11 of Britain's spookiest woodland spots for a Halloween walk
It often feels like every pub, hotel, church and castle has its own story of the supernatural, but there’s something uniquely eerie about an autumn walk in the woods; the enveloping gloom, the chilly weather, the suddenly bare branches and the crunch of leaves underfoot; the feeling of being hemmed in by trees and the rising terror that the rustling in the bushes behind you might be something sinister.
The British Isles excel at weird woods. Once you start looking, you’ll soon hear of ghosts, UFOs, and mysterious creatures associated with almost every large stretch of trees (whether those stories are true or not).
“The industrial revolution really started to fuel our collective imagination,” says Dr John Miller, editor of Weird Woods: Tales From The Haunted Forests Of Britain, a collection of short stories by mostly forgotten writers focused on the creeping dread of the woods. “By the late 19th century, by which point we’d had lots of rural depopulation, we’d created a sense of the countryside as a place where magic exists, in contrast to the squalid, commercial, urban environment.”
The combination of current restrictions and the Covid-related exodus from cities perhaps means we’re due for a weird wood renaissance as a new wave of urbanites find themselves heading for the wilderness. But do we still feel the same sense of chilly unease which would have enraptured our forebears during a cold-weather walk in the woods?
“Absolutely,” says Miller who says that any wood will do for a spooky walk. The secret is to get into the same head space which would have inspired the gothic writers of old.
“Leave your phone behind, and go at dusk or dawn. You want to find that edgy thrill of being in the woods. Perhaps allow yourself to get a tiny bit lost, but obviously not too lost.”
With Hallowe’en approaching and a spooky chill in the air, there’s no better time to set off. To inspire you, we’ve rounded up some of the most haunted forests and woods in Britain.
Jack Rear visits the “Screaming Woods” just outside Pluckley, which is claimed to be the most haunted village in England…
According to a sign erected by the Woodland Trust at its entrance, any screams or wailing you may hear in Dering Wood are just local foxes. So calm down and respect the natural world rather than hunting for the supernatural. Ghost-hunters are a nuisance to the area, starting fires, leaving litter, disturbing the wildlife, so the rational side of me is inclined to accept the sign’s message.
But when I step into the woods, following a short track at it’s edge, I quickly find myself spooked. Despite it being a mild day, almost as soon as I enter the wood it turns cold and my breath becomes steam. The lush trees are densely packed, blocking out much of the light. Even though my path is only a few metres from the road it feels like a wilderness.
Local legends say whispers, and sometimes screams, emanate from the wood’s dark thickets, and some visitors swear to have been stalked by ghostly footsteps or shadows.
I can’t say I encountered anything like that but there was certainly something spooky about the forest, an intense feeling of something watching me just out of the corner of my eyes. Sure, it could have just been my imagination, primed by foreknowledge of the wood’s reputation, but I can’t say for certain. The thrill and the chill that went up my back was real, who am I to dismiss it?
More details: woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/dering-wood/
Hattie Garlick explores the spooky former home of Anne Boleyn in East Anglia, whose spirit is still said to haunt the grounds…
Look, I had two small and reluctant walkers in tow, nearly two miles to cover, and two context- ually appropriate phantoms to play up. Who could blame me for geeing up our walk with an innocent game of “spot the ghost”?
I’ll tell you exactly who. Every unsuspecting, silver-haired dog walker who crossed our path at a distance and heard the wailing of “Muuuuum! Looooook! Dead person ahead!”
Blickling Hall was the ancestral home of the Boleyn family. Anne is sometimes spotted, dressed in white, gliding the grounds and, of course, headless. Her father, Sir Thomas,abso feeling restless about his daughter and son both having donated their heads to Henry VIII, still roams the grounds 500 years on.
If I were either Thomas or Anne, doomed to endure modern times on a drizzly day, I’d float towards the cosy café and pub that now sit by a car park.
But apparently the family tombs are the place to spot them, so we take the dog-friendly mausoleum walk that’s mapped out on signs by the Trust.
It’s an awe-inspiring route, marked by magnificent parkland, ancient wood and a glassy lake. The children would usually be immune to these charms, but “spot the ghost” keeps everyone (except, as mentioned, strangers) amused till we reach the mausoleum, a perfect midway point for a rest.
It is an eerie pyramidal edifice, made even more so by the fact that you can stare through windows in two sides, or send creepy echoes through its interior.
“I hear ghosts!” screams the six-year-old in glee. Was it Anne Boleyn, or the cows in a nearby field? We’ll never know…
More details: nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate/trails/blickling-estate-walk
Tomé Morrissy-Swan goes walking in Britain’s real life forbidden forest…
Wistman’s Wood is nature’s very own haunted house. Set on Dartmoor, this high-altitude remnant of an ancient forest that once blanketed much of Britain has inspired centuries of storytelling
Much of this has centred on the fantastical, from the devilish Wisht Hounds to elves and pixies. Ancient druids, romantic poets and modern writers found inspiration, though locals are said to avoid the wood after sundown.
My visit was suitably other-worldly. One man, perhaps a Druid, was silently praying, and I even stumbled across a Celtic spiral carved into a rock, somewhat reminiscent of an altar. As if to emphasise the ethereality, there was a slow, distant cuckoo’s call.
Setting all the tales aside, this forest of serpentine, entangled oaks, reaching out in every angle like witch’s fingers, is eerily silent and rather peaceful. In reality there were more temporal concerns, such as the jagged, moss-smothered boulders, which supposedly create an ideal habitat for adders, which will get you if you don’t slip first. Yet it’s easy to get lost in the myths, and to let your imagination run wild, and that’s what makes the wood special – just don’t stay past dusk.
