By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR
Published: 05:34 EDT, 24 October 2025 | Updated: 06:11 EDT, 24 October 2025
When it comes to spooky locations, nothing quite sets the scene like an ancient, dark castle.
So you can imagine the spine–tingling moment staff at the medieval Chester Castle discovered they had an ‘unexplained’ visitor.
English Heritage has shared an image of a ghostly apparition – a pale figure wearing dark clothing and a hood – that was captured on CCTV in front of the main gates.
Staff were alerted in the middle of the night when motion–detecting cameras picked up ‘unusual movement’.
When a security guard went to investigate, the area was empty and, even more unsettling, his usually fearless dog refused to enter.
A full search of the locked compound was carried out but no intruder was ever found. The castle is protected by large spikes in the battlements and further cameras to detect anyone climbing over the gates.
The sighting is just one of dozens reported by staff based in the charity’s castles, abbeys and historic houses across the country.
From whispers of ghostly piano music to figures fading in the mist, nearly half of staff surveyed said they have witnessed something they couldn’t explain.
The unexplained figure captured on camera at Chester Castle. A full search of the compound was carried out but no intruder was ever found
Chester Castle is protected by large spikes in the battlements and further cameras to detect anyone climbing over the gates