Plague Pits and Poltergeists Walk

This concise tour focuses on Manchester's medieval plague burials and the supernatural stories connected to them. Starting at Manchester Cathedral, the guide leads you to historical burial sites where thousands died during outbreaks, sharing both the historical facts and the modern paranormal reports from these locations. It's a practical introduction to ghost tours, balancing historical education with accessible storytelling. Best for first-time ghost tour participants. This is a easy activity lasting 1 hour. Group size: max 20. You meet at Manchester Cathedral. Key highlights: Learn about Manchester's medieval plague outbreaks and their impact, Visit actual plague burial sites within the city centre, Hear documented paranormal accounts from multiple witnesses.

Price: £10

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: easy

Group size: max 20

Minimum age: 8+

Best for: first-time ghost tour participants

Best time: Available year-round. Morning or midday tours recommended for first-time participants. Autumn offers the most distinctive conditions.

Meeting point: Manchester Cathedral

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

10:00am Meet at Manchester Cathedral main entrance - Guide introduces the tour and explains the historical context of Manchester's medieval plague outbreaks.

First 15 min Cathedral exterior and burial ground stories - Learn about plague victims buried around the cathedral and hear accounts of apparitions reported in the graveyard.

15-35 min Walk to historic plague pit locations - Visit two or three marked sites where mass burials took place, understanding the scale of medieval mortality.

35-55 min Paranormal accounts and supernatural explanations - Guide shares documented ghost sightings, unexplained phenomena, and local folklore associated with burial sites.

55-60 min Final stories and tour conclusion - Wrap-up discussion with time for questions about both the history and the hauntings.

The whole experience takes 1 hour. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Manchester Cathedral.

• Learn about Manchester's medieval plague outbreaks and their impact
• Visit actual plague burial sites within the city centre
• Hear documented paranormal accounts from multiple witnesses
• Understand the history behind the hauntings
• Short format perfect for newcomers to ghost tours
• Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchair users on outdoor streets. Flat terrain throughout the tour route. Accessible restrooms available at Manchester Cathedral.

What is included: Guided tour with experienced storyteller, Access to outdoor burial site locations, Historical context and paranormal stories, Printed map of burial locations (on some tours).

Not included: Interior access to Manchester Cathedral, Food or drinks, Specialized ghost hunting equipment. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, Jacket (weather-dependent), Small torch if evening tour, Notebook for historical notes. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Available year-round. Morning or midday tours recommended for first-time participants. Autumn offers the most distinctive conditions..

Tip: Year-round availability

Tip: Family friendly version available

Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchair users on outdoor streets. Flat terrain throughout the tour route. Accessible restrooms available at Manchester Cathedral..

Operator: Spooky Manchester

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Manchester Cathedral (0 min walk)
• Chetham's Library (5 min walk)
• People's History Museum (12 min walk)

This activity is run by Spooky Manchester.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before tour. Tours run year-round regardless of weather..

Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchair users on outdoor streets. Flat terrain throughout the tour route. Accessible restrooms available at Manchester Cathedral..

Best time to go: Available year-round. Morning or midday tours recommended for first-time participants. Autumn offers the most distinctive conditions..

Is this tour too scary for young children?

No. This tour focuses on history more than horror. It's designed for ages 8+. Spooky Manchester offers a family-friendly version with less frightening content and age-appropriate language for younger children.

How many plague pits do we visit?

The tour visits two to three marked burial sites within the city centre, all within a short walking distance. These locations are marked on the printed map provided. Exact stops vary depending on the day's guide.

What was the mortality rate during Manchester's plague outbreaks?

The 14th and 15th century outbreaks killed approximately 30-40% of Manchester's population per occurrence. Records suggest thousands were buried in mass pits around the cathedral area. The guide provides specific historical data during the tour.