(Image: Google Maps)
For most pubs, a good pint and a welcoming atmosphere are enough to attract customers.
But at the Shakespeare Tavern in Durham, there is another draw entirely.
Standing prominently on Saddler Street beneath the shadow of Durham Cathedral, the historic pub has built a reputation as Durham's "most haunted" watering hole, with tales of ghostly encounters stretching back decades.
The building itself is steeped in history; the pub occupies a structure dating back to around 1190, making it one of the oldest surviving pub buildings in the city.
Throughout more than eight centuries, the property has witnessed medieval Durham, civil wars, industrial expansion and the transformation of the city into the tourist destination seen today.
Its name comes from its links to Durham's theatre-going past.
The tavern was a popular haunt for 19th century actors and theatre patrons, eventually adopting the Shakespeare name in recognition of those connections.
Yet, it is what some claim still resides within the ancient walls that has made the pub famous far beyond Durham.
Over the years, stories of paranormal activity have become part of the Shakespeare's identity.
Reports include unexplained footsteps running up and down staircases after closing time, disembodied whispers, sudden cold spots and the unnerving feeling of being watched.
One of the most persistent legends centres on a ghostly presence said to follow visitors to the toilets.
The tale is so well known that paranormal tourism websites specifically reference the phenomenon when describing the pub.
Other reports are even stranger.
According to accounts highlighted when the pub was put up for sale in 2024, customers have reported feeling their shirts being tugged by invisible hands.
Some claim to have heard voices coming from empty rooms, while an old sewing machine kept in a back room is said to have started operating on its own without explanation.
Whether fact or folklore, the stories have endured for generations and continue to fascinate visitors.
The ghostly reputation has become so ingrained that the tavern openly describes itself as Durham's most haunted pub.
Tourist guides and visitor reviews frequently mention the claim, with some customers arriving specifically to experience the atmosphere of the centuries-old building.
Of course, not everyone encounters the supernatural.
One visitor quipped online that they visited after learning of the pub's haunted reputation but "did not see any spirits, apart from those in bottles".
Today, alongside the traditional ground-floor bar, the building also houses Y'Bard, a spirits bar on the upper floor, adding another chapter to the property's long history.
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Standing amid exposed stonework and centuries-old timbers, it is easy to see why the Shakespeare continues to capture imaginations.
After more than 800 years, the pub remains one of Durham's most distinctive venues, balancing its role as a traditional city-centre local with its status as one of the North East's most enduring ghost stories.
And for those brave enough to call in for a pint, there is always the chance that they might leave having encountered more than they bargained for.