Yorkshires nickname is “Gods Own County” but in todays blog post we are peering into a different spiritual anomaly – The Paranormal.
Located in the heart of Yorkshire is the picturesque, historic city of York. York is renowned for its quaint cobble streets, beautiful gothic cathedral and centuries-old medieval city walls. Yet, beneath its stunning facade lies a dark past. The city’s medieval walls (which you can walk along by the way) once enclosed a world of disease and destruction especially during the ravages of the Plague where it wasn’t uncommon to see death carts roaming the streets collecting the bodies of the fallen York citizens. Ironically the first confirmed case of COVID19 in the U.K. was in York. How’s that for consistency!
York’s eerie past has left a black spot on the city, with tales of tragedy and terror lingering throughout its ancient streets and antique buildings. It’s no wonder, then, that York has earned the title of England’s most haunted city.
Like many cities in the UK, you will find an abundance of public houses also known as pubs to you and I. York is riddled with these drinking taverns with an estimated 365 pubs still in operation today. Take that Tories! But there are four pubs in-particular which are nestled within the spooky walls of York that I wanted to touch on today.
York Pub One - The Golden Fleece
The first pub on our radar is the ever so lively Golden Fleece at 16 Pavement York YO1 9UP. This 15th century pub is positioned directly opposite the former blood filled streets of the Shambles. The Golden Fleece is also England’s most haunted pub due to numerous reports of paranormal activity by both guests and staff over the years. Some of the reports include sightings of ghostly figures, unexplained footsteps, mysterious voices, and objects moving on their own.
The most renowned ghostly resident of The Golden Fleece is the lovely Lady Alice Peckett. Lady Alice Peckett, is the wife of the former mayor of York, John Peckett (Incase you was wondering) who owned the inn during the 1700s. John’s wife’s spirit has been said to haunt the pub, appearing before you dressed in long, flowing Georgian-era clothing. The encounters with Lady Peckett vary but all do have one similarity that a chill will wander down your body just moments before you see her. That being said however Lady Alice Peckett is said to be gentle, friendly and an all around nice approachable ghost.
If Lady Alice tickle’s your fancy and you would like to meet her in person then you can actually spend the night (or as long as you can) at the Golden Fleece. Accommodation link – The Golden Fleece.
If men in uniform is more your cup of tea then you are in luck as the The Golden Fleece also has its very own Canadian Airman Ghost. During the Second World War, York was an important city for military operations, including air raids and training exercises. During these times the Golden Fleece was frequently attended by soldiers and airmen stationed in the area, including members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
One Canadian airman who was stationed in York during this time was suffering from the horrors of war alongside personal struggles. Feeling overwhelmed by his circumstances, the airman decided to take his own life within the confines of the Golden Fleece. Since that day his ghost has been spotted still lingering the inn.
York Pub Two - The Black Swan
The second pub we are checking out today is the Black Swan at Peasholme Green YO1 7PR. Like The Golden Fleece this pub has received reports of paranormal experiences and sightings over the years. It also has an Alice ghost aswell (Creativity clearly wasn’t their strong suit). According to legend i.e. the current pubs landlords, Alice was a young girl who lived centuries ago, possibly during the medieval or Victorian era so only a measly 400 to 500 years difference. Nothing major.
The tale of Alice suggests she tragically drowned in the nearby River Foss, which runs close to the Black Swan Inn. Guests and staff have reported sightings of Alice wandering the corridors, playing in the pub’s function rooms and even interacting with visitors.
Alongside a little girl ghost the Black Swan also has a monk ghost. (FYI unlike the Catholic church the religious figure and little girl are only associated by location nothing else). Witnesses claim to have seen the ghostly figure of a monk dressed in robes, often described as “wearing a hooded cloak typical of medieval monks” and nowadays goths. He appears motionless in certain corridors of the pub as if he has some unresolved issues from his lifetime.
York Pub Three - Guy Fawkes Inn
Have a guess who is said to haunt the third pub on our list? Nope you’re wrong it’s actually a crying baby. That’s what you get for thinking you know everything. This 16th century pub located at 25 High Petergate YO1 7HP is more than just a haunting ground for the supernatural. With this pub also being a former Catholic stronghold during the English Civil War. If you don’t know what the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 (An event which happened during The English Civil War) is then I will explain very quickly.
Basically a group of English Catholics didn’t like being told what to do by a Protestant King so they decided to assassinate him. YEP! They couldn’t think of any other ideas except for BLOWING up the Houses of Parliament in London. Guy Fawkes (The guy the pub is named after) was tasked with guarding the barrels of gunpowder placed beneath the House of Lords, but at the very last minute the plot was foiled, and Fawkes with his lighter in his hand was arrested, tortured, and executed.
But you don’t care about the creation of the dog hating Bonfire Night do you? You just care about the ghosts who haunt within the Inn. Witnesses and visitors to the Guy Fawkes Inn have reported hearing the eerie sound of a baby crying within the confines of the historic building even when no one else is around. This ghostly phenomenon seems to occur on the upper floors of the inn. The cries are described as sorrowful and haunting, adding to the already eerie atmosphere of the inn. Perhaps a child met with an unfortunate fate within the building, leading to the manifestation of its ghostly cries. What do you think?
York Pub Four - The Blue Boar
The final pub on our list and possibly the most fascinating is the Blue Boar at 5 Castlegate YO1 9RN. The reason why this watering hole hands out so much more than the others is due to its connection to the devious highwayman Dick Turpin. For those of you who don’t know, Dick Turpin was a notorious English highwayman who operated in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He became infamous for his daring robberies and exploits across the country, particularly in the regions surrounding York.
Dick Turpin was finally captured at a public house in York called the “Angel Inn”. His capture marked the end of his criminal career, and he was subsequently tried, convicted, and executed for his crimes. After his execution, Dick Turpin’s body was subjected to the common practice of post-mortem punishment known as gibbeting. This involved displaying the body in a metal cage or framework in a public place, typically at the scene of the crime or along a prominent highway, as a deterrent to others.
After being paraded around York, Dick Turpin’s body was taken to the Blue Boar where he was hung up-right and displayed in the pubs cellar for curious paying onlookers. Since that day witnesses have described encountering the ghostly apparition of a man resembling Turpin within the inn’s confines. Some have reported feeling a sudden drop in temperature or experiencing a sense of unease when in the presence of this coffin which is still on display at the Blue Boar to this day. Staff have also claimed to have felt a ghostly touch or sensed an unseen presence watching over them as they go on with their day.
So, the next time you find yourself in this picturesque city nestled in the heart of Yorkshire, why not venture into one of these haunted pubs? Whether you’re seeking to wet your whistle, have a gander at the local history, or just out right have a brush with the supernatural, York’s haunted pubs promise an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Great read. Adding York to the weekend away hit list.