Haunted Knaresborough | Free Self-Guided Ghost Walks

Knaresborough is one of the oldest towns in England, and it's had plenty of time to collect its ghosts: Thomas Becket's killers, the murderer Eugene Aram, Mother Shipton, and a few buildings whose owners swear they've never been alone. These are self-guided ghost walks you play on your phone. At each stop you hear the story, then solve a puzzle to unlock the way to the next. An easy trip from Harrogate, Leeds or York.

Knaresborough station platform at night, a train emerging from the tunnel

Haunted Knaresborough

Town Trail

All the chills, none of the crags. A loop around the town centre, sticking mostly to lit streets with modest climbs. A good fit for ghost-hunters aged 8 and up, and for anyone who'd rather keep to the main streets.

9 stops · About an hour · Ages 8+

Start the Town Trail

The Marigold arch at night, with the floodlit viaduct beyond

Haunted Knaresborough

Dark Trail

The full haunting. The Dark Trail follows the Town Trail through the old streets, then heads down to the riverside to learn about witches, monks and ancient secrets. Then it climbs the crag path back into town for tales of murder. For older explorers with a brave heart and sturdy boots. Bring a torch.

15 stops · 1.5–2 hours · Brave explorers

Start the Dark Trail

Which trail should we pick?

They share their first stops, so pick one rather than doing both. If you've got younger children or you'd rather not tackle the riverside and the climb back up, go for the Town Trail. If your group is older, keen on walking, and wants every story, go for the Dark Trail.

Before you go

Daylight or dusk? Both trails work at any time of day. The Dark Trail is at its best as it gets dark, but parts of the riverside and the crag path are unlit, so bring a torch and take care if you go then.
What to bring: a charged phone with mobile data, comfortable shoes and clothes for the weather.
Turn the sound up. The haunted trails have their own atmosphere, which you can mute at any time.
Watch where you're walking. Please be careful when you're looking at your phone, especially near roads and the river.

Made with Knaresborough Youth Council

The haunted trails were commissioned and co-designed by Knaresborough Youth Council, a group of young people who give Knaresborough's youth a say in decisions that affect them. They picked the stories and helped shape the route. The trails are free to play. If you enjoyed them, please donate to support the Youth Council's work, through the youth charity Inspire Youth, who fund them. Follow @knaresborough_youth_council on Instagram to see what they're up to. Donate to the Youth Council

Common questions

Is this a guided ghost tour?

No. It's self-guided on your phone, with no guide and nothing to book. If you'd like a guided walk with a storyteller, Knaresborough Ghost Walks run those.

Are the trails scary?

They're ghost stories, not horror, but they do talk about ghosts and murderers. We'd say ages 8 and up for the Town Trail. The Dark Trail has more murders and gore, so it suits older children and adults.

Do I need to book?

No. Turn up whenever suits you and begin. There's no app to download and no sign-up.

Where do they start and finish?

Both start outside the Old Royal Oak in the market square and finish just around the corner.

Can we stop partway through?

Yes. Your progress is saved on your phone, so you can stop for a drink and carry on later.

Prefer history to hauntings?

Try the original trail: a treasure hunt through ten stops of Knaresborough's history, for all ages.

Start Historic Knaresborough

Haunted Knaresborough: Two Free Ghost Trails