The most haunted places in Bristol to visit this Halloween - and the terrifying reasons behind them

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Every city has its ghosts and Bristol, with its rich and at times dark history, is no exception.

Who doesn’t enjoy all the intrigue and mystery that surrounds a popular ghost story?

With Halloween creeping nearer, here are some places in Bristol with their own chilling stories to tell.

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Arnos Manor Hotel

Dare you enter Arnos Manor Hotel for a murder mystery?Dare you enter Arnos Manor Hotel for a murder mystery?
Dare you enter Arnos Manor Hotel for a murder mystery? | Google

There are many spooky events happening at Arnos Manor Hotel this Halloween - and for good reason. The hotel is one of the most haunted buildings in Bristol, said to be frequented by the ghost of a pregnant nun. The hauntings supposedly began in World War Two when workmen repairing bomb damage came across her skeleton. Legend has it that the nun took her own life and that her sisters bricked her body up in the walls to keep the scandal of her pregnancy from getting out to the public.

Ghost sightings: Look out for the nun gliding through the hallways, a mysterious figure in brown and the sound of a soft female voice weeping. Room 160 is said to be where most of the paranormal activity happens.

The Highbury Vaults Pub

The Highbury Vaults, on the top of St Michael’s Hill, has previously been named one of Bristol’s cosiest pubs and is a favourite with locals and students alike. But it has a grim backstory - in the 19th Century, it became an infamous spot for condemned prisoners to enjoy one last pint before making their way to the gallows. The interior and bar remain mostly unchanged since the mid-1800s, so it’s well worth a look if you haven’t been.

Ghost sightings: People have reported hearing the screams of those being dragged to their deaths while in and around the pub.

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The Highbury Vaults pub in Cotham.The Highbury Vaults pub in Cotham.
The Highbury Vaults pub in Cotham. | Google

The Christmas Steps

If you’re into that kind of thing, the Christmas Steps are thought to be crawling with ghosts. Some believe that the houses on the south side of the street may have been built on top of an old graveyard. Centuries ago, the River Frome came almost to the end of the steep hill and barrels were rolled down the hill to be loaded onto ships.

Ghost sightings: The ghost of a young Victorian girl is known to hang around, as well as a ghostly lady dressed all in black - don’t worry, apparently she’s very friendly.

The Christmas Steps in Bristol.The Christmas Steps in Bristol.
The Christmas Steps in Bristol. | Shutterstock

Ashton Court Estate

Dating back to the 1400s and set in 800 acres of wood and grassland, this yellow mansion house is sure to harbour a secret or two. For nearly 500 years, the house belonged to the Smyth family but was taken over by Bristol City Council in 1946. Apparently when electricians were rewiring the building in 1960 they were too frightened to work at the house alone and, one day, they found that wires and cables they had left strewn around the Long Gallery had been rolled neatly back into their reels while they were away.

Ghost sightings: No big deal, but a headless horseman is said to ride around the estate on moonlit nights. Also watch out for the grey ladies who like to float through locked doors. Oh, and the black dogs and phantom hounds - these could be connected to a dog graveyard that lies near the house, the resting place of the old Smyth canine companions.

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The Ashton Court Estate in Bristol.The Ashton Court Estate in Bristol.
The Ashton Court Estate in Bristol. | Shutterstock

Black Castle

The Black Castle pub, in Brislington, may not actually have ever been a castle. The strange building was created in the 1700s as a novelty for the residents of the grand manor house that is now Arnos Manor Hotel nearby. These days, it’s owned by the Flaming Grill Pub Company and sits on the edge of the Sainsbury’s car park.

Ghost sightings: Another ghostly horseman and of course, a headless nun, are said to roam around the pub.

Black Castle Pub, Bristol.Black Castle Pub, Bristol.
Black Castle Pub, Bristol. | Google

Arnos Vale Cemetery

The first burial took place at Arnos Vale Cemetery in 1839 and it has since become Grade-II listed. Those who visit the grounds have often reported feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness while visiting the beautiful cemetery, home hundreds of ornate tombstones and stone angels with their heads bowed in prayer.

Ghost sightings: Look out for a female figure in black who is often spotted crying over the death of a loved one. Another apparition is said to wander round the cemetery in a distressed state after she was supposedly buried alive there.

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The ghost of a woman who was supposedly buried alive has been spotted wandering this beautiful Bristol cemetery in a distressed state. The ghost of a woman who was supposedly buried alive has been spotted wandering this beautiful Bristol cemetery in a distressed state.
The ghost of a woman who was supposedly buried alive has been spotted wandering this beautiful Bristol cemetery in a distressed state. | Sophie Wills

Bristol Old Vic Theatre

The famous Bristol Old Vic is the country’s longest continuously running theatre, so of course it’s haunted. he spectre of Sarah McCreadie, a theatre manager who worked at the Old Vic more than 200 years ago is said to haunt the front of house area of the theatre. Her ghost is said to wear a white crinoline dress. A security guard and his dog once followed her down the box office steps out of the building and caught a whiff of her lavender perfume.

Ghost sightings: The ghost of a boy who died in an accident in the paint shop in the 1950s has also been spotted as well as the 18th Century West End actress Sarah Siddons.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre.Bristol Old Vic Theatre.
Bristol Old Vic Theatre. | Shutterstock

The Llandoger Trow

The Llandoger Trow Inn on King Street, where Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have written Treasure Island, is possible the city’s most haunted pub. Many myths and legends of pirates and secret tunnels surround the building, which dates all the way back to 1664. It also happens to be home to up to 15 ghosts, the best known being a little boy whose footsteps and soft cries can be heard on the top floor.

Ghost sightings: Watch out! The pub is also said to be home to violent poltergeists who like to rip pictures off the wall and throw cutlery in the kitchen.

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