NEW research has revealed haunted pubs are proving popular including the Ring O’Bells in Daresbury, near Warrington with the 19th century pub rumoured to be haunted by a shadowy Cavalier and a 1930s gentleman.
While The Ring O’Bells may not be a profoundly ancient pub, having been constructed in the early 19th century, the village of Daresbury itself has a rich, storied history spanning over 800 years.
Famous for being the birthplace of Lewis Carroll, Daresbury is a relatively peaceful village with a tight-knit community. However, during the brutal English Civil War, Daresbury, due to its proximity to the Royalist strongholds of Chester and Warrington, served as a significant hub for Cavaliers, providing them with food and shelter. Perhaps that’s why numerous guests at the Ring O’Bells have reported sightings of a shadowy figure dressed in a Cavalier uniform, complete with a plumed hat. Ghost, or English Civil War reenactor looking for a pint – you be the judge.
Let’s fast forward a few hundred years. Another prominent figure often spotted at the Ring O’Bells is a gentleman in 1930s attire. But that’s not all! If you’re feeling extra brave, you could take a seat in the Haunted Sitting Room (and it bears that name for a good reason). Known for its sudden temperature drops, this room is rumoured to be a hotbed of paranormal activity. After all, this pub was once the village courthouse, so who knows what dark and dramatic events its walls have silently witnessed over the years?
Meanwhile, the new research commissioned by Chef & Brewer has revealed that more than half of Brits (52%) are more likely to visit a pub if it’s rumoured to be haunted, with creepy curiosity peaking in cities like Liverpool, where 36% say they’d go out of their way to experience a ghostly pint.
The survey, conducted among 2,000 UK adults, uncovers a nation fascinated by the supernatural. While a third (30%) say they “definitely” believe in ghosts, a further 41% are open to the idea and more than one in five (22%) admit that spooky happenings in the pub would give them the biggest chills this Halloween – proving there’s plenty of appetite for abnormalities among the ales.
When asked what would tempt people to visit a haunted pub this autumn, 27% said hearing a local spooky story – such as ghost sightings or chilling legends passed down through generations – would be the biggest draw. And these aren’t just tales for effect: from shadowy Cavaliers at the Ring O’Bells in Warrington, to spectral monks beneath The Hutt in Nottingham, the stories behind Chef & Brewer’s most haunted pubs are rooted in real-life accounts from staff and guests alike. A third (34%) of Brits said they’d visit simply to try a new experience, while a quarter (26%) would be swayed if the pub was officially listed among the UK’s most haunted.
Mystically, the British pubs are surprisingly a popular choice with fans of phantoms and history hounds. In particular, creaky old pubs top the scare list for people in Greater London (36%), compared to 28% of the rest of the nation.
The research also reveals that over a third (34%) of Brits claim to have experienced a paranormal encounter in a pub, with Bristolians and Mancunians reporting the highest number of sightings. Meanwhile, those in Belfast remain the most sceptical, with two in five (40%) saying they don’t believe in that sort of thing.
And what would Brits do if they encountered something paranormal in a pub?
• 39% say they’d stay to see what happens
• 27% would tell their friends immediately
• 23% would ask the landlord or staff about it
• 21% would film it on their phone
• 21% would leave immediately – with Greater Londoners most likely to bolt (36%)
Ahead of Halloween, country pub brand Chef & Brewer has unveiled its own “Chef & Brewer’s Most Haunted” list of pubs available exclusively at www.chefandbrewer.com/humble-bumblings/most-haunted-pubs where pubgoers can find their nearest haunt from a curated collection of pubs steeped in eerie history, chilling tales, eerie footage and unexplained encounters.
William Botterill, Head of Integrated Marketing at Chef & Brewer, said: “Our pubs are steeped in history, and with that comes a rich tapestry of local legends, folklore and, in some cases, ghost stories. With scary tales inspiring Brits to visit haunted pubs this October, we wanted to bring that intrigue to life with our very own ‘Chef & Brewer’s Most Haunted’ list, which celebrates the character and charm of Chef & Brewer pubs, while giving guests a unique reason to explore them this season.”
For more spooky stories, a full breakdown of the haunted pub listings, and exclusive video account straight from the pubs to send a chill down your spine, head over to the Chef & Brewer blog at https://www.chefandbrewer.com/humble-bumblings/most-haunted-pubs
1 Comment
Yes, my friend when he was younger visited the ring I helps with his mate on their motor bikes. His friend was playing on the games machines and my mate said he was a shadowy figure look over his mates shoulder, walk away and through a wall. I thought the beer was talking but swears they didn’t drink alcohol as they were on their motor bikes. He did ask the barmaid about it and she said yes, many others had reported similar sightings.
I don’t believe in ghosts myself , I still think it’s a tear in time when people from the last appear in the present for a few moments and then return to their own time.