More details: visitdartmoor.co.uk/attraction/wistmans-wood
Ahead of her son’s second Hallowe’en, Anna Murfet goes hunting for spooks around Box Hill…
The legends tell of phantom horsemen and phantom pilgrims stumbling across stepping stones to cross the River Mole. When I put all this to my son, Milo, he just laughed at me, more excited to get to the National Trust’s brilliant natural play trail than for a spot of ghost-hunting.
Undeterred we set off into the woods, crouching around every corner and glancing about nervously for any sign of spooks and phantasms that might be lying in wait.
Box Hill is really interesting because it seems to suddenly close all around you, and before you know it, it’s dark everywhere.
With a chill October wind in the air it did feel as though anything could have come out of the woods to us. I didn’t dare take Milo out too late, but having been to the area in the early evening I know how quickly things can get spooky.
Personally, I was quite disappointed we didn’t run into a ghost. I’d become quite taken with the story of Major Peter Labelliere, the sword-wielding spectre buried atop the hill who apparently demanded to be buried upside down and wasn’t happy when his mourners did exactly as he’d asked.
I’m sure the no-nonsense Milo would have been able to talk some sense into him.
More details: nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill/trails/box-hills-natural-play-trail
Seven more spooky Hallowe'en walks
Ambleside to Grasmere Coffin Route, Cumbria
Starting point: Bridge House, Ambleside
Starting in the village of Ambleside, this route takes walkers through the glorious Rydal Park and into the woods at Rydal Mount, through White Moss Common, alongside two lakes. The path was used to carry the dead to the consecrated church of St Oswald’s in Grasmere and it’s said that on cold evenings you can still hear the groans of ghostly pall-bearers.
More details: mudandroutes.com/routes/easy-walk-coffin-route-ambleside-to-grasmere/
Strid Wood, North Yorkshire
Starting point: Bolton Abbey
This woodland is named for “the Strid”, a natural wonder, where the river suddenly narrows forcing the water through at great pressure. American novelist Gertrude Atherton claimed that while an “active man” could jump across the Strid, a slip would mean death. Her short story about the place revolves around a man discovering a corpse in the water, only for it to come to life as he tries to fish it out. From Bolton Abbey you can follow the River Wharfe up to Strid Woods, then cross at Bolton Abbey aqueduct and walk back downstream to the abbey.
More details: boltonabbey.com/what-to-see/strid-wood-and-the-strid/
Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
Starting point: Visitors centre, Marquis Dr, Cannock
A stretch of forest which dates back to prehistoric times, Cannock Chase has gathered plenty of spooks along the way. Everything from medieval hunting parties to hell-hounds, werewolves, and aliens have allegedly been seen on the site. Potentially the most spooky are the stories of “black-eyed children”, apparitions taking the form of little girls.
The forest is managed by Forestry England and there are four different trails starting from the car park at the visitors centre to choose from.
More details: forestryengland.uk/cannock-chase-forest/walking-trails-cannock-chase
Creswell Crags, Nottinghamshire
Starting point: Visitors centre, Crags Rd, Creswell, Worksop S80 3LH
A prehistoric gorge filled with caves, Creswell Crags has a long history but recently one of its tourist spots, Robin Hood’s cave, was found to be covered in markings warding off evil.
Scholars speculate that locals used to believe the cave was an entrance to hell itself. The gorge is open to the public to walk around at leisure, but tours of the caves must be booked in advance.
More details: creswell-crags.org.uk/
Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex
Starting Point: Chanctonbury Car Park, Chanctonbury Ring Rd, Steyning BN44 3DR
Walk south down Chanctonbury Ring Road until you’re in the woods around the base of the hill.
From here you’ll find numerous pathways up to the summit and it’s there you’ll find the ring, a circular patch of woodland. Thought to be an ancient hill fort, the legends have it that the ring was created by the devil. Running around the ring anticlockwise seven times is supposed to summon the devil, who offers a bowl of soup in return for the runner’s soul.
More details: gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/chanctonbury-ring-walking-route
Ballyboley Forest, Antrim, Northern Ireland
Starting point: Ballyboley Forest car park, 40 Upper Ballyboley Rd, Larne, Ballyclare BT39 9SS
Supposedly this forest is haunted by the hooded and robed ghosts of four druids who simply stare at visitors before evaporating into thin air, while the screams of their human and animal sacrifices from centuries ago are said to still be heard by passing walkers and campers. There are numerous trails through the forest, but why not head up to Killylane Reservoir on the other side of the forest, for a break from the trees.
More details: alltrails.com/trail/northern-ireland/antrim/ballyboley-forest-loop
Doon Hill, Stirling, Scotland
Starting point: Aberfoyle car park, 55 A821, Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8 3UG
We tend to think of fairies as happy, friendly creatures, but not the fairies who haunt Doon Hill. Starting in Aberfoyle, cross the River Forth and head down the road past the Old Kirk, then make a left up the trail to Doon Hill. Climb to the top and you’ll find a lone pine tree. This is said to be the entrance to the fairies’ kingdom. But be warned, the story goes that in 1685 a Reverend Robert Kirk was killed by the fairies on the hill after his book, The Secret Commonwealth, revealed too much about them.
More details: alltrails.com/trail/scotland/stirling/doon-hill
