Haunted places to visit in Greater Manchester this Halloween

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to shine a light on some of Greater Manchester’s haunted locations. There’s no shortage of spooky places and tales either; from theatres haunted by the ghosts of actors to a demon dog said to roam Manchester Cathedral.

Then there are pubs where glasses have been known to float by themselves and Tudor halls with a ghostly presence or two. Even if you don’t believe in the paranormal, these creepy goings-on can still spark the imagination and get you in the mood for Halloween.

Not all haunted places in Greater Manchester are buildings, either. In fact we’ve even got a park that's reputedly home to a mythical creature - scary stuff.

READ MORE: The Manchester park tucked behind a main road with amazing autumn displays

If you’re intrigued by creepy creatures and spooky spectres, then read on to discover some of the most haunted places on our doorstep and visit them if you dare. Or stay clear if you don’t fancy an encounter with the paranormal.

Manchester Cathedral

You might expect somewhere like Manchester Cathedral to have a ghostly presence or two. Perhaps a creepy choir boy or paranormal priest springs to mind.

So it may come as a surprise to learn that the cathedral is said to be haunted by a demonic giant hound. Known as Black Shuck, it’s a feature of English folklore and is often recorded as an omen of death.

Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw

Over the years there have been numerous unexplained paranormal happenings at Ryecroft Hall, which dates back to the mid-1800s over the years. At one point the building was used as a Red Cross Hospital with the cellars serving as a morgue.

The ghost of a Victorian child has even been spotted playing on the main staircase, believed to be the spirit of a little girl who fell to her death. There’s also been sightings of a ghostly nurse from the First World War. But it’s the cellars which have left people particularly spooked out, with reports of extreme changes in temperature and a sense of foreboding.

Oldham Coliseum

One of the north west’s oldest theatres opening in 1887, Oldham Coliseum is bound to have a creepy tale or two. In fact it featured in an episode of Most Haunted back in 2004, which looked at the death of Harold Norman.

He was an actor who died when he was stabbed with a sword on stage while playing Macbeth. According to historian Richard Felix, he managed to make it to the wings but died from his injuries soon after. The show recorded various paranormal events at the theatre connected with Harold.

Bramhall Hall, Stockport

Visitors to the hall have reported strange sensations, sounds and smells. There’s even been tales of the old chapel organ playing by itself.

Among the ghostly characters which reputedly call the hall home are the Lady in White, who was reportedly killed alongside her love in Macclesfield Forest; a maid who wanders the halls wearing an old russet gown; and the Red Rider, a horse rider wearing a red cape. He’s said to be the ghost of a mysterious visitor to the hall, who killed the owner William Davenport in the 1630s.

Boggart Hole Clough

A 190-acre-park tucked within the boundaries of the M60 in Blackley, Boggart Hole Clough is the place to go if you’re looking for a creepy and atmospheric walk. As the name suggests, the park is said to be the home of a boggart, a mysterious mischievous creature which has its roots in Lancashire folklore.

It’s believe that boggarts live in holes, ditches and nooks under bridges - and Boggart Hole Clough has plenty of steep-sided ravines and gullies hidden among the trees. It’s perhaps best to avoid this park on gloomy, misty mornings if you believe in such creatures.

Ring o Bells pub, Middleton

Middleton’s oldest pub, Ring o Bells is said to be haunted by the ghost of a cavalier named Edward, said to have been murdered by Cromwell’s Army when they passed through town. Over the years he’s appeared in front of regular punters and landlords wearing royalist uniform.

You can tell when he’s around as he makes his presence known with heavy footsteps and peculiar noises. Pub-goers have even said they’ve seen glasses mysteriously sliding along the bar too.

Wythenshawe Hall, Manchester

Wythenshawe Hall, a 16th century Tudor, has an imposing appearance thanks to its majestic timber-framed exterior. The hall reopened in 2022 following an arson attack in 2016 which caused extensive damage to the mansion.

Some believe the refurbishments awakened ghostly spirits within the hall. A white lady, believed to be a maid called Mary Webb who served there in the 1640s, is said to haunt its corridors. Another creepy present which has been spotted is that of a monk which silently walks through the building.

Watermillock, Bolton

Currently a Toby Carvery, Watermillock House features several supernatural tales. It dates back to the late 1800s and during the first world war it became a military hospital where casualties would be seen to, including pilots with horrific burns.

Then in 1937 it was used as a hostel for refugee children evacuated from Bilbao in the Spanish Civil War. A lady is said to haunt the upstairs of the building, with disembodied footsteps frequently heard. Meanwhile the cellar is reportedly a paranormal hotspot, with people claiming they feel like they’re being watched.

Wardley Hall, Worsley

Wardley Hall goes by another name which hints at its creepy history. The hall, which was mentioned in the Domesday book is the official residence of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Salford, has acquired the nickname ‘Skull House’.

The spectacular manor house even has its own moat. Its nickname originates from the tale of a skull which resisted all attempts to be buried, and when it would be thrown in the moat the weather would become stormy.

It’s believed that the skull is that of St Ambrose Barlow, who was hung, drawn and quartered in Lancaster in the 1640s. The skull is still on display at the hall today, kept in a niche at the side of the main staircase, so you can stare into its empty sockets if you're feeling brave enough.

Albert Hall, Manchester

It’s hard to believe that this place is haunted by ghosts when its packed full of gig-goers. Yet the iconic venue has even featured on the show Most Haunted. Dating back to 1908, the gothic-style building was initially the Manchester and Salford Wesleyan Mission Church, but for years was home to the nightclub Brannigans.

Staff working at the bar said that mysterious things would happen. They claimed a ghost would smash glasses, fiddle with taps and even push people downstairs. Who knows, maybe this ghost likes mosh pits too.

Ordsall Hall, Salford

This spooky Tudor manor house has several resident ghosts. There is the mysterious White Lady, said to be the spirit of Lady Margaret Radclyffe who died of a broken heart in 1599 after the death of her beloved brother Alexander.

Then there is Cecily, a young girl who’s said to roam the Hall, and usually makes an appearance when there are children or school parties visiting. The Hall’s Star Chamber is reputedly haunted by Sir John Radclyffe, the former Lord of the Manor.

Peveril of the Peak Pub, Manchester

With a green-tiled exterior the Peveril of the Peak Pub in the city centre does have a bit of an eerie feel to it from the outside, so it makes sense that it should have its own resident ghost. The spirit that’s said to reside at this pub isn’t mischievous at all, in fact it’s rather helpful.

There've been sightings of glasses mysteriously levitating and falling into pot wash all by themselves at the pub. Staff have also recalled tales of chairs being moved around and ashtrays being emptied - maybe this ghost is just looking for a tip?

Smithills Hall, Bolton

A Grade-II listed manor house on the edge of Bolton, Smithills Hall has its fair share of spooky tales. There have been sightings of ghostly figures and reports of strange goings on with objects being moved and unexplained noises.

The Green Room is considered one of the most haunted rooms at Smithills thanks to the creepy tale of George Marsh, a Protestant Bolton farmer who was burned at the stake in 1555 during the reign of Catholic Queen Mary Tudor. A visitor claims that as a child he saw a man at the top of the stairs in the hall’s Green Room and it’s believed it was the ghost of George Marsh, as this was where he was questioned in his trial.

For more of the latest What's On news, click here.