Discover the darker side of the Red Rose County. Here are 50 haunted places in Lancashire you need to know, from ruined castles and ghostly pubs to eerie moors where witches still roam
From the shadowy lanes of Accrington to the windswept ruins of Wycoller, Lancashire is alive with ghost stories.
These 50 haunted places reveal a county steeped in folklore, tragedy, and mystery.
Whether you’re seeking witch-lore on Pendle Hill, phantom soldiers in Fulwood Barracks, or sorrowful ladies drifting through stately halls, Lancashire offers some of the most atmospheric hauntings in Britain.
50 Haunted Places in Lancashire
Accrington Conservative Club (site), Cannon Street, Accrington BB5 1EZ
Though demolished, the old Conservative Club was notorious for its “Shadow Man”. Staff reported a tall, faceless figure in a hat lurking by the bar. One barman described a misty shape leaning over him before vanishing.
Lights flickered and whispers echoed in empty rooms. Even since demolition, locals claim the shadowy figure still appears along Cannon Street — a ghost unwilling to leave its old haunt.
Black Abbey Street, Accrington BB5 1EN
Accrington’s oldest ghost story centres on Ursula, a nobleman’s daughter who loved a monk. After her father had him killed, Ursula’s grief was unbearable.
Her glowing apparition walks Black Abbey Street, but if approached, her face falls away, revealing a flaming skeleton. Witnesses report her blood-curdling scream and sudden bursts of fire before she vanishes — a terrifying reminder of this tragic medieval romance.
Warner Street, Accrington BB5 1HN
This quaint shopping lane hides dark energy. Shops here experience poltergeist activity — objects flying, lights flickering, icy drafts.
Mediums identified a shadowy figure called “Josiah”, blamed for pushing one investigator down the stairs. A Victorian boy with bloody hands is also seen, muttering “I didn’t do it.” Warner Street’s haunted reputation makes it one of Accrington’s eeriest corners.
Astley Hall, Chorley PR7 1NP
This Elizabethan manor turned museum is steeped in history — and hauntings. Visitors have seen a Tudor lady wandering the rooms, while children’s laughter echoes in empty corridors.
Staff report phantom piano music drifting from the drawing room and sudden icy blasts. Cromwell once stayed here, but it’s the spirits of long-dead residents who seem most unwilling to depart.
Heskin Hall, Wood Lane, Eccleston, Chorley PR7 5PA
Dating to 1548, Heskin Hall is famed for its Tudor splendour — and ghosts. Two Civil War soldiers reportedly patrol the grounds, while inside, a Catholic girl hanged during the Reformation is said to appear.
Visitors sense sudden chills, hear whispers, and see shadowy figures. The hall’s turbulent past ensures its phantoms remain part of its character.
Euxton Mills, Wigan Road, Euxton, Chorley PR7 6JD
This 18th-century pub has a resident Grey Lady who glides through the bar and appears in the ladies’ toilets. Electrical equipment in the cellar turns itself on and off, startling staff.
After closing, footsteps and murmurs are heard in deserted rooms. The warm, bustling pub by day becomes a playground for its unseen patrons at night.
Bank Hall, Bretherton, Chorley PR26 9AT
A Jacobean mansion now under restoration, Bank Hall has long been derelict and haunted. Visitors hear whispered names and see a Lady in White with a dog strolling the gardens.
Workmen describe shadowy figures and icy drafts in empty rooms. Paranormal activity is said to spike whenever renovations take place, as if the spirits resent the changes to their home.
Botany Bay Mill, Botany Brow, Chorley PR6 9AF
This vast former cotton mill later became a shopping complex, but its ghosts belong to the industrial past. A spectral mill worker in clogs and flat cap is seen on upper floors.
Children’s cries echo faintly, and visitors feel invisible weight pressing on their limbs. With its tragic history of accidents, Botany Bay’s spirits seem forever tied to the building.
Carleton Cemetery & Crematorium, Stocks Road, Blackpool FY6 7QS
By day tranquil, by night unnerving. The most famous spectre here is a green-faced woman haunting the gates — said to be a Victorian widow brutally murdered.
