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Chillingham Castle’s dark history and ghost stories are drawing ghost hunters and Halloween thrill-seekers.
The 12th-century fortress in Northumberland is widely regarded as one of the most haunted castles in England.
It played a key role in centuries of fighting between England and Scotland and hosted Edward I before the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 and James VI of Scotland on his journey south to become James I of England in 1603.
Its reputation for paranormal activity has grown since the early 20th century, attracting ghost hunters and thrill seekers.
The most famous spirit said to haunt Chillingham is the Radiant or Blue Boy, believed to cry out at midnight in the castle's Pink Room before a glowing blue light and a Victorian-era apparition appear.
The legend gained ground when workers found a young boy’s bones wrapped in blue cloth and walled up inside the castle during renovations.
Although he was later buried in a churchyard, stories of his ghostly presence persist.
Social media ghost-hunting duo Adam Oakley and Dan Spragg, known as Ghost Trip Investigation, who visited the castle in August, described their findings as "truly incredible."
They will release the full investigation on Wednesday evening (October 7) on YouTube.
In a teaser, they revealed they were granted access to the castle's torture chamber, banquet halls, and bedrooms.
The post prompted others to share their own experiences at the castle.
One commenter said: "I loved the place when I visited but the cafe is where I felt uneasy the most.
"A brilliant place to visit."
Another wrote: "Been there and something hit me when we were sat around the big table in the main hall."
Another reported spirit is Lady Mary Berkeley, who died in 1719 and was the wife of Ford Grey, Earl of Tankerville.
Stories claim that after Grey was imprisoned following an affair with Mary’s younger sister, he never returned to the castle, leaving Mary and their newborn daughter behind.
Visitors claim to sense her presence as a sudden cold chill and the sound of a silk dress rustling through the halls.
Others reported ghosts include the White Pantry Ghost, the Spanish Witch and Eleanor, while unexplained voices have been heard in the library.
The castle now fully embraces its haunted reputation, offering ghost tours, hunts, and overnight vigils—though all are currently sold out until November.
Sir Humphry Wakefield bought the castle in 1982 and turned it into a destination for visitors keen to experience its haunted history.
A ranking based on analysis of more than 134,000 TripAdvisor reviews placed Chillingham first among the UK's most haunted castles, with 255 reviews mentioning ghosts.