Blackpool paranormal investigator Stephen Mercer looking for ghosts at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. The theatre is supposedly haunted by Charlie, who has been identified as the spirit of an audience member who threw himself to his death from the theatre balcony after being spurned by an actress. Charlie has been described as a cheeky ghost who plays pranks on performers. In the 1980s, a pantomime director told how he was sat in the upper circle of the theatre, close to where Charlie is thought to have jumped, when his shoulder was repeatedly tapped. Nobody else was around. There's also heightened spiritual activity is due to a ‘paranormal portal’ above the stage

Blackpool paranormal investigator Stephen Mercer looking for ghosts at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. The theatre is supposedly haunted by Charlie, who has been identified as the spirit of an audience member who threw himself to his death from the theatre balcony after being spurned by an actress. Charlie has been described as a cheeky ghost who plays pranks on performers. In the 1980s, a pantomime director told how he was sat in the upper circle of the theatre, close to where Charlie is thought to have jumped, when his shoulder was repeatedly tapped. Nobody else was around. There's also heightened spiritual activity is due to a ‘paranormal portal’ above the stage

25 spooky Blackpool places and old haunting Halloween tales from Foxhall to Cloggy at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

By Claire Lark

Published 28th Oct 2022, 15:45 BST

Updated 23rd Oct 2023, 12:00 BST

Blackpool has plenty of spooky tales to tell, all entwined in its rich heritage, old buildings and notorious bloody crimes.

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)

In case you missed them: Who is Cloggy? Blackpool Pleasure Beach famous ghost who is said to haunt the park's Ghost Train

15 contrasting scenes which show how Blackpool seafront and Golden Mile have changed in a decade - including Woolworths, Metropole and Talbot Square

10 scenes of loved and lost attractions in Blackpool - including Professor Peabody's, the Rocket Tram and World of Coronation Street

Blackpool Sandcastle Waterpark - 20 rarely seen photos reveal how different it looked inside when it first opened in the 80s

In case you missed them: Who is Cloggy? Blackpool Pleasure Beach famous ghost who is said to haunt the park's Ghost Train

Blackpool paranormal investigator Stephen Mercer looking for ghosts at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. The theatre is supposedly haunted by Charlie, who has been identified as the spirit of an audience member who threw himself to his death from the theatre balcony after being spurned by an actress. Charlie has been described as a cheeky ghost who plays pranks on performers. In the 1980s, a pantomime director told how he was sat in the upper circle of the theatre, close to where Charlie is thought to have jumped, when his shoulder was repeatedly tapped. Nobody else was around. There's also heightened spiritual activity is due to a ‘paranormal portal’ above the stage

. Creepy Blackpool

Blackpool paranormal investigator Stephen Mercer looking for ghosts at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. The theatre is supposedly haunted by Charlie, who has been identified as the spirit of an audience member who threw himself to his death from the theatre balcony after being spurned by an actress. Charlie has been described as a cheeky ghost who plays pranks on performers. In the 1980s, a pantomime director told how he was sat in the upper circle of the theatre, close to where Charlie is thought to have jumped, when his shoulder was repeatedly tapped. Nobody else was around. There's also heightened spiritual activity is due to a ‘paranormal portal’ above the stage Photo: Bill Johnson

Carleton Crematorium: A Layton taxi-driver claimed he has seen a ghost with a green face, near the gates of Carleton Crematorium. The Taxi driver Harry Hodges picked up a young lady from North Station and was instructed to be taken to the crematorium. He pulled up to the gates and turned to take the fair, and found himself staring into the face of an old man, ‘with sunken eyes, long dark hair, a Punch-like nose and prominent chin’

. Creepy Blackpool

Carleton Crematorium: A Layton taxi-driver claimed he has seen a ghost with a green face, near the gates of Carleton Crematorium. The Taxi driver Harry Hodges picked up a young lady from North Station and was instructed to be taken to the crematorium. He pulled up to the gates and turned to take the fair, and found himself staring into the face of an old man, ‘with sunken eyes, long dark hair, a Punch-like nose and prominent chin’ Photo: Daniel Martino

Frenchman's Cove on King Street. The premises once housed Duckworth’s Tobacco warehouse and reports include workmen building in the cellar thought that someone or something had been watching them. Billy, one of the pub’s owners, received an article and photograph from the time the warehouse was built, revealing the ghost in question came from Scarborough and was called Laura Schoons. To this day late at night staff still feel that someone or something is watching them.

