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York is reputed to be one of the most haunted towns in Britain, and is certainly one of the most historically diverse and important, with a large range of archaeological remains from a broad period of history. Whether the abundance of historical buildings add something to the ambience that leads to strange sightings is not known but there are a wide range of reports of strange activity and sightings throughout the town, which are summarised below.
The Treasurers House
The Treasurer's House was the seat of the treasurers of York Minister from the 12th century to 1546. The last treasurer - William Cliffe - resigned, after all the treasure was removed during the dissolution of the monasteries. The house was extensively rebuilt in the 17th century.
In 1953 Harry Martindale, aged 18 at the time of the sighting, was working on a ladder in the cellars of the treasurers house, when he heard what he took to be the sound of a trumpet, and saw a soldiers helmet coming through the wall, followed by at least twenty troops. The soldiers were carrying round shields, lances, short swords and looked tired and dirty. The vision was as clear as day, but even more unusual was that the troops lower legs were not visible, as though they were marching on a road much lower than the present ground level. Later excavations revealed the remains of a Roman Road 18 inches below the surface of the cellar, the round shields of the troops is unusual as roman soldiers are usually depicted with the rectangular curved Scutum used by legionnaires, however, round shields were used by auxiliary troops in the 4th century. There were other sightings of similar phenomena in the 1920's and late 50s.
Museum Library
From September - December 1953 a ghost is said to have regularly appeared in the museum library searching through books.
The Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal is reputed to be haunted by a ghostly nun who has been witnessed several times. The Theatre was built on the site of Old St Leonard's Hospital founded in the 12th century. The theatre also has a tradition about a Grey Lady, and the ghost of an actor who died in a duel.
Haunted places and pubs around York
The York Arms
The York Arms is haunted by a Grey Lady. She also haunts the Theatre Royal, which stands across from it, this sounds like a linked legend, and it may be worth noting if there is a legend about a connecting tunnel.
Trinity Church
Trinity church is haunted by a phantom nun, and two other ghosts.
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The National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is the haunt of a presence who haunts a sleeping car .
Clifford's Tower
Originally a Norman Motte and Bailey the tower was a refuge for Jews during one of the persecutions during the Middle Ages.
York Castle
The castle was the scene of a strange hallucination in 1717. Sir John Reresby saw a piece of paper that was being blown by the wind turn into a monkey and then a bear. Perhaps an early discoverer of Opium.
The Cock and Bottle
According to a local paper, George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham who used to
live on Skeldergate, York, haunts The Cock and Bottle.
The haunting has included the sound of door being broken, the apparition of an ugly man, and other sightings. The ghost is said to be evil and to hate crucifixes.
Yorkshire Hussar
Four decorators working late through the night saw a black cape clad figure
pass them and disappear behind the bar where an old door had once been. The
ghost was also known to smash glasses and overturn bar stools.
Viking Hotel
In the past staff of this hotel claimed to have seen a shadowy shape
on the stairs. The site of the hotel used to have a house upon it, which was
reputedly haunted and connected to a murder.
The Windmill
The Windmill was once said to be haunted by a poltergeist.
Other York Traditions
York has various sightings of Romans and other period ghosts through its streets.
Dick Turpin's Tomb is in the churchyard at St Denys and St George, he was hanged in York in 1739. The other famous highwayman Nevison was also hanged in York in 1685.
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