The ancient Celts believed that 'the veil' between this world and the spirit world is at its thinnest between mid-September to the beginning of November. The psychic filter fades until October 31 when the barrier is at its thinnest.
Though Halloween is the big day for all that is ghoulish, there are plenty of ghostly goings-on in the days before. Many historic events have occurred around the UK and apparently reoccur, according to eyewitnesses, around the same time of year.
From disembodied sounds to apparitions re-living their own death, many events continue to be played out again and again with no apparent ending. Below is a list based on the findings of the Paranormal Database and What Lies Beyond on what has been witnessed, where and when.
Whether you like to conduct your own paranormal investigations or you're a scaredy cat who wants to avoid any spectral activity, check out the information below to see if any hauntings are happening near you...
Surrey
Henry's Wives
12 October to 4 November at Hampton Court - Hampton Court Palace
Henry VIII was known for his large appetite and his tumultuous love life. Out of his six wives, he had two executed; Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Jane Seymour became the ruthless king's third wife after Boleyn's execution and now all three of his exes haunt the so called 'pleasure palace' where Henry used to reside.
This time of year, Jane is the first to make her appearance on October 12 which is the date she gave birth to her son. This is followed by Boleyn who walks the passageways dressed in blue. Catherine Howard is the most tortured however as she has been spotted silently screaming moving towards the chapel around November 4 where she begged Henry to save her life.
In 1900 an artist working in Guard Watching Chamber also saw a disembodied hand and quickly sketched it down. A photograph taken in 2003 apparently showed a hooded figure opening a fire escape at the residence however it has since been dismissed as a hoax.
Hampshire
Old coach driver
20 October - Testwood house AKA Rumasa House
This enigmatic figure, described as a tall dark, stranger stands at the entrance to the driveway of the house and is dressed like an old-fashioned coach driver. The disembodied sounds of a phantom coach can also be heard passing through the area.
It is thought that this man murdered a young lady in the property when he was alive and was last seen in 1972. For those brave enough to wait it out, he might just make an appearance for 2022.
Essex
Betty Potter
21 October - Bend in the road close to Boxted Village
Nothing is scarier than the thought of seeing a ghostly apparition whilst at the wheel of a car. This is exactly what happens to unlucky drivers every year around 21 October at a bend in the road close to Boxted.
Around midnight, Potter returns to the site of her death where she was hanged from a tree for witchcraft at an unmarked location at the side of the road. A trip down there at the witching hour means you could find out exactly where.
Shropshire
Two Czech Pilots and the mysterious black cat
22 October (every ten years since 1941) - Poynton Green, field in the village
For some reason, this haunting is very particular as it occurs every ten years with 2021 being the last sighting. Two Czech pilots ran out of fuel here and crashed their plane into a field. A local farmer rushed to save them but was beaten back by the flames.
In an odd turn of events, a mysterious black cat emerged from the burning wreckage. The feline made its home with a local old woman and when she died, the cat vanished but returns once every ten years at the site of the pilots' deaths.
Warwickshire
The sounds of the Battle of Edge Hill
23 October recurring and lasted several nights on 23 December 1642 - Kineton
Known as an 'environmental manifestation, the bloody battle of the English Civil War reoccurs on its anniversary every year on October 23 with people hearing the eerie sounds of war. Oddly, the fighting was played out visually by the deceased for several successive nights in 1642 - just a few months after the battle - in front of dozens of witnesses.
The more recent manifestations are apparently only auditory.
Derbyshire
Phantom Coach
25 October - Mapperley Lake/ reservoir
This tragedy played out 150 years ago when an engaged couple were separated by the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856. Upon hearing of the death of her fiancé, Giles Kidbrooke, Kate Usher committed suicide and threw herself in Mappereley Lake which is now a reservoir.
Unfortunately, the young woman was misinformed and her beau had been seriously wounded in battle but had survived. Upon hearing of her death, Kidbrooke became a recluse and eventually joined his betrothed in the churchyard and was buried next to her.
Following his death, a phantom coach has been seen circling the lake of a night traveling from the Old Black Horse Inn to The Candlestick Pub. Witnesses have caught a glimpse of the passenger inside which shows the sad face of Kidbrooke.
Sightings had begun to fade in the 20th century however the phantom coach can still be seen at the reservoir and en route between the two pubs once a year on October 25; the day Kate took her own life.
Sussex
Duel
29 October - The Mermaid Inn, Rye
This infamously haunted pub has several spirit guests however the most notorious is that of duelists who draw their rapiers and fight to the death every October 29. One of the men strikes through the other and the victor drags the body across the floor and drops it through a trapdoor.
Room five is also haunted by a woman in grey and the transparent figure of a man has been seen in Rooms 10 and 18.
Yorkshire
Baying hounds
30 October- between Todmorden and Mankinholes
For a so far unknown reason, a pack of baying hounds is seen once every year on this day sprinting over both land and water.
Wiltshire
Lady Blunt
30 October - Lydiard Millicent - Rectory
Some may say this ghost has only been seen by people smoking a certain type of blunt however many witnesses have reported seeing a spirit called Lady Blunt at the same time every year. The now deceased woman witnessed her husband being murdered and the psychic shock was reportedly strong enough that is has echoed throughout two centuries.
Man in Black
Throughout October and November - Hight Street, Dilton Marsh
In the same county, throughout the darker months, a phantom wearing long black leather boots, black coat and wide brimmed hat is seen swaggering towards the Prince of Wales pub but never makes it inside.
Berkshire
Chimes without wind
Throughout October and November - private residence at Beenham
One resident has reported that for some reason, at this time, strange things begin to happen in the household. Wind chimes in the bathroom are vigorously shaken with no apparent wind and lights flick on and off.
A young man has even been spotted in what was once a bedroom in the home.
