Where is the Most Haunted Place in Beverley?

Beverley is famous for its historic buildings, quaint streets, and bustling market town charm—but could it also be one of the most haunted places in England? According to legendary ghost hunters Peter Robinson and Paul Hesp, who documented Beverley’s supernatural history in the 1980s, the answer is a spine-chilling yes. Paranormal activity has been reported all over town, from shadowy figures drifting through ancient corridors to eerie whispers in the dead of night. But which location claims the crown as Beverley’s most haunted hotspot? Buckle up, ghost hunters—this list of haunted locations, as recorded by Robinson and Hesp, will send shivers down your spine.

1. The Old Fire Station: The Ghost in the Wall

Now a doctor’s surgery, this unassuming building was once a fire station, where firefighters reported terrifying encounters with a ghostly figure. One fire officer in the 1970s described an apparition moving toward him before vanishing through a solid wall. The site was previously used as a World War I army barracks, and legend has it that a violent murder occurred there. Would you dare sit in its waiting room alone at night?

2. Norwood House: The Haunted Schoolhouse

This Grade I-listed Georgian mansion was once part of Beverley High School, but students and teachers alike have long reported a ghostly presence. Many claim to have seen the spirit of a little girl who tragically fell to her death through a false door while playing with her siblings. Her restless spirit is said to haunt the library, and during recent renovations, workers once again reported strange sightings and an eerie sense of unease.

3. Beverley Arms: The Screaming Woman in Red

The Beverley Arms Hotel has played host to countless guests over the centuries—including, it seems, some who never checked out. One of the most terrifying reports comes from the 1960s when a young employee awoke to find a shrieking ghostly woman in a red dress standing at the foot of his bed. He fled the hotel and never returned. With its long history of famous visitors, including highwayman Dick Turpin, who knows how many spirits still linger here?

4. Browns: The Ghostly Projectionist

Once Beverley’s beloved Picture Playhouse, Browns department store has a haunting history. Former manager Peter Robinson recounted frequent sightings of a shadowy figure wearing a gingery-brown tweed suit—believed to be the ghost of Ernest Symmons, the Playhouse’s former owner. Staff have also reported objects moving mysteriously and eerie sensations when working late. Would you browse the aisles alone after dark?

5. The Guildhall: The Cigar-Smoking Spirit

For centuries, Beverley’s Guildhall has been a hub of authority and justice. But something—or someone—doesn’t want to leave. Numerous tradesmen working in the building have reported their tools switching off mysteriously, always accompanied by the unmistakable smell of cigar smoke. Could this be the lingering spirit of a past mayor keeping watch over his domain?

6. The Friary: The Headless Monk

Dating back to 1240, The Friary has witnessed centuries of change—and, according to local lore, it’s also home to one of Beverley’s most unsettling spirits. Visitors have reported sightings of a ghostly friar emerging from a secret passage, while others have claimed to see a terrifying headless monk wandering Friars Lane after midnight. Is he searching for something—or someone?

7. The Sun Inn: Haunted Cellars and Secret Passages

One of Beverley’s oldest pubs, The Sun Inn, has its fair share of paranormal stories. Former landlords have spoken of unseen hands brushing past them and eerie sensations in the pub’s cellar. Legend has it that a secret underground passage runs beneath the inn, linking it to Beverley Minster. Could this be the source of the chilling activity? Next time you’re sipping a pint, keep an eye out—you may not be alone.

8. Beverley Minster: Ghostly Sisters and Phantom Defenders

Beverley Minster, the town’s most iconic landmark, is also its most haunted. An ancient ballad tells the tale of two ghostly sisters who rise from their unmarked marble grave each Christmas Eve, walking ‘hand in hand with noiseless step’ until the morning light banishes them. Another chilling legend speaks of a spectral figure—believed to be St John of Beverley—who appeared to ward off Oliver Cromwell’s troops as they fired shots at the Minster’s West Door. The bullets were later found embedded in the wood centuries later. Coincidence, or divine intervention?

Honouring Beverley’s Ghostbusters

All of these incredible stories come from the dedicated research of Beverley’s very own ghostbusters, Peter Robinson and Paul Hesp. These two legendary figures spent years documenting the town’s supernatural activity, ensuring that its ghostly history would never be forgotten. Their books remain a testament to their passion for uncovering the paranormal secrets of Beverley.

So, Where is Beverley’s Most Haunted Place?

With its chilling history and countless ghostly sightings, Beverley Minster surely claims the title of the most haunted place in town. But every location on this list has its own terrifying tales. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, one thing is certain—Beverley is alive with echoes of the past.

Would you dare visit any of these haunted hotspots alone? Let us know your ghostly experiences in the comments!