Whether you’re an avid ghostbuster, or simply looking to avoid trick-and-treaters, we’ve rounded up some of the supposedly haunted local destinations to explore this Halloween.
Haroldslea Drive, Horley
Reports tell of a phantom troop of soldiers marching through the area at night, accompanied by the sound of a bell. Legend links them to King Harold’s men travelling towards the Battle of Hastings. The road’s name is thought to reference King Harold II, whose forces are traditionally believed to have passed through the area on their way south before the Battle of Hastings in 1066. One thing’s for certain – they must be getting their steps in.
Reigate Caves
The mysterious tunnels beneath Reigate have inspired ghost stories for generations. While much of the history is documented, the underground passages, hidden chambers and centuries-old folklore make them one of the area’s eeriest attractions. Reigate also hosts ghost walks exploring these legends. Despite their name, the caves are actually a series of man-made tunnels, many of which were excavated to extract Reigate’s distinctive sandstone from the medieval period onwards.
St Mary’s Church & Causeway Area
Horsham’s oldest quarter is packed with tales of smugglers, executions and ghostly sightings – all very Famous Five. The ancient churchyard and surrounding lanes are also often cited in local folklore.
Betchworth Castle Ruins
The atmospheric ruins overlooking the Mole Valley are associated with the legend of Lord Hope, said to haunt the castle after mistakenly killing his own son (an impressive oversight, albeit unfortunate). Sightings of a mysterious black dog have also been reported.
The Punchbowl Inn, Dorking
Claimed to be one of Surrey’s most haunted pubs, staff and visitors have reported seeing an elderly bearded man wandering the premises and feeling unseen hands touching them. All pretty creepy.
Reigate Heath
Local paranormal groups regularly include Reigate Heath and surrounding woodland in ghost-hunting events. The combination of ancient woodland, isolated paths and centuries of local folklore has helped build its spooky reputation. No Winnie the Pooh’s here, we’re afraid.
The George Hotel, Crawley
Dating back to the 16th century,and originally established as a coaching inn, the George Hotel is one of Crawley’s oldest buildings and has long been connected with stories of ghostly activity. Haunted twin room, anyone?
Knights Department Store, Reigate
One of Reigate’s oldest buildings (now occupied by Waterstones and Oliver Bonas) was said to be haunted by ‘Tommy’, a young boy allegedly murdered when the building operated as a hotel. Visitors and paranormal investigators have reported strange lights and ‘unexplained activity’ – maybe a dodgy circuit board, but maybe not…
Cuckfield Park
The manor house was rebuilt in the 16th century for the Sergison family and remains one of the most important historic estates in Mid Sussex. Associated with tales of Anne Sergison’s ghost, reportedly seen wandering the grounds since the 19th century, it’s all very Cathy à la Wuthering Heights.
Clayton Tunnel
Just south of Burgess Hill, this Victorian railway tunnel is one of Sussex’s most notorious locations. Opened in 1841, the tunnel became infamous after the Clayton Tunnel rail crash of 1861, one of the deadliest railway accidents of the Victorian era. The disaster has generated decades of ghost stories and reports of paranormal activity.
