Ghost Walks

Ah, Ghost Walks. If you’ve never done one before, I’m here to tell you they are great fun, whether for Halloween or any other time of the year, really. And it really seems like nowadays, most areas have at least one, if not more! To date, myself and my lovely boyfriend have done 4, in different places, and all were different experiences. All were also very enjoyable. Of course, with these walks, there’s no guarantee you’ll see or experience anything, but if you have a general interest in history or the paranormal, or a more focused interest in local history, they are definitely worth a go. And the majority will also cater to younger ghost hunters, too. They make for an evening well spent.

With that in mind, I’m going to talk briefly about each one I’ve done. It’s something we try to look out for wherever we go, but the latest was done right on our own doorstep! So have a look – it’s a fun activity for a trip away, or just an evening in your local area!

Many tourist areas run these walks throughout summer and past Halloween, while other places do them year-round. Have a look – you’ll never know what you might find!

Blackpool

I love Blackpool, although I have only been twice. The first was as a kid too scared to go on The Big One, and who chickened out of Valhalla during the day, but thanks to having a very good big brother, we did get to return to the park that evening and I got to ride it. So when myself and Rich were planning our first trip away, Blackpool seemed like a good choice, if a lengthy coach journey. While there, we also did Blackpool Dungeons, visited a small horror museum, and walked through Pasaje del Terror, which was a fun, terrifying experience, but the pub at the end was, unfortunately, not open. 

For two horror loving people, a Ghost Walk seemed ideal. The Ghost Walk we did was done by Stephen Mercer, who now also does Haunted Tram Tours. Mercer was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the topics he talked about, leading us on a walk from the pier, into the town, and back down to another of Blackpool’s famous piers. He knew how to keep his audience hooked and engaged, as he told us about various sightings at certain landmarks and in old buildings, discussing his own experiences as well as those from others. It was a really good walk, and though Mercer discusses a couple of murders, there’s nothing too gruesome here if you have younger paranormal enthusiasts!

London

London is a very old city, famous throughout the world and with structures still in place that go as far back as the Romans. While on this particular trip, we also visited The London Bridge Experience, the first part of which is focused on the history of London Bridge, the second half more of a horror walk through experience. It’s really great – educational AND terrifying, what more could you ask for?

There are lots of different walks you can do in London, but we had a particularly good time with our host, Richard Jones. Jones does different walks including a Jack the Ripper one, and advertises himself as The Longest Established Ghost Walks Guide in London. The walk took us around a part of London I’d never visited prior to that day, and there was a lot of history Jones told us about, on an absolutely fascinating route which ended at the Roman Wall, near the Museum of London and a nearby plague pit, in a small park where I’d remarked to Rich earlier that day, “Well this is a lovely place for a picnic, I wonder why it’s so quiet.” 

London really is a fascinating city, historical ruins and buildings smack bang next to modern constructions. There is plenty to do and see here, and a Ghost Walk is a great way to squeeze in places you’d likely not look twice at. 

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Techniquest is a Science Discovery Centre in Cardiff Bay, and it’s great. Opened in 1986, there were multiple visits here when I was a child, and it was fun every single time. Techniquest has interactive exhibits to teach kids about science, and they often give talks and demonstrations too. Some of this has changed over the years, but more recently years have seen them open their doors to adults, with over 18 nights (pre-Covid, anyway). More ‘kid’ places should do this – there was booze served, but it was more of a relaxed atmosphere than, say, a club. Largely it was adults exploring the exhibits and learning about science, or people, like me, revisiting a favourite childhood place, indulging in some nostalgia while also seeing what was new. The last time we visited it was Halloween, and as well as taking part in a forensics class, one of the first activities we did was a Ghost Walk.

This was very different from our previous two reasons, not just because it was a place I knew fairly well, but it was also held by a group doing an active investigation. Previous walks contained a mixture of history and stories, showing us intriguing sites. This was more about understanding why these guys were there, what they had discovered, and seeing their current set up. I’d never known the site where the Techniquest storerooms were was a former lodging for sailors, giving them temporary accommodation while on shore while boats were in Cardiff Docks. So there is an element of possibly violent history there. There was a set up with laptops and a camera, and half the group remained behind the laptops while the other half of us went into the darkened section, where the camera was pointed.

I was wearing a hoodie – because, well, it was October – and the sleeve was partly rolled up. We stood in what used to be a bunkroom, a photo of it as-was on the floor, as the ghost hunters asked for any sign there was someone else there. We’d already been told about the pipes, the possible effect they and other parts of the environment could have, the chances that the experiences others had felt were impacted by these. 

My arm went cold. Like, verge-of-goosebumps cold. Likely a draught somewhere in the storage room. Then, from the other side of the laptop, “There’s something there…in the corner…” He pointed, to where there was a gap between me and another girl. Was it a ghost? Did we experience something strange? Or was it a draught, the pipes, a coincidence? 

It was an interesting experience, and occasionally groups such as this will do talks or walks and allow the public access to their ‘investigations’. At the least, it’s a laugh, a fun experience. At the most, well, maybe you’ll experience something, even if it’s a draught at the right time. 

Cardiff

As a small surprise for his birthday this year, I thought a ghostly walk around our local city centre for me and Rich would be a good idea. I was absolutely not wrong! With Carl John as our guide, we learnt things about Cardiff we’d never known. Although I’ve lived just outside the city centre my whole life, I never knew much about Cardiff’s history except a few key points, but we were taken on a route past very familiar sites, and told about ghostly goings on and the history of the area. I discovered the city hosts some interesting artwork no one seems to know about, that there’s a WWII-era bomb shelter under what used to be Cardiff’s key department store, and some interesting tales about Cardiff’s oldest pub! We already have plans to return, with promises made the tour is always different, but this time we’re going to take a few friends – it’s a great experience to share!

So have I persuaded you yet? If you haven’t done one before, are you now checking to see if there are walks in your area? And if you have done one…what was the most interesting fact you discovered?

By Elle Turpitt

Twitter & Instagram: @elleturpitt

Website: elleturpitt.com