Spooky season is upon us – and with the veil between worlds at its thinnest, it's the perfect time of year to visit haunted sites and attractions to get your fix of ghostly goings on.
SoGlos rounds up 10 of the most 'haunted' places you can get to on Stagecoach bus services in and around Gloucestershire, from crumbling castles to a former guest house with 'a life of its own'...
The best way to plan your route by bus to and from any of our haunted picks is to use Stagecoach's handy journey planner.
Sudeley Castle
One of Gloucestershire's most historic sites, it's no surprise that Sudeley Castle near Cheltenham has had dozens of reported paranormal sightings over the years, from a blacksmith heard hammering in the vaults, to a formidable Edwardian housekeeper said to be 'disapproving' of her successors.
It's also thought to be home to a royal ghost – the last of King Henry VIII's wives, Queen Katherine Parr is said to roam the corridors in search of her infant daughter, having died in childbirth. Visitors today can check out all the ghostly sites – with Halloween activities for families taking place this October half term, too.
Stagecoach service W from Cheltenham to Winchcombe gets you within a 15-minute walk of Sudeley Castle.
Littledean Jail
The Forest of Dean's former house of correction, Littledean Jail, is one of Gloucestershire's spookiest attractions, with historic links to witchcraft and many a ghost sensed and sighted inside its walls – though modern paranormal investigators say that thankfully, they're quite friendly!
Serving as a prison from 1791, it later became a petty court, with Cinderford wise woman, Ellen Hayward, being the last Gloucestershire woman to be tried as a witch there in 1906. Today, the jail is a museum and UK 'dark tourism' hotspot, with true crime collections, Nazi memorabilia, and a witchcraft and occult exhibition to be found inside.
Bus users can get to within a few minutes walk of Littledean Jail on the 22 Gloucester to Coleford bus.
Hereford Cathedral
Dating back to the 11th century, Hereford Cathedral is one of neighbouring Herefordshire's oldest buildings – so of course there's been
a spirit or two sighted there over the years.
A phantom monk all dressed in white, thought to have been
killed defending the cathedral from attack, has reportedly been seen wandering the grounds near the Lady Chapel, while a cannibalistic old lady is said to
haunt its crypt. The cathedral is open to visitors everyday of the week, while
ghost tours of the city also include a visit to the site.
Bus users can reach Hereford by catching Stagecoach service 33 from Gloucester via Ross-on-Wye, with the cathedral centrally located.
Gloucester Prison
Built in the 1700s on the site of an 11th century castle – which had also been used as a jail – Gloucester Prison is said to be home to the ghosts of those buried in its grounds, with more than 100 reported executions of prisoners having taken place there over the years.
Decommissioned as a prison in 2013, visitors can now book onto guided tours of the site, along with paranormal events including ghost hunts and seances.
Gloucester is easily accessible via Stagecoach services from each of the county's six districts, including the 94 from Cheltenham, the 882 from Cirencester, the 22/23 from the Forest of Dean, the 71 from Tewkesbury and the 62/63 from Stroud.
Prestbury village
With many a mysterious spirit said to have been spotted there through the years, Prestbury near Cheltenham lays claim to being 'the most haunted village in Britain'. Its most storied ghost is the Black Abbot, who's said to roam the churchyard, the grounds of the old priory and a nearby cottage.
Other tales include those of ghostly riders and mysterious hoofbeats, said to be the spirits of a medieval messenger to Edward IV's camp at Tewkesbury in 1471, and a Royal messenger posted at Cirencester in 1643 after the siege of Gloucester. Today, visitors can explore Prestbury's haunted past on walking tours and self-guide trails around the village.
Prestbury is easily accessible from Cheltenham on Stagecoach service N, getting bus users from the town centre to the village in 15 minutes.
Lydiard House & Park
The ancestral home of a prominent landowning family for more than 500 years from Elizabethan times, the ghosts of 17th century gentry and household help have been seen roaming the house and grounds of Lydiard House & Park near Swindon.
Cloaked figures, the spirit of a gentleman and a blood-stained handprint are some of its reported apparitions - with visitors able to tour its restored state rooms, church and walled garden and there's a 'ghost tales' storytelling event planned for Halloween, too.
Bus users can get to within a 20 minute walk of Lydiard House & Park from Cirencester using Stagecoach service 51, and changing to the 53 at Cricklade.
The Old House Museum
A 17th century former house and butcher's shop that narrowly
survived the English Civil War, The Old House is one of Hereford's most
historic buildings – and its reported hauntings are numerous.
Now a museum featuring faithfully recreated rooms,
giving of a glimpse of life in the Jacobean era, its ghostly happenings
include sinister murmurs, whispering voices and footsteps heard even in
the cold light of day. It's another stop on ghost tours of the city and it hosts spooky Halloween events for families.
Also centrally located in Hereford, people travelling to the city – on Stagecoach service 33 from Gloucester via Mitcheldean and Ross-on-Wye – can make a day of it by also visiting some of its other haunted spots.
Thornbury Castle
Having housed kings, queens and dukes throughout its history, the 16th century Thornbury Castle – now a luxury hotel – has a few famous resident ghosts, too. The most active is Jasper Tudor, uncle of Henry VII, who's said to get 'irate' and knock over books in protest of his former chamber being used as an office; and the spirit of Princess Mary Tudor, who roams the grounds with her dogs.
Visitors today can book in to spend the night in one of the castle's grand bedchambers or dine in its restaurant – with a special Halloween afternoon tea available in October 2026 – before exploring the grounds, with guided tours by a local historian also offered to guests.
Stagecoach service 60 from Dursley to Thornbury will get you directly to Thornbury Castle, with links to Stroud from Dursley through the 65 service, too.
The Ancient Ram Inn
Said to be one of England's most haunted buildings, the medieval Ancient Ram Inn in Wotten-under-Edge used to be a guest house – before it became a paranormal location with 'a life of its own that few can ignore'.
Encountered ghosts include the spirit of a lady believed to have been murdered and buried beneath the bar, the ghost of a cavalier, apparitions of monks and more, while people are said to have frozen to the spot with fear in its neighbouring barn. Today, visitors can book onto ghost tours of the inn, from family-friendly junior sessions, to real over night 'ghost hunts' – including in Halloween fancy dress!
The Stagecoach service 60 from Dursley to Thornbury will also get you to within a few minutes walk of The Ancient Ram Inn.
Chavenage House
Virtually unchanged for 400 years, Chavenage House near Tetbury in renowned for its ghostly activity – most notably, what is thought to be the spirit of King Charles I himself! The story goes that Lord of the Manor, Nathanial Stephens, fought as Colonel on the side of King Charles in the English Civil War, but added his support to the plan to execute the King after hostilities ceased.
Cursed by his own daughter, Stephens soon fell terminally ill. At his funeral, it is said a hearse drew up at the manor house driven by a headless man thought to be the ghost of King Charles, and the Colonel was seen to rise from his coffin and enter the hearse, before being driven away. Today, visitors can book a tour of the Cotswolds country manor, which has also been used as a filming location for popular TV shows Poldark and Rivals.
Stagecoach's 620 from Stroud to Old Sodbury will get you to within a 16-minute walk of Chavenage House.