Taxi drivers have also reported an elderly phantom man with hollow eyes loitering outside. Misty forms and sudden chills add to the graveyard’s macabre reputation as Blackpool’s most haunted resting place.
The Foxhall, Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5DL
Built in the 1600s as a farmhouse, later a smuggler’s haunt, the Foxhall is filled with secret passages and ghost stories. A shadowy priest moves between hidden doorways, while whispers echo in empty rooms.
Patrons describe an oppressive presence upstairs and objects moving unaided. With its colourful history, the Foxhall’s ghosts reflect centuries of intrigue and sin.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ
The Ghost Train ride is haunted by “Cloggy”, a former operator. Staff and riders hear phantom clogs tapping and footsteps on the track when no one is there.
A young girl in period dress haunts the gift shop, while the Star Pub’s cellar hosts a dark shadow figure. Even the Ice Rink isn’t spared, with lights flicking on and off mysteriously. Read more about the hauntings of Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach.
The Old Coach House, Dean Street, Blackpool FY4 1BP
Built in 1851, this B&B is Blackpool’s oldest building. Guests often wake to see a cloaked man in a cap standing silently in their rooms.
Owners hear knocks and footsteps in empty hallways. The presence is thought to be a long-dead coachman still keeping vigil. Though benign, his unexpected appearances leave visitors shaken.
Blackpool Grand Theatre, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HL
Opened in 1894, this ornate theatre has its own ghost — “Charlie.” Believed to be a former stagehand, Charlie is often seen in the gallery or felt tapping people on the shoulder.
Staff report perfume smells in empty dressing rooms and shadowy figures drifting across the stage. The Grand’s haunted reputation lingers alongside its dramatic history.
Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Promenade, Blackpool FY1 4BJ
Beneath the gilded ceilings and glittering chandeliers dances the Grey Lady. She appears in the stalls or glides across the gallery, watching silently.
Staff report cold breezes and the swish of skirts when no one is there. Believed to be a mid-20th-century dancer who never left, she waltzes eternally in the shadows of Blackpool’s most famous ballroom.
Raikes Hall, Liverpool Road, Blackpool FY1 4HE
Once a convent and later a music hall, Raikes Hall is haunted by a sorrowful nun. Veiled and silent, she’s seen gliding through rooms before vanishing.
Patrons report muffled prayers and tapping sounds at night. With its long history of reinvention, Raikes Hall’s phantom nun seems determined to linger in her former home.
Regent Cinema, Church Street, Blackpool FY1 3NY
Now an antiques centre, the Regent was once a bustling cinema and bingo hall. Customers browsing stalls have seen cups move on their own and objects fly off shelves.
Phantom footsteps echo on the balcony, and faint 1920s music sometimes drifts through the halls. Its century-old walls hold echoes of countless audiences that seem reluctant to leave.
Frenchman’s Cove, South King Street, Blackpool FY1 4LS
This former tobacco warehouse turned pub is haunted by a young woman’s ghost. Staff have seen her figure standing silently before fading away.
Linked to a tragic love story, her presence is accompanied by sudden chills and the scent of pipe smoke. Patrons feel watched from dark corners, as if the past refuses to stay buried.
The Imperial Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool FY1 2HB
Once host to prime ministers and royalty, the Imperial also hosts spectral guests. A Victorian lady drifts through corridors, while a shadowy gentleman appears briefly in Room 13.
Lights flicker and cold breezes sweep empty halls. The hotel’s grandeur is tinged with melancholy — reminders that some distinguished visitors never checked out.
Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queens Promenade, Blackpool FY2 9AA
Wartime memories linger here. Once government offices, the hotel is now famed for screams and footsteps heard at night.
Guests report seeing a woman in period dress vanish on the stairs. Doors slam and shadows dart along corridors. With its fortress-like turrets and brooding sea views, the Norbreck is a natural haunt for restless spirits.
Marine Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood FY7 6HF
This 1935 seafront hall is haunted by “Bill”, a beloved former caretaker. His shadowy figure is seen walking the foyer and auditorium.
Staff describe chairs moving, lights dimming, and an unseen presence backstage. Friendly rather than frightening, Bill’s ghost keeps watch over the building he cared for, ensuring Fleetwood’s entertainment hub always has a guardian.
