Ghost Stories of the Yorkshire Dales
Is the Yorkshire Dales Haunted?
I can CLEARLY see two ghosts in the photograph above, so obviously the answer is YES! Whatever your thoughts are on ghosts, what is a fact is that there are LOADS of ghost stories associated with the Yorkshire Dales. And as part of our series of Halloween blogs, we are kicking off with the classic, haunted places in the Yorkshire Dales…
But that’s not all!
Our ghost stories all come with a spooky walk, so you can walk the walk and live the legends!
Question is….
Do YOU believe in ghosts?….
Before I kick off, a little credit to some fantastic reads that have contributed to this series of blogs! Haunted Yorkshire Dales by Summer Strevens, Yorkshire Witches by Eileen Rennison, Haunted Yorkshire by Nick Tyler and many more online resources such as the Yorkshire Dales National Park website.
Wharfedale Ghosts
The Bolton Abbey Ghosts
If you look at Bolton Abbey, you’d be forgiven for thinking…. Gotta be haunted right? Towering ruins, set inside a graveyard… CLASSIC ghost story territory!
Well. You aren’t wrong!
The Priory ruins are probably the most iconic part of the Abbey, (yes Priory, because actually Bolton Abbey isn’t an Abbey at all) so on our ghostly tour of Bolton Abbey, let’s start there!
Prior Moone
The last Prior of Bolton Abbey before the Dissolution of the Monasteries took place (thanks Henry VIII) was Prior Moone. Rumour has it that Prior Moone is the subject of the nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle, and that the origins of the verse lie at Bolton Abbey. How? Well one version is, ‘the fiddle’ refers to corruption of the leadership and theft of church funds; ‘the cow’ refers to some …… ahem…. ‘relations’ that the Prior had with a local lady, ‘the little dog laughed’ is one of the two dogs on the tower of Bolton Abbey church, one of which looks like it is laughing; and the dish that ‘ran away with the spoon' refers to the theft of the collection plate, possibly by the love interest. SCANDALOUS!
Another version of the origin of the rhyme is that it refers to the sale of a cow, that Prior Moone was ‘diddled’ over. Far less corrupt, but far more obvious in its interpretation.
True? We’ll probably never know, but a great tale nevertheless.
Perhaps the less than gleaming reputation that Prior Moone was given in the first interpretation is why he reportedly haunts the ruins of the Priory, appearing under one of the roof bosses. One associated with the Devil…. (obvs… come ON! It’s a GHOST STORY!)
The Butcher
On a far more sinister note, the tomb of Lord John Clifford (as in the Cliffords of Skipton Castle) is located at Bolton Abbey. Lord Clifford earned himself the nickname ‘The Butcher’ for his actions in the Battle of Wakefield (part of the War of the Roses) when he reportedly murdered the young son of the Duke of York (who was himself fatally wounded in the battle). This fearsome character was said to have made a reappearance to a team of archaeologists who were excavating his tomb back in 1973.
They claimed to have encountered something ‘very black and evil’ and reported many sightings of ghosts during their work there. The work ended prematurely because of the experiences they claimed to have had and the nasty and oppressive presence that they felt whilst there.
The scariest part? Some of the team reported that the presence followed them… and plagued them at home too (HOLLYWOOD, YOU HEAR THIS?!)
Did that send a shiver down your spine? OF COURSE IT DID!
The Barden Tower Screamer
Head down to the opposite end of the Estate and you’ll find the remains of the hunting lodge, Barden Tower. Here, there is reportedly the sound of a disembodied scream, which was described by locals as being a ‘shout from hell’.
If you hear a disembodied scream…. where ELSE can it come from right?!
Fancy a wander to check out the ruins yourself? Here are the details of the Barden Tower walk or the Bolton Abbey ruins walk! Bolton Abbey also have a Halloween trail, why not check out the details?
The Headless Horseman and Ghostly Monk of Linton
Linton is located just outside of Grassington and is the home of the spectacular Linton Falls, a popular tourist attraction.
But whilst Linton is a beautiful village, it has a bit of a spooky reputation! Linton is home to only 176 residents, but it reportedly has 2 ghosts…. A headless horseman (classic ghosty type stuff) and the ghost of a monk, who haunts the churchyard of St Michaels.
The story goes that the horseman (not yet headless) was carrying an urgent message to Linton when he was murdered en route. Despite him losing his head, he managed to complete the journey and delivered the letter before falling from the saddle. His ghost is said to haunt Linton although hasn’t been sighted for a long time now.
So next, let’s talk Monks.
