Visit these three ghostly haunts this Halloween - if you dare

Creepy castles come in to their own at Halloween, and are great places to chill out on a family ghost hunt?

From fancy dress frights to trails of cobwebs, English Heritage sites have much to offer this October, not least at the following historic haunts known to have their own resident spooks..

Goodrich Castle

A ghostly pair haunt Goodrich. Fleeing an attack on the castle in 1646, Alice Birch and Charles Clifford perished in the River Wye. You might still glimpse them making their ghostly attempt to escape!

Praised by William Wordsworth as the ‘noblest ruin in Herefordshire’, Goodrich is one of the UK’s best preserved medieval castles.

During the desperate siege there during the English Civil War in the 1640s, an enormous cannon called ‘Roaring Meg’ helped turn the castle into the imposing ruins that you can see and explore today.

With spectacular views from the battlements and intriguing history in every corner, a visit to this atmospheric castle is a must for curious families.

Framlingham Castle

At Framlingham, if you listen very hard you might just hear the sound voices emanating from the empty courtyard.

If you’re very lucky, you might catch a wispy figure watching you from the windows.

Set in the stunning Suffolk landscape, Framlingham Castle could be a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

With a picturesque lake and towering walls, in past centuries Queens have wandered the halls of Framlingham!

In 1553, Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England while staying at the castle.

Walk the spectacular wall walk to take in the stunning views and be transported back in time.

It’s easy to reach Framlingham Castle by rail. Hop on a train to Wickham Market, which is served by Greater Anglia services from Ipswich and Lowestoft.

Getting off at Wickham Market, simply exit the station, and take one of the local buses available - you’ll be only a five-minute walk away from the castle.

Bolsover Castle

Built on an ancient burial ground, Bolsover Castle is a spooky spot indeed.

Famous for its ghostly encounters, there’s a special book for visitors to add comments to, if they have a paranormal experience while there.

Designed to both entertain and impress its visitors, Bolsover Castle boasts far stretching views over Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

With frequent reports of footsteps, muffled voices and unexplained lights, the castle was voted the spookiest site by English Heritage staff in 2017.

Explore the ruined terrace if you dare and see if any ghostly goings-on occur while you take in the panoramic views from the high wall walk.

The nearest station to Bolsover Castle is Chesterfield, on the Midland Main Line, just over five miles from the site. Chesterfield has 12 passenger trains an hour running in all directions but London.

The quickest way from the station to the castle is by a 15-minute taxi ride, which can be arranged from outside the station, but taking the 45-minute bus ride is also an option, leaving from Stephenson Place, five minutes’ walk from the station.

Wherever you plan to go for some harrowing Halloween fun, digital tickets are available on most routes. Select when booking your tickets to travel touch-free.For more adrenaline-filled trip ideas, see trainline’s GetYourGuide’s list.