The haunted North East – a round-up of some spooky tales and legends from across the North East

Learn some spooky tales and legends from across the North East, from the spirits of Durham Castle to the eerie Hexham Heads, these stories will get your hairs raising.

Spine-Chilling Legends of the North East 

Hey there ghost hunters!

The North East is rich in ghostly legends and chilling folklore, from the sinister spirits of Durham Castle to the unsettling poltergeists at Sunderland’s Royalty Theatre…

Spooky season has well and truly arrived, so get ready to uncover the region’s most hair-raising tales.

Whether it’s haunted pubs or cursed moors, these stories will leave you questioning what lurks in the shadows of our local area.

So, brace yourself for a spine-chilling journey through the haunted history of the North East…

The Spirits of Durham Castle

Durham Castle harbours not one, but two restless spirits. At Durham castle, if you climb the eerie black staircase, you might just meet the Grey Lady, rumoured to be the wife of a 19th-century Bishop of Durham, who tragically fell to her death from the top!

Another ghostly figure, Fredrick Copeman, still haunts the highest room in the castle. After mistakenly believing he failed his degree, Fredrick took his own life. His top honours were concealed by a misplaced sheet of paper. To this day, Durham University students claim to hear his anguished footsteps pacing through the castle halls, forever trapped in despair.

a round-up of some spooky tales and legends from across the North East

The Town Moor’s Chilling Past

Once the site of gallows where hundreds met their grim fate, including 16 accused of witchcraft, the Town Moor, which is 150 acres long, is now home to Europe’s largest travelling funfair, the Hoppings, but it also holds dark secrets…

Echoes of otherworldly screams still linger and shadowy figures are known to drift through the night, remnants of a chilling past that refuses to rest…

Royal Haunting of The Old George Inn 

This former coaching inn in Newcastle whispers of royal hauntings. The most chilling tale dates back to 1646, when King Charles I was imprisoned by the Scots in nearby Anderson Place. On his rare escapes from captivity, his first stop was none other than the Old George for a drink.

Legend has it, that the very chair he once sat in remains to this day, but it’s not always empty. Patrons have reported seeing a ghostly grey mist take shape in the chair as if the fallen king himself still seeks comfort within its embrace.

Sunderland’s Royalty Theatre Poltergeists

Once a 19th-century church and later a hospital during World War I, Sunderland’s eerie Royalty Theatre now hosts more than just performances – it’s alive with paranormal activity.

Poltergeists are said to roam its halls, and the echo of footsteps haunts both the stage and wings. If you happen to feel a cold presence behind you during a show, you may not be imagining things. Many have reported seeing a ghostly figure seated at the back of the auditorium, watching the performance in silence… or perhaps, waiting for something far more sinister.

The Restless Spirit of Newcastle’s Castle Keep

At this 12th-century Newcastle landmark, the restless spirit of the ‘Poppy Girl’ lingers – a flower seller imprisoned within the castle walls, where she tragically met her end.

Her ghost is often seen wandering the halls, her presence marked by the faint scent of fresh flowers. But the hotel warns that not all spirits here are so gentle…

In fact, Psychic World correspondent Matthew Hutton revealed a chilling encounter. While interviewing a staff member at Newcastle’s Castle Keep, the worker claimed to have been violently thrown to the ground by an unseen force, leaving a deep scratch on his leg that required stitches.

a round-up of some spooky tales and legends from across the North East
a round-up of some spooky tales and legends from across the North East

The Most Haunted Pub – Marsden Grotto

Nestled at the base of Marsden Bay’s limestone cliffs in South Shields, Marsden Grotto is a chilling contender for the title of Britain’s most haunted pub.

Legend speaks of ghostly, bare footprints that appear on the bar floor, impossible to scrub away and eerie knocks echoing from the depths of the cellar, as if restless spirits are trying to make their presence known.

And if those phantom disturbances weren’t enough, the waters of Marsden Bay are said to conceal something far more terrifying, a sea monster known as The Shoney, lurking beneath the waves, waiting for its next unsuspecting victim.

The Eerie Hexham Heads

In 1971, a group of children digging in a Hexham garden unearthed two freaky stone heads, carved with unsettling precision. The discovery quickly made headlines, with speculation that these ancient relics could be a significant prehistoric find. But it’s the paranormal legends that have haunted people’s minds ever since.

Those who dared handle the stone heads soon reported spine-chilling encounters – ghostly apparitions and strange disturbances. One witness even claimed to see a creature resembling a werewolf.

Curiously, in 1904, press reports tell of a large wolf that escaped from a zoo, leaving a trail of terror as it ravaged farms in the Hexham area. Could these sinister relics be connected to something far darker lurking in the shadows?

Giant Worms of the North East

The Lambton Worm is one of the North East’s most chilling legends. As a child, John Lambton catches a strange, worm-like creature while fishing in the River Wear and, believing it to be evil, tosses it down a well.

Years later, the creature grows into a monstrous beast, terrorising Wearside. Returning from the Crusades, John realises his mistake and battles the creature, killing it with advice from a local witch. But failing to heed her warning, his family is cursed, and his descendants meet tragic fates.

Other sinister tales like the Sockburn Worm and Linton Worm echo this strange folklore.

a round-up of some spooky tales and legends from across the North East

A Round-Up of Spooky Tales and Legends in the North East

As we end our stories on the North East’s haunted tales, it’s clear that this region is a treasure trove of ghostly legends and spine-tingling folklore – each story adds a rich layer to the North East’s history.

Do you know any other spooky tales and legends from across the North East? Share them in the comments…

User Avatar
Helen Williams
Content Writer

As a wellness blogger and content writer, Helen is never lost for words. Growing up in Newcastle, Helen now has a distinct writing drive for all things self-care, lifestyle, travel and spirituality. Her affinity for writing derives from wanting to inspire positive lifestyle changes. When she’s not writing, you’ll find…

Comments

Have your say