25 spooky Blackpool places and old haunting Halloween tales from Foxhall to Cloggy at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool has plenty of spooky tales to tell, all entwined in its rich heritage, old buildings and notorious bloody crimes.
By Claire Lark
Published 28th Oct 2022, 15:45 BST
Updated 23rd Oct 2023, 12:00 BST
Who is the Carleton Ghost which scared the living daylights out of a cab driver one night, or how can heightened spiritual activity due to a ‘paranormal portal’ above the stage at The Grand Theatre, be explained? Whether you take it with a pinch of salt, or you are a firm believer in all things supernatural, some of these tales are unsettling and leave a trail of unanswered questions.
Here are 25 pictures which take you to the heart of creepy Blackpool. You may or may not have heard about them before but they will get you into the spirit for Halloween. (Thank you to local historian Juliette Gregson for her contributions)
Raikes Hall was previously a private dwelling and is now a public house in Blackpool. Once a convent, one of its former inhabitants who drowned herself nearby reportedly comes back to visit from beyond the grave and move items around the pub. Late at night regulars have heard strange noises from cellars Photo: Daniel Martino
Amateur photographer Mike Bower claimed to have captured this image of a ghost while taking shots at the former Regent Cinema, on Church Street in 2013 Photo: Submit
The Eagle and Child pub at Weeton. Paranormal investigator Stuart Leadbetter checks for abnormal radiation readings. The pub claims to have a ghost that goes by the name of Murph, apparently sometimes after midnight you can hear him moaning at the bar and scaring away the customers. Rumour has it he was an old highway robber from London who came to hide from his previous crimes Photo: Bill Johnson
Blackpool may owe its early reputation for healing the sick in mind and body to the priests who took refuge in the isolated building of ‘The Foxhall’ in the 17th century. The original building was far from grand but it included a private chapel. There was a small lead tower on top of the house (Blackpool’s first tower?) gained from within by a staircase and the thick walls contained many hiding places (priest’s holes) and secret passages. Over the years this house turned into a house, hotel and public house Photo: Submit
A figure, believed to be the ghost of a former caretaker, has been seen walking through the walls of the Marine Hall on the Esplanade in Fleetwood Photo: submit
The Beast of Lytham raised its paws and head in 2005. In the summer months over 20 sightings were reported around the Green Drive area of Lytham. The mysterious creature was spotted roaming in thick woodland at a beauty spot. About as tall as a collie dog but with huge ears, a large mouth and a lolloping gait, local Illustrator Sam Shearon came up with his drawing after speaking to several witnesses. One theory is that it could have been a muntjac deer, one of the last remaining from a herd brought to Lytham Hall by the local squire over a century ago Photo: National World