There are a fair few ghostly monks wandering around the Dales and with a high proportion of now ruined establishments (Bolton Priory down the road, the famous Fountains Abbey, Jervaulx, Ravenstonedale, Byland…. Rievaulx…. See? A LOT of Abbeys) you can hardly blame them!
I mean, I’m sceptical when it comes to a good old fashioned ghost story, but apparently the ghostly monk of Linton hangs around the grounds of St Michaels and was reportedly spotted by King George V in the doorway of the church. His account was backed up by the Marquis of Hartington. Now I’m not one to argue with royalty…. so keep your eyes peeled for that monk!!
Want to walk it? Head to our Linton Falls walk that will take you right past the church where the monk was reportedly sighted.
The Children of Thruscross Reservoir
Technically not Wharfedale but just a stone’s throw away is Thruscross Reservoir, the largest of the Washburn reservoirs. Whilst the water there is a source of the local drinking water, did you know that under the water there lies an immersed village?
Always the perfect setting for a super creepy tale, right?
During the drought this Summer (2022), the ruins of the village of West End began to emerge from the water (you can see them in the picture above). Felled tree stumps, ruinous buildings, rusty remains of construction all began to reappear. It is said that one of the buildings that lies submerged beneath the surface is an old workhouse, which reportedly was horrific in the treatment of children.
Tragically, they were so cruel that the ghostly cries of the children who were resident there are said to be heard rising from the depths of the reservoir.
Fancy a walk around Thruscross? Check out our Thruscross walk!
The Hiker of Burnsall Bridge
Ah Burnsall.
Classic Dales village, picturesque chocolate box style cottages, an historic pub, and an ancient packhorse bridge. An all round super popular place to visit in the Dales.
Also said to be the favourite haunt (pardon the pun!) of a Thomas Denholme, who materialises as a lonely walker crossing the bridge, set apart from the usual hiking crew by his Victorian clothes and skeletal face….. reckon he’d be pretty narked to have to share his chosen haunting location with the hundreds of tourists at Burnsall…. but…. maybe that’s why he’s not been seen in a while!
Heard of Pam? I mean, Of COURSE you haven’t… until now! (I like Pam, that’s why she gets a big intro…)
The story goes that Pam was the local schoolmistress with a penchant for playing the fiddle. I like to think that she played well, because if she resembled a kid trying to learn the violin, then I can sympathise with the way this story panned out…
She was allegedly murdered by the Vicar after she refused to stop playing the fiddle after dark. Her ghost is said to continue playing after her demise (presumably to stick two fingers up to the villainous vicar!)
And that’s why I love Pam.
Not satisfied with a gaunt hiker or a vengeful fiddler? Why not head into the bar at the Red Lion in Burnsall where its resident ghost likes nothing more than to turn off the beer taps in the cellar. The cellars date back to the 12th Century, so who that meddlesome monster might be is anybody’s guess!
We just so happen to have a walk that heads right past the bridge AND the pub… Why not check out our Burnsall to Kail Hill loop or our Burnsall to Hebden loop and finish off at the pub? I mean, obviously it’s in the interest of research…
Nidderdale Ghosts
The Greenhow, Prosperous and Provident Lead Mines
Greenhow is like a weirdly supernatural hub for supposed paranormal activity. Bit like Linton. AND I AM ALL OVER IT!
If you want to picture this…. the hills of Greenhow are bleak. They are barren. Views for days, but isolated and if you ended up working there back in’t day, they were exposed to all the elements and were brutal working conditions.
The village of Greenhow is tiny, full of picturesque period cottages that once belonged to the miners who worked the mines there. But if you venture onto the moor, you’ll find the remains of the mines. The levels (tunnels), the shafts (the great big black ‘oles) the chimneys and the ruinous buildings. At Prosperous, you’ll also get the rusted remains of the iron machinery too, and it really does rock. It’s a fascinating insight into what once was there and I thoroughly recommend a visit if you’re in the area.
But whilst it was once a thriving part of the lead mining industry back in the 1700’s-1800’s, the mines have been silent for nearly 200 years.
Except….. have they?
The story goes that the mines are restless, and are far from silent. In the darkness of the night, the ghostly sounds of the lead miners can be heard rising from the depths of the earth. The clang of iron on stone rings out from the depths of the earth 100’s of years after the mines were abandoned.
Venture onto Greenhow Hill itself, and you might encounter an odd clog-wearing ghost, whose footsteps can be heard wandering along the road. Experienced by none other than the ex-owner of Stump Cross Caverns!
