6 of the North East's spookiest destinations

Looking for ghosts in the northeast of England? Discover 6 of the most haunted spots in our guide.

Look up "medieval castle" in your encyclopaedia and you might well see a picture of Chillingham Castle. With its tapestries, armour, dungeons, formal gardens and torture chamber, it's about as medieval as a medieval castle can get.

And as if that wasn't enough, Chillingham is chilling by name, as well as by nature. It's home, they say, to three famous spooks: the Blue Boy, the Grey Lady and the Lady in White.

The Blue Boy is the castle's most famous spectre. He's been known to materialise in one of the castle's private rooms, accompanied by the sounds of a child in pain. As the cries faded, a halo would appear near the bed. It's this mysterious effulgence that gave the Blue Boy his other moniker: the Radiant Boy.

The castle is still privately owned, but parts are open to the public – and ghost tours are available…

2. Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland

Souter Lighthouse – formerly Souter Point Lighthouse – is now a National Trust visitor attraction. But when it was opened in 1871, it was a revolutionary building in its way.

This is because it was the first lighthouse built to house an alternating electric current. In practice, this meant an unprecedentedly powerful light that helped ships coming in off the North Sea to arrive safely.

However safe Souter Lighthouse made the local sailors, multiple reports point to a paranormal presence. Visitors claim to have experienced sudden drops in temperature and seen spoons floating in mid-air.

Spookiest of all, people have reported sightings of a young girl near the engine room. Could this be the niece of the maritime heroine Grace Darling?

3. The Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle

The Literary and Philosophical Society – popularly known as the "Lit & Phil" – is a large library in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Founded as a "conversation club", it was the hang-out space of choice for many leading intellectuals in the 19th century. Among other things, it was the first public building fitted with electric light bulbs and the first to receive specimens of the wombat and duck-billed platypus.

It's also locally famous as one of the most haunted buildings in Newcastle. Visitors and staff have reported unexplained electromagnetic field readings, pages turned by bookish poltergeists, disembodied footsteps and more.

4. Marsden Grotto, South Tyneside

The Marsden Grotto – or "the Grotto" to locals – is a gastropub with a twist. Get this: much of the bar is dug into a cliff face on the beach.

It's one of a handful of cave bars in Europe – and, like Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, the interior bar is complemented by a building and seating out front.

It's a great spot for a drink and a bite to eat. But boozers beware: the Grotto is also a hotbed of paranormal reports.

Over the years, visitors and staff have reported phenomena as diverse as the sound of knocking from the cellar, chains rattling, unexplained whispering, indelible footprints on the floor and good old-fashioned ghosts.

5. Flodden Field, Northumberland

In 1513, Flodden Field in Northumberland was the site of a large, bloody battle between King James IV's Scots army and the Earl of Surrey's English counterparts. It's believed that between 5,000 and 14,000 soldiers died – including the Scottish king.

James had declared war in support of Scotland's ally, France. Henry VIII had invaded France – and James calculated that he could weaken the invasion by diverting English troops to the Scottish border. James, however, was defeated by a surprise attack. Fatalities on the Scottish side were heavy.

Given the death toll, it's perhaps no surprise that many visitors have reported ghostly soldiers, ethereal sounds and other paranormal activity.

Whether or not you're expecting to run into a 16th-century ghoul, Flodden Field is well worth a visit – and easy to get around, thanks to some excellent signage.

6. The Ship Isis, Sunderland

Built in 1885, The Ship Isis pub was a favourite of workers (and possibly smugglers) from the nearby docks and shipbuilding yards. The "Isis" was the name of one of the ships that regularly docked in Sunderland. Its crew were so well-known there that they were paid their wages from behind the bar.

Today, it's a popular spot for locals. But some believe it's haunted by Mary Ann Cotton: a 19th-century serial killer who's believed to have poisoned 11 of her 13 children and three of her four husbands with arsenic.

We know for a fact that she was convicted of the murder of her son Charles Edward Cotton: the crime that led to her hanging at Durham Gaol.

There may also be truth to the story that she murdered two of her children in the tunnels leading from The Ship Isis to the River Wear.

Depending on who you ask, the pub is haunted by Mary's ghost, her victims or a combination of the two. As well as ghost sightings, people have reported cries, screams and singing.

Despite its haunted reputation, The Ship Isis is a cosy spot with comfy seating and an open fire.

Are you looking to rent a car in Newcastle for a spooky road trip? Get in touch with MVH online or call (0191) 4888 700 for a quick quote and friendly service.