For centuries, British country houses, long considered the epitome of refinement and luxury, have also proved a cornerstone of Gothic fiction.
With their many empty corridors, shut-up rooms and corners to hide in, they are the perfect setting for a ghost story, especially when visited by an author with imagination.
Here, I’ve picked six of the spookiest country houses and castles in the land – eerie abodes that have provided inspiration for some of the most terrifying books and films. Read on – if you dare!
Abbey House, Cambridge
From grey ladies, ghostly animals, poltergeists and disembodied heads, Abbey House (pictured) boasts hauntings straight from the pages of a classical Gothic novel, writes Louise
In 1986, Abbey House was exorcised by three clergymen before being sold to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order
Located in Abbey, Cambridge, this 17th-century house has held its reputation as the most haunted house in the city since the early 1900s. From grey ladies, ghostly animals, poltergeists and disembodied heads, Abbey House boasts hauntings straight from the pages of a classical Gothic novel.
Local legends talk of a nun from the nearby St Radegund’s Priory, who used an underground passageway leading beneath the house to meet with her lover, the canon at Barnwell Priory, and was then bricked into the walls as punishment.
In 1986, Abbey House was exorcised by three clergymen and was sold in 2002 to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, who agreed to open the house to the public.
Visit opencambridge.cam.ac.uk.
Allerton Castle, Yorkshire
Allerton Castle is thought to have once been the site of an old monastery and dates back to the 1100s
Ghostly footsteps are heard in the servants’ quarters, lights flicker on and off and the faces of old residents, such as the Grand Old Duke of York, have been spotted out of the ballroom window
Gothic-style Allerton Castle is situated in beautiful Yorkshire. Rebuilt in 1843, the castle is thought to have once been the site of an old monastery and dates back to the 1100s. Possibly explaining the strange events said to take place in the house.
Now open to the public, ghostly footsteps are heard in the servants’ quarters, lights flicker on and off and the faces of old residents, such as the Grand Old Duke of York, have been spotted out of the ballroom window.
Don’t believe it? Take a ghost tour and find out the truth for yourself.
Visit www.allertoncastle.co.uk/castle-tours.
Woodchester Mansion, Gloucestershire
Woodchester Mansion is a stunning Victorian Gothic-style house that is still unfinished
There is said to be a spectral Tall Man in the chapel, a ghostly old woman, and one visitor reported a floating head in the women’s bathroom
Woodchester Mansion is a stunning Victorian Gothic-style house that is still unfinished – perhaps due to the spooky events that took place there.
Legend has it that one of the workers was mysteriously murdered, causing the others to down tools and leave, reducing the house a deserted, half-finished building reminiscent of the Mary Celeste ship.
There is said to be a spectral Tall Man in the chapel, a ghostly old woman, and one visitor reported a floating head in the women’s bathroom.
Complete with gargoyles, grotesques, and carvings from English folklore, Woodchester is the perfect setting for a haunting.
Visit woodchestermansion.org.uk.
Cairndhu House, Northern Ireland
Cairndhu House, County Antrim, is considered one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland
The house (above) is now privately owned, though uninhabited – at least by anyone living
Louise Davidson’s debut novel, The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond (£8.99, Moonflower Books), is out now
Cairndhu House, County Antrim, is considered one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland.
Built in 1880, the house was later purchased by Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon in 1918 before being donated to the government as a convalescent hospital.
The house is now privately owned, though uninhabited – at least by anyone living. Long considered haunted by locals, paranormal Investigators at the house have reported hearing running footsteps, seeing figures in windows and the ghost of a servant who died in the house.
Officials stress that the structure of the house means it is not fit for visitors.
Visit irelandbeforeyoudie.com.
Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire
A fine example of a medieval house, it is unsurprising that Samlesbury Hall (pictured) is said to be haunted, says Louise
Legend says that the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth, known as the White Lady of Samlesbury, haunts the various rooms. Above is the parlour
Gothic novelist Louise Davidson
A fine example of a medieval house, it is unsurprising that Samlesbury Hall is said to be haunted.
Legend says that the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth, known as the White Lady of Samlesbury, haunts the various rooms after being sent abroad when her brother murdered her fiancé to prevent them eloping.
It is said that her ghost waits for a lover that will never return.
Visit samlesburyhall.co.uk/guided-tours.
Skaill House, Sandwick, Orkney Mainland
Skaill house is thought to have been built on an ancient Picts burial ground
While Skaill House was renovated, visitors reported sightings of spectral figures, noises coming from empty rooms and the appearance of a strange man, who seemed to disappear moments later. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons licensing
Originally built in 1620, Skaill house can be found near the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, which was unearthed in 1850.
Now open to the public, the house is thought to have been built on an ancient Picts burial ground. And while it was renovated, visitors reported sightings of spectral figures, noises coming from empty rooms and, when there were no male staff members working that day, the appearance of a strange man, who seemed to disappear moments later.
Visit skaillhouse.co.uk/your-visit.
Louise Davidson’s debut novel, The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond (£8.99, Moonflower Books), is out now.
LOUISE DAVIDSON’S INSPIRATION FOR HER GOTHIC NOVEL
The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond was inspired by National Trust Property Sunnycroft House in Shropshire (above).
The two-story redbrick Victorian Villa provided the inspiration for Mistcoate House, which Louise sets deep in the Norfolk wilds. Surrounded by deep woods, it’s the setting for a story about tarot, fortune telling and speaking to the dead – ‘the perfect Halloween read’, says publisher Moonflower Books.