North Euston Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood FY7 6BN
Opened in 1841, this grand hotel still entertains — and unnerves. A Victorian lady in grey is seen searching corridors, thought to be looking for her lost sailor husband.
Guests report phantom music and dancing in their rooms, as if a 19th-century ball continues unseen. Cold breezes and pipe smoke scents add to the eerie atmosphere.
Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Road, Padiham BB12 8UA
This “Downton of the North” has aristocratic ghosts. The White Lady, believed to be Lady Shuttleworth, drifts down the grand staircase.
Staff report books rustling in the library and a phantom nanny at upper windows. Cold breezes and children’s giggles echo through its halls. Gawthorpe’s beauty comes laced with sorrow and spectral presence.
Towneley Hall, Towneley Park, Burnley BB11 3RQ
Every room has a ghost. Children’s voices and footsteps sound in empty corridors, while an “evil presence” lurks in the blue corridor, tugging at visitors’ clothes.
A White Lady haunts a turret, staring out at the grounds. Staff tell of portraits that change expression. Towneley’s centuries of history ensure its spirits remain woven into daily life.
Wycoller Hall, Wycoller, Colne BB8 8SY
These atmospheric ruins inspired Charlotte Brontë — and host chilling legends. Each January stormy night, the Spectral Horseman gallops to the hall, re-enacting a murderous tragedy.
The Lady in Black drifts silently through the ruins and across Wycoller Bridge. Visitors report phantom hoofbeats, women’s sobs, and strange lights. Wycoller’s romantic setting hides an unnerving ghostly legacy. Read more about Wycoller Hall.
Clitheroe Castle, Castle Hill, Clitheroe BB7 1BA
This medieval ruin dominates the town, and its ghosts dominate the lore. The Grey Lady of Clitheroe is said to wander near the Keep, weeping for her lost love.
Museum staff report footsteps on empty stairs and pipe smoke drifting in closed rooms. Visitors sense eyes watching from shadows. With its links to witch trials and centuries of violence, Clitheroe Castle radiates an unsettling presence.
Swan & Royal Hotel, Castle Street, Clitheroe BB7 2BX
Once a coaching inn, now a hotel, the Swan & Royal is famed for ghostly guests. A Victorian chambermaid is said to tidy rooms long after her death, vanishing if addressed.
Patrons in the lounge describe a top-hatted gentleman manifesting briefly before disappearing. Staff hear unseen humming and footsteps upstairs. With Churchill and Gandhi once staying here, it seems some spirits have also booked in permanently.
Lower Buck Inn, Edisford Road, Waddington BB7 3HU
A warm village pub hides a history of violence and hauntings. Landlord William Southworth was killed in a brawl here in the 1800s — and never left.
Patrons sense his presence behind the bar, and photos have captured strange figures. Staff holding a haunted sleepover heard scratching and bangs, with two ghostly forms appearing in pictures. William’s ghost seems more playful than malicious, keeping his inn lively.
Mitton Hall, Mitton Road, Mitton BB7 9PQ
A Jacobean mansion turned hotel, Mitton Hall is haunted by a martyred priest and a grieving maid. Guests have reported a sobbing woman in upstairs suites and phantom prayers in the chapel.
Staff often hear doors swing open unaided and footsteps crossing empty rooms. With its priest hole and Reformation history, Mitton Hall’s ghosts appear tied to centuries of faith, betrayal and sorrow.
Eagle & Child Inn, Church Road, Leyland PR25 3AA
Built in 1753, this pub has long been a paranormal hotspot. A ghostly maid tidies glasses after hours, while poltergeist activity sees chairs moved and objects hurled.
Down in the old holding cells, staff feel an oppressive presence. Locals speak of a hooded monk appearing in the garden. The Eagle & Child’s blend of history and hauntings makes it one of Lancashire’s most atmospheric pubs.
Rufford Old Hall, Liverpool Road, Rufford L40 1SG
This timber-framed Tudor manor, once home to the Hesketh family, is steeped in legend. A shadowy figure in Elizabethan dress is seen near the minstrel gallery, believed by some to be a young William Shakespeare.
