15 most haunted spots in Bristol

Bristol’s rich history lends itself to rumours and legends. Ghost stories of ghoulish sightings in the city have been passed down through generations and this Halloween season we’ve picked out the most disturbing ghost stories, the most haunted houses and the scariest sightings, just for you.

1. Bristol Old Vic

Sarah Macready is one of Bristol’s most famous ghosts. The actress and manager worked at the theatre for over 10 years, with her husband William Charles Macready. His death caused her to dress in mourning black, and over 150 years after her own death, a woman in a long black dress is said to haunt the theatre. Her ghost is said to carry a whiff of lavender, with many actors reporting to smell this backstage in the theatre. Andrzej Blonski, the architect of the theatre’s renovations in 2009, reportedly walked into a woman with black hair and a long dress, but she vanished when he attempted to talk to her. He too smelt lavender.

Photo by Jon Craig

2. Llandoger Trow

Boasting 15 ghosts, this pub on Kings Street dates back to the 17th century. Most spooky is a story of a ghost of a young boy with leg braces who walks with a heavy limp, haunting the top floor of the pub. His uneven steps can be heard in the dead of night climbing up and down the stairs.

Photo by VisitEngland

3. Odeon Cinema

In Rudyard Kipling’s 1946 film The Light that Failed, there is a scene in which 5 shots are fired. At a showing of the film at Bristol’s Odeon Cinema, a sixth shot was heard. The cinema’s manager Robert Parrington Jackson was found shot dead in his office. Reportedly killed a man named Billy Fisher, this was a robbery that went wrong. Today, Cinema 3 is said to be haunted by Jackson’s ghost. Ever noticed it’s a little chilly in there?

Photo by Tony Carter

4. Arnos Manor Hotel

Rumour has it that a nun fell pregnant and took her own life because of the shame. The other nuns then buried her body in a bricked up wall. Her body was found when the hotel was bombed in WWII. Guests have reported whispering female voices and having their chests pressed on as they sleep. If you’re up for a truly spooky experience, ask to book room 160, as that is where most of the reported happenings have occurred. Arnos Vale Cemetery also has multiple reports of ghosts. A female figure who was reported to have been buried alive has been seen hysterically crying by graves. The tragic mistake was not realised until many years later when her body was exhumed.

Photo from Buy a Gift

5. The Dower House, Stoke Park

In 1760 a 17 year old girl called Elizabeth Somerset fell off a horse and broke her neck. It is said that her ghost continues to ride around the grounds. People have reported hearing galloping hooves, despite the fact that horses haven’t been on the grounds for years. If you stand next to a monument built for Elizabeth and hear three knocks, it supposedly signifies her presence.

Photo by Andrew Pickles

6. Brandon Hill

The eerie sounds of a muffled drum heard on winter nights around Brandon Hill are reportedly made by the ghost of soldier Jim Falkner. The 18th century drummer boy deserted his post, was marched from the hill and shot.

Photo by Sara Davis

7. All Saints Church

This church in Clifton is said to have been so haunted that the fear of ghosts caused former resident Mrs Jones to jump out of a window. The grounds of the church are said to be frequented by a ghostly monk dressed in black who buried treasure there, and continues to protect it. At Christmas in 1948 the monk was reportedly seen walking down the church aisle. There have also been multiple reports of flickering lights and strange noises.

Photograph taken 1907, by anonymous photographer.

8. Ashton Court

The ghost stories surrounding Ashton Court range from the subtle to the bizarre. Several years ago workers carrying out renovations on the mansion would arrive each morning to find their equipment scattered about, no matter how neatly they had left them the night before. On clear nights there are stories of a ghostly headless horseman circling the grounds and there are even rumours of grey ladies and phantom hounds that lurk the grounds. 

Photo from The Location Guide

9. The SS Great Britain

Many ghosts have been reported on the ship’s deck. Crying children and ghoulish shadows have been spotted throughout its renowned history. The ghost of Captain John Gray, who reportedly committed suicide by jumping out of the window of his cabin, reportedly still haunts the ship. His hobnail boots can supposedly be heard scratching on the deck.

Photo by David Noton

10. Badock’s Field

A woman in Victorian clothing has been spotted picking blackberries in the field. One passerby who saw the woman reported that the Victorian figure then walked into the bramble and promptly disappeared.

Photo by Bristol Barkers

11. Bristol Cathedral

A phantom monk dressed in a grey habit is said to haunt the area between the Cathedral and the nearby library. Reportedly the ghost appears around 4.30pm, and over the years has been seen by a number of visitors spooked by his presence.

Photo by Adrian Pingstone 

12. Oldbury Court Estate

On Vassels Park there used to be a building where, supposedly, a monk would hold mass at illegal times. He would conduct the sessions in a little cubby hole that people named the ‘priest’s hole’, but was one day left there and starved to death. There have since been reports of figures seen walking through solid objects, perhaps the ghost of the monk still trapped within the walls.

Photo by irational.org

13. Clifton Suspension Bridge

Many drivers have reported seeing shadowy figures by the rails of the bridge. These are said to be the spirits of those who have taken their own lives by jumping from the bridge.

Photo by Graham McPherson

BBC Radio Bristol, Whiteladies

In the 1980s the high number of technological breakdowns and interruptions in the frequency were put down to ghostly happneings. It was said that a poltergeist was in the building and was interfering with the radio station.

Photo by Alistair Park

Pembroke Road

There are enough horror stories about the downs today but back in the 19th century highwaymen frequented this road that leads up to the downs. This road in Clifton was formerly known as Gallow’s Acre Lane, and was famously the spot of dwarf highwayman Jenkins Protheroe. Hanged there in 1783, Protheroe’s ghost is said to still be seen climbing down from gallows on a misty evening.

Photo by Derek Harper