I probably visit London a couple of times a year, but I always feel spooked on the London Underground. There have been several programes about it and I know we've discussed it here before, but I was just reading that there is apparently a story of an Egyptian haunting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A673391
This got me to thinking, wouldn't this be possible? a Museum as huge as the British Museum houses mummies and artifacts from all over the world, wouldn't it be possible for these people/objects to be haunting somewhere they never actually "Lived"? Does this make sense??
It's a bit of a double thread, because the Underground itself is remarkably haunted and has some fascinating ghost stories. When I was last there, you could imagine the hundreds of people huddled up during the Blitz. I wonder if any serious investigations have been carried out there (apart from Most Haunted - I mean SERIOUS!).
Full Version: London Underground Ghosts
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Ghosts, Hauntings & The Paranormal
QUOTE (Regency @ Apr 30 2008, 04:02 PM) 
This got me to thinking, wouldn't this be possible? a Museum as huge as the British Museum houses mummies and artifacts from all over the world, wouldn't it be possible for these people/objects to be haunting somewhere they never actually "Lived"? Does this make sense??
I suppose this is possible... however, for 2-3 years I worked as a find archaeologist, this includes cleaning and sorting all the finds that were dug up (including hundreds of human skeletons). These skeletons were stored in my work place before either going to museums or being re-buried, for months, sometimes years. They varied in age (both physical age, and time period) from Roman, possibly even neolithic, to victorian. I was literally surrounded by boxes of skeletons, and am somewhat disappointed to report that I never once experienced anthing paranormal there. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone in the archeaological/museum trade, but I think if I was to die, I'd much rather haunt the place that was dear to my heart than a pile of bones.
QUOTE (Regency @ Apr 30 2008, 11:02 AM)
This got me to thinking, wouldn't this be possible? a Museum as huge as the British Museum houses mummies and artifacts from all over the world, wouldn't it be possible for these people/objects to be haunting somewhere they never actually "Lived"? Does this make sense??
What about cemetaries? I mean, the dead never died there, but apparently from what I read about, cemetaries all over seem to be haunted? I wonder why is that?
I have come to the conclusion in certain regards, that a spirit has more 'breathing and haunting room', than we fully understand.
I hope its possible. The thought of an Egyptian ghost is exciting. I'm guessing that it'd have to be "intelligent", since most sightings of ancients are typically considered residual. Right? If thats the case, an Egyptian certainly wouldn't be in London. How long do you think intelligent spirits are capable of sticking around?
I think that cemeteries are considered haunted because people are frightened by them, and they still have quite a stigma. I don't think they're actually haunted, unless perhaps someone has been killed or spent much of their time in one.
I think that cemeteries are considered haunted because people are frightened by them, and they still have quite a stigma. I don't think they're actually haunted, unless perhaps someone has been killed or spent much of their time in one.
Are there any particular Underground stations that seem haunted? Or is it just the entire Underground network in general? I've been to London a few times... and I didn't really get that feeling. Maybe because I only traveled during the day when it was very crowded.
Here is a link to a list of supposedly haunted stations.
and here is a documentary about said ghosts (part 1 of 5)
A few tunnels were dug pretty windy to avoid various plague pits. My boyfriend lives in London, so I'm there often. I dislike the tube, mainly because it's dirty and crowded. I've never had any weird feelings there, although if I was left alone at one of the stations, or, god forbid, in a tunnel. I'd be terrified.
and here is a documentary about said ghosts (part 1 of 5)
A few tunnels were dug pretty windy to avoid various plague pits. My boyfriend lives in London, so I'm there often. I dislike the tube, mainly because it's dirty and crowded. I've never had any weird feelings there, although if I was left alone at one of the stations, or, god forbid, in a tunnel. I'd be terrified.
Interesting points about cemetaries and the archaology, though the Egyptian ghost would be in another country that speaks a different language.
Here are some of the stations and their reputations:
Aldwych
This station was closed in 1994 (not because of ghosts) although it is still currently used for parties and trendy opening nights. However, the 'fluffers', people who clean the tunnels and stations, claim to have been scared by a figure who appears on the tracks at night. The ghost is that of an actress who believes she has not enjoyed her last curtain call, supposedly haunts the station. Aldywch used to be on the site of the old Royal Strand Theatre.
