The UK's most haunted coastlines - from lost towns to ghost ships

It's not just haunted houses that can give you a scare this Halloween, Britain's coastlines are brimming with ghost stories, eerie ruins and misty beaches that have inspired centuries of folklore. From North Yorkshire's Dracula connection to Cornwall's phantom shipwrecks, the UK coast is home to plenty of spooky sightings.

With this in mind, Simply Sea Views has compiled a list of the country's most haunted coastlines. Josh Williams, the founder of the holiday letting agency, said: "Britain's coastline has a real magic about it in autumn, especially as Halloween approaches and the nights draw in. From ruined abbeys to shipwrecked shores, these places offer more than just great views - they're steeped in eerie legends that make them perfect for a spooky seaside escape."

Whitby Abbey's Gothic ruins inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula and remain one of Britain's most atmospheric landmarks.

The abbey itself is said to be haunted by a number of ghosts, including that of Lady Hilda, the abbey's first abbess, a mysterious spectre said to be protecting lost treasure, and a walled-up nun.

Whitby itself is known to embrace its dark side and hosts an annual Goth Weekend, but it's certainly still worth a visit even on a quieter weekend.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> Cornwall has seen countless shipwrecks - and not all of them rest quietly. Locals tell tales of ghostly sailors and phantom ships that drift silently through the mist near Land's End. Including one 'grey ship' that is said to appear before storms.

While further north, the seaside town of Looe is said to be one of the most haunted villages in the UK - although these ghosts have been seen within the town itself, not just off the coast.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> the 'Atlantis of the UK', Dunwich was once a thriving medieval port, before most of the town was swallowed by the sea after centuries of erosion.

Included in the buildings that slipped away into the sea were at least two churches, and today, fishermen claim they can hear the bells of these churches tolling beneath the waves.

Today, visitors can explore Dunwich's crumbling cliffs and eerie shoreline. Although the majority of the town's medieval buildings have been lost to the sea, the remains of Greyfriars Monastery are still standing on the cliffs, with some visitors reporting sightings of ghostly monks.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> Folkestone, Dover and Romney Marsh. Once used to move contraband, many are now rumoured to be haunted by the ghosts of those who never made it out.

Guided tours and local ghost walks offer a fascinating way to explore their murky history.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> England's most haunted ruins, with visitors claiming to have seen a ghostly guard, a blue lady, and a white lady. Along with these, some have even reported hearing deafening screeches that seem to have no source.

The nearby Start Bay adds a maritime twist, with local fishermen telling stories of phantom sails gliding silently across the horizon.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> Welsh Gower Peninsula may be a coastal gem, but it is as rich in folklore as it is in natural beauty. The tidal island of Worm's Head is tied to legends of dragons and sea monsters, while locals say ghostly lights have lured fishermen astray.

The coastal path from Rhossili Bay offers stunning views and plenty of eerie atmosphere on misty mornings. Rhossili Bay itself is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including that of Reverend John Ponsonby Lucas, who resided at Rhossili Rectory from 1855 to 1898. The Reverend is said to have been seen rding his black stallion along the bay.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> Bamburgh Castle, a medieval fortress that hides plenty of chilling tales behind its battlements. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly knights patrolling along the sands between the beach and castle.

While the nearby Lindisfarne (Holy Island) carries its own stories of spirits from Viking raids. Among the island's ghosts are St. Cuthbert, who is said to haunt the priory ruins and Lindisfarne Castle, a ghostly monk, and a woman who leaps from the cliff but vanishes before hitting the sea.

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> St Andrews Cathedral overlook the North Sea, and local legend speaks of a white lady seen wandering the grounds before vanishing into the mist. It's an atmospheric stop on Scotland's east coast, especially for visitors exploring the town's medieval streets and seafront. " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Getty" data-licensor-name="Getty" /> Giant's Causeway, but its myths extend beyond geology. Stories of Finn McCool, cursed castles, and restless sailors give this area an otherworldly feel.

And this isn't the only haunted destination in the area, with the nearby Carrickfergus Castle rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of Buttoncap, a soldier executed for love.

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