Are ghosts real? For many of us, that question is best left unanswered. After all, what you don’t know can’t hurt you, right? Right? But for those brave enough to find out, there’s no better time than autumn to embark on a hunt for ghoulish ghosts and spooky spirits. And while you can always book a walking tour or read about haunted places, nothing beats actually sleeping in a haunted house for yourself. Fortunately, there’s always a paranormal (or paranormal-themed) Airbnb to hook you up — and spook you out.
Just in time for Halloween, we’ve rounded up five supposedly haunted properties across the UK — all available for rent on Airbnb. We can’t guarantee you’ll have a paranormal experience, but we can’t guarantee you won’t, either. At the very least, you’ll enjoy a fun, top-rated getaway.
Your house of horrors awaits, ahead. Good luck — sleep at your own risk!
Rates do not account for cleaning, booking and other Airbnb fees.
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The Chamber Apartment
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Guests: 4
Rate: £175
York is known as the most haunted city in the world and this 600-year-old bed chamber is the perfect place to rest your head after wandering its twisting alleys and cobbled streets. Or at least, attempt to — this place is also known as ‘The Madness Chamber’ and one of the two bedrooms is shared with the phantom of a headless woman, according to some reviews. A truly spooky time capsule complete with creaky, wooden floorboards, wooden moulded and panelled walls, taxidermied head decor, four poster beds and coal-burning fireplaces.
Mary Queen of Scot’s Chamber, Neidpath Castle
Location: Peebles, Scottish Borders
Guests: 2
Rate: £407
On the banks of the River Tweed, surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, you’ll find a stay fit for a queen. Literally, Neidpath Castle is where Mary Queen of Scots visited in 1563 when she was 22 years old and her chamber is where you can stay.
It’s not her ghost that you need to look out for though. As the tale goes, in the late 17th century, the castle was owned by Sir William Douglas. Douglas’ youngest daughter Jean fell in love with the son of the Laird of Tushielaw. Although his family had property, he was not considered a good enough match by Douglas and the boy was sent away. Jean fell into anguish, spending months praying for her lover’s return, watching from the castle ramparts. She became so ill, her health so deteriorated, that when he did return, he did not recognise her; riding past Neidpath without any acknowledgement. This was the last straw for poor Jean and she died of a broken heart.
Now her ghost is said to haunt the castle, wearing a long brown dress with a large white collar and walking the castle ramparts, still waiting for her lover to return. She’s even been immortalised in Sir Walter Scott’s poem, The Maid of Neidpath.
The Haunted Bedroom at Talliston House & Gardens
Location: Great Dunmow, Essex
Guests: 2
Rate: £165
This Airbnb may be set in Great Dunmow, in the heart of the Essex countryside, but inside is a completely different story. Decorated in the Scottish Art Nouveau style and attempting — with astonishing success — to recreate an Edwardian child’s bed chamber, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into a Gothic horror novel; complete with dark, wood panelling, heavy drapes, and a beautiful, carved four-poster bed. The tale of this room is that this was the child’s nursery before he met his fateful death, now sealed and covered with holy symbols after his ghost tried to return. So, do you dare share his bed?
The entirety of Talliston House is also decorated to this high standard, each room taking a different time period and narrative. It took 25 years to perfect and contains 2,000 objects sourced from 27 countries around the world. When you book the Haunted Bedroom, you’ll also have access to explore the entire house and garden, which includes an Italian Hall of Mirrors, Welsh Watchtower, Voodoo Kitchen, Cabin in the Woods and a Treehouse Sanctuary.
Riber Hall Manor
Location: Matlock, Derbyshire
Guests: 2
Rate: £63
Matlock has been named one of the most haunted towns in the whole of Derbyshire. The Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath is an Edwardian building home to a number of mischievous spirits — the sounds of children’s laughter and cries have been known to echo the halls. Also in the area is Bolsover Castle, which was rated English Heritage’s spookiest site by staff, who have reported mysterious footsteps and muffled voices, slamming doors, cold sensations, and even the feeling of being pushed. It’s no surprise why; the 17th-Century site is built on an ancient burial ground and overlooks a town once described as “the Satanic capital of Britain”.
