Halloween may be fondly remembered as a time in our childhoods where dressing up and going trick or treating was some of the best fun to be had all year. However, for adults, ways to celebrate are limited. For students who seek a different experience than clubbing, here are some of the best scary places to visit on October 31st around the world.
1. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem and Nottingham Caves
This first location is close to home as the pub ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ is only a thirteen-minute walk from NTU’s city campus. The cosy inn is famous for its status as the oldest pub in England, built in 1189AD, and has a reputation for paranormal activity. In one of the rooms, a model of a ship called ‘The Cursed Medallion’ sits in a glass case, covered in thick dust and cobwebs, due to the last three cleaners dying of mysterious circumstances within a year of touching it. Staff revealed to have heard shouts when nobody was there, bottles have flown off shelves and smashed of their own accord, and ghosts have been frequently sighted. The pub is built into the caves of Castle Rock which are over a thousand years old, so there is a lot of history within its walls.
2. Whitby, Yorkshire
Whitby is a seaside town that is home to Whitby Abbey, the gothic ruin which inspired Bram Stoker to write the famous novel Dracula. Not only is the abbey’s longevity impressive, built in 657AD, but also the surrounding environment it inhabits, as it sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Also, the town goes all out in October and hosts yearly Halloween events to participate in such as illumination of the abbey, Whitby goth weekend, Tomorrow’s Goth Festival, ghost tours, and a Halloween pub crawl.
3. Transylvania, Romania
Another location deeply associated with Dracula is Transylvania, where the novel’s events have a strong influence on the Halloween celebrations. Horror enthusiasts can visit Dracula’s birthplace, Sighisoara; embark on a creepy tour around Bran Castle, a haunted medieval stronghold in the Transylvanian Alps; and watch some arts and entertainment at the Dracula Film Festival.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
If you have a taste for the macabre, then Prague is the perfect city to visit for its roots in Medieval history. The city is full of ancient gothic buildings that’ll submerge you within the gruesome and dark atmosphere of the Medieval period.
5. Salem, Massachusetts
With the rise of people choosing to live a ‘Witch’ lifestyle in 2021, exploring the town where the infamous Salem Witch Trials took place would be a way to learn about the historic event and to honour the lives of the accused individuals who were brutally executed. The town also hosts huge events like, ‘Salem Haunted Happenings’ and ‘The Festival of the Dead’ to celebrate Halloween in an eccentric and fun way.
6. Mexico City, Mexico- Island of Dolls
This location is not for the faint-hearted, as the Island of Dolls is a terrifying memorial of a girl who was found drowned by mysterious circumstances. The man who tried to save her hung up a doll for respect and continued to hang more dolls after claiming to be haunted by her spirit. The dolls have allegedly been spotted moving by themselves and whispering. Despite the questioned legitimacy of this chilling story, the island is still one of the creepiest tourist destinations. I dare you to go at night!
By Helen Barber
Featured image: Unsplash