The most haunted Airbnbs in the UK

Reviews say you have to see this place in person in order to believe it, and we don’t doubt it. Decorated in Scottish Art Nouveau style, this Airbnb will feel like you’ve stepped into an old spooky novel. In fact, the room is decorated like the bed chamber of a seven-year-old Edwardian child, no less, complete with books and toys. Plus, you get access to the entire haunted house too while you’re there. This is a real immersive experience. You can book in a two or bring all your pals. If you’re looking for something spooky, this is the place. 

This Airbnb is known as ‘the madness chamber’, and it frequently makes it onto lists of the most haunted stays in the whole world. It’s 600 years old and known to be eerily silent. You rent the entire home with fantastic rustic interiors, and there are two bedrooms – one of which you share with the phantom of a headless woman, according to some reviews. Of course, York is the most haunted city in Europe, so you’ll most definitely want to brace yourself for a visit from a ghost or two…

This lighthouse cottage might look nice enough (if a little isolated…) but it’s surrounded by some seriously spooky history. St Catherines Lighthouse is situated just outside of the hamlet of Niton, the southernmost point of the Isle of Wight. The lighthouse was the scene of a tragedy during WW2 where its three keepers were killed by a bomb, and they were buried at the nearby church. It is said their ghosts still walk the grounds, so you might want to sleep with one eye open. 

Up in the forest above the River Tweed, you’ll find Neidpath Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots used to lay her head. But it’s not her ghost you’ll be shacking up with. The castle was owned by Sir William Douglas in the late seventeenth century, who banned his daughter Jean from marrying the man she loved. She lay sick and staring out the window, praying for her lovers’ return – but when he did, he didn’t recognise her, and rode on past. Jean died from the anguish, but her ghost remains at the castle, sporting a long brown dress with a white collar. Make sure you say helloo-oo!

Got a few more mates with you? How about Caverswall Castle in Caverswall village, Staffordshire, which sleeps a whopping 26 thrillseekers in its turrets and throughout. The Grade 1 listed historic castle is one of only 13 moated medieval castles in England, and you can stay in the turrets, all of which are two levels up and accessed only by a spindling spiral staircase. To enter, you have to cross the stone bridge over the moat. But beware: hiding at the bottom of the castle is its secret dungeon, so make sure you don’t get on anyone’s bad side…

Come for the spooky exterior, stay for the spectacular design within. Dollarbeg Castle is mistakenly haunted looking from the outside, but it’s actually a super cosy stay for four. The castle was built in 1890 after it was acquired by William Henry Dobie, but it went on to house the RAF during World War 2. With two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, three bathrooms, a dining room and a huge back garden, this is the perfect place for an absolutely mega Halloween-themed game of hide and seek. 

If you’re really looking to get spooked, try out this old chapel in Leicester – just be prepared to share it with some rather unworldly guests. The 300 sq ft chapel was part of Leicester’s Victorian mental asylum back in 1837. It has since been converted, and the interiors are really something, with stained-glass windows and ultra-high ceilings. But the refurbishments haven’t stopped a number of ghosts roaming the grounds. But fear not: with a home cinema, pool table and three-metre dining table, you’ll have plenty of things to entertain your new supernatural friends. 

Welcome to The Married Quarters. This historic property was a military base for the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 91st Regiment back in 1914, which means it’s really seen some things. The home looks out over the notorious Stirling Castle, which has been attacked 16 times and seen a string of murders, baptisms and wars. But these are no match for the Green Lady, who still haunts its halls to this day, after throwing herself from the Elphinstone Tower in heartbreak. But if you see her, be warned. Her visits are a sign of bad things to come...

This attic in Whitby was formerly the servants’ quarters in the Old Manor House, built in 1740 by Sir Adam Boulby – but that’s not the only reason horror fans love it. Here, you’re just ten-minutes walk to Whitby Abbey – which is the very place Bram Stoker was inspired to write ‘Dracula’. Plenty of ghosts are thought to frequent the Abbey’s halls, but perhaps the most famous is the ghost of St. Hilda, who is known to poke her head out of windows to spook visitors. If the name is familiar, it’ll be because she made an appearance in the ‘Dracula’ novels, too. 

Nestled in the heart of the ancient town of Llandeilo, you’re amongst some spooky characters from history. Most importantly, you’re right near Newton House on the Dinefwr estate, which was home to the Rhys family for over 300 years. It’s actually the fourth most haunted National Trust house in the UK, as Lady Elinor is said to have been strangled to death with her own hair ribbon. She has since been spotted skulking through corridors, and visitors note that a shiver goes up your spine as soon as you enter. Keep those doors locked, we say. 

Okay, so this place is pretty nice now that it’s been refurbished. But what could be creepier than staying in an old Fever Hospital from 1910? And that’s not all its history as a building – prior to being a hospital, it was also a rope mill (and the original wheel is still in place) and a dairy. The hosts make no mention of passing ghosts, but we wouldn’t be surprised if there was something supernatural still lurking around.