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Evening Ghost Walk - practical travel guide with honest advice.
A 1.5-hour evening walk after dark through Bradford on Avon's historic quarter, recounting documented and folklore-based tales of plague, civil war bloodshed, and unexplained phenomena. This isn't a theatrical performance but rather a guided exploration of real historical events - plague pits in churchyards, buildings damaged in the 1643 siege, ghost stories rooted in local records. The guide uses primary sources and local archives alongside folklore, balancing entertainment with actual history. Best for Groups looking for entertainment. This is a easy activity lasting 1.5 hours. Group size: 4-25. You meet at The Swan Hotel, Church Street. Key highlights: Stories grounded in real events: documented plague, actual Civil War siege, Primary source quotes from parish records and local archives, Walking through town after dark for distinctive context.
Price: £15
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: easy
Group size: 4-25
Minimum age: 10+
Best for: Groups looking for entertainment
Best time: October-November (autumn darkness and atmosphere) or December (short days, winter chill). Friday nights less crowded than Saturday. Avoid midsummer (late dusk) when atmosphere diminishes.
Meeting point: The Swan Hotel, Church Street
Languages: English
Here is how the experience unfolds:
7:30pm start Gather outside The Swan Hotel for briefing and introduction - Guide explains the evening's route, historical sources, and encourages questions. Torches distributed or use your own phone light.
First 20 minutes Church Street haunting tales and civic plague pit - Visit the churchyard where plague victims were buried in the 1640s; guide reads from parish records and discusses mortality rates.
20-45 minutes Civil War damage and soldier spirits - Stop at buildings marked by cannon fire during the 1643 siege; stories of soldiers' deaths and reported sightings of phantom footsteps.
45-70 minutes Saxon Church and mysterious light phenomena - Examine the ancient church exterior in darkness; guide recounts eyewitness accounts of unexplained lights and disembodied voices from local records.
70-90 minutes Merchant houses and final tales; return to Swan Hotel - End at a wool merchant's home rumored to have housed a 'grey lady' spirit; open discussion about folklore vs. documented history.
The whole experience takes 1.5 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at The Swan Hotel, Church Street.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price | £15 |
| Duration | 1.5 hours |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Group size | 4-25 |
| Minimum age | 10+ |
| Meeting point | The Swan Hotel, Church Street |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the walk. Tours may be cancelled if fewer than 4 people book; check with Wiltshire Ghost Walks 48 hours prior. |
| Accessibility | Mostly outdoor walking on uneven medieval streets in darkness. Torch essential for safety. Not recommended for those with mobility limitations or significant vision impairment. Children under 10 may find some content unsettling. |
What is included: Guided 1.5-hour walk with historian guide, Torch use (bring your own or guide supplies), Access to churchyards and building exteriors, Story handout with sources and further reading.
Not included: Interior access to buildings (exteriors only), Refreshments or meals, Parking, Supernatural verification or paranormal equipment. You will need to arrange these yourself.
What to bring: Torch or phone with strong flashlight (essential in winter months), Warm clothing (evening temperatures are several degrees cooler), Comfortable shoes with good grip (uneven medieval pavements in darkness), Umbrella or waterproof jacket if rain forecast. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.
Best time to go: October-November (autumn darkness and atmosphere) or December (short days, winter chill). Friday nights less crowded than Saturday. Avoid midsummer (late dusk) when atmosphere diminishes..
Tip: Friday and Saturday nights only
Tip: Bring torch for winter walks
Accessibility: Mostly outdoor walking on uneven medieval streets in darkness. Torch essential for safety. Not recommended for those with mobility limitations or significant vision impairment. Children under 10 may find some content unsettling..
Operator: Wiltshire Ghost Walks | Book directly (opens in new tab) | Phone: +44 1380 860693
After this activity, these are within easy reach:
This activity is run by Wiltshire Ghost Walks.
Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).
Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the walk. Tours may be cancelled if fewer than 4 people book; check with Wiltshire Ghost Walks 48 hours prior..
Accessibility: Mostly outdoor walking on uneven medieval streets in darkness. Torch essential for safety. Not recommended for those with mobility limitations or significant vision impairment. Children under 10 may find some content unsettling..
Best time to go: October-November (autumn darkness and atmosphere) or December (short days, winter chill). Friday nights less crowded than Saturday. Avoid midsummer (late dusk) when atmosphere diminishes..
Educational with distinctive storytelling, not designed to frighten. The guide uses real historical events - plague deaths, Civil War casualties - to ground stories in documented fact. Some tales include folklore elements, but all are presented as local legends, not confirmed supernatural activity. Older children (10+) cope well; younger ones may find it unsettling.
The guide walks slowly and uses torches to illuminate paths safely. Groups stay together. You're walking familiar streets, just after dark. Having a torch of your own (phone flashlight works) helps you feel more in control. Let the guide know about concerns at the start.
Roughly 70% documented history (plague records, Civil War accounts), 30% folklore and local legends. The guide clearly states what comes from archives versus oral tradition. All stories have some historical root or connection to real events in the town.
Educational with distinctive storytelling, not designed to frighten. The guide uses real historical events - plague deaths, Civil War casualties - to ground stories in documented fact. Some tales include folklore elements, but all are presented as local legends, not confirmed supernatural activity. Older children (10+) cope well; younger ones may find it unsettling.
The guide walks slowly and uses torches to illuminate paths safely. Groups stay together. You're walking familiar streets, just after dark. Having a torch of your own (phone flashlight works) helps you feel more in control. Let the guide know about concerns at the start.
Roughly 70% documented history (plague records, Civil War accounts), 30% folklore and local legends. The guide clearly states what comes from archives versus oral tradition. All stories have some historical root or connection to real events in the town.
Best for: First-time visitors wanting comprehensive overview
Best for: Families with older children
Best for: Architecture students and serious history buffs
Best for: Independent explorers and families with young children
Live availability from our partner Viator