Bank
Workmen who were building Bank station in the last century roused the spirit of the so-called 'Black Nun'. The Nun's brother, Phillip Whitehead, was a cashier and was executed in 1811 for forgery. The Nun, Sarah, wearing black, waited for him outside the bank every evening for 40 years until she died. To this day, it said that she still searches for him along the platforms.
British Museum
A double whammy here - a ghost station and a ghost. British Museum station closed on the 25 September, 1933. There was a local myth that the station was haunted by the ghost of an Ancient Egyptian. Dressed in a loincloth and headdress, the figure would emerge late at night. The rumour grew so strong that a newspaper offered a reward to anyone who would spend the night there. No one attempted to do this!
The story takes a stranger turn after the closure of the station. The comedy thriller, Bulldog Jack, was made in 1935 which included a secret (fictitious) tunnel from the station to the Egyptian room at the Museum. The station in the film was called 'Bloomsbury', and in all likelihood was a stage set, but it was based on the ghost story of British Museum.
On the same night that the film was released, two women disappeared from the platform at Holborn - the next station along from where British Museum was. Marks were later found on the walls of the closed station. More sightings of the ghost were reported along with strange moanings from the walls of the tunnels. Eventually the story was hushed up as London Underground has always denied the existence of the tunnel from the station to the Egyptian Room.
However the lead character in Keith Lowe's novel Tunnel Vision resurrects the story to impress/scare his girlfriend with tales of tube horror.
He writes:
If you listen carefully when you're standing at the platform at Holborn, sometimes - just sometimes - you can hear the wailing of Egyptian voices floating down the tunnel towards you.
Covent Garden
A tall man in a frock coat, tall hat and gloves is said to be pacing the tunnels and has been seen since the 1950s. When he appeared in the staff rest room the staff demanded a transfer - no wonder they look so miserable.
The ghost is supposed to be actor William Terriss who was fatally stabbed near the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand in December 1897. Apparently William regularly visited a baker's shop which stood where today's Tube station was built.
Elephant and Castle
When this station is closed people say that you can hear the steps of an invisible runner, strange tappings and doors being thrown open. What follows is a genuine testimony from an h2g2 Researcher - a tube driver on the London Underground. He's actually seen the ghost but didn't appear to be all that impressed...
'Twas around six of the evening at a Bakerloo line Underground Station - about a week ago. I was in pursuit of my duties as an employee of London Underground (Northern Line - and I should apologise to all who are condemned to this line - not my fault Really. Heh! Heh!)
So I join the train at the terminus at Elephant and Castle and walk forward to the front of the train with a view to travelling with the driver. At this point the driver has not arrived so I put my bag down and move to the rear door to wait for him. While I am waiting a girl gets into the carraige - she walks straight through the carriage and I have to move aside making some muttered apology - I sort of have to do this since I was in uniform!
A minute or so later the driver turns up, and we move toward the front of the train. I notice that the girl is not in the carriage and this is a rather immediate cause for concern - she could not have left the train without passing me - I had full view of the carraige and platform at the time. My reaction was to inform the driver - the only place she could have gone was to have walked down the tunnel - not really what we want! The driver's response was unusual: 'Oh, her. We hear about her all the time - she's even been in the papers.'
Farringdon
A 13-year-old trainee hat maker, Anne Naylor, was murdered in 1758 by her trainer and the trainer's daughter. People claim to hear her cries echoing down Farringdon Station. She has been nicknamed 'The Screaming Spectre'.
Highgate
In 1941 Highgate station was rebuilt to join an extension from the Northern Line. However, the project was abandoned and the cutting became overgrown. Nevertheless residents still claim to hear eerie sounds of trains going through the cutting.
South Kensington
Now here's a sighting of a ghost train. A passenger from the last westbound tube saw a train pull into South Ken station in December 1928. An ear-piercing whistle broke through the night and the passenger spotted a ghostly figure in a reefer jacket and peaked cap hanging from the side of the engine. Both the man and the train then vanished into the tunnel never to be seen .