While Riber Hall Manor doesn’t have its own ghosts (or so far as we know), it certainly has its own torrid history. Dating from the 1400s, it is rumoured that this Grade II listed Elizabethan manor house has a secret passageway to Dethick where the Babingtons lived. Anthony Babington was an English nobleman who was convicted of plotting the assassination of Elizabeth 1st of England and conspiring with the imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots, who was reportedly detained in Riber Hall. Spooky stuff indeed.
The Church
Location: Humberstone, Leicester
Guests: 4
Rate: £160
What now looks like an elegant church conversation was once part of Leicester’s Victorian mental asylum back in 1837, meaning that an occasional ghost walks the grounds.
Danver, Massachusetts
Location: Danvers, MA
Sleeps: 2 (2 bedrooms, 2 beds, half-bath)
Price Per Night: TBD
No reviews yet…Booking for one night, October 20, opens October 12!
The Space: If it wasn’t obvious by the dark and stormy photo, the Hocus Pocus Cottage doesn’t take Halloween or the witchy hit film lightly. Stay for one night (October 20 and only October 20) and revel in the exceptionally festive decor — from broomsticks, bubbling cauldrons, and moody candles to ancient spell books, crystal balls, and even a couple cobwebs. The spooky possibilities are endless. One thing to note: Instead of a full-fledge bathroom, there’s a “modern outhouse” just a few steps from the cottage.
Book The Hocus Pocus Cottage
Montauk, New York
Location: Montauk, NY
Sleeps: 2 (Studio, 2 beds, 1 bath)
Price Per Night: $175
Rating: 4.95 out of 5 stars and 63 reviews
The Space: Although it’s enticing to enjoy a studio apartment at one of the most popular vacation spots in the Hamptons, beware: The only people who know this place better than New York City’s beachgoers are the local paranormal investigators. The manor was built by millionaire industrialist Carl Fisher in the 1920s and sits next to both a formerly Native American cemetery and a meeting location for various tribes.
Reviewers Say: “We loved the space and felt right at home In fact, we were surprised at the many special touches (accessories, extra towels, DVDs, etc.). The manor was beautiful and the location was perfect. We also enjoyed breakfast at the onsite restaurant, and everyone at the manor was nice and helpful. Thanks for everything!” —Robyn, Airbnb Reviewer (July 2022)
Book Deluxe Studio Apt@The Montauk Manor
Salem, Massachusetts
Location: Salem, MA
Sleeps: 6 (3 bedrooms, 4 beds, 1 bath)
Price Per Night: $1,196
Rating: No reviews or ratings…yet
The Space: The Salem Witch Trials of 1692-93 left an everlasting mark on the city, which makes it a hotspot (no pun intended) for occult history buffs and the paranormal-obsessed. This Halloween-ready home comes fully decked out with Witch City memorabilia, a 200-year-old dining table, and different-themed bedrooms. (The Raven’s Rest, Herbarium, Pumpkin Patch, and the list goes on.)
Book The Warlock House
Jefferson City, Missouri
Location: Jefferson City, MO
Sleeps: 10 (3 bedrooms, 4 beds, 2.5 baths)
Price Per Night: $275
Rating: 4.97 out of 5 stars and 33 reviews
The Space: For anyone into all things paranormal, you may recognize this 109-year-old house from the popular TV show The Dead Files. The owners say they’d frequently hear voices and loud bangs and that appliances would turn on all by themselves. If you’re not too scared, you can rent this home with full access throughout — except for the third floor.
Reviewers Say: “Beautiful home, great location that’s walking distance of downtown. Caught some spooky stuff on an SLS if you’re into that.” —Lizzy, Airbnb Reviewer (September 2022)
Book The Hobo Hill House
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
New Orleans, Louisiana
Location: Garden District, New Orleans
Sleeps: 2 (1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath)
Price Per Night: $275
Rating: 4.92 out of 5 stars and 475 reviews
The Space: Google “America’s most spooky cities,” and you’re bound to see the Big Easy on any one of those lists. This one-bed, one-bath private rental leans into NOLA’s haunted history with its Gothic color story, creepy decor, and — according to the host — “young girl in a yellow dress from the 1890s.” Also roaming the premise: the owners’ (adorable and friendly) pups that roam the premise.
