10 of the Most Haunted Places in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of ghosts, graveyards, and haunted pubs — but this sleepy little corner of the East of England hides some seriously spooky secrets. From Luton to Bedford, there are more haunted places in Bedfordshire than most people realise.

Based in the East of England, Bedfordshire is known for its Dunstable Downs, Wrest Park and its safari park and zoo. Though much of the county is rural, it comprises towns such as Luton, Bedford, and Dunstable.

Bedfordshire is actually my home county — which means I’ve grown up hearing all the best ghost stories before I was old enough to not be afraid of them. From haunted manor houses and cursed pubs to ruined churches with seriously dark reputations, there’s a surprising amount of spooky folklore tucked between the Downs and the town centre.

As someone who now spends far too much time writing about dark tourism, I thought it was about time I paid tribute to the eerie corners of the place I call home.

📌🗺️ P.S. Want to explore these locations for yourself? I’ve also put together a Haunted Bedfordshire Google Map with all the spots pinned, including tips on how to visit, spooky summaries, and a few respectful reminders for dark tourists. You’ll find it at the end of this post — perfect for planning your own haunted little road trip.

The Most Haunted Places to Visit in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire actually has its fair share of hauntings. The spirits of monks and nuns are prominent in the area and there’s even some fun folklore related to the Shillington Goblins! But that’s a story for another day…

From the legendary and infamous Clophill Church to, er, the toilets of Bedford Cinema, there are plenty of places to hunt ghosts in Bedfordshire. Let’s get stuck in.

Here’s a roundup of Bedfordshire’s most haunted places — the ones locals whisper about, ghost hunters seek out, and curious wanderers like you might want to explore next.

Clophill Church, Bedford

The abandoned ruins of Clophill Church have long had legend attached to them: in fact this spooky spot is often a must-visit on Halloween due to it’s dark history. Unfortunately, I was always too scared to go when I was growing up!

Dating back to the 10th century, St. Mary’s Church was once the main church for people in Clophill Village. However, by the 16th century, the local population outgrew the church. So, a new church was built in the nearby village and instead Clophill Church fell into ruin.

Over the years, the church has been subject to graveyard desecration, satanic rituals and even visits from body snatchers. The reason why it was so popular for satanic rituals is that the church is actually built in the wrong direction: Clophill Church faces away from God and thus supposedly opens its doors to hell.

A hooded monk has been spotted amongst the church ruins and the site is also believed to be haunted by two spirits named Sophie and George.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know about Clophill Church in Bedfordshire

The Golden Pheasant, Biggleswade

Dating back to 1751, The Golden Pheasant is reputedly Biggleswade’s most haunted pub. Staff and patrons have reported hearing unexplained singing when the bar is empty, and one theory links this phenomenon to the tragic death of William Robinson, who died following a dispute over singing in the pub in 1900. Another tale speaks of a headless woman, believed to be a former brothel worker, whose spirit is said to linger after a fatal accident.

Flitwick Manor, Bedford

Flitwick Manor, a Georgian country house in Bedfordshire, was built in the 16th century by Edward Blofield and later transformed into a hotel. Nowadays, it’s a boutique hotel offering a historic and luxurious retreat… with a haunting history.

When the hotel was renovated in the 90s, a hidden door was discovered which led to a secret room. A ghost – believed to be an old housekeeper – thus became extremely active once the hidden room was discovered. She is said to be seen sitting on the bed crying and staring out of the window in sadness.

Some believe the crying lady could be the ghost of John Thomas Brooks’ wife. John Thomas Brooks and his family lived in the manor during the 1840s and sadly their daughter died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1848. His wife never recovered from the shock of her daughter’s death and lived the rest of her life in sadness, eventually succumbing to senility in her old age.

Other people have reported feeling an evil presence in room six and seeing a man’s face in the window! Disembodied footsteps have also been heard, as well as doors slamming with no one else around. You can hear some more accounts of hauntings in this great video: STRANGE BUT TRUE – Flitwick Manor (ITV, 1995).

Grave Notes: Whilst you’re there, take time to visit the stunning St Peter’s & St Paul’s Church, just next door! This Grade I listed church is beautiful and historic, and even has some interesting artefacts inside.

Woburn Abbey, Woburn

Woburn Abbey was originally founded as a Cistercian monastery in 1145 before its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1538. It became the family seat of the Dukes of Bedford in 1547 and was transformed into a grand country house. Over the centuries, it has been renowned for its extensive art collection, landscaped gardens, and as a popular tourist attraction. It now belongs to the 15th Duke and Duchess of Bedford, but is open to the public on select days.

In the 19th century, a former servant to the seventh Duke was drowned by burglars in the lake. Many people have reported the sensation of a wet hand touching their faces since.

The grounds are said to be haunted by up to nine different spirits! One is the ghost of Abbot Robert Hobbes, hanged by Henry VIII, who can be seen haunting the crypt. Another is a monk in brown clothing, spotted standing between the pillars outside of the sculpture gallery. Others have spotted a figure in Victorian dress and doors opening by themselves.

In 1962, Nicole Milinaire (the then Duchess of Bedford) even told newspapers of her experiences with a ghost in Woburn Abbey that she believed to be her husband’s grandfather!