Here are some of the stations and their reputations:
Aldwych
This station was closed in 1994 (not because of ghosts) although it is still currently used for parties and trendy opening nights. However, the 'fluffers', people who clean the tunnels and stations, claim to have been scared by a figure who appears on the tracks at night. The ghost is that of an actress who believes she has not enjoyed her last curtain call, supposedly haunts the station. Aldywch used to be on the site of the old Royal Strand Theatre.
Bank
Workmen who were building Bank station in the last century roused the spirit of the so-called 'Black Nun'. The Nun's brother, Phillip Whitehead, was a cashier and was executed in 1811 for forgery. The Nun, Sarah, wearing black, waited for him outside the bank every evening for 40 years until she died. To this day, it said that she still searches for him along the platforms.
British Museum
A double whammy here - a ghost station and a ghost. British Museum station closed on the 25 September, 1933. There was a local myth that the station was haunted by the ghost of an Ancient Egyptian. Dressed in a loincloth and headdress, the figure would emerge late at night. The rumour grew so strong that a newspaper offered a reward to anyone who would spend the night there. No one attempted to do this!
The story takes a stranger turn after the closure of the station. The comedy thriller, Bulldog Jack, was made in 1935 which included a secret (fictitious) tunnel from the station to the Egyptian room at the Museum. The station in the film was called 'Bloomsbury', and in all likelihood was a stage set, but it was based on the ghost story of British Museum.
On the same night that the film was released, two women disappeared from the platform at Holborn - the next station along from where British Museum was. Marks were later found on the walls of the closed station. More sightings of the ghost were reported along with strange moanings from the walls of the tunnels. Eventually the story was hushed up as London Underground has always denied the existence of the tunnel from the station to the Egyptian Room.
However the lead character in Keith Lowe's novel Tunnel Vision resurrects the story to impress/scare his girlfriend with tales of tube horror.
He writes:
If you listen carefully when you're standing at the platform at Holborn, sometimes - just sometimes - you can hear the wailing of Egyptian voices floating down the tunnel towards you.
Covent Garden
A tall man in a frock coat, tall hat and gloves is said to be pacing the tunnels and has been seen since the 1950s. When he appeared in the staff rest room the staff demanded a transfer - no wonder they look so miserable.
The ghost is supposed to be actor William Terriss who was fatally stabbed near the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand in December 1897. Apparently William regularly visited a baker's shop which stood where today's Tube station was built.
Elephant and Castle
When this station is closed people say that you can hear the steps of an invisible runner, strange tappings and doors being thrown open. What follows is a genuine testimony from an h2g2 Researcher - a tube driver on the London Underground. He's actually seen the ghost but didn't appear to be all that impressed...
'Twas around six of the evening at a Bakerloo line Underground Station - about a week ago. I was in pursuit of my duties as an employee of London Underground (Northern Line - and I should apologise to all who are condemned to this line - not my fault Really. Heh! Heh!)
So I join the train at the terminus at Elephant and Castle and walk forward to the front of the train with a view to travelling with the driver. At this point the driver has not arrived so I put my bag down and move to the rear door to wait for him. While I am waiting a girl gets into the carraige - she walks straight through the carriage and I have to move aside making some muttered apology - I sort of have to do this since I was in uniform!
A minute or so later the driver turns up, and we move toward the front of the train. I notice that the girl is not in the carriage and this is a rather immediate cause for concern - she could not have left the train without passing me - I had full view of the carraige and platform at the time. My reaction was to inform the driver - the only place she could have gone was to have walked down the tunnel - not really what we want! The driver's response was unusual: 'Oh, her. We hear about her all the time - she's even been in the papers.'
Farringdon
A 13-year-old trainee hat maker, Anne Naylor, was murdered in 1758 by her trainer and the trainer's daughter. People claim to hear her cries echoing down Farringdon Station. She has been nicknamed 'The Screaming Spectre'.
Highgate
In 1941 Highgate station was rebuilt to join an extension from the Northern Line. However, the project was abandoned and the cutting became overgrown. Nevertheless residents still claim to hear eerie sounds of trains going through the cutting.
