The UK's Spookiest Pubs: The nation’s most haunted boozers revealed

Scotland has been named the home of the UK’s most haunted pubs in a new study.

Over 100 pubs with reported paranormal activity across the UK have been analysed in a new Haunted Pub Index.

The research, from VELO, revealed the UK’s most haunted pub to be The Drovers Inn in Inverarnan, Scotland, thanks to its near-300 Google Reviews that allude to its spooky nature. A young girl and a cattle herder called Angus are among the spirits reported to haunt the inn.

Landing in second place is The Golden Fleece in York, with more than 230 Google Reviews referencing its spooky reputation. The historic pub is said to be home to more than 15 ghosts, with tales of everything from unexplained footsteps to mysterious apparitions. It’s so well known for its paranormal activity that the pub even hosts its own ghost hunts.

Rounding out the top three is The Ancient Ram Inn in Gloucestershire, which has attracted more than 130 Google Reviews mentioning its haunted atmosphere. The 12th-century inn is said to be home to around 20 ghosts, with visitors reporting sightings of shadowy figures, unexplained noises and other unexplained activity.

To uncover where Brits are most likely to encounter a spirit, VELO analysed reported ghosts, paranormal sightings and Google Review mentions to rank the country’s most notorious haunted drinking spots.

The research found that Scotland has the most haunted pubs, with centuries-old castles, historic buildings, and dark folklore cementing its spooky reputation. Edinburgh in particular is known for its ghost stories, with underground vaults, old graveyards and historic streets all adding to the city’s haunted history.

Yorkshire had nine pubs featured in the research from VELO, while London topped the list with 27, including The Golden Fleece, The Grenadier, The Ten Bells and The Spaniards Inn.

With pubs across the country linked to everything from soldiers and smugglers to mysterious figures, Brits may want to think twice before heading to the bar alone this spooky season.

The top 10 haunted pubs in the UK

1. The Drovers Inn – Inverarnan, Scotland

Three reported spirits, including a young girl and a cattle drover known as Angus, are associated with this remote Loch Lomond inn.

2. The Golden Fleece – York

Around 15 reported spirits are associated with this historic pub, adding to York’s already famous reputation for ghostly goings-on.

3. The Ancient Ram Inn – Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire

Around 20 spirits have reportedly been associated with the building, giving it one of the highest reported ghost counts in the research.

4. The Skirrid Mountain Inn – Wales

Five commonly reported spirits are associated with this historic Welsh pub, tucked beneath Skirrid Mountain.

5. The Mermaid Inn – Rye

Reports of smugglers, phantom figures and unexplained activity have given this centuries-old pub a particularly spooky reputation.

6. The Banshee Labyrinth – Edinburgh

At least four spirits are reportedly associated with this underground Edinburgh venue, where the setting is almost as eerie as the stories.

7. The White Horse Inn – Pluckley, Kent

Four reported ghosts are associated with the pub, which sits in a village already famed for its supernatural folklore.

8. The Grenadier – London

The Mayfair pub is reportedly haunted by one main spirit, Cedric, beaten to death after cheating during a game of cards.

9. The Bate Hall – Macclesfield

Reports put the number of spirits associated with the pub anywhere between 14 and 21, making it one of the most ghost-heavy venues in the research.

10. The Red Lion – Avebury

At least five spirits are reportedly associated with the historic pub, including a figure known as Florrie.

A spokesperson for nicotine pouch brand VELO said: “We’ve uncovered some of the UK’s spookiest pubs, giving Brits plenty of unusual places to explore this spooky season. Life is full of moments we don’t want to miss – and an evening in a spooky watering hole as we approach Halloween is certainly one of them.”