One of my favorite things about London is the history. The city dates back thousands of years, and there are layers of heritage everywhere I look. One of the best places to see it is in London’s historic pubs. From centuries-old taverns to Victorian gin palaces, there’s no shortage of them. And some of them are said to be home to ghosts. If you want to see for yourself, read on for my list of the most haunted pubs in London. I’ve included a map, too.
Haunted Pubs in London
From eerie phantoms to scary specters and alarming poltergeists, London’s pubs are reputed to have a range of haunted spirits within. Some are said to be former barmaids, others historical figures, and still more mysterious otherworldly beings.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, visiting London’s haunted pubs is a fun way to delve into the city’s past and experience a unique part of British culture. My list will show you a variety of watering holes throughout the city so you can choose the ones that appeal to you most.
You can also go on a guided ghost tour of London. It’s a great way to see the city’s most haunted inns and taverns with an experienced local. If that appeals, you can book one here.
1. The Spaniards Inn
Right on the edge of Hampstead Heath, The Spaniards Inn is not only one of the most famous pubs in Hampstead, but also one of the most haunted pubs in London.
The Spaniards dates back to the 16th century. The road narrows around it, and its multiple floors of wood-paneled rooms are said to be haunted.
Everyone from famed highwayman Dick Turpin to a money-lender who died under the wheels of a carriage and a former landlord who was shot in a duel is said to haunt the place.
Even the hooves of Dick Turpin’s horse, Black Bess, can be heard from time to time. And that’s to say nothing of the Woman in White who haunts the pub’s expansive garden.
The Spaniards is the perfect place to stop for lunch on one of my free self-guided Hampstead Heath walks. You can fill your boots and do some ghost hunting at the same time.
2. The Grenadier
Next on my list of the most haunted pubs in London is The Grenadier. Tucked away down a winding mews in Belgravia, it’s a former officers’ mess. This place is not only a treat to find, but also steeped in military history. And ghosts.
A young subaltern named Cedric is said to have been caught cheating at cards, and his comrades beat him to death because of it. His specter is reputed to move slowly around the rooms.
Additionally, objects disappear or move in the night, tables and chairs mysteriously rattle, glasses break, and disembodied footsteps pace. A chill sometimes fills the air, and a low moan has been heard from the cellar.
Beyond ghosts, the Grenadier features an intimate interior with lots of atmosphere. Banknotes from all over the world paper the ceiling (it’s said that visitors put them there to pay off Cedric’s debts), and there’s a historic bar and lots of military memorabilia to see.
3. The Viaduct Tavern
Near the border of the City of London and Holborn, The Viaduct Tavern is another haunted pub. The last remaining example of a Victorian gin palace in London, it once had an opium den on the first floor. Additionally, there are old prison cells in the cellar (although it’s debatable whether they’re authentic).
Perhaps all of that explains the abundance of paranormal activity here. Everything from inexplicable drops in temperature to unexplained slamming doors and a landlord who got locked in the basement has happened in this pub.
There have even been reports of phantom footsteps, eerie whispers, flickering lights, and self-activating equipment in empty rooms. At one point a ghost named Fred was said to drink people’s drinks when they weren’t looking.
A London news station once featured The Viaduct Tavern on a Halloween special, bringing in a medium to make contact with the ghosts. Apparently she met Fred, who told her his name was actually Robert.
4. The Ten Bells
Next on my list of haunted pubs is The Ten Bells in Spitalfields. This one has connections to Jack the Ripper, one of the most famous serial killers in London history. Two of Jack’s victims, Annie Chapman and Mary Jane Kelly, were known to have visited the pub before they met their ends.
But that’s not all. In the late 1990s, staff members who lived on the premises reported regular sightings of a phantom Victorian gentleman. Additionally, many people sensed a tragic presence on the upper floors before it was revealed that there was a hidden stash of slashed Victorian baby clothes there.
Others have reported unexplained footsteps, eerie laughter, and an invisible force pushing people to the pub’s bar.
5. The Rising Sun
Next on my list is The Rising Sun in Smithfield. This historic watering hole has a long association with body-snatching and paranormal activity.
The Rising Sun is next to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. Historically, local gangs are said to have drugged patrons at the pub, murdered them, and sold their bodies to the hospital for medical research.