South Kensington
Now here's a sighting of a ghost train. A passenger from the last westbound tube saw a train pull into South Ken station in December 1928. An ear-piercing whistle broke through the night and the passenger spotted a ghostly figure in a reefer jacket and peaked cap hanging from the side of the engine. Both the man and the train then vanished into the tunnel never to be seen .
The UK would be a excellent place to go to see all the haunted locations. A 2 way trip to Birmingham is at 4 grand from Saskatoon SK. Lynn and I had checked into it.
I think cemeteries are Haunted bec of the foul smelling liquid gloop that builds up in the caskets after a few months. The body liquefies or melts and seeps into the ground amalgamating with other decomposing bodies, especially in hot weather. This doesn't seem right. Caskets literally explode. Anyway, I hope I die in mid-winter…
I have heard stories of ppl claiming that their cremated loved ones haunted them after, or during traveling long distances. My father(1927-1993) had a friend that died in Edmonton, Alberta and he volunteered to bring back this urn to Saskatchewan and keep it over night in our home. It was creepy to have it in our house and it was the first time that I have seen a cremated person. I remember a conversation in Cree, between my father and mother(1937-1989), that he had weird moments in his truck as he was coming back home. He had felt that someone/thing was sitting next him on the passenger seat. The urn was in the back of the truck in the canopy. The urn was brought to an northern reservation and the ashes were spread over the Saskatchewan River shore. I could see the some of dust drifting over the water. But, I don’t want to be cremated, bec, I want to continue Life.
l8r.
I think cemeteries are Haunted bec of the foul smelling liquid gloop that builds up in the caskets after a few months. The body liquefies or melts and seeps into the ground amalgamating with other decomposing bodies, especially in hot weather. This doesn't seem right. Caskets literally explode. Anyway, I hope I die in mid-winter…
I have heard stories of ppl claiming that their cremated loved ones haunted them after, or during traveling long distances. My father(1927-1993) had a friend that died in Edmonton, Alberta and he volunteered to bring back this urn to Saskatchewan and keep it over night in our home. It was creepy to have it in our house and it was the first time that I have seen a cremated person. I remember a conversation in Cree, between my father and mother(1937-1989), that he had weird moments in his truck as he was coming back home. He had felt that someone/thing was sitting next him on the passenger seat. The urn was in the back of the truck in the canopy. The urn was brought to an northern reservation and the ashes were spread over the Saskatchewan River shore. I could see the some of dust drifting over the water. But, I don’t want to be cremated, bec, I want to continue Life.
l8r.
QUOTE (primordial @ May 1 2008, 03:01 AM)
The UK would be a excellent place to go to see all the haunted locations. A 2 way trip to Birmingham is at 4 grand from Saskatoon SK. Lynn and I had checked into it.
I think cemeteries are Haunted bec of the foul smelling liquid gloop that builds up in the caskets after a few months. The body liquefies or melts and seeps into the ground amalgamating with other decomposing bodies, especially in hot weather. This doesn't seem right. Caskets literally explode. Anyway, I hope I die in mid-winter…
I have heard stories of ppl claiming that their cremated loved ones haunted them after, or during traveling long distances. My father(1927-1993) had a friend that died in Edmonton, Alberta and he volunteered to bring back this urn to Saskatchewan and keep it over night in our home. It was creepy to have it in our house and it was the first time that I have seen a cremated person. I remember a conversation in Cree, between my father and mother(1937-1989), that he had weird moments in his truck as he was coming back home. He had felt that someone/thing was sitting next him on the passenger seat. The urn was in the back of the truck in the canopy. The urn was brought to an northern reservation and the ashes were spread over the Saskatchewan River shore. I could see the some of dust drifting over the water. [b]But, I don’t want to be cremated, bec, I want to continue Life.
