Britain is packed with rickety old, haunted homes, creepy castles, chilly hostels and terrifying towers that would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
All About Money carried out research which showed that more than 15% of UK adults believe that there is something ghostly going on in their homes and that 1 in 8 UK homes are haunted. *
If you think your home is haunted do you need to tell your buyer?
It’s not a requirement for you or your estate agent to disclose specific information about a property’s history but for a Phasmophobic buyer (someone with a fear of ghosts) this could lead to a case of non-disclosure under the Misdescriptions Act of 1991. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ask about the property’s history and the seller to disclose the information.
Could it increase the price of my property?
Sometimes a good ghost story can actually increase the selling price.
If I don’t disclose the possible haunting information, will it end up in court?
1 in 8 homes in the UK are said to be haunted so you’d think conveyancers like us would deal with haunted houses on a regular basis. Rest assured it’s not something encountered at LPL to date.
Here’s LPL’s top 5 most haunted homes in the UK and they aren’t for the faint of heart.
1. Chillingham Castle, Northumberland
Seriously? With that chilly name there’s certainly going to be some creepiness at this castle. Located in Northumberland near the Scottish border, this castle has a history of violent battles and sieges and claims to be Britain’s most haunted historic castle. Chillingham Castle boasts some of the highest levels of paranormal activity in the country, with a large collection of spectres and apparitions spotted by visitors over the years. The castle takes on an eerie atmosphere after dark as the shadows seem to come to life. Are you brave enough to visit to see what will make an appearance when the lights go out!? If you’re looking for a more chilling experience, as one of the most haunted castles in England, their ‘Torture Chamber’ and evening Ghost Tours are sure to entertain.
2. Newton House at Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
Standing proudly at the heart of the Dinefwr estate is Newton House, a family home for over three hundred years to the descendants of Lord Rhys, the powerful Prince of the Welsh Kingdom of the Deheubarth. A 17th century house with a dark past. Back in the 1720s, Lady Elinor Cavendish was strangled to death by a suitor when she refused his affections. Visitors have regularly reported ghostly encounters and feeling a choking sensation in some parts of the house. Do you have the courage to walk the halls?
3. YHA St Briavel’s Castle, Gloucestershire
Unusually this is a YHA youth hostel with its own dungeon and hanging room. The castle is over 800 years old, with bags of character and is a Grade I listed ancient monument. Hostel guests often report seeing a figure dressed in a full suit of armour and have experienced the feeling of being touched by dark figures in doorways. Very few people who visit here, leave without witnessing some sort of unexplained activity. Its variety of haunted happenings, and the frequency in which they happen, has led to the castle being a hotspot for UK ghost hunters. Are you brave enough to hang around there?
4. Glamis Castle, Angus
With more than 600 years of royal history, this ancient castle boasts a grisly past. Glamis Castle has been the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372, inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and birthplace of HRH The Princess Margaret. A former Lady Glamis was accused of witchcraft, so her family and servants were tortured in the castle to reveal her whereabouts. She was hunted, captured and burnt at the stake in 1537. Take a tour and you might glimpse the ‘Grey Lady’, the ghost of Lady Glamis, believed to haunt the castle to this day. Take a terrifying tour.
5. Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire
You may have heard of the Pendle witches, but the Samlesbury witches committed terrible deeds and got away with their crimes. Samlesbury Hall is renowned as one of the most haunted locations in Britain. Resident spirits include the legendary White Lady, Dorothy Southworth who died of a broken heart and has since been seen on many occasions within the Hall and grounds. Will you be the next visitor to spot her ghost on the property and grounds? Take a ghostly guided tour.
At LPL, we’re not afraid of the dark or ghosts…we’ve got your back and promise it won’t be a horror story!
Based in central Manchester, LPL are a team of talented people that strive to deliver quality in the conveyancing arena. We come to work every day because we love what we do, and our people have all been recruited with our mission in mind — to exceed your expectations. Get an instant quote on our website now.