Reviewers Say: “We had the pleasure of staying in the haunted room for a few nights before moving over to the library room and both rooms were great. The character/décor the entire mansion has is very hard to explain without seeing but every part of it is incredible and unique.” —Sarah, Airbnb Reviewer (September 2022); “Absolutely an amazing NOLA experience. Adrienne’s house is a wonder. Architecturally fascinating, amazing art and artifacts everywhere. And Adrienne is a lovely and welcoming host. Highest recommendation!” —James, Airbnb Reviewer (May 2022)
Book Parks-Bowman Mansion: The Haunted Bedroom
Anaheim, California
Location: Fullerton, CA
Sleeps: 8 (4 bedrooms, 5 beds, 2 baths)
Price Per Night: $704
Rating: 4.98 out of 5 stars and 184 reviews
The Space: As they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do — when entering the Haunted Mansion, one must “leave the world of the living behind” like the hosts suggest. While it is all fun and games, this spooky retreat features four festive bedrooms, a backyard, and a six-person Jacuzzi. Plus, the entire eerie estate is yours to play with (although absolutely no parties).
Reviewers Say: “You’re greeted at the door just as if you’re at the HM Nightmare Before Christmas attraction at Disneyland. The moment I stepped inside, I lost my mind! I can’t even begin to say how much I LOVED it! So much to see and the details! My goodness the devil is in the DETAILS! The tree, the changing pictures, and the man-eating….Well, you’ll find out!” —Monique, Airbnb Reviewer (September 2022)
Book Haunted Mansion Inspire Ghostly Retreat
Medieval Tower In Tuscany
An escape to Tuscany always sounds like a good idea, as long as you’re ok when things take a turn for the scary. This ancient building overlooks a quaint town in the hills and was originally built during the time of the deadly Crusades.
Location: Tuscany, Italy
Price Per Night: $55Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Captain Grant’s Historic 1754 Home
According to Airbnb, this bed and breakfast was once shelter to troops and escaped slaves during the Civil War. You can rent either a single room or the entire house, which sits on five acres of land in a historic area near the center of the Mystic Coast, CT.Location: Preston, CT
Price Per Night:
$179
Victorian Gothic Castle Mansion
This gothic mansion is nothing short of the impressive on the outside, but the inside is home to a dark and troubled history, including the untimely loss of a child and a terrible fire in the early 1920s.
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Price Per Night: $500Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Haunted Magnolia Hotel Guest Suite
Described as the perfect spot for “paranormal enthusiasts,” this historic building was once considered to be one of the most endangered places in Texas — probably because in a past life it was a stagecoach station, frontier hotel, saloon and brothel.
Location: Seguin, TX
Price Per Night: $249Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Photo: Courtesy of TripAdvisor
The Haunted Bedroom At Talliston
Local lore has it that a child used to live in this bedroom and complained of noises at night. After his death, afraid of the haunting, his parents sealed the door and never opened it again. The modern owners have decorated the room to give it the eerie appearance that the long-dead child is still occupying it (and might just drop by for a visit).
Location: Great Dunmow, England
Price Per Night: $155
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
The Haunted Bedroom In The Parks-Bowman Mansion
Located in New Orleans’ historic Garden District, this old mansion actually has three rooms available for rent, but only one with an alleged ghost. Visitors have reported seeing a young girl from the 1890s (awfully specific, no?) floating through the bedroom in a yellow dress.
Location: New Orleans, LA
Price Per Night: $70Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
The Haunted Chamber Apartment
This charming 600-year-old apartment is hiding a ghoulish secret: a madness chamber. Guests report that though the apartment is in the thick of York, you have lots of privacy from the street, meaning no one will be able to hear you scream.
Location: York, England
Price Per Night: $149
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Laura’s Cottage
Built in 1799, this rustic cabin has seen its fair share of American history — you may even see local ghost tours stopping by to learn about it. The house is allegedly still occupied by Laura, a woman who lived there for 50 years. In life, Laura was known for her beautiful flower garden. Maybe not surprisingly, most reports of Laura in death are of encountering a friendly spirit.
Location: Savannah, GA
Price Per Night: $178
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
Historic Civil War Farm House
Used as a field hospital after the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, it’s no surprise this house’s occupants reportedly include the undead.
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Price Per Night: $99
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
The Manor Master Chamber
Voted “the most mysterious house in St. Paul,” The Manor is clearly hiding all kinds of secrets. While the hosts don’t report ever having seen ghosts themselves, they do rent their home out for rituals, as well as weddings and events. Who knows what uneasy spirits those occasions might have stirred up.
Location: St. Paul, MN
Price Per Night: $85
Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb
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