A ghost is for after-life, not just Hallowe’en…
The dead are big business in one of England’s most cherished tourist destination – particularly the diseased that refuse to rest in peace according to Visit York, the organisation charged with promoting Europe’s most haunted city!
Whilst most venues ramp up their spooky and magical offerings for a week or so in October, York’s already thriving tourism sector gets a year-round boost from the paranormal, the magical and the downright macabre, which continue to be some of the biggest draws for tourist from every corner of the globe.
“With over 2000 years of history, spanning Romans, Vikings, medieval mayhem and Victorian phantasmagoria, it is little wonder that the darker stories of the city’s history – often glossed over in the historical text books – are so fascinating to visitors,” comments Hazel Allsopp, senior marketing manager for Visit York. “In the city centre alone, paranormal experts reckon there have been over 500 individual ghosts or unearthly manifestations – a nexus of supernatural activity.”
A whole industry of magical fun can be unearthed on one of the country’s most photogenic streets, Shambles, which is so magical that it provided the inspiration for the set of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. The buildings – built close to provide shade for its original occupants, the butchers who ran York’s meat market before the days of refrigeration – now play host to some of the most famous shops in York! Now, you can mix up your own delicious beverage courtesy of The Potions Cauldron – recently featured on Dragon’s Den where the owners turned down an offer of £200,000 of investment – creating drinks that glitter and swirl like a mystical gateway to another world!
Getting into the city to explore spooky locations is easy, with York’s Park & Ride stopping right outside York Dungeon’s door on Clifford Street. Parking at Askham Bar, just of the A64, the route takes passengers past Knavesmire – where Dick Turpin was hanged – and his grave is a five minute walk from the city centre stop! And speaking of buses, the York Ghost Bus Tour runs daily, picking up victims outside the Principal Hotel, next to York’s railway station.
Visitors can choose to stay in magical-themed venues with the highly sought-after Hocus Pocus – a tiny hotel St Patrick’s Pool – and 101 House at The End, a spellbinding place with illumination provided by floating candles – visitors feel like they have stepped into a film set!
Three of the city’s twilight walking tours are regularly seen on shortlists for regional and national awards: Mad Alice’s Bloody Tour of York; Dorian Deathly’s Deathly Dark Tour; and, offering magical relief from tales of dastardly deeds, The Wizard Walk of York.
Visit York is also keen to hear from anyone who has had other-worldly experiences in the city, encouraging visitors to share any photographs and videos that might capture unexplained phenomena. “With so many people using mobile phones to capture their visits to York, inevitably, there will be some peculiar features cropping up on photos and videos – from ghostly faces appearing in shadows to items moving in an inexplicable fashion,” adds Hazel.
Visit York has created its very own Haunted York Hub online at www.visityork.co.uk/hauntedyork
