Haunted Bristol alley that locals AVOID at night
Tucked away in the heart of Bristol, Christmas Steps is a narrow, historic street that could easily be mistaken for just another charming shopping lane.
But beneath its quaint exterior lies a deep, eerie past that even locals might not fully know.
This winding alleyway, now part of the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, is one of Bristol’s oldest streets, dating back to the medieval period and marked by a labyrinth of cobblestones and stories.
Today, Christmas Steps might appear as an artsy hideaway, filled with artisan shops, but it once held a darker purpose – a pathway tied to executions, ghostly encounters, and mysterious transformations.
As you walk through, it’s not hard to feel the weight of centuries-old legends lingering in the air.
The Origins and Names of Christmas Steps
The street now known as Christmas Steps has worn many names over the centuries.
Originally, it was called Knyfesmyth Street after the knife-makers and tradesmen who sold in the area in medieval times.
The bustling activity of metalworkers once defined this passageway, but the street has since been repurposed – and renamed – in different eras.
During the Civil War in the 1600s, the steps briefly became known as Lonsford’s Stairs, after a Royalist officer of the same name was killed there during the siege of Bristol.
How the street eventually adopted the name “Christmas Steps” is still a bit of a mystery, with two main theories circulating.
Some suggest that over the centuries, Knyfesmyth evolved phonetically into “Christmas,” becoming the name locals know today.
Others point to the Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, located at the top of the steps, where a stained glass window depicting the nativity scene might have inspired the festive name.
The Pathway to the Gallows
In the 1600s, Christmas Steps was a crucial part of a much grimmer route.
This narrow, winding street was once a pathway up to St. Michael’s Hill, where a gallows once stood and public executions took place.
Those condemned to die would be led along this very path – their final journey would be marked by the sound of footsteps on the cobblestones and the growing shadow of the gallows at the top.
Today, visitors heading towards Colston Street occasionally report hearing strange, disembodied screams echoing from somewhere along the steps.
Ghostly Encounters on Christmas Steps
There have been other ghost sightings here, too.
Perhaps the most famous spirit here is that of a Royalist officer, believed to be the same Lonsford after whom the street was once briefly named.
This Cavalier soldier, killed during the Civil War siege of Bristol, is said to wander the steps even now, his restless spirit replaying the events of his last stand.
Other ghostly figures also make appearances.
Visitors and residents alike have reported seeing a young Victorian girl, thought to be from the 19th century, lingering near certain houses along the steps.
And at times, a woman dressed in black has been known to make unexpected appearances, sometimes even joining locals and visitors at dinner tables in nearby homes.
Although unnerving, this ghostly lady is described as a “friendly” spirit, a presence that residents sense but don’t fear.
The River Frome and the Drowned Girl
Long before Bristol’s cityscape took its current form, the River Frome ran close to the foot of Christmas Steps, making it a busy area for trade and travel.
In those days, barrels and goods would be rolled down the steep hill towards the river for loading onto ships.
But this proximity to water also brings one of the area’s eeriest tales: the ghost of a young girl believed to have drowned in the river.
According to legend, she continues to appear on the steps, her presence felt by those who traverse this narrow street after dark.
Some have reported the unsettling sensation of being watched or have caught fleeting glimpses of a small, ghostly figure.
Other Fascinating Legends of Christmas Steps
Christmas Steps is not short on fascinating stories that range from the ghostly to the peculiar.
One notable legend involves a statue of the Madonna and child which was once positioned outside a nearby chip shop.
It’s said that during the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell’s forces beheaded the statue in a moment of iconoclastic fervour, leaving behind a piece of history that locals would rub for luck.
Today, the statue has found a new home just inside St Bartholomew’s Court, where the well-worn feet of the Madonna remain as a reminder of the area’s turbulent past.
In centuries gone by, Christmas Steps was also home to numerous bars, brothels, and rowdy establishments catering to sailors and traders passing through.
The area would have been lively – perhaps even notorious – compared to its quiet, artsy atmosphere now.
Today, only one pub remains, The Three Sugar Loaves, sitting at the base of the steps.
Beyond the pub, you’ll find a variety of artisanal shops, from a brass and woodwind repair store to vintage dealers, bringing a mix of history and creativity to this distinctive street.
Is Christmas Steps Really Haunted?
Some Bristolians swear by the Christmas steps being haunted, whereas others dismiss it as utter fiction.
But most locals agree that, if they’re visiting this spot in Bristol after dark, there’s something in the air that might make them quicken their pace!
Visiting Bristol? Take a look at my list of 50 things to do.
Or, if you want to find some less spooky places in the evening, take a look at my Bristol at night post.
