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The UK's most haunted roads
Scary road trips to spook you this Halloween
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 01/10/2025
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 01/10/2025
Dare you brave the UK’s scariest roads? Whether you’re a believer or sceptic, spooky season is the time to brave the most haunted places in the UK. If you do, why not make the trip a bit less frightening by sharing the drive with temporary car insurance.
We’ve sunk our teeth into researching 13 (of course) of the most haunted roads and have compiled them below. Full of ghostly sightings, the strange and unbelievable, we dare you to read on…
Reputedly the ‘most haunted highway in Scotland’ and known as ‘The Ghost Road’, reports of supernatural activity go back at least 50 years. There have been sightings of animals, horsemen, carriages and even phantom HGVs.
Running all the way from the Midlands to the Scottish border, the 231-mile M6 is one of the UK’s busiest roads - and possibly the spookiest. There have been reports of bagpipes being played and perhaps most famously an army of Roman Soldiers marching in formation through tarmac like they’re treading water. And dare we even go into junctions 16-19, where strange goings-on have given it the nickname ‘the Bermuda Triangle’?
The Stocksbridge bypass ghosts have gone into supernatural legend. A group of children were spotted playing in the middle of a building site, near an unfinished bridge and nowhere near any housing, by two security guards in 1987. When security went to investigate further, there was no trace of them. There’s also the tale of a monk in a hooded robe watching over the builders and later walking alongside - or even appearing in - various vehicles…
Do we need to say any more than this A road’s number? It’s the number of the beast, after all… Also known as the ‘Devil’s Highway’, it stretches between Bolton and Pendlebury and one stretch is renowned as an accident blackspot. There have been decades of tales of one woman who appears on the roadside, only to disappear as drivers stop to help her…
Beware the ‘Werewolf of the Wolds’... First reported in the 1960s, this supernatural beast is said to stand over six feet tall and have glowing red eyes that strike fear into any driver. The creature is rumoured to be quick, agile and responsible for a number of violent - as yet unexplained - animal deaths.
Although never a threat (yet), local legend states the Cadaverous Cavalier, a phantom figure in an armoured helmet, will follow or watch drivers as they head down from Badgers Sett towards Hagley Hall….
This road is adjacent to The Spaniards Inn, a pub that homes not one but two legends. First is the story of two brothers, Juan and Francesco Porero, who fell in love with the same woman. In a fight over her, Juan ended up dying and it’s claimed he haunts the inn to this day. The other spirit? None other than Dick Turpin, who was born in the inn and used it as a hideaway to plan his robberies. It’s said the 18th century highwayman stalks the road on his horse, plotting his next victims from the passing motorists…
A twisting and turning dual carriageway close to the derelict Tillingdown Farm and a supposedly haunted cedar tree. Local folklore suggests the Caterham bypass ghost is a dishevelled young girl, wearing a mini skirt and boots, who runs across the road and disappears into the woodlands in the early hours of the morning - especially when it’s cold or misty.
The location of a more recent phenomenon. In December 2022, Surrey Police received a number of calls from the public stating a car had lost control 10 metres before the slip road at Burpham, Guildford. When police arrived at the scene, they could only find the wreckage of a Vauxhall Astra - and remains of a human body - that had lain undiscovered for five months. This ‘ghost crash’ has now gone into local history, with many drivers still struggling to understand why they witnessed ‘a replay’ of this crash.
Judith Langham tragically died in a car accident on the day of her wedding in 1965. It is said she still stands by the side of the road at Blue Bell Hill, wearing her wedding dress and waiting for a lift. Some drivers even claim to have picked her up, but as soon as she gets into the car, the ‘Woman in White’ disappears…
A 10-mile stretch between Wellington and Taunton in Somerset has had many sightings of a hitchhiker holding a torch and wearing a long overcoat. Closer to Derby? Drivers have reported seeing apparitions of monks.
The legend of the ‘Hairy Hands’ has been told since the early 1900s - ghostly disembodied hands gripping drivers’ steering wheels or bike riders’ handlebars and driving/steering them into terrible crashes. Although it’s a twisting, winding road, it does travel through ancient stone circles and burial mounds…
The Beast of Bodmin might be classed as a myth (official investigations have found no evidence of existence) but there have been over 60 sightings since 1970. The huge panther-like creature is said to prowl along the A30 with shining bright eyes shocking many a driver passing by…
The UK is home to many ghost sightings. Once you’re off the road, you might want to visit the following places - if you’re brave enough…
The Guinness Book of Records most haunted village in Britain is home to between 12 and 14 ghosts, who reside near schools, streams and churchyards.
Once declared ‘the most haunted city in Europe’ by the International Ghost Research Foundation, York has a rich history of paranormal activity - from spectral beings haunting the Golden Fleece pub and York Minster cathedral to the ever-popular York Ghost Merchants shop on the Shambles.
Fan of the TV show Ghosts? Visit Button House in real life at West Horsley Place. There are occasional guided tours and events that offer behind-the-scenes looks at the filming process, but unfortunately no guarantee of seeing Robin the caveman.
The website states ‘Chillingham Castle boasts some of the highest levels of paranormal activity in the country’, with more than 100 spirits said to haunt it. These include the White Pantry Ghost, the Ghost in the Chamber and Voices in the Chapel.
With its long and violent history of executions and royal prisoners, it’s no surprise the Tower of London is widely considered one of the most haunted places in the country. Notable ghosts said to haunt the Tower include the headless Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey and the Princes in the Tower.
Heading off on a haunted road trip? Worried about a bump in the night? Share the drive and make it even more boo-tiful with instant insurance. Comprehensive as standard so you’re covered for all sorts of ghostly goings-on.
Enjoy peace of mind before you get a fright. There’s nothing scary about temporary car insurance.
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