The 10 Most Haunted Battlefields In The UK
This article is more than six years old and was last updated in February 2020.
Britain has found itself in several military conflicts throughout its history, including two world wars and the English Civil War between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. Many battles have being fought all over the country and countless lives lost on British soil.
It's no surprise that this pain, suffering and death has left its mark on the landscape and from time to time these negative events resurface in the form of phantom soldiers, ghostly battles and headless horsemen.
10. Edgehill, Banbury
Photo: © Robin Stott
The Battle of Edgehill took place on 23rd October 1642 midway between Banbury and Warwick and was the first battle of the English Civil War. The fighting is said to have repeated itself for several successive nights in 1642, in front of dozens of witnesses.
Almost 30,000 soldiers clashed in the battle and the walkers in the area have reported hearing the soldiers locked in battle as recently as 2016.
Almost 30,000 soldiers clashed in the battle and the walkers in the area have reported hearing the soldiers locked in battle as recently as 2016.
9. Freezing Hill, Bath
Freezing Hill is one of the highest points between the cities of Bristol and Bath, it's marked with a line of 52 birch trees that were planted hundreds of years ago, no one knows who planted it and why. The hill was the site of a battle and is said to be haunted by several ghosts. They are seen wearing clothing which places them to the Civil War era.
8. Naseby, Northampton
Photo: © D Gore
It's said that a ghostly reenactment of the Battle of Naseby has on many occasions played out in the skies over Naseby. Although the battle originally took place on land, locals claim to have sat and watched the aerial battle time and time again from a viewpoint on nearby hills, they say they've witnessed the sounds of men screaming and cannons firing.
7. Bovey Heathfield Local Nature Reserve, Bovey Tracey
Photo: © Paul Dickson
In the Bovey Heathfield Local Nature Reserve on the edge of Dartmoor an English Civil War battle is said to replay. The original battle took place here on 9 January, 1646. Royalist troops, led by lord Wentworth, were encamped on the heath, the Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell and General Fairfax advanced westwards through Devon, engaging Wentworth's company here.
6. East Lulworth, East Lulworth
Photo: © Phil Champion
Flower's Barrow and Grange Hill on the Dorset coast is the site of a haunting which only appears during wars. Witnesses have reported hearing the disembodied cries of soldiers, the clashing of swords and the sound of horses' hooves. There has also been reports of ghostly apparitions along the coastline. As these apparitions are only said to be seen when the country is at war, they haven't been spotted since the Second World War.
5. Rowton Moor, Chester
Photo: © chestertourist.com
The Battle of Rowton Moor took place here during the English Civil War in 1645, and it has left its mark on the land forever. It was one of the most bloody battles of the conflict with a huge number of English soldiers brutally killed here.
The area is now haunted by the ghosts of men on horseback, who are said to appear each year around September 24th. Walkers have reported hearing the faint sound of music echoing across the landscape, which is thought to be the ghost of William Lawes, King Charles' court musician, who was shot down by a parliamentarian.
The area is now haunted by the ghosts of men on horseback, who are said to appear each year around September 24th. Walkers have reported hearing the faint sound of music echoing across the landscape, which is thought to be the ghost of William Lawes, King Charles' court musician, who was shot down by a parliamentarian.
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4. Culloden Moor, Inverness
Photo: © Dave Conner
Culloden Battlefield has been the scene of sightings believed to be ghosts of men killed in the battle in 1746. The battle of Culloden was the last battle ever fought on British soil. It's said that today the battlefield has a sombre atmosphere and that birds never sing near the graves of the fallen soldiers.
Walkers in the area have reported seeing ghosts of the soldiers around the graves and their battle cries can still be heard on the anniversary of the battle, on April 16th.
Walkers in the area have reported seeing ghosts of the soldiers around the graves and their battle cries can still be heard on the anniversary of the battle, on April 16th.
3. Queen's Park, Glasgow
Photo: © Thomas Nugent
The 150-acre park is situated on the south side of the city, it's the site of the Battle of Langside in 1568, which is said to have been the beginning of the Marian civil war. Hundreds of the 10,000 men who fought here died.
It's now said that the ghosts of the dead soldiers are spotted near the boating lake on the anniversary of the battle on May 13th.
It's now said that the ghosts of the dead soldiers are spotted near the boating lake on the anniversary of the battle on May 13th.
2. Senlac Hill, Battle
Photo: © Jim Linwood
On Senlac Hill near Battle, the site of the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066, the ground is said to bleed after a storm. The hill is also said to be haunted by a phantom knight who's seen riding horseback appears on the anniversary of the battle. Other soldiers have also been seen on many occasions at other times of the year.
1. Wilderhope Manor, Shrewsbury
Photo: © Jeremy Bolwell
In the grounds of Wilderhope Manor in Church Stretton the ghost of a Civil War major has reportedly been seen riding away from his former home on his horse. Royalist, Major Thomas Smallman once lived in the manor when it was besieged by Roundheads in the latter stages of the Civil War, but he managed to escape on horseback.
Wilderhope Manor itself is also said to be haunted by Smallman and the spirit of a young girl, who smiles at unsuspecting visitors before letting out a terrifying scream.
Wilderhope Manor itself is also said to be haunted by Smallman and the spirit of a young girl, who smiles at unsuspecting visitors before letting out a terrifying scream.
This is an ever changing, dynamically updated page. Haunted locations may move up or down the list as new locations are added to our database and scores are reviewed to reflect new activity.
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