Lancaster Walks, Talks and Tours guide Gregory Wright reveals his ghostly experiences in the Red Rose county to DAVID SAUNDERSON
Lancastrians don’t need convincing that their county is one of the most haunted in Britain.
From the Pendle Witches to eerie halls and castles, ghost stories run deep in the landscape.
But what’s it like to spend 25 years guiding people through these tales?
David Saunderson sat down with Gregory Wright, the man behind Lancaster Walks, Talks and Tours, to hear about his own strange experiences — and what visitors should really see if they want to explore the county’s darker side.
Interview with Gregory Wright on his Lancashire Ghost Tour
David Saunderson: Gregory, you’ve been telling Lancashire’s stories for decades now. How did it all begin?
Gregory Wright: I studied heritage and landscape at university, more about the identity of places than just dates and figures. Then I started working with the museum service in Lancaster 25 years ago at the Judges’ Lodgings, once home to Thomas Covell, keeper of Lancaster Castle during the Pendle Witch trials. That set me on the path, and I soon became a tour guide at the castle itself. I’ve been there ever since.
David: And it’s not just history books that fuel your interest – you’ve had your own brushes with the unexplained, haven’t you?
Gregory: Even as a child I had odd experiences. In our Victorian railwayman’s cottage in West Yorkshire, I once saw what looked like a fairy in the bathroom ceiling – my parents dismissed it, of course. But when we moved out, the new tenant said she saw a dirty old man leering at her in that same room. At Lancaster Castle I’ve had three very unsettling moments: seeing a young woman in a cell, a man in a cream coat in the witness stand, and once I was actually shoved in the chest and knocked over while locking up. If ghosts are anywhere, the castle is a likely place.
David: Your tours have become a fixture in Lancaster. What makes them different?
Gregory: I became a Blue Badge Guide in 2004, which means I can take groups across the county. But it’s the dark stories people want – Hauntings, Hangings and Horrid Happenings, or Witchcraft 1612 about the Pendle Witches.I bring together the history with the folklore and sometimes with personal stories from people who lived or even worked in these places – like prisoners in Lancaster Castle who spoke of ghostly chickens pecking around the gateway.
David: If locals or visitors want to explore Lancashire’s haunted side, where should they start?
Gregory: Lancaster Castle is always first on the list. Samlesbury Hall is another gem – free to visit, full of atmosphere, with tours that don’t shy away from the ghost stories. And of course, Pendle Hill. You can’t take a coach right up, but exploring the surrounding villages gives you a real feel for the witch trials and the legends that live on.
David: And if someone wants to join you on a tour?
Gregory: The best place is linktr.ee/LancasterGuide – that takes you to everything, from tickets on Eventbrite to TripAdvisor reviews. We’ve been lucky to win TripAdvisor awards the last two years thanks to all the positive feedback.
David: Finally, what’s happening this Halloween 2025?
Gregory: If you join us on the 31st October, in the afternoon we’re running our Witchcraft 1612 tour on the Pendle Witches. And in the evening we change into costume for a special Halloween walk in Lancaster. They’re selling quickly, but I’m always happy to run private tours across the county too all through the year.
David: Gregory, thanks for sharing your time and stories with us – your tours sound like great fun.
For our readers who want to experience Lancashire’s haunted history first-hand, Gregory’s tours can be found at linktr.ee/LancasterGuide.
Have you experienced something supernatural on a Lancashire ghost tour? Share your story in the comments below!
