Across the globe, there are many mesmerizing tourist destinations that leave you awestruck. At the other end there are many haunted places that daunt you to your core and leave you shivering with fear. However, many of us don’t believe in ghosts but a trip to such haunted places may shake your belief. If you are to get the feel of that fearful ghost den, then here are some of the most haunted places in the world.
10. The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, Australia
Are abandoned asylums your scariest bet on haunted places? If yes, the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum in Victoria, Australia and its ghost tours would offer you a good deal of your money and some nasty chills. Originally known as Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, this mental hospital had a capacity of 1200 patients at a time and was shut in 1995 after 128 years of operation. It is said that about 9000 patients died in its long history and their souls still haunt the place. On the tours, the host shares the stories of early forms of treatment and creepy tales of patients and staff.
9. Screaming tunnel, Ontario
Located beneath the railway track connecting Niagara Falls to Toronto, this haunted place has a terrifying story alleged to be the origin of its name. Legends say that about a century back, a girl was set on fire here by her enraged father when he lost custody of his children after divorce. Another variant of the tale says that a young girl was raped inside the tunnel and her body was burned to prevent any evidence from being known. There’s a claim that a match lit inside the tunnel produces the sound of the young girl’s dying screams.
8. The Myrtles Plantation
Considered as one of America’s most haunted places, this estate in St. Francisville, La, is believed to have witnessed as high as ten murders. The most popular tale involves a former slave who got her ear chopped off by her master when she was caught eavesdropping on him. She allegedly took revenge by poisoning a birthday cake which killed the daughters of the master. According to the tale, Chloe was hung by her fellow slaves and her ghost haunts the plantation hiding the ear by a turban.
7. The tower of London
The former political prison and place of execution is seen as one of the most haunted places in the British Isles. The ghost of Anne Boleyn who was beheaded in 1536 for treason against Henry VIII haunts the tower, allegedly carrying her head under her arm. Rumours gained height when in 1816, a sentry on guard outside witnessed an apparition and reportedly died of fright a few days later. Many other nameless terrors have been recorded recently by the night staff of the tower.
6. Berry Pomeroy Castle, Totnes
Another chilling ghost story takes us to a haunted castle in Britain. Berry Pomeroy castle, built by the Pomeroy family in the 12th century is a haunted place where locals and passers-by claim to have seen two ladies – one in blue and another clad in white. Legends have it that the white lady, Margaret Pomeroy was murdered by her own sister Eleanor, the woman in blue as she was jealous of her beauty. Even today, guards and caretakers hear Margaret silently crying, begging Eleanor to take her life and get done with it. But beware, don’t let the soft sobbing of the woman lure you into the castle, the blue lady is just waiting for you to fall to your death.
5. The Bhangarh Fort, India
Another hunt for haunted places takes us to India. The Bhangarh fort in the Alwar district of Rajasthan is the only legally haunted location recognized by the government of India where entry is prohibited between sunset and sunrise. The fort was constructed in 1573 and today consists of ruins of many temples, palaces and a small village. There exists different legends behind the haunted fort, the most popular of them are the curse by Guru Balu who said the city would be destroyed when its shadows would touch him and another of a Tantrik who fell in love with the princess of the fort but could not attain her, so he cursed death to all who dwelt in the palace while dying. The locals believe that the princess has taken birth somewhere else and that the fort of Bhangarh is waiting for her return to put an end to the curse. We don’t know about that but there’s surely something scary here.
4. Aokigahara, Japan
One of the most haunted places in the world, Aokigahara forests are located at the base of Mt.Fugi, Japan- famously known as Sea of Trees, Suicide Forest, or Japan’s Demon Forest. The place has also the distinction of being the world’s second most popular place for suicide, confirming over 500 suicides since 1950s. Legends say that in ancient times, people were abandoned by their families in these forests during famines where they died horrible deaths due to starvation. So, the forests are said to be haunted by the souls of these dead people. Hundreds of people have hanged themselves from the trees in these forests and their ghostly spirits are also believed to glide between the vines, shifting forms.
3. Raynham Hall, United Kingdom
Amongst many haunted places in UK, Raynham Hall is definitely the most famous. Haunted by the Brown Lady, apparently named because of the brown brocade she wears, is believed to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole, sister of Robert Walpole- first prime minister of Great Britain. The story says that when her husband discovered her adultery with a local lord, he locked her in a room in the family home. Another diversion of the tale says that it was actually the lord’s wife who entrapped her where she remained until her death in 1726. The brown lady has been spotted many times, one recent sighting being when a photographer from Country Life magazine shot a picture of hers.
2. The Whaley House, California
Referred to as one of the most haunted places in America by the Life Magazine and the Travel Channel, there have been sounds of windows shuttering and heavy footsteps in the house, believed to be the ghost of James “Yankee Jim” who had been hanged on the house property. Other visitors have claimed to see the apparitions of Thomas Whaley, Anna Whaley and their daughter who committed suicide. These days, on the last weekend of every month, the Whaley House Museum offers a late night ghost hunting tour. In addition, other tours are also organized around Halloween.
1. Borley Rectory, Essex, England
A Victorian mansion, Borley Rectory has been undoubtedly called the most haunted house in England. Built in 1862 for Essex and his family, the house was severely damaged in 1939 and destroyed in 1944. The most significant haunting reports mentioned of mysterious footsteps, ringing doorbells, ghostly figures peering down the window and poltergeist activity which attracted the paranormal investigator Harry Price to stay at the house, investigate and publish his experiences in a book. Although, much of Price’s work and other sightings have been dissected with rational explanation but certain inexplicable reports stretching over a 100 years seem to have made this place as the most haunted place in the world.