LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS - Haunted London

London is the most haunted city in Britain and an increasing number of tourists and tour companies capitalise on this fact by taking haunted tours of London – often at nighttimes or in the early hours of the morning.

When it comes to London weekend breaks, the haunted aspect of the city may, or may not, be to your liking. But with a history as sordid as London's, it is no surprise that haunting and ghosts play an active part in many unusual stories. There are also many tales behind historic buildings, town squares and old streets that bear the hallmarks of ghostly apparitions.

London's ghosts and ghost tours

London has more reported ghost sightings per square mile (or km) than any other city in the world. Ghosts are seen throughout London and their clothing suggests that they span a historic time-line from those who died in the late twentieth century, to sightings of Roman ghosts dating back to the origins of the city in 43 AD.

For anyone interested in finding out more first hand, the best way to explore haunted London is by signing up for one of the many ghost tours that take a ghoulish look at the city. These tours are at their most popular after dark and many of them focus on the older and less well known parts of the city where the atmosphere and ambience add to the stories and tales of shadowy figures and eerie happenings.

Famous London ghosts include those of Jack the Ripper and his many victims and some of the most popular ghost walks follow his murderous path through old London. These tours are extremely popular and the guides themselves are normally dramatic characters (often in period dress) who can bring any story to life. They often have a few shocks in store.

The Tower of London is a London weekend break's favourite tourist sight for a whole range of reasons, but it also doubles up as London's most haunted building complex.

The original tower, constructed during the reign of William the Conqueror, dates back to the eleventh century and ghosts wearing clothing representative of this period have been seen many times.

Even more common though are the ghosts of those executed in the tower over the subsequent centuries and notables include, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lady Jane Grey, Guy Fawkes and Thomas a Beckett, but there are many, many more.

But ghosts are not the only thing seen in and around the Tower of London. Witnesses also claim to have seen carriages, horses and the famous veiled lady. However, with a nine hundred year history that has seen numerous wars, uprisings, attempted invasions and heresy, it is not surprising that ghosts from every period and every social class have been seen at, or near to, the Tower.

Another ghost hot-spot is Berkeley Square which is widely regarded as the most haunted area in London, but other localities like Admiralty House and the Bank Tube station also get regular reports of haunting.

Most people do of course dismiss ghost sightings, however few would venture into a haunted building or street at the dead of night if unaccompanied.

How to experience haunted London

If ghosts, ghouls and unexplained apparitions are to your liking, then you should consider getting involved in a ghost walk or tour. These walks take place daily, but the most atmospheric ones happen in the evening.

Many ghost tours centre around a character like Jack the Ripper, or a theme or area of London, but most prove entertaining and often historically educational too.

The best ghost tours take place at important times like Halloween, or a solstice, however tours at these times are often booked months in advance.