Two UK attractions named the world's top destinations for ghost-hunting tourists (original) (raw)
New research has found that two UK attractions are the top destinations for ghost-hunting tourists this Halloween as more than 50,000 searches are made for 'haunted places' in the past month
Two UK attractions have been named as the top searched spooky destinations
Two UK attractions have been announced as the the top two most popular locations with ghost-hunting tourists.
New research conducted by travel booking company Omio has revealed which haunted tourist attractions have soared in popularity over the past month, indicating a rise in tourists looking for something spooky to do this October.
There have been over 50,000 searches in the past month alone for 'haunted places' and now Omio has discovered the most searched and in demand haunted places across the globe, with the top two spots being secured by the UK.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
The top spot for the world's most popular location with ghost-hunting tourists is Edinburgh Castle, in the Scottish capital. Edinburgh castle is one of the four haunted tourist attractions across the world and it has seen a 5,000 per cent increase in searches worldwide, from September 1 to October 1.
One of the oldest fortified places in Europe, Edinburgh castle has a history of dark and gruesome tortures and executions. Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. Through its long history the castle has been used as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress.
Edinburgh castle secured the top spot of most searched spooky attraction (
Image:
Getty Images)
The castle itself sits on a mighty rock overlooking the streets of the city below. Three tales from the castle capture the attention of visitors — The Headless Drummer, The Ghost Dogs and The Lost Piper Boy.
The tale of The Lost Piper Boy is well-known and comes from when the tunnels were discovered under the castle and a young boy was sent down into them to play his bagpipes as he walked. This was so people above, in the castle, could follow the noise and as they went, draw a map of the tunnels.
Only the pipes stopped with no warning, and the boy was never found. Eventually, the entrance to the tunnels was bricked up.
There have also been many ghost sightings at the castle including the Grey Lady. This mysterious woman from the 16th-century was a former noblewoman and has been spotted wandering the castle and weeping. It is believed she might be Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis, a woman who was accused of treason by King James V.
Despite the accusations being baseless, Janet was burned at the stake outside the castle on July 17, 1537, in front of her own son. However others speculate that the woman could be Marie de Guise, the Catholic mother and regent of Mary Queen of Scots. Marie de Guise found herself on the losing side of the Scottish Reformation and as a consequence, when she died her body was wrapped in cloth and kept in a lead coffin to keep the smell at bay.
Eventually, Protestant nobles allowed her boy to be shipped back to France. For Halloween, the castle is hosting a series of different events and activities. For children, there will be an activity trail around the castle alongside other activities and chances to dress up as a King, Queen or even Court Jester.
Edinburgh Castle's website states: "Alongside the decorations and activities you may even meet James Buchanan (14th - 18th October) - an itinerant Apothecary who travels from town to town, and has arrived at Edinburgh Castle to attend to the needs of the Garrison. Join him as he offers for sale his potions and remedies as a cure for all manner of illnesses and maladies. Additionally he will pull teeth, let blood and cut off hair - he offers the full range of services!"
Also from October 25 to 31, guests can be guided on a journey of the grounds learning about the castle's morbid past, including entering dark, enclosed spaces.- Admission to the castle costs £19.50 per adult, and £11.40 for children aged between seven and 15 years old.
The Tower of London, England
The second spot on the list was secured by the Tower of London, which has also seen a 5,000% increase in worldwide searches. Not only is The Tower of London the residence of the famous ravens but it is said The Tower is troubled by a number of ghostly footsteps, most notably those of Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded on Tower Green by King Henry VIII in 1536.
The Tower of London is known for its many brutal executions (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Standing on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower is centuries of years old but today is home to the Beefeaters (Yeoman Warders) and crown jewels. In Tudor times, the Tower saw the execution of Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey. Supposedly, it was also the famous location of he murder of two young prices locked in the Bloody Tower, by their uncle the Duke of Gloucester.
The most famous of ghosts at the Tower is Anne Boleyn, who was executed on the Tower Green. There have been numerous sightings of her on the green, in St. Peter and Vincula where she was buried and wondering the corridors of many of the buildings at the Tower of London, headless.
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The ghosts of Prince Edward V and Richard, Duke of York — the two young princes — are often seen wearing nightshirts, holding hands and wandering in the White Tower. Some have also noted seeing them on the battlements playing and giggling.
Perhaps the most frightening experience was that of a guard at the Tower, back in 1816, who claimed a bear charged at him. Though the guard attempt to bayonet the ghost, and eventually managed to, he was carried senseless to his quarters where he died two days later.
Between October 26 and November 3, the Tower of London will have spooky installations for families to explore. When guests arrive they will need to pick up a trail, and then throughout their visit keep track of the ghosts they spot. Admission costs £34.80 per adult and £17.40 for children aged between five and 15 years old.