Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Specific Location: York

Festivals / Folklore / May

The River Ouse, York

‘There is an old tradition, possibly credited by some at the present time, that if anyone casts five white stones into a particular part of the river Ouse, near the city, as the clock in the Minster tower strikes one on May morning, he will see on the surface of the water, as if looking into a mirror, whatever is desired of the past, present, and future. .

Apparitions / Hauntings

All Saints Church, York

The 14th century All Saints’ Church is a Grade I listed building. According to ‘Haunted Churches’ (1939) by Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) ‘All sorts of queer stories are told, too, of the other Pavement church, All Saints.

Apparitions / Hauntings

St. Crux Church, York

The 15th century St Crux Church was demolished in 1887 and some of its stone was then used to build St Crux Parish Hall. Writing in 1939, Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) mentioned the following ghostly traditions associated with St Crux in his ‘Haunted Churches’. ‘All kinds of stories have at various times been circulated regarding ghostly happenings at St.

Hauntings

St. George’s Church, York

On George Street stands the Roman Catholic Church of St George, across from the site of an earlier 16th century St George’s Church which fell into ruin. With the graveyard (which still survives) of this original St George’s was thought to be buried Richard "Dick" Turpin (Died 7 April 1739).

Hauntings

St Oswald’s (Old) Church, Fulford

Now a private residence, St Oswald’s (Old) Church, dates from 1150 and its nave, and west tower, were originally from St Mary’s Abbey. William Camidge related the following story.

Apparitions / Haunted Hotels / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Golden Fleece, York

The Golden Fleece is a Grade II listed building which claims to be York’s most haunted pub. According to their website ‘Possibly the most famous ghost is Geoff Monroe, a Canadian airman who was staying at the pub in room four when he died in 1945, by throwing himself or falling out of one of the windows.

Hauntings

Marks & Spencer, York

An article by Joanna Moorhead in The Guardian on 26 October 2011 tells us that ‘Over at Coppergate Shopping Centre, site of a Viking fort, it seems an archaeological dig has disturbed spirits that had been lying dormant for centuries.

Haunted Hotels / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

Dean Court Hotel, York

Built by the architects J.B. & W. Atkinson in 1865, the Dean Court Hotel was originally three separate houses for Clergy from the nearby York Minster.