As the leaves turn crisp and the days get shorter, it’s time to start looking for some spine-tingling Halloween plans. Forget the costume parties, the pumpkin carving, the tricks, and the treats, because one of the greatest (and ghastliest) things you can do in London is head on a haunted pub crawl around the capital’s spookiest spots.
Our ancient city is teeming with terrifying tales and haunted happenings, especially in the pub department. So, gather your bravest pals and get ready to explore London’s most haunted pubs.
1. The Viaduct Tavern, City of London
The atmospheric Viaduct Tavern is a Victorian gin palace in the heart of the City that possesses a dark and sinister side. Situated directly opposite the Old Bailey, this pub stands on what was once the notorious Newgate Prison, where life sentences and executions were commonplace.
Some say the spirits of the former prisoners still linger in the pub to this day, with plenty of ghost sightings and unexplainable happenings having been reported over the years. Located in the pub’s basement, the remains of the prison’s cells still create some rather eerie vibes throughout the entire building, making it the perfect place for a pint or two this Halloween.
📍126 Newgate St, London EC1A 7AA
2. The Ten Bells, Spitalfields
A pub that lives and breathes the more menacing side of London’s history is The Ten Bells in Spitalfields. Infamous for its mysterious connection to the Jack the Ripper murders, this Victorian pub is said to be haunted by two of the Ripper’s victims.
Dedicated patrons and unassuming visitors alike have reported seeing the two ghostly figures, who have been identified as Annie Chapman and Mary Kelly. From inexplicable cold drafts to eerie whispers, a pint here may come with some paranormal activity on the side.
📍84 Commercial St, London E1 6LY
3. The Flask, Highgate
A short walk away from Highgate Cemetery, The Flask is a pub that’s become synonymous with the spooky and unexplained. One of the boozer’s most famous ghoulish residents is said to be that of a Spanish barmaid, who killed herself following a failed love affair with the landlord. Her mysterious shadow is often found lingering in the pub’s darkest corners, so keep an eye out if you’re brave enough to visit.
📍77 Highgate W Hill, London N6 6BU.
4. The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead
Housed in a Grade II listed building that dates back to 1585, The Spaniards Inn has been a staple in Hampstead for generations. So much so, it’s famous for being one of the most haunted pubs in London, with more than a fair few stories to tell. From the infamous criminal Dick Turpin, whose father once owned the pub, to other ghostly figures; this place is steeped in local legend with a plethora of peculiar sightings. As well as Turpin, a woman is white is said to haunt the pub and wander its fabled rooms.
📍Spaniards Rd, London NW3 7JJ.
5. The Grenadier, Belgravia
Tucked away down the quiet Belgravia mews, The Grenadier may look like your typically charming and traditional British pub from the outside. But in reality, it harbours a chilling past that remains very much alive to this day. It’s said that the ghost of a young soldier named Cedric haunts the pub, after having been beaten to death by his comrades.
You might feel some cold spots, or hear some stage footsteps. Some people even claim that they can smell cigarette smoke in certain spots of the pub. To appease the restless spirit of Cedric, customers leave coins and currency pinned to the wall and ceiling, so it’s best to join in and submit to superstition.
📍18 Wilton Row, London SW1X 7NR
6. The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
There are very few pubs that possess an execution noose and gibbet in their beer garden. Especially alongside fantastic views of the River Thames. The Prospect of Whitby is London’s oldest riverside tavern. Once known as the ‘Devil’s Tavern’, this was a favourite watering hole amongst smugglers and pirates, with a few of them now known for haunting the pub to this very day. However, their most famous ghost is ‘Hanging Judge’ Jeffereys, who used to live nearby and send countless people to their execution and death (hence why there’s that chilling noose out back).
📍57 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SH.
7. The Carpenters Arms, Bethnal Green
Photo: @thecarpentersarmse2 via IG
The Carpenter Arms has a bloody history that’s tied to the ill-famed Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie. The English gangsters from Haggerston not only owned the pub, but they were involved in armed robberies, arson, assaults, and two high-profile murders. And their criminal connections have supposedly (and understandably) left behind some unwanted spirits.
This hotspot for paranormal activity mainly gets its reputation from its famously creepy basement, but spectral sightings and eerie occurrences are par for the course here. So, the next time you’re heading east to Bethnal Green or Brick Lane, keep this pub in mind for some bevvies with a phantasmic pressence in what was once a gangster’s paradise.
📍73 Cheshire St, London E2 6EG.
8. The Morpeth Arms, Pimlico
Another riverside pub that’s laden with ghostly legends is The Morpeth Arms in Pimlico. It’s said to be haunted by the former inmates of a prison that previously occupied the space, and there’s even some ruins of the former cells beneath the building in their cellar.
Morpeth Arms is also known for boasting incredible views of the not-so-secret MI6 headquarters which is located directly across the river. This intriguing connection has caused plenty of whispers and tales of covert operations and mysterious figures lurking in the pub’s shadows.
📍58 Millbank, London SW1P 4RW.
9. The World’s End, Camden
Dating all the way back to the 1400s, The World’s End is one of Camden‘s most beloved pubs. Known for its kick-ass nights of punk, metal, and rock n’ roll, some say that the pub’s darkness was unavoidable with its horrible history. The spot was previously known as The Old Mother Redcap and proudly stands as one of London’s oldest pubs.
The Old Mother Redcap was named after Jenny Bingman, a former witch who resided in a cottage in the area when Camden was nothing but a country road to Hampstead. She is said to not only haunt the pub, but also Camden Underground Station. with loud shrieks and calls being heard echoing throughout both.
📍174 Camden High St, London NW1 0NS
10. The Bow Bells, Bow
Back in East London, The Bow Bells is said to be the home of one of the capital’s most unusual and invasive ghosts – that of a Victorian man who frightens women in the bathroom by flushing the toilets. Legend has it, that this mysterious figure dressed in 19th-century garb is often causing paranormal mischief, leaving patrons (specifically the ladies) both thoroughly spooked and flushed in the face (if you’d pardon the pun).
📍116 Bow Rd, Bow, London E3 3AA.
11. The Old Bull & Bush, Golders Green
Nestled in between Hampstead and Golders Green, The Old Bull & Bush is the final spot on our round-up of the most haunted pubs in London. This former farmhouse was originally built in the 17th century, before coming a pub that’s crawling with ungodly energies.
Another one connected to Jack the Ripper, owners of the pub once found a skull and skeleton hidden, all dressed in Victorian clothing. Of course, the conspiracy theories blew off, and whether or not you believe the spirit to be that of Jack the Ripper, there’s certainly some darkness lurking inside this beautiful building.
📍N End Way, London NW3 7HE.