Haunted Newcastle

In a city as old and as large as Newcastle, it can be of little surprise that there is a significant number of its buildings which are alleged to be haunted.
The Theatre Royal on Grey Street is an imposing and architecturally, beautiful building. It opened its doors to the public in 1837 and by all accounts us one of the most haunted buildings in the city. Sadly, it was gutted by fire in 1899, the interior being completely destroyed. It took two years for renovations to be completed and for its doors to reopen to theatre goers.
It is an eerie fact that the fire took hold immediately after a performance of Macbeth. ‘The Scottish Play’ is well known to be considered as cursed, at least amongst the acting fraternity. A fair number of theatre goers concur.
However, the ghost reputed to haunt the theatre has nothing at all to do with Macbeth. Known as the Grey Lady, she has been seen on numerous occasions by staff but only a few members of the public have reported sightings. Who she was in life remains shrouded in mystery but the story goes that she was a woman whose lover, an actor, abandoned her after first promising they would elope and marry. She apparently threw herself from the upper gallery and died on the seats below. Her sad ghost is said to roam the theatre looking for her lost love and eternally waiting for him to return.
A must for any ghost hunter in the city, is a visit to the Keep. Built between 1168-78, the current roof and battlements were not added until 1811. There are a number of ghosts said to haunt this Norman castle, with reports of ear piercing screams coming from the battlements. Shadowy figures are said to float about the halls but perhaps the most interesting spectre is that of a little flower girl. She is said to carry a basket of flowers and to leave the scent of lavender in her wake.
The Black Gate, just across from the Keep, was added as a Barbican in the mid thirteenth century. Ghosts have been spotted many times but the most interesting story of The Black Gate, is that it is a hotbed for poltergeist activity. Visitors report being hit, some leaving with bumps and bruises after a scary encounter with a boisterous spirit.
The Cooperage Pub, or more accurately, the alleyway outside is said to be haunted by one Henry Hardwick. Henry is said to have fled into the alley to escape a press gang. Angered by his attempt to escape them, the gang cornered him and beat him to death. Quite why they saw fit to gouge out his eyes is a mystery. Many have claimed to see him in the alley, at night, his dark sockets, staring at them.
Speaking from personal experience, the alley is indeed an eerie place, especially at night. I’m glad I was not there alone!
The Old George Pub on Pilgrim Street is said to host the ghost of none other than King Charles l.
He was held locally by the Scots for a time and stayed here apparently. There is a chair in the ‘Charles l Room, in which a shadowy figure in the form of a grey mist, sits and some staff say they feel they are being watched. Some refuse to enter the room alone.
Newcastle is a fascinating city for ghost hunters. These are just a few of the sites to visit in search of ghosts. For more, join one of the excellent guided ghost tours.

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