For a county that’s so steeped in history, it’s not surprising that Norfolk has its fair share of ghost sightings and paranormal activity. We have gathered 13 legendary haunted places to visit if you dare!
The Maids Head Hotel, Norwich
Located in the picturesque Tombland in the fine city of Norwich is The Maids Head Hotel that claims to be the oldest hotel in Britain, at over 800 years old. The hotel is supposedly named after a maid who floats around the corridors with a strong smell of lavender following her.
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Castle Rising Castle
Dubbed the “she-wolf of France”, Queen Isabella bought Castle Rising Castle in 1330 and lived there until 1358. Rooms in the house are reported to be haunted by the Queen, with people supposedly hearing the “swishing” noises of her dress as she passes or even her cackling laughter reverberating around the castle. Isabella is reported to have been involved in the murder of Edward II in 1327.
Thetford Priory
If you visit the Priory of Our Lady of Thetford, be prepared to face a ghostly onslaught of hooded monks who allegedly roam the ruins’ grounds. Reports of hearing the monks chanting and singing in Latin have been documented as early as the 1930s. With other nearby spots that purportedly play host to ghouls and ghosts such as the Warren Lodge and Grimes Graves, this is a hub of paranormal activity.
Cromer Pier
The beautiful listed pier in Cromer is a hub of activity during the summer months – think ice creams, fish and chips and seagulls. But when the colder months come creep in, the old place reveals a more sinister side. The Pavilion Theatre which is located on the pier is supposedly haunted by ghosts seen by performers that appear on stage next to them. There have also been sightings of a phantom island across the sea.
The iconic castle that stands proudly looking over Norwich is steeped in a bloody history so it’s hardly surprising that a few angry souls remain, haunting the keep that is over 900 years old. Used as a place of imprisonment and execution, ghost sightings include a floating skull and the ghost of a woman who was executed for killing her husband.
The Scole Inn, Diss
If you visit the Scole Inn in Diss you may here the sound of galloping phantom hooves. A highwayman is the ghost that resides here, whose horse can be heard galloping through the inn, trying to escape from the authorities. Another sinister ghoulish visitor is Emma, a young girl who was violently killed by her husband in a jealous rage. Her bloody apparition has been spotted by horrified visitors since the 18th century.
The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Blickling Hall is the grand country house that is said to play host to the decapitated body of the famous wife of Henry VIII. After the King lost interest in Anne, she quickly came under the scrutiny of powerful disgruntled people who blamed her for driving him away from the church. This eventually resulted in her execution for adultery and treason. Is it any wonder her angry apparition is spotted every year on the anniversary of her death?
Adam & Eve Pub, Norwich
Said to be one of the oldest pubs in Norwich is the Adam & Eve on Bishopgate. If you fancy a drink, you might have the company of the ghost of Lord Sheffield who was stabbed in 1549 before being dragged to the inn that was on the site of the Adam & Eve, where he died. However, he is known to be friendly which matches the quaint Britishness of this lovely pub.
Elm Hill, Norwich
A zealous priest called Father Ignatius is said to haunt the cobbled Elm Hill in Norwich. He is thought to have cursed those that didn’t engage in prayer with him way back in 1864 and eventually incited an angry mob of people who feared him to drive him out of the city. His vengeful spirit is said to have returned and curses passersby to this day. There is a separate apparition that supposedly died in a fire whose footsteps can be heard walking around one of the houses on the street. People have also had strange encounters with disembodied footsteps clomping around the antique shop on Elm Hill.
Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich
The popular Maddermarket Theatre is actually located on the site of an old Roman Catholic Church and is supposedly haunted by a monk. Far from evil, this spirit has supposedly saved someone’s life who was about to be struck by a falling light and comforted actors who forget lines or mess up their parts.
The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall
The ghost of The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall is supposedly that of Lady Townshend who was locked in a room of the hall after her husband, Charles Townshend, learned that she was cheating on him. She was even withheld from seeing her own children and manifests wearing an old brown dress with hair unkempt. She has been spotted floating around Raynham for centuries.
The tunnels near Binham Priory are supposed to be haunted by a local fiddler who went to investigate the tunnels after they partially collapsed during a storm. He entered the tunnel with his pet dog that emerged a few hours later seemingly terrified. The tunnels then collapsed completely and the old man, whose name was Jimmy Griggs, was never seen again. Supposedly eerie music can sometimes be heard coming from the tunnels. Could it be Jimmy playing his fiddle?
King’s Lynn
The market town of King’s Lynn has many pretty streets and historic buildings but one street, Devil’s Alley, has a more sinister side. There’s a mark in the stone that, according to legend, is the spot where the Devil himself stamped his hoof when a priest tried to fight him off.
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