As Halloween draws closer, the ancient streets of Glastonbury seem to thrum with a different energy—one that hints at its haunted past. With its deep-rooted history, dark legends, and strong spiritual connections, Glastonbury has become known as one of Somerset's most haunted locations. For those looking for a thrill this Halloween, the town's eerie ghost stories are enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.

Glastonbury Abbey: Haunted by the past

Start your haunted tour at Glastonbury Abbey, where the spirits of long-dead monks are said to roam the grounds. The Abbey, once one of the most powerful monasteries in England, has been the site of countless ghost sightings. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy monks walking through walls, hearing disembodied chanting, and even witnessing ghostly figures fishing along the River Brue.

The most spine-tingling tales come from those who have heard the ghostly voices of monks in prayer, even when the ruins are empty. Photographs taken by visitors sometimes reveal eerie white shapes that weren't visible to the naked eye. One of the Abbey's most infamous apparitions is said to be the ghost of a high-ranking monk, driven to suicide after being blackmailed over his secret relationship with a local woman. His spirit, along with several others, is believed to linger within the grounds, a reminder of the Abbey's turbulent history.

The George and Pilgrim Hotel: Love, loss, and restless spirits

But the Abbey isn't the only place where restless souls still wander. Just down the road, the George and Pilgrim Hotel is perhaps Glastonbury's most haunted building. Built in the 15th century, the inn was originally constructed to accommodate wealthy visitors to the Abbey. Now, it's known for its ghostly residents—none more tragic than the so-called "Love Sick Monk".

Legend has it that this monk fell in love with a woman from the town. They would sneak through a series of underground tunnels that once linked the inn to the Abbey for their clandestine meetings. But the affair ended in heartbreak, and the monk, tormented by guilt and grief, ended his life. To this day, he and his lover are still seen wandering the corridors, eternally separated. Guests have also reported seeing a man in a blue sports jacket who vanishes when approached, and some have even heard the echoes of long-dead arguments resonating from empty rooms.

One of the inn's most famous paranormal encounters occurred a few years ago when a "Lady in White" was unexpectedly captured in a photograph. The ghostly figure appeared in a bar full of customers, and the image quickly made its rounds online, stunning even the most sceptical of locals. The George and Pilgrim is also known for eerie noises, sudden drops in temperature, and the smell of cigar smoke wafting through the air in the early hours.

Magdalene Street Chapel: A tale of grief and loss

Just around the corner, Magdalene Street Chapel has its own chilling history. Built on the site of a medieval hospice once run by the Abbey, it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a grieving mother. According to local lore, she gave birth in secret and desperately tried to keep her child hidden from those who wished it harm. But one day, men burst into her room and snatched the baby from her arms. The woman's spirit is said to linger in the upper rooms, filled with eternal sorrow.

Visitors often report feeling an overwhelming sadness upon entering the building, especially in the rooms where the tragedy took place. The grief was so palpable that, a few years ago, the chapel underwent a full exorcism to cleanse the space. Still, the spirit of the anguished mother is believed to linger, a haunting reminder of a long-ago heartbreak.

The spectre of Sedgemoor: Ghostly march on Glastonbury's streets

It's not just the buildings of Glastonbury that are haunted—the streets themselves are said to echo with the ghosts of the past. During the 17th century, the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion against the Crown ended in a brutal defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor. Six Glastonbury men who supported the rebellion were publicly hanged, and their ghostly forms are still said to be seen hanging in the night near the Assembly Rooms.

Local residents have also reported hearing the sound of marching soldiers along the High Street late at night, even when the streets are empty. The eerie echoes of the soldiers' boots have made some question whether the past is truly gone—or if it's just waiting for the right moment to come back to life.

A town steeped in shadows

As the nights grow longer and Halloween approaches, the streets of Glastonbury seem to whisper with the stories of the past. From ghostly monks in the Abbey to the tragic lovers of the George and Pilgrim, the town's haunted history is as alive as ever. So, if you're looking for a Halloween thrill, Glastonbury might just be the perfect place to experience the supernatural.

But remember—sometimes, the past doesn't stay buried for long. Whether you're exploring the ruins of the Abbey or sipping a pint at the George and Pilgrim, you might just find yourself face-to-face with one of Glastonbury's restless spirits. After all, in a place as ancient and storied as this, who knows what might be waiting in the shadows?