5 most haunted places in Bath
Is Bath haunted?
With centuries of fascinating, intertwining history, it’s no surprise that the South West city is home to a ghost story or two.
But five places in particular are eerie beyond words – and some locals and visitors are convinced that they’re haunted. See if number 4 proves Bath’s ghostly connections!
The Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent, which is famous for its Georgian architecture and appearances in series like Bridgerton, is also renowned for its creepiness!
It’s home to the ghost of Elizabeth Linley, a celebrated soprano known as the “Beauty of Bath,” and her lover, Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
After a dramatic elopement from her home at No. 11, their spirits are said to haunt the Crescent in a ghostly carriage, which can sometimes be heard clattering across the cobblestones.
Visitors have also reported hearing Elizabeth’s voice echoing through the Crescent.
The Assembly Rooms
The Assembly Rooms, built in 1769, were once the social hub of Bath, hosting royalty and high society.
Today, they are known for the ‘Man in the Black Hat,’ one of the most documented phantoms in the country.
This thin, hunched figure in a black coat and hat is often seen both in the Assembly Rooms and on nearby Saville Row, vanishing without a trace when approached.
Inside the Rooms, staff have reported unsettling experiences, including mysterious unplugged devices and sightings of a stately lady floating in the tearoom.
The most chilling encounter involved a security guard who saw a disembodied head in the ticket office – he quit his job shortly afterwards!
Sally Lunn’s House
Sally Lunn’s House, one of Bath’s oldest buildings, is not only famous for its historic buns but also for its ghostly residents.
Visitors often report encounters with the spirit of a young woman, thought to be Sally Lunn herself, who roams the upper floors.
Another presence haunting the café is the ghost of a Benedictine monk, whose chants are sometimes heard echoing through the building at night.
Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey, with its grand Gothic architecture, is steeped in history and ghostly tales.
Dark-robed figures, believed to be monks, have been seen within the Abbey.
Visitors have reported capturing ghostly figures in photographs, with one of the most notable accounts from 2005.
The photographer, Russell H. Cribb, described feeling a cold shiver when he later noticed the figure.
Cribb described how he noticed the figure in his photo after ensuring the area was clear: “I looked at the photo and saw the figure in front of the abbey door…. I had a real cold shiver run down my back.”
You can view the original photograph on Russell H. Cribb’s Flickr page.
The Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal, a prominent cultural landmark in Bath, is home to one of the city’s most famous ghosts: the Grey Lady.
This 18th-century apparition is often accompanied by the scent of jasmine.
Legend says she was a young woman who fell in love with an actor, only for her love to be unrequited.
Heartbroken, she is said to have taken her own life by hanging herself in the theatre.
Visitors and staff have reported sightings of her ghost wandering the building.
Next door, in the Garrick’s Head pub, a mysterious red stain appears on the ceiling despite repeated repainting.
Locals say it’s the ghostly blood of the Grey Lady.
If you’re looking for more Bath travel guides, take a look at my best things to do in Bath list, or see my Instagram reel below!
