenings at the Tower are filmed and relayed out to the World Wide Web, enabling anyone to watch these events from the comfort of their own homes.

Other ghostly happenings

For much of the 19th century, 50 Berkeley Square was known simply as the most haunted house in London. The story surrounding it is truly terrifying and yes, there are ghosts involved.

But the ghosts do not just limit themselves to streets and buildings, there is a famous haunting at the “Bank” underground tube station and many ghost walks now include this station on their tours.

Halloween Ghost walks are annual celebrations of the city's darker heritage and offer an often spine chilling and nerve jangling trip through haunted London. These events are often booked weeks or months in advance, so start planning early.

What and who else can you expect to see?

Well you can start with the whimpering wraiths of two children, both dressed in white nightgowns and clutching each other in terror.

If you want more, how about Margaret Reay whose spirit has haunted Admiralty House ever since it was first seen in the early 20th century by both Winston Churchill and Harold Macmillan.

Or how about a great axe falling across the scene of a woman's murder. In this case Lady Jane Grey whose ghost was last seen by two Guardsmen on February 12, 1957. It was by chance the 403rd anniversary of her execution.

Anne Boleyn's ghost has been seen walking from the Queen's House to the Chapel Royal with a procession of lords and ladies accompanying her, all wearing period clothing.

And then there are the executions, some so brutal that the spirits of those who died continue to be seen in distress to this day.

So, if you want something a little bit different from your London Weekend break, why not try a ghost tour.