08/22/2020
STRANGE BREW...
York is an ancient city with a spooky past, and its history is filled with tales of gore, torture and ghosts. In fact, it has been referred to as the most haunted city in Europe thanks to its blood-soaked history and hundreds of hauntings... including in its pubs.
Mentioned in the York archives as far back as 1503, The Golden Fleece stands at the foot of the city's most historic and picturesque street, The Shambles, and is purportedly the most haunted pub in England! No fewer than 15 spirits are thought to haunt this quaint unsuspecting pub. In fact, during a documentary spook hunt in 2002 a number of people witnessed a ghostly man, in 17th century attire, appear through the front wall of the pub and walk across the corridor to the Shambles Bar. Pub crawl, indeed.
Ye Olde Starre Inne dates back to 1644 and keeps its clientele hopping with screams and groans heard emanating from its cellar where Royalist soldiers were patched-up or died during the Civil War. But even stranger are the ghosts of a pair of black cats. Local legend dictates that the cats were bricked up in a pillar in the pub. No joke... customers bringing their dogs in have had them go nuts over the pillar. Apparently bricking-up cats in walls was a thing in York back in the day.
The Snickleway Inn is one of the oldest pubs in the city, purportedly dating back to the 15th century. No less than 5 spirits are rumored to haunt this space. They include Mrs. Tulliver and her cat, Seamus. Several customers have reported the feeling of Seamus rubbing up against their legs as they throw back pints. The pints may be helping a bit there.
Finally, the The Black Swan has some interesting reports of paranormal activity of its own... one of which is a gentleman in a bowler hat who appears to be impatiently waiting for someone at the bar - eventually disappearing into the ether. But out of all the weird goings-on at this pub, the capper must be the regular sightings of a pair of legs disappearing up the stairs leading to the landlord’s flat.
But don't take our word for it. Stop in any of these historic public houses for a pint and experience York's paranormal activity for yourself. You won't have to get too lubricated before things start going weird. These pubs come pre-lubed.