. Creepy Blackpool

Frenchman's Cove on King Street. The premises once housed Duckworth’s Tobacco warehouse and reports include workmen building in the cellar thought that someone or something had been watching them. Billy, one of the pub’s owners, received an article and photograph from the time the warehouse was built, revealing the ghost in question came from Scarborough and was called Laura Schoons. To this day late at night staff still feel that someone or something is watching them. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard

In the early morning of Christmas Eve 1919, the body of 26 year old Kathleen (Kitty) Breaks was found among the sand dunes at St Annes. She had been shot three times with a revolver by her lover Lieutenant Frederick Rothwell Holt. Locals have reported over the years of seeing a woman wandering around the dunes on Christmas Eve

. Creepy Blackpool

In the early morning of Christmas Eve 1919, the body of 26 year old Kathleen (Kitty) Breaks was found among the sand dunes at St Annes. She had been shot three times with a revolver by her lover Lieutenant Frederick Rothwell Holt. Locals have reported over the years of seeing a woman wandering around the dunes on Christmas Eve Photo: submit

The Star pub which was once the Pleasure Beach's own pub was said to be haunted by a male figure in the cellar, living accommodation and Morgan and Griffin Bars. He was said to bear a resemblance to Karl Marx. Workmen claimed to have spotted him and a figure was seen walking through the bar before disappearing

. Creepy Blackpool

The Star pub which was once the Pleasure Beach's own pub was said to be haunted by a male figure in the cellar, living accommodation and Morgan and Griffin Bars. He was said to bear a resemblance to Karl Marx. Workmen claimed to have spotted him and a figure was seen walking through the bar before disappearing Photo: National World

Paranormal investigators John Blackburn and Ian Lawman held a ghost hunting night at Blackpool Zoo in 2012. This was one of the allegedly haunted buildings at the zoo, which used to be a World War 2 aerodrome. Over the years there have been reports of the ghostly figure of a man wearing a hooded cloak and numerous sightings of a man in a soldier’s uniform

. Creepy Blackpool

Paranormal investigators John Blackburn and Ian Lawman held a ghost hunting night at Blackpool Zoo in 2012. This was one of the allegedly haunted buildings at the zoo, which used to be a World War 2 aerodrome. Over the years there have been reports of the ghostly figure of a man wearing a hooded cloak and numerous sightings of a man in a soldier’s uniform Photo: Rob Lock

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

. Creepy Blackpool

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

. Creepy Blackpool

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

. Creepy Blackpool

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

The Old Coach House is a former Vicarage reputed to be the oldest building in South Shore. Over the years, the owners have been told by guests about the spirits that reside and watch over them. Allegedly one guest said a male figure was staring at them eating a meal and was wearing a cap and black cloak. A second spectre was female and had the name of Shirley and looks after the dinning room

19. Creepy Blackpool

The Old Coach House is a former Vicarage reputed to be the oldest building in South Shore. Over the years, the owners have been told by guests about the spirits that reside and watch over them. Allegedly one guest said a male figure was staring at them eating a meal and was wearing a cap and black cloak. A second spectre was female and had the name of Shirley and looks after the dinning room Photo: submit

The Long Gallery at Lytham Hall. JohnTalbot Clifton is said to remind people of his presence at his family home, the now Grade 1-listed Lytham Hall. Gate staff have reported hearing a car pull up - on more than one occasion - only for nothing to be there. And Mr Clifton was a car enthusiast

20. Creepy Blackpool

The Long Gallery at Lytham Hall. JohnTalbot Clifton is said to remind people of his presence at his family home, the now Grade 1-listed Lytham Hall. Gate staff have reported hearing a car pull up - on more than one occasion - only for nothing to be there. And Mr Clifton was a car enthusiast Photo: submit

Blackpool Ice Skating Rink is said to be inhabited by a spooky skater and backstage ghosts. The sound of someone skating on the ice has been heard after the venue has closed for the night

21. Creepy Blackpool

Blackpool Ice Skating Rink is said to be inhabited by a spooky skater and backstage ghosts. The sound of someone skating on the ice has been heard after the venue has closed for the night Photo: Submit

The Eagle and Child at Weeton

22. Creepy Blackpool

The Eagle and Child at Weeton Photo: Martin Bostock

The ghost of a small female child, aged about nine, is said to have been seen at Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gift Shop and an item moved itself overnight to a completely different spot. Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machines is the oldest ride at the park, built in 1904

23. Creepy Blackpool

The ghost of a small female child, aged about nine, is said to have been seen at Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gift Shop and an item moved itself overnight to a completely different spot. Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machines is the oldest ride at the park, built in 1904 Photo: Historical

Several ghosts are said to haunt the Ghost Train at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Cloggy, a former maintenance worker known for his clogs who died in 1970, is said to haunt the Ghost Train. People on the ride have complained of being grabbed – only to be told by staff that this was not part of the attraction.

24. Creepy Blackpool

Several ghosts are said to haunt the Ghost Train at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Cloggy, a former maintenance worker known for his clogs who died in 1970, is said to haunt the Ghost Train. People on the ride have complained of being grabbed – only to be told by staff that this was not part of the attraction. Photo: Submit

Blackpool Woolworths Professor