Visit These Scary and Spooky Places on your Campervan or Motorhome Holiday

The scariest time of year is fast approaching – so why not make plans for a quick thriller of a break in your motorhome or campervan? If you have the courage, there are plenty of really scary and spooky places you could investigate for Halloween in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire. In this special ‘get ready for Halloween’ edition of the Wandahome blog we’ll pick out our very own ‘most haunted’ suggestions. These are the places in those four counties that’ll send a real shiver down your spine!

Yorkshire

1. East Riddlesden Hall, Riddlesden

This 17th-century manor house is nestled in the Aire Valley and managed by the National Trust. Renowned not just for its historical architecture but also for its numerous ghostly residents, it’s a must-see on your spooky tour.

The most famous spectral inhabitant is the ‘Grey Lady’, believed to be a former lady of the house who was betrayed by her husband and now roams its corridors in eternal sorrow. Visitors and staff have reported sightings of her gliding through rooms, accompanied by sudden cold spots and the faint scent of lavender. Another apparition at East Riddlesden Hall is a young boy who drowned in the estate’s pond. His ghost is often seen playing near the water's edge or sometimes heard laughing in the gardens.

• Admission: Entrance to East Riddlesden Hall is for a small admission fee, though it’s free for members of the National Trust. The site includes a visitor centre, gift shop and a tearoom with a view of the gardens.

2. 30 East Drive, Pontefract

Inspiration for the acclaimed 2012 UK horror movie When the Lights Went Out, this seemingly modest house in former industrial town Pontefract is dubbed one of the most haunted houses in the entire country. The violent poltergeist residing here is believed to be the spirit of a 16th-century monk hanged for the rape and murder of a young girl (whose body was supposedly thrown into a well beneath the footprint of the house).

In the 1960s a family moved in and began experiencing terrifying phenomena including objects levitating or being thrown, foul stenches, sudden rapid temperature drops and even physical assaults such as pushing and scratching. The house remains a focal point for those seeking a genuine paranormal experience.

• Admission: 30 East Drive is privately owned but can actually be rented for paranormal investigations including overnight stays in the allegedly haunted rooms. Due to its residential location, there are no standard visitor facilities like a cafe or gift shop.

Lincolnshire

1. Gainsborough Old Hall

This is one of the biggest and best-preserved medieval manor houses in the country, and dates back more than 500 years. If local legends are to be believed several ghosts haunt it, with the most famous being the former Lord of the Manor’s daughter who died of a broken heart. Other reports include the ghost of a small boy has also been witnessed in the West Range - which is now the gift shop!

• Admission: Entry to the hall is at a very reasonable rate and can be booked online. The Old Hall includes a visitor centre, and offers guided tours, a cafe and a gift shop stocked with medieval-themed souvenirs.

2. Lincoln Castle prison

Located within the formidable walls of Lincoln Castle at the top of Steep Hill in the city, this Victorian Prison offers a chilling glimpse into 19th-century penal life. It operated on the ‘separate system’ which kept inmates in solitary confinement, often leading to mental collapse. Perhaps as a consequence it is haunted.

The most frequently sighted spirit is that of a prison warder patrolling the corridors, though there have also been reports of anguished cries, footsteps in empty corridors and sudden temperature drops. Many visitors, too, feel an overwhelming sense of despair upon entering this place.

• Admission: You can go online to book tickets to Lincoln Castle, which includes the prison. The site features a visitor centre, guided tours, a café, and panoramic views from the castle walls.

Derbyshire

1. Eyam Village

Known as ‘the Plague Village’, Eyam is famous for the total quarantine it self-imposed during the bubonic plague outbreak in the 1660s. Essentially, this village sacrificed itself to prevent the spread of the disease, resulting in most of its population being wiped out.

The spirits of those who perished are said to linger, and there have been sightings of ghostly figures in period clothing, mysterious lights in abandoned cottages and the sounds of weeping in the narrow streets. Key sites to visit in the village include the Riley Graves, where a mother buried her husband and six children, and the Plague Cottages, where entire families succumbed to the disease. The churchyard and surrounding woods are also reported hotspots for paranormal activity.

• Admission: The village itself is open to the public, and walking tours are available. The Eyam Museum charges a reasonable admission to see detailed exhibits on the plague and the village's history.

2. Bolsover Castle

Perched atop a hill overlooking the Vale of Scarsdale, Bolsover Castle is a 17th-century fortification with a reputation for supernatural happenings. In fact, this is said to be the most haunted castle in England. Ghostly horses in the riding school and a whole army of equine ghouls making their way home from the English Civil Wars haunt alongside the restless spirits of hundreds of victims who succumbed to the plague or Black Death.

• Admission: Operated by English Heritage, admission can be booked online. The site includes a visitor centre, café, gift shop, and beautifully maintained gardens.

Lancashire

1. Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill has become infamous for its association with the 1612 witch trials (when twelve people from the area were accused of witchcraft, and ten of them were executed). The spirits of the so-called Pendle Witches are said to haunt the hill and its surrounding areas, with many visitors reporting apparitions and eerie phenomena including disembodied voices and cold spots.

• Admission: There are no admission fees, but guided ghost walks are available for those who want to delve deeper into the area's haunted history.

2. Hoghton Tower, Preston

This 16th-century manor house is renowned for its ghostly sightings including ‘the Green Lady’. She’s believed to be the spirit of a young girl who tragically fell to her death from one of the towers, and visitors often report hearing her footsteps. A Tudor-era woman has been sighted wandering around the courtyard of Hoghton Tower, a ghostly monk has been seen at the North entrance and a black dog is said to haunt another part of the house. The tower's eerie atmosphere and rich history make it a compelling stop for those exploring Lancashire's haunted locations.

• Admission: Hoghton Tower offers ghost tours throughout the year, with tickets priced at around £10 for adults.

The haunted locations we’ve mentioned here offer not only the thrill of a ghostly motorhome or campervan trip, but also a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire. Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, these sites will add an unforgettable twist to any adventure in your Wandahome leisure vehicle!

Happy spooky travels!