Spooky season is upon us – and with the veil between worlds at its thinnest, it's the perfect time of year to visit haunted sites and attractions to get your fix of ghostly goings on.
SoGlos rounds up 10 of the most 'haunted' places you can get to on Stagecoach bus services in and around Gloucestershire, from crumbling castles to a former guest house with 'a life of its own'...
The best way to plan your route by bus to and from any of our haunted picks is to use Stagecoach's handy journey planner.
Sudeley Castle
One of Gloucestershire's most historic sites, it's no surprise that Sudeley Castle near Cheltenham has had dozens of reported paranormal sightings over the years, from a blacksmith heard hammering in the vaults, to a formidable Edwardian housekeeper said to be 'disapproving' of her successors.
It's also thought to be home to a royal ghost – the last of King Henry VIII's wives, Queen Katherine Parr is said to roam the corridors in search of her infant daughter, having died in childbirth. Visitors today can check out all the ghostly sites – with a first ever Halloween night family event this October 2025, too.
Stagecoach service W from Cheltenham to Winchcombe gets you within a 15-minute walk of Sudeley Castle.
Blenheim Palace
Gifted to the first Duke of Marlborough by the crown in the early 1700s, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire has also seen its fair share of the supernatural.
Reported ghostly sightings include an old chaplain to the duke, a roundhead soldier and a poltergeist who once hurled books and furniture at a group of terrified royal commissioners. Today, guests can tour its state rooms and gardens – while there's also a 'spine-tingling' family trail to enjoy this Halloween.
Stagecoach users can get to within a 20-minute walk of Blenheim Palace via the S2 Cheltenham to Oxford service, with changes at Burford and Witney.
Hereford Cathedral
Dating back to the 11th century, Hereford Cathedral is one of neighbouring Herefordshire's oldest buildings – so of course there's been
a spirit or two sighted there over the years.
A phantom monk all dressed in white, thought to have been
killed defending the cathedral from attack, has reportedly been seen wandering the grounds near the Lady Chapel, while a cannibalistic old lady is said to
haunt its crypt. The cathedral is open to visitors everyday of the week, while
ghost tours of the city also include a visit to the site.
Bus users can reach Hereford by catching Stagecoach service 33 from Gloucester via Ross-on-Wye, with the cathedral centrally located.
Gloucester Prison
Built in the 1700s on the site of an 11th century castle – which had also been used as jail – Gloucester Prison is said to be home to the ghosts of those buried in its grounds, with more than 100 reported executions of prisoners having taken place there over the years.
Decommissioned as a prison in 2013, visitors can now book onto guided tours of the site, along with paranormal events including ghost hunts and seances.
Gloucester is easily accessible via Stagecoach services from each of the county's six districts, including the 94 from Cheltenham, the 882 from Cirencester, the 22/23 from the Forest of Dean, the 71 from Tewkesbury and the 64 from Stroud.
Lydiard House & Park
The ancestral home of a prominent landowning family for more than 500 years from Elizabethan times, the ghosts of 17th century gentry and household help have been seen roaming the house and grounds of Lydiard House & Park near Swindon.
Cloaked figures, the spirit of a gentleman and a blood-stained handprint are some of its reported apparitions - with visitors able to tour its restored state rooms, church and walled garden and there's a 'ghost tales' storytelling event planned for Halloween, too.
Bus users can get to within a 20 minute walk of Lydiard House & Park from Cirencester using Stagecoach service 51, with a change at Swindon.
Oxford Castle & Prison
Evolving from a Saxon fortress into a Norman castle, a medieval centre of justice and eventually one of England's most infamous prisons, plenty of ghostly spirits – including royalty – are said to haunt the walls of Oxford Castle & Prison.
With shadowy figures, poltergeists, a mysterious white fog and more sighted over the years, visitors today can explore the castle and delve deeper into the supernatural with events, including weekly ghost spectre tours and an October 'ghost fest' – with something for everyone from paranormal investigation to potion making!
Stagecoach service S2 will get you from Cheltenham to Oxford, with the castle a short walk away from the bus station.
The Old House Museum
A 17th century former house and butcher's shop that narrowly
survived the English Civil War, The Old House is one of Hereford's most
historic buildings – and its reported hauntings are numerous.
Now a museum featuring faithfully recreated rooms,
giving of a glimpse of life in the Jacobean era, its ghostly happenings
include sinister murmurs, whispering voices and footsteps heard even in
the cold light of day. It's another stop on ghost tours of the city and there's
also a spooky Halloween event for families this October 2025.
Also centrally located in Hereford, people travelling to the city – on Stagecoach service 33 from Gloucester via Mitcheldean and Ross-on-Wye – can make a day of it by also visiting some of its other haunted spots.
Thornbury Castle
Having housed kings, queens and dukes throughout its history, the 16th century Thornbury Castle – now a luxury hotel – has a few famous resident ghosts, too. The most active is Jasper Tudor, uncle of Henry VII, who's said to get 'irate' and knock over books in protest of his former chamber being used as an office; and the spirit of Princess Mary Tudor, who roams the grounds with her dogs.
Visitors today can book in to spend the night in one of the castle's grand bedchambers or dine in its restaurant – with a special 'imposter' themed dinner planned for Halloween – before exploring the grounds, with guided tours by a local historian also offered to guests.
Stagecoach service 60 from Dursley to Thornbury will get you directly to Thornbury Castle, with links to Stroud from Dursley through the 65 service, too.
Minster Lovell Hall
Abandoned and left in ruins in the 18th century, Minster Lovell Hall over the Oxfordshire border was
built in the 1400s by one of the richest men in England at the time, William,
Baron of Lovell and Holand.
Legend has it that following defeat in battle, his grandson
Francis locked himself in a cell and gave the only key to a servant, who died
soon after – with the skeleton of Francis and his dog being found only years
later. Ghostly wailings and footsteps have been heard and the figure of a man
spotted in the years since, with visitors able to explore the grounds today to see
for themselves!
Bus users can get to within a 15-minute walk of Minster Lovell Hall via the S2 Cheltenham to Oxford service, with changes at Burford and Witney.
The Ancient Ram Inn
Said to be one of England's most haunted buildings, the medieval Ancient Ram Inn in Wotten-under-Edge used to be a guest house – before it became a paranormal location with 'a life of its own that few can ignore'.
Encountered ghosts include the spirit of a lady believed to have been murdered and buried beneath the bar, the ghost of a cavalier, apparitions of monks and more, while people are said to have frozen to the spot with fear in its neighbouring barn. Today, visitors can book onto ghost tours of the inn, from family-friendly junior sessions, to real over night 'ghost hunts' – including in Halloween fancy dress!
The Stagecoach service 60 from Dursley to Thornbury will also get you to within a few minutes walk of The Ancient Ram Inn.