Woburn Abbey is currently closed to facilitate a major refurbishment programme and is set to reopen to the public in 2026.

The White Swan Inn, Dunstable

The White Swan Inn, a 300-year-old establishment, has garnered attention for its paranormal activity. In one incident, CCTV footage captured a pint of beer being knocked off a table without any apparent cause, leading some to believe a poltergeist was at play. The pub’s history as a former police station, complete with its own jail, adds to its eerie reputation. ​

Thurleigh Airfield, Bedford

An American airman is believed to haunt the officers’ mess. In the 1990s, a member of the Ministry of Defence watched as the door to the reading room opened wide and shut all by itself. Another incident in the same room saw a light bulb fall from its fitting and simply land on a coffee table. The man reported feeling a presence in the room following the incident. Disembodied footsteps have also been heard on site.

Weathercock Lane, Aspley Guise

The notiorous highway man Dick Turpin has quite a few links to Bedfordshire, but this is my favourite. It’s my very favourite ghost story because I moved to Woburn Sands and just happened to discover this house sits on the road right behind me!

The ghost of Dick Turpin has been spotted riding down Weathercock Lane (unfortnately not by me… yet!), after he’s said to have discovered the bodies of two secret lovers in a house.

The story goes that the owner of the house killed his daughter and her lover in a fit of rage when discovering them together in 1730. He then hid their bodies in a cupboard. Dick Turpin broke into the house in search of silver and gold and instead found the bodies. He blackmailed the owner into letting him use the house as an occasional hideaway, and thus his ghost is often seen nearby, riding down the street or appearing on the site of the house or not.

Whether this story is true or not is heavily debated, particularly when, in later years, the new owner of the house asked for a decrease in his rates assessment, arguing that no one would rent a haunted house! His argument was dismissed as ‘without point or substance’.

Grave Notes: I would love to share the exact location of this house, but as people live there, I’ll refrain from sharing the address or any images. But promise you, I walked past it SO MUCH when I lived nearby, always in the hopes of spotting a ghost!

Chicksands Priory, Chicksands

Once a home to nuns and sisters, Chicksand Priory was originally founded as a Gilbertine monastery. Following its dissolution in 1538 during the English Reformation, it became a private residence and later a military intelligence base, notably used by the RAF and the U.S. Air Force. The RAF moved into Chicksands Priory in 1940, and it now serves as the Officers’ Mess for Joint Forces Command Chicksands.

The building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a nun named Berta Rosata. Rosata fell pregnant after a love affair with a monk and was walled up alive in the cellars for her crime. She was forced to watch her lover being beheaded before the last brick was placed and her spirit now appears on the 17th of each month when there is a full moon. Interestingly, Chicksands Priory (now known as Gilbertine Priory) sits on Roasata Lane..

In 1914, a woman working in the house reported seeing a tall female spirit dressed in white in the picture gallery. She was so afraid that she dropped her tray carrying hot milk! Over the years, various Air Force personnel have reported different sightings, many of which were of female ghosts.

In 1954, an American officer sleeping in the picture gallery woke in the early hours of the morning to see a woman with a ruddy face and untidy hair, wearing a dark dress with a white lace collar. When he switched the light on, the apparition floated to the foot of his bed and disappeared!

These are just some of many tales and hauntings that surround Chicksands Priory, most of which seem to relate to the ghost of Berta!

Haunted Places in Bedfordshire: Notable Mentions

Although you can no longer visit them, I had to at least mention Cineworld Cinema, Bedford and The Alma Cinema, Luton.

Cineworld in Bedford recently closed down, but before that, a ghostly figure of a monk was often spotted in different screens and the foyer area, though the figure is most prominently seen in screen 4 (and the toilets). The doors to screen four would open of their own accord, and unexplained noises (such as jangling chains) have also been reported in that particular screen.

The cinema was built on the grounds where Newnham Priory – a monastery built for worship in the 12th century – once stood. So this ties it all up!

Another legend says that an old worker confirmed that her own nephew had hung himself from a tree in the grounds of Newnham Priory before it was destroyed, right where screen four is.

In Luton, the Alma Cinema was once said to be haunted.  The Alma was opened in 1929 but construction was said to be cursed because of the homes and cottages that were destroyed to accommodate it. Staff reported an atmosphere of unease within the building and, in particular, the stairs. People often felt like they were being watched or followed on the stairs.

Sadly, the historic cinema was demolished in the 1960s, during which time a blood-encrusted cap was found, believed to belong to a workman who had fallen to his death during construction.

Map of the Most Haunted Places in Bedfordshire

Ready to explore? Below, you’ll find a Haunted Bedfordshire Google Map with all the locations from this post pinned, plus ghost ratings, visit tips, and a few extra notes only a local would know.

So, there you have it — ten of the most haunted (and underrated!) places in Bedfordshire. From phantom footsteps in museums to secret rooms in manor houses, this unassuming county hides more ghost stories than you’d expect Whether you’re planning a spooky day trip or just love reading about the darker side of local history, these haunted hot spots should be at the top of your list.

Have you had an eerie experience in Bedfordshire? Let me know — I’m always on the hunt for new local legends to add to the list…