If you want to explore the Greenhow Lead Mines, you can head to our walk!
Spooky Stump Cross Caverns
Stump Cross Caverns is a super cool place to explore! We love it and it is top of our list of kid friendly places to visit!
But did you know?
These show caves were discovered by lead miners (I mean they were pretty prevalent in the area during the height of the industry) and have been open since Victorian times. They are the home of some spectacular rock formations, beautifully lit caverns, the Yorkshire Cavewoman (actual, not historical) and loads of seasonal activities, including fossil digs, gem panning and star gazing…
Visit at 3pm and you might get to see them in the dark too, when they do the UV tours….
But perhaps keep your ears open for the sound of ghostly footsteps that have been reportedly heard in the caves, and out on the road outside too… maybe it’s those lead miners again…..
We love a trip to Stump Cross Caverns, and they happen to have a fantastic array of spooky Halloween activities arranged for half term, so why not check out the website!
North East Yorkshire Dales Ghosts
The Richmond Drummer Boy
If you head to Richmond, located on the North Eastern edge of the national park, you will be able to find the Drummer Boy Stone.
Back in the day (technical history term there….) ok waaaaaay back in the day at the end of the 1700’s, there was a rumour flying round that there was a tunnel stretching from Richmond Castle all the way to Easby Abbey. Slightly concerned that people might be able to breach the fortress and like an itch that needed to be scratched, the hunt was on for this tunnel.
Once the prime suspect was located, it must have been pretty annoying to find that the tunnel was too dilapidated for a fully grown soldier type to fit through.
Enter the poor Drummer Boy. A little lad, who was the perfect size to squeeze through the rubble of the tunnel to investigate its destination.
The Plan? The Boy was to drum constantly as he proceeded along the tunnel. The soldiers would track the path of the tunnel over-ground, guided by the beats of the drum.
The plan was a success, until they reached Easby Woods, where the sound abruptly stopped. The soldiers’ conclusion? The ill-fated Drummer Boy was eaten by a monster straight from the chasm of Hell. Logical Conclusion. But this is the reason that no attempt was made to recover the poor boy’s remains.
There is an alternative ending to this tragic tale (the director’s cut perhaps…..) Another version tells of the drum beat changing moments before they ceased, as though the boy entered a larger chamber under the ground. The story goes that inside the chamber lay the sleeping bodies of King Arthur’s knights who rest underground, only to be awakened when England is in grave danger. There, the Drummer Boy lay down to sleep with them, until the time comes that they are needed again….
Another story reports that the final drum beats of the Drummer Boy can still be heard today…. (Can I get a wooooooooooooo?!)
Want to walk in the footseps of the ill-fated Drummer Boy? Head to our Easby Abbey walk that takes you right past the stone that marks the place where the beats of the drum were last heard.
The Ghosts of Aysgarth Falls
Aysgarth is the home of some of the most famous waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales.
But did you know that rumour has it, it is also home to several ghosts?
One such ghost is a spectral horse and carriage seen on the highways around Aysgarth.
Yore Mill overlooks the famous falls and is the home of a ghostly former owner, whose screams can still be heard after being dealt somewhat of a vigilante punishment for alleged sexual harassment (leaving him minus a few key parts…)
Lastly, there are reports of a ghostly woman with a walking stick who haunts the road around Aysgarth. She is so lifelike that she looks almost human…. almost…
But was she?! Sceptics unite!
If you want to head to Aysgarth Falls, check out our walk!
The Grey Lady of Semerwater
Lake Semerwater is a really cool spot. Not only is it in a staggeringly remote and beautiful part of the Dales (Raydale, just off Wensleydale to be precise), but it is surrounded by rolling hills and moorlands, and a few tiny settlements, one of which is the subject of this haunting tale.
Semerwater, despite being in what is essentially the back end of nowhere, is the subject of so many spooky tales of the Dales it could possibly be counted at the most haunted part of the Dales!
Countersett and Semerdale Hall, as well as Raydale House have multiple stories of ghostly goings on, including a phantom horseman who rides the road to Raydale House.
The tiny hamlet of Stalling Busk is located just off the Southern edge of Semerwater, and the remains of its Chapel can still be seen and visited today (the churchyard is still used for burials). The grounds of the Chapel area are also the home of a ghostly grey lady, who is said to haunt the area.
Oh and there’s another legend too about what lies beneath the water of the Lake itself, but that one we’ll save for another blog… check out our witches of the Dales blog to find out more!)
And you know what? We have a walk that will take you right to the remains of the old chapel at Stalling Busk, so you can go and do a bit of ghost hunting yourself! Check out our Semerwater walk!