In recent years there have been reports of unseen presences, wraiths, and other apparitions. A landlady once reported strange noises, and others have heard echoing footsteps in empty rooms upstairs.
6. The Bow Bells
In Mile End, The Bow Bells is another of London’s most haunted pubs. This one is said to have a ghost named the Phantom Flusher.
The phantom haunts the women’s loo, where it spontaneously flushes the toilet. There’s even a warning sign to let patrons know of the ghost’s presence before they enter the bathroom.
Beyond the Phantom Flusher, patrons have reported unseen presences, feeling invisible taps or pushes from behind, and other inexplicable phenomena.
7. The Sutton Arms
The Sutton Arms in Clerkenwell is also reputed to be haunted. This pub near the Barbican is supposedly home to a friendly old red-haired spirit named Charlie.
Unlike the scary spirits in some London pubs, Charlie is known for his mischievous antics and harmless pranks. He’s been reported to lurk in the shadows and offer a smile to patrons before disappearing into thin air.
If you want to see him, Charlie is supposedly fond of a particular corner table. He’s has been observed sitting there, sometimes in between chatting guests.
8. The Flask
Up in Highgate, The Flask is a 17th-century pub bursting with dark wood, old-world charm, and ghosts. Several of them.
Rumor has it that the ghosts of a heartbroken Spanish barmaid and a man dressed in a 17th-century Cavalier uniform glide through the warren of historic rooms.
With great atmosphere and a series of historic dining rooms to cozy up in, this famous Highgate pub is ripe for whiling away long evenings trying to spot the spirits.
You can also see the pub and the famous Highgate Cemetery on the route of my free self-guided Highgate walk. It’s a great one if you’re a fan of all things otherworldly.
9. Williamson’s Tavern
A narrow alley in the City of London will lead you to Williamson’s Tavern. This pub is steeped in both history and ghost stories.
The original building dates to the 17th century, and King William III and Queen Mary II are thought to have dined on the premises when it was the Lord Mayor’s residence. It’s also said that there’s a resident poltergeist named Martha.
It’s rumored that Martha’s presence has led police dogs to growl and refuse to come closer as they’ve passed the end of the lane. Long-time staff say they’ve seen a painting of Martha in various rooms in the pub, but no such painting exists.
If you want to, you can see this pub while on my free self-guided City of London pub walk. It’s fun to stop here for a meal and look for Martha, as the pies at Williamson’s Tavern are famous.
10. The Prospect of Whitby
The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping is not only London’s oldest riverside pub, but also one of its most haunted.
Full of legend and lore, the 16th-century pub is said to be home to a number of ghosts. The spirit of Judge John Jeffreys, who was notorious for presiding over the Bloody Assizes trials in 1685, has been spotted sitting at a table drinking wine.
Additionally, the ghost of Mary Frith, a 17th-century pickpocket and criminal mastermind who went by the nickname Moll Cutpurse, has allegedly been seen strutting through the pub in bold dress.
Patrons have also said they’ve witnessed glasses rattling on shelves, shadowy figures staring out at the Thames, and the spirit of a young woman crying near the bathrooms.
11. The Old Queen’s Head
In Islington, The Old Queen’s Head is haunted by Tudor ghosts. The most famous is that of Sir Walter Raleigh. It’s said that the Elizabethan explorer once owned a building on the site. Staff members have reported seeing his spirit in the bar area.
A less well-known ghost is that of a middle-aged Tudor woman in period dress. It’s reported that she manifests and slowly fades on the first Sunday of the month.
Another is the spirit of a young girl in Tudor attire who’s been heard running up and down the stairs, crying, laughing, or slamming doors.
Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the haunted pubs I mentioned on my list. You can see it here. It will let you see where they are in relation to each other so you can find the ones that are convenient to you.
Best Haunted London Pubs
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to London’s haunted pubs. If you love all things supernatural, I’m sure you’ll enjoy these places when you visit.
If you want more ideas, The Volunteer in Marylebone, The Old Bull & Bush on the border of Hampstead and Golders Green, The George in Temple, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in the City of London are all reported to be haunted as well.
If you want to see a non-haunted pub, I’ve written a lot about them. You can take a look at my pub itinerary and my guide to the best pubs in London to get started.
And if you’re interested in seeing other out-of-the-ordinary places in London, my guide to 51 unusual things to do in London is just the ticket. If you found this post helpful, buy me a coffee!
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