Footsteps echo along the long gallery, and cold draughts sweep through rooms when no one is near. Outside, a ghostly man in grey is spotted by the riverbank — thought to be the victim of a fatal duel. Rufford’s rich history comes with a lingering spectral presence.
Lytham Hall, Ballam Road, Lytham FY8 4JX
This Georgian estate hides centuries of unrest. The most famous haunting is Sir Cuthbert Clifton, whose chained footsteps echo along the upper floors.
A Grey Lady glides through the long gallery, vanishing by a portrait. Guests report doors locking on their own and icy drafts in the stairwells. Lytham Hall’s grandeur is balanced by its ghosts, who seem reluctant to leave the ancestral seat.
The Ship & Royal, Clifton Street, Lytham FY8 5EH
This coaching inn has no shortage of phantoms. A mischievous ghost called Charlie is blamed for moving objects and making prank calls.
A mother and son who drowned in an upstairs bathtub are said to linger — guests hear sobbing and water running in disused rooms. The aristocrat John Talbot Clifton reportedly returns in spectral form. Patrons accept their haunted pub as part of local life.
Golden Ball (Snatchems) Inn, Lancaster Road, Morecambe LA3 3ER
Once a notorious haunt of press-gangs, this riverside pub is nicknamed Snatchems. Patrons describe seeing ghostly sailors nursing pints before vanishing.
Phantom hands tug at clothes outside, recalling men kidnapped for naval service. Staff hear voices after closing, and cold drafts plague an upstairs room. With its grim maritime history, the Golden Ball remains a magnet for ghost hunters and storytellers alike.
Winter Gardens, Marine Road Central, Morecambe LA4 4BU
This Victorian theatre is a restoration project and a ghost-hunter’s dream. Shadow figures dart across balconies, and unseen hands throw stones beneath the stage.
The ghost of Fred, a stagehand, is blamed for lights turning on and phantom footsteps pacing the boards. Visitors have seen a man in a trilby backstage and an actress in period dress in the stalls. The show, it seems, never ends.
Thurnham Hall, Lancaster LA2 0DT
Dating back to the 12th century, Thurnham Hall brims with legend. A lady in green, thought to be Elizabeth Dalton, is seen roaming the halls.
Guests sense a Civil War cavalier in the grounds, and poltergeist activity plagues bedrooms. Cold spots in the chapel suggest a priest still prays here. Now a hotel, Thurnham Hall blends luxury with a reputation as one of Lancashire’s most haunted estates.
Lancaster Castle, Castle Parade, Lancaster LA1 1YJ
This fortress and former prison is tied to the Pendle witch trials and centuries of executions. Visitors have felt a child’s hand grasp theirs, seen a monk-like figure, and heard chains rattling in empty cells.
The Shire Hall, once used for sentencing, is especially active. Lancaster Castle’s stones seem to absorb the anguish of the condemned, releasing it in spectral form to modern visitors.
Lancaster Grand Theatre, St Leonardgate, Lancaster LA1 1NL
Built in 1782, the Grand Theatre is haunted by Sarah Siddons, a famed actress who performed here. Her Grey Lady apparition drifts across the stage and sits silently in the gallery.
Staff smell perfume in empty rooms and hear lone claps in the auditorium. Workmen renovating the theatre have seen figures in period costume watching them. The Grand’s history ensures its spectral audience is never absent.
Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, Samlesbury PR5 0UP
This medieval hall is one of Lancashire’s most haunted. Dorothy Southworth, the White Lady, wanders its halls in sorrow for her forbidden love.
A murdered priest groans near a hidden priest hole, while a phantom black dog prowls the courtyard. Guests describe hands tugging their bedclothes at night. With thirteen ghosts said to linger, Samlesbury Hall embraces its spectral heritage, offering ghost hunts and chilling tales. Read more about Samlesbury Hall.
Chingle Hall, Whittingham Lane, Goosnargh PR3 2JJ
Often called England’s most haunted house, this moated hall dates to 1260. Once a Catholic refuge, its chapel and priest holes are alive with paranormal reports.