Ghosts of the Settle and Ribblehead Area
Ingleborough, The Gaping Gill Monk
Nestled on the side of one of the epic Yorkshire three peaks you’ll find a super-massive black hole! Yes, that’s right A MASSIVE HOLE!!!
Ok, it’s a bit more than that, because that great big gaping chasm is the home of three things. The country’s highest single drop waterfall that you will only ever get to see from the base if you head down it on winch day, (May bank holiday and August when the local caving clubs winch people down into it, read more about the Gaping Gill winch here), a cavern so humungous it could fit a cathedral inside it… and a ghost. Of a monk.
How he came to be there, I have no idea. It’s probably one of the least accessible places in the country, but the story is that a caver who was down there exploring one of the many tunnels in the network lying beneath your feet came face to face with this ghoulish guy.
Maybe The Monk didn’t visit on Winch day?
Luckily for you, you can go visit Gaping Gill (except don’t go near the pothole, or you might end up like that Monk!) check out our Gaping Gill walk here.
Blea Moor and the Ribblehead Viaduct
Blea Moor is absolutely deserving of a top ghost story. Bleak, isolated, beautiful, but stark, it is LITERALLY the perfect setting for a ghoulish tale. But the reported ghostly phone calls received by the Blea Moor Signalmen is not the only ghostly occurrence that has been reported to haunt this barren place.
The reason for this place being an alleged paranormal hotspot? The Ribblehead Viaduct.
An absolute belter of a feat of engineering, this mahoosive structure was completed in 1875 after 5 years of building work, carried out by navvies in their thousands.
Camps were set up in the areas immediately surrounding the construction site for the workers. Remote and at the mercy of the elements, these living conditions were brutal, and many folk lost their lives to bouts of smallpox, fighting (I mean the brawling kind!) and then in the construction of the viaduct and Blea Moor Tunnel themselves. Hundreds of men, women and children are buried at nearby Chapel le Dale, and a memorial has been set up to commemorate the lives of those who were killed in the construction of this monumental place.
Such a tragic tale has led to many a ghostly sighting on the moor, at the signal box and in Blea Moor Tunnel itself. Reportedly, an oppressive atmosphere falls upon the train, with a cloying sickly sweet smell, coming from nowhere filling the carriages.
So Ribblehead. Not just a giant train bridge (and that my friends, is the technical term!) but a pretty legendary place!
You KNOW you want to walk in the ghostly footsteps of the Blea Moor spectres!! So check out our Force Gill walk or even take on the big guy, the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales, Whernside
The Ghost of Knight Stainforth Bridge
Spanning the water of the River Ribble at Stainforth Force is a gorgeous listed bridge, that is owned now by the National Trust. You’ll know it by it being a ‘take a deep breath and suck it in’ if you ever have to drive over there kinda bridge! It leads to the Knight Stainforth Campsite and to the wonderful Knight’s Table eatery (it’s yummy there!)
But moving on from food, and heading right back into the realms of ghost stories…. Stainforth Force might be impressive and incredibly popular… but if you cross the bridge, you might well encounter the ghost of a man and his dog, who reportedly haunt it.
It is said that they once haunted nearby Knight Stainforth Hall but that they lost their spectral home there when it burned down, relocating to the nearby bridge!
If you want to walk in the footsteps of the ghosts, then try our Hoffman Kiln walk which takes you right over the bridge itself.
Make sure you bring your dog treats…
The Legend of Crackpot Hall
And to finish with a Ghost Story that’s more story than Ghost!
Crackpot Hall is located in Keld, Swaledale, and is associated with the story of a feral child, who ran free in the area around what is now a ruinous old farm house, but was once a 17th Century hunting lodge and thereafter a farm (I can relate to the feral child part…..!)
Visited by two historians who reported seeing ‘Alice’ roaming the grounds, uttering an unintelligible language… they created the legend that surrounded Crackpot Hall. The story was later picked up by a BBC journalist who probed their claims of a spectral girl haunting the ruins.
They tracked the family history of Crackpot Hall and found that an Alice did in fact live there (sharp intake of breath…)
BUT this Alice was alive, safe and well and living in Carlisle.
Was it a hoax?
Or did they simply find the wrong Alice……? I’ll leave that to you….
Sleep tight!
(And if you want to investigate Crackpot Hall, here’s our walk to it!)
Legends of the Dales
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We have stories of the Yorkshire Dales Witches the Folklore of the Yorkshire Dales and the Dark History of the Dales
