York’s Haunted Heart: A Paranormal Guide to High Petergate and Beyond

Introduction

The Guy Fawkes Inn occupies 25 High Petergate, directly opposite St Michael le Belfrey church where the infamous gunpowder plotter was baptised in 1570. The 16th-century cottage in the beer garden carries a blue plaque claiming it as Fawkes’ birthplace, though City of York historic records note this identification is incorrect. The inn’s paranormal reputation rests primarily on the Belfry Suite, where two child spirits appear. These are the so-called cholera children, who died during an 18th-century outbreak. Guests report seeing their apparitions in this room. The inn has 13 rooms spread across the main building and the rear cottage.

Nearby Haunted Sites

Treasurer’s House (350 metres)

One of York’s most documented hauntings occurred here in 1953. Harry Martindale, a plumber’s apprentice working in the cellar, witnessed a column of Roman soldiers marching through the wall. He noted their legs were visible only from the knees up, at the level of the original Roman road buried beneath the floor. The soldiers carried round shields and short swords. Martindale’s account remained consistent over five decades of interviews. The National Trust property opens to visitors daily, and the cellar where the sighting occurred is accessible.

Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate (400 metres)

This redundant medieval church sits behind an iron gate in a quiet churchyard. The building dates to the 12th century, with box pews from the 17th and 18th centuries still intact. Staff and visitors report a figure in period dress kneeling in the pews. The church has no electricity, relying on natural light. It closes at dusk. The Churches Conservation Trust maintains the building.

The Golden Fleece, Pavement (500 metres)

York’s oldest inn stands at the end of The Shambles. The building dates to 1503. Staff document at least five distinct spirits, including Lady Alice Peckett, wife of a 17th-century Lord Mayor who owned the property. Her apparition appears on the staircase and in the upper rooms. A one-eyed figure in a frock coat manifests in the bar area. The Canadian airman on the top floor dates to the Second World War, when servicemen were billeted here.

Paranormal Walking Route

This route covers York’s most active paranormal locations in approximately 90 minutes.

Begin at the Guy Fawkes Inn on High Petergate. Walk east towards York Minster, then turn right onto Chapter House Street. Continue to the Treasurer’s House (5 minutes). After viewing the cellar, exit onto Minster Yard and walk south through College Street. Turn left onto Goodramgate. Holy Trinity Church appears on your right behind iron gates (10 minutes from Treasurer’s House). Continue along Goodramgate until it becomes Colliergate, then turn right onto The Shambles. Follow the narrow medieval street to its end at Pavement. The Golden Fleece stands on the corner (8 minutes from Holy Trinity). Return to the Guy Fawkes Inn via Parliament Street and Stonegate (15 minutes).

Total distance: approximately 1.2 miles.

Visitor Information

York’s ghost walks operate nightly from various starting points. The Original Ghost Walk of York departs from the King’s Arms on King’s Staith at 8pm. Ghost Hunt of York leaves from The Shambles at 7.30pm. Both run year-round regardless of weather.

The Belfry Suite at the Guy Fawkes Inn should be requested specifically when booking if you want the room associated with the cholera children sightings. The rear cottage provides separate accommodation in the 16th-century building.

Winter months bring earlier darkness, better atmosphere, and fewer tourists competing for space on ghost walks. November 5th sees particular activity around the inn due to the Guy Fawkes connection.

Bring a camera with good low-light capability. York’s narrow medieval streets and ancient buildings create deep shadows even during daylight hours.

Historical Context

York’s concentration of paranormal activity stems from two millennia of continuous occupation. The Romans established Eboracum here in 71 AD. Vikings made it their capital as Jorvik. The medieval city grew wealthy on the wool trade, filling with churches, guildhalls, and merchant houses. The plague struck repeatedly. Civil War sieges battered the walls. Each era left its dead, and York’s buildings preserve their presence.

The city sits on a foundation of limestone and clay, materials that paranormal researchers associate with residual hauntings. The rivers Ouse and Foss create high humidity. Underground waterways thread beneath the streets. Whether these geological factors contribute to York’s spectral reputation or simply provide convenient explanation, the city remains one of England’s most haunted locations.

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Use Guy Fawkes Inn as your base for exploring the haunted heritage of York and Yorkshire.