Chef & Brewer investigates: Britain’s most haunted pubs
Can you feel that chill on the breeze? That palpable sense of eeriness as we edge closer and closer to Halloween each day. Carved pumpkins adorn doorsteps, black cats roam the streets, and the walls between this world and the next grow thin... This really is the perfect time of year to seek out a historic pub and tell ghost stories around the fireplace. And what's better than an old pub? That's right, a haunted pub!
And we've got a sixth sense of where you can find some of the most haunted pubs in Britain. There are plenty of spirits behind the bar Pubs Near Me in these taverns, in more ways than one!
Over half of Brits say they'd be more likely to visit a pub if it had a haunted backstory, and 27% admit a spooky local legend would inspire them to check it out. So, come with us as we don our paranormal investigator hats and go hunting for ethereal entities in some of the Chef & Brewer Collection's most haunted pubs. We can't promise strange noises, eerie atmosphere, or a paranormal experience, but a good drink is guaranteed. And maybe, if you're lucky, a ghostly tale too.
The Dog & Partridge, Tutbury
Spook rating – 👻👻👻👻👻
A room with a boo
One of the things we love most about British pubs is the sense of history in their walls, and the first entry on this list is a quintessential example.
The oldest inn in Tutbury, The Dog & Partridge sits in the shadow of Tutbury Castle, a fortress which was built in the aftermath of the Norman conquest of England, and has been the setting of numerous historically significant events. Although the castle is famous for many reasons, it earned notoriety during a particularly bloody period of the 1500s, when it became the site of Mary Queen of Scots' imprisonment. It was during Mary's captivity at Tutbury that Queen Elizabeth I ordered her execution. The nearby Dog & Partridge would have been open for business as a coaching inn at this time.
Tutbury itself is widely considered to be one of the most haunted villages in Staffordshire, and is a popular destination for ghost hunters. These days, The Dog & Partridge is a charming village pub where both staff and regulars have reported strange happenings, including the appearance of a mysterious old man in a trilby cap and tweed jacket... and no, he’s not one of the regulars!
The Dog & Partridge is also a hotel, offering upstairs rooms where you can get a good night's sleep, but be warned: things have been known to go bump in the night. Some guests claim to have seen an elderly woman sitting at the bottom of their beds, while others have witnessed ghostly figures walking through walls. But with facilities like free Wi-Fi and the promise of a delicious pub breakfast in the morning, who can blame these spirits for sticking around?
We paid the Dog & Partridge a visit, so we could meet General Manager, Mark Fearn, who has been this historic pub’s loyal overseer for four years.
“I have had a couple of guests saying they’ve woken up in the middle of the night and there’s been a figure standing at the end of the bed,” says Mark. “I’m very sceptical of that, but people have described a grey lady.”
Believe it or not, Mark is a self-confessed sceptic, but he’s happy to be proven wrong! We asked if he wants to see a ghost (particularly with Halloween coming up)…
“Yes, mainly to put my mind at rest. To say, ‘I believe it’ or ‘I don’t believe it’. I’d like to witness something.”
Be careful what you wish for, Mark!
Cask ale and Cavaliers - the Ring O’Bells, Daresbury
Spook rating - 👻👻👻👻
The village of Daresbury has a rich, storied history spanning over 800 years, while The Ring O'Bells dates back to the early 19th Century. The Ring O'Bells started out as the village courthouse before becoming a public house, so who knows what dark and dramatic events may have taken place within its walls?
Ring O'Bells may not be a profoundly ancient pub, having been constructed in the early 19th century, but the village of Daresbury itself has a rich, storied history spanning over 800 years.
Famous for being the birthplace of the author Lewis Carroll, Daresbury is now a peaceful village with a tightknit community. However, during the brutal English Civil War, Daresbury, due to its proximity to the Royalist strongholds of Chester and Warrington, served as a significant hub for Cavaliers, providing them with food and shelter. Perhaps that’s why numerous guests at the Ring O’Bells have reported sightings of a shadowy figure dressed in a Cavalier uniform, complete with a plumed hat. Slain soldier, or English Civil War reenactor looking for a pint? You be the judge.
Fast-forward a few hundred years, and another prominent figure often spotted at the Ring O’Bells is a gentleman in 1930s attire. But that’s not all! If you’re feeling extra brave, you could take a seat in the Haunted Sitting Room (and it bears that name for a good reason). Known for its sudden temperature drops, this room is rumoured to be a hotbed of paranormal activity.
No wonder the Ring O’Bells is so popular with ghost hunters! And the hearty, traditional pub grub is pretty spook-tacular too.
The Boot & Slipper, Amersham
Chills in the Chilterns
Spook rating – 👻👻👻
Hold on to your hats (and boots…and slippers), because this one is truly spooky. The historic market town of Amersham in the Chiltern Hills is full of character and steeped in dark history. During the 16th Century, a group of locals, six men and one woman, were burned at the stake for their Protestant beliefs. Perhaps this tragic episode in the town’s past contributes to the uneasy feeling experienced at The Boot & Slipper by both guests and team members, and goes towards explaining why it is often described as one of the most haunted pubs in Britain.
And whatever you do, don’t go down to the cellar! Multiple staff members have felt an otherworldly presence there, and some even have felt the uncanny sensation of an invisible figure brushing past them. That’s enough to make anyone shriek! But don’t worry; we know what’ll make it better. Take a seat by the fireplace and treat yourself to a tipple . If nothing else, it’ll give you some liquid courage for another round of ghost hunting.
Mad, bad and dangerously good pints - the Hutt, Ravenshead
Spook rating – 👻👻👻
The Hutt in Ravenshead is a unique pub with an intriguing connection to Newstead Abbey via a network of underground tunnels. Not only is this fascinating pub one of the oldest buildings in Ravenshead, but it’s notorious for being a nexus for supernatural happenings.
Buckle up, because this tale isn’t for the faint of heart. The story goes that the abbey’s monks would often use the underground tunnels to get to the Hutt during the late 17th century, until one unfortunate brother was chained to a wall and left to perish. To this day, his ghostly form is said to wander the dark, mysterious tunnels, probably still in search of that pint he was after.
These days, the Hutt is well loved for its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, despite the odd ghost knocking about. Plus, with a menu of delicious pub classics and seasonal specials on offer, a little bit of paranormal activity isn’t a big deal. Just watch out for those moving pint glasses.
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Happy hauntings!
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