Chanting, footsteps, and hooded figures have been witnessed. A glowing Radiant Monk has been seen gliding through the garden. Mrs Howarth, a former owner, famously saw smoke pour from a chimney hide without cause. Chingle Hall’s sinister reputation endures. Read more about Chingle Hall.
Wellington Inn, Glovers Court, Preston PR1 3LS
Regarded as Preston’s most haunted pub, the Wellington is plagued by poltergeists. Glasses smash on their own, lights flicker, and appliances malfunction.
One landlord fled after his bed shook violently at night. Patrons report shadowy figures in corners and footsteps on empty stairs. The cellar hosts a menacing presence. With its violent history, the Wellington’s hauntings are relentless and unnerving.
Sun Inn, Windy Street, Chipping PR3 2GD
This 18th-century inn is haunted by Lizzie Dean, a barmaid who hanged herself in the attic after heartbreak. Her grave lies at the church entrance so her betrayer would pass weekly.
Lizzie’s spirit is seen in Victorian dress, vividly appearing to patrons before vanishing. TV’s Great British Ghosts featured her story. The Sun Inn’s cosy atmosphere hides the tragic soul who refuses to rest.
Fulwood Barracks, Watling Street Road, Preston PR2 8AA
Home to regimental history, Fulwood Barracks also houses ghosts. Roman soldiers have been sighted marching waist-deep through the ground, a remnant of an ancient road.
A Victorian drummer boy’s phantom beats echo at midnight. Visitors report oppressive feelings in the Officers’ Mess. The barracks’ long military past ensures its parade grounds are shared by both living soldiers and spectral comrades.
Whittingham Hospital (site), Whittingham Lane, Preston PR3 2JE
Once the largest mental asylum in Britain, Whittingham Hospital has a dark past — and disturbing hauntings. Though now mostly demolished, strange occurrences still trouble the site.
Security guards reported screams from empty wards and shadowy figures moving behind broken windows. A ghostly nurse is said to appear in the former operating theatre, while cold spots and whispers plagued the underground tunnels. The hospital may be gone, but its ghosts remain.
Turton Tower, Chapeltown Road, Turton BL7 0HG
This fortified manor near Blackburn holds two skulls said to cause chaos if moved. Doors slam, furniture topples, and the Lady in Silk rustles through rooms in protest.
Visitors have also seen a servant boy’s ghost and a sombre monk. With its woodlands and layered history, Turton Tower’s phantoms are as enduring as the building itself.
Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors BB5 5JP
This country house hotel, dating to 1285, is haunted by Lucette, the White Lady. A young Frenchwoman jilted in love, she died here and wanders the corridors in flowing white, especially at Christmastime.
Guests have woken to see her at their bedside before she fades away. Elegant and welcoming, the Dunkenhalgh nonetheless hides a sorrowful ghostly presence.
King George’s Hall, Northgate, Blackburn BB2 1AA
A concert venue since 1921, the hall is haunted by a man in a top hat roaming the balconies. Child spirits are also reported, seen as shadowy figures darting through corridors.
Staff feel watched when working alone, and cold spots linger in the basement where a worker died during construction. The hall’s lively arts scene is matched by an equally lively ghostly troupe.
Jubilee Telephone Exchange, Jubilee Street, Blackburn BB1 1EP
Built on the site of the old Grand Theatre, this exchange carries echoes of the past. Staff report phantom piano music, believed to come from the theatre’s last owner.
A shadowy figure in Victorian clothes has been seen on the frame floor. Lights flicker and a melancholy presence pervades the building. The exchange may be modern, but its haunted roots remain.
St Anne’s Church, Woodplumpton Road, Woodplumpton PR4 0NE
The grave of Meg Shelton, the “Singleton Witch”, lies here under a heavy boulder. Buried headfirst to prevent her rising, Meg’s spirit is still said to prowl the churchyard.
Visitors hear scratching beneath the soil and feel sudden gusts near her stone. Inside the church, a dark figure lurks in the pews. The legend of Meg ensures Woodplumpton’s churchyard is a haunting place. Read about Meg Shelton.
Have you seen a ghost or felt the paranormal in Lancashire? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
