With Halloween just around the corner, perhaps you’re on the hunt for some of London’s most haunted pubs for a spooktacular pub crawl across the capital. The Flask in Highgate is one of the many storied pubs in the city that’s famed for its eerie hauntings and unexplainable happenings.
Sitting right next to the equally eerie Highgate Cemetery, this atmospheric pub has become infamous for its supernatural residents. The most frequently recorded spirit is that of a Spanish barmaid from the 1800s, who tragically took her own life due to some unrequited love with the landlord.
Spooky sightings at The Flask in Highgate
It’s said that this Spanish barmaid is often spotted wiping down tables, or heard sobbing late at night – with both instances guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine should you bear witness. Another frequent ghoulish visitor is the Cavalier (a military worker from the 17th century), dressed in full uniform and often seen gazing outside of the pub’s windows. He’s also been seen wandering the pub.
So, whether you’re a committed history buff, an enthusiast of all things paranormal, or even just fancy some pub grub and a pint, be sure to drop a pin in Highgate’s beloved haunt The Flask.
Beyond the pub’s sinister hauntings
The eeriness doesn’t end with the ghosts and ghouls, though, as The Flask is steeped in even more fascinating history that’s made it the famed pub it is today (although this part is slightly gruesome if you’re squeamish). The pub’s Committee Room was supposedly the scene of one of the first-ever autopsies, secretly performed during the frightful days of graverobbing, and said to be conducted with a fresh body from Highgate Cemetery.
But there are a handful of less gruesome and terror-ridden stories that grace the space, too. The historical figure, Dick Turpin, is said to have hidden from the authorities in the pub’s wine cellar during his escapades in the 18th century. Other notable figures who have visited the pub include William Hogarth, as well as the adored Romantic poets Shelley, Keats, and Byron.
The Flask’s proximity to Highgate Cemetary shouldn’t go unnoticed either. The spooky spot is known for its Gothic tombs, historical burials, and famous residents like Karl Marx, George Micheal, and six Lord Mayors of London. The cemetery itself has seen numerous ghostly sightings, including the notorious Highgate Vampire.
So, if you’re on the hunt for the perfect outing this spooky season, or just prefer your pint with a side of history, be sure to visit The Flask when you’re next in the area.
📍You can find The Flask at 77 Highgate W Hill, N6 6BU. Find out more and plan your visit here.
