Who said Halloween was the only time of year for ghouls, ghosts and all things gory?
Home to one of the most haunted places in the UK, Birmingham is the place to be for ghost-hunters and horror-fans alike. This city has no shortage of supernatural stories, and these uncanny happenings are guaranteed to make you question everything you thought you knew about some of Birmingham’s major hotspots – from New Street Station to Alexandra Theatre.
Fathers locking their daughters away, haunted platforms, snobbish poltergeists and celebrity spectres – we Brummies really do have it all. Without further ado, here are 7 of the most haunted places in Birmingham.
Aston Hall
We’re starting off strong, with what is considered to be one of the most (if not the most) haunted buildings in the UK.
This Jacobean style mansion was built between 1618 to 1635, and is not only full of architectural gems, but is packed with over four decades of history. And the story of its owner, Sir Thomas Holte, sounds very much like something by the Brothers Grimm.
It’s a tale as old as time – the familiar story of a wealthy, possessive father disapproving of his daughter’s lover, and locking her away in her bedroom until she agrees to marry the man he has chosen for her.
As crazy as it sounds, this was very much the story of Sir Thomas Holte and his family. Described as ‘a man to be feared’, Holte was ruthless, brutal and ambitious, obsessed with his wealth and status – so much so that he disinherited his first son after he married a woman of lower social standing. Upon discovering his daughter’s plans to elope with a servant, she was held in a dark, windowless room in solitary confinement for sixteen years, until her untimely death.
From that day forward, Aston Hall is supposedly haunted by her ghost. Many visitors have reported encounters with ‘a white lady’, who is thought to be Holte’s daughter. The building is also said to be home to ‘The Green Lady’, Holte’s housekeeper, who is seen wearing a high-collared green dress. It is said that Holte was responsible for her murder.
It certainly seems that this is the place to be for an encounter with the supernatural!
Trinity Rd, Birmingham, B6 6JD
New Street Station
I know – this one surprised me too! But apparently New Street has a much darker history than it would initially seem.
During the construction of New Street Station back in 1848, they had to dig up a Jewish Cemetery. I mean, rookie error right there, am I right? Any horror-fan knows that this is the first ingredient in a recipe for disaster – and indeed, many paranormal enthusiasts believe that the station was doomed from the minute they built it. The many tragic events that have occurred there have only reinforced this opinion – all, rather suspiciously, occurring on Platform 4.
In 1921, for example, an express train collided with a local passenger train on Platform 4, injuring 24 people and claiming the lives of 3 passengers. In addition, Platform 4 has seen 4 suicides – and many passengers claim to have seen the spirits of those who have died. One of the most notable is Walter Hartles, retired train driver, who can be seen sat alone and still in his rail uniform.
The Court Oak Pub
What do you get if you cross a ghost and a wine snob?
Built on a 17th century hanging ground, the Court Oak pub is apparently home to quite the a distinctive spirit.
Named ‘Corky’ by regulars, this particular poltergeist is prone to smashing and throwing things around, and is said to be angered by poor quality wine. Aren’t we all, Corky, aren’t we all. According to the pub’s manager, broken bottles of wine were repeatedly discovered in the cellar – until they upgraded their selection.
“It only ever happens at this time of year when Halloween is in sight,” states Nuala Gallagher, of Sizzling Pubs. “If the pub has a house wine that is not to his liking, he makes his feelings known by smashing bottle after bottle of it in the cellar until it is changed for a wine he approves of.”
Some staff have even reported sightings of Corky, describing him as an old man aged around 60, and he is speculated to be one of those hanged on the grounds on which the pub is built.
Balden Rd, Harborne, Birmingham, B32 2EH
Birmingham Town Hall
Built in 1833, Birmingham’s Town Hall is believed to have been home to several phantoms, including Charles Dickens – yes, that Charles Dickens!
During its construction in the early 1800s, stonemasons John Heap and William Badger had been working on the external carved pillars when they were crushed by a huge block of masonry. Though they were buried at Birmingham Cathedral, night staff claimed to have heard the men still working on the pillars, chiselling away.
The site is also believed to be haunted by the ghost of Charles Dickens, who gave his first ever reading of A Christmas Carol in Birmingham Town Hall on 26th December 1853. It is said that Dickens’ ghost has been seen sat in the empty theatre and strolling along the corridors of the building. In Birmingham, we don’t just have ghosts – we have celebrity ghosts.
Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ
The Alexandra Theatre
The Alexandra Theatre, also known as ‘the Alex’, is said to be haunted by at least 5 ghosts. Built in 1901, its certainly not the oldest building on this list – but definitely seems to have a few stories to tell.
Amongst them is former manager Leon Salberg, who, after taking over the venue in 1911, was found dead in his office in 1937. Other sightings include the former head of the wardrobe department, who also died in the building (am I the only one noticing a pattern here?). A stage manager can also, apparently, be heard jangling keys, and a mysterious Grey Lady has been noted by cleaning staff.
Not only have ghosts been seen in the theatre, but there have also been a variety of unexplained happenings. Knocking and tapping noises, doors opening and closing, and power draining from electrical devices are all said to point to some sort of supernatural presence that haunts the theatre.
Suffolk, Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS
Birmingham Council House
If you ever happen to be in the Council House and notice the decadent smell of freshly cut flowers, then watch out – Joseph Chamberlain is about!
The Council House, built in 1875, is a Grade II listed building. Having previously been the location of a monastery, it has its fair share of ghostly sightings, including that of a shadowy monk who roams the corridors. However, the most notable sighting has, of course, been that of Joseph Chamberlain, the city’s former mayor and founder of the University of Birmingham – and the man who laid the first stone of the building.
Staff claim to have seen his ghost dressed in a velvet coat, monocle and red tie, haunting his old office – of all the places you could haunt?! Apparently, the sighting is typically accompanied by a strong smell of fresh cut flowers, as he always insisted upon having these on his desk.
Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB
Warstone Lane Cemetery
The Jewellery Quarter is home to some of Birmingham’s oldest buildings, and one of the most interesting (and supernaturally active!) places is Warstone Lane Cemetery.
Opened in 1848, the distinct two tiered catacomb system was designed as a solution to the problem of graveyard overcrowding. Though it was later closed to burials in 1982, there is still plenty of activity going on here.
A woman dressed in 1930s clothing has been seen walking aimlessly throughout the cemetery and through its walls, before disappearing outside its perimeter. One driver even claimed to have hit her with his car, only to be stunned at the fact she had vanished just as suddenly as she had appeared.
Similarly to that of Chamberlain in the Council House, these sightings are accompanied by a strange scent – that of pear drops. Others have speculated that it is the smell of potassium cyanide, which was used in gold and silver-plating in the Jewellery Quarter, suggesting that the woman was perhaps a victim of cyanide poisoning.
It is said that other visitors have seen a young man wearing an army uniform, who apparently once approached someone to inquire about the location of the ‘infirmary’ – but disappeared shortly after the encounter.
22 Pemberton St, Birmingham B18 6NR
If nothing else, I think one thing is painfully clear here – you just simply cannot dig up a cemetery and expect there to be no supernatural consequences. Oh, and make sure you always have good quality wine in the cellar.