l8r.[/b]
I think cemeteries are Haunted bec of the foul smelling liquid gloop that builds up in the caskets after a few months. The body liquefies or melts and seeps into the ground amalgamating with other decomposing bodies, especially in hot weather. This doesn't seem right. Caskets literally explode. Anyway, I hope I die in mid-winter…
I have heard stories of ppl claiming that their cremated loved ones haunted them after, or during traveling long distances. My father(1927-1993) had a friend that died in Edmonton, Alberta and he volunteered to bring back this urn to Saskatchewan and keep it over night in our home. It was creepy to have it in our house and it was the first time that I have seen a cremated person. I remember a conversation in Cree, between my father and mother(1937-1989), that he had weird moments in his truck as he was coming back home. He had felt that someone/thing was sitting next him on the passenger seat. The urn was in the back of the truck in the canopy. The urn was brought to an northern reservation and the ashes were spread over the Saskatchewan River shore. I could see the some of dust drifting over the water. [b]But, I don’t want to be cremated, bec, I want to continue Life.
l8r.[/b]
Hi Primordial
Interesting, do you believe that if you're cremated you can't go on? I've never heard of that before, I've heard of people not wanting to donate organs for a similar belief.
About you coming to the UK, it is a fab place to come and explore. I come from Birmingham and I wouldn't necessarily come on here holiday here as it's a city (though Shakespears Stratford is 40 minutes away). London is your best best for historic buildings, but any countryside over here is just lovely, Cornwall is my favourite place, a seaside destination with some beautiful villages.
Sorry for going off topic and just covering England too!
QUOTE (primordial @ May 1 2008, 04:01 AM)
The UK would be a excellent place to go to see all the haunted locations. A 2 way trip to Birmingham is at 4 grand from Saskatoon SK. Lynn and I had checked into it.
I think cemeteries are Haunted bec of the foul smelling liquid gloop that builds up in the caskets after a few months. The body liquefies or melts and seeps into the ground amalgamating with other decomposing bodies, especially in hot weather. This doesn't seem right. Caskets literally explode. Anyway, I hope I die in mid-winter…
I have heard stories of ppl claiming that their cremated loved ones haunted them after, or during traveling long distances. My father(1927-1993) had a friend that died in Edmonton, Alberta and he volunteered to bring back this urn to Saskatchewan and keep it over night in our home. It was creepy to have it in our house and it was the first time that I have seen a cremated person. I remember a conversation in Cree, between my father and mother(1937-1989), that he had weird moments in his truck as he was coming back home. He had felt that someone/thing was sitting next him on the passenger seat. The urn was in the back of the truck in the canopy. The urn was brought to an northern reservation and the ashes were spread over the Saskatchewan River shore. I could see the some of dust drifting over the water. But, I don’t want to be cremated, bec, I want to continue Life.
l8r.
I think cemeteries are Haunted bec of the foul smelling liquid gloop that builds up in the caskets after a few months. The body liquefies or melts and seeps into the ground amalgamating with other decomposing bodies, especially in hot weather. This doesn't seem right. Caskets literally explode. Anyway, I hope I die in mid-winter…
I have heard stories of ppl claiming that their cremated loved ones haunted them after, or during traveling long distances. My father(1927-1993) had a friend that died in Edmonton, Alberta and he volunteered to bring back this urn to Saskatchewan and keep it over night in our home. It was creepy to have it in our house and it was the first time that I have seen a cremated person. I remember a conversation in Cree, between my father and mother(1937-1989), that he had weird moments in his truck as he was coming back home. He had felt that someone/thing was sitting next him on the passenger seat. The urn was in the back of the truck in the canopy. The urn was brought to an northern reservation and the ashes were spread over the Saskatchewan River shore. I could see the some of dust drifting over the water. But, I don’t want to be cremated, bec, I want to continue Life.
l8r.
I'm from Oxford, so I might be biased, but I think it's a great place to start out in, it's buildings are very old, (Hitler never bombed Oxford- He was planning to use it as the Capital after conquering England - not the best endorsement, but it means all the beautiful architecture survived) and it's very pretty and quite small, and apparently very haunted. Also, as Regency said, Stratford upon Avon is also Beautiful, and Windsor. And of course, there's London, which is very big (to me at least, I'm a country girl) and maybe, not quite so pretty, but it has many many supposed haunted places.
Very interesting.
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