You won’t have to search far to find ghosts in Manchester, but few spots can compete with the fear factor of one of England’s oldest pubs. Ye Olde Salutation Inn (The Sal for short) in Nottingham claims to date back to 1240 and is often called the UK’s most haunted pub. To put that in context, England was only up to its third king named Henry when it opened.
Just under 800 years old, can you imagine the history that’s gone down in this pub? Rumour has it that Oliver Cromwell signed the death warrant of King Charles I here, while it was also a popular hangout for infamous highwayman Dick Turpin. But its notoriety mostly stems from the paranormal activity still hanging around its old walls.
If the fact that Ye Olde Salutation Inn was built over a system of 9th century, manmade caves wasn’t scary enough, it’s said that at least a handful of ghosts haunt the pub. One landlord even claimed there were up to 89 ghostly presences on site. We’re not sure about that, so we’ll only inform you about the ones we do know about.
The ghosts of Ye Olde Salutation Inn
The most legendary ghost is Rosie. After being struck by a carriage, the five-year-old flower seller was carried into the caves, where she later died. Afterwards, revellers complained of scratches mysteriously appearing. This only stopped when the pub’s landlord left a doll for her in the caves. When another landlord took the toy out, his beer went off overnight and locals have left her presents ever since.
Three landlords, all named John, also haunt the pub. One hung himself, another accidentally poisoned himself, and the third fell down the stairs and broke his neck. It’s the latter John who causes the most nuisance, however, who slams doors and throws things when the cellar isn’t clean – which is a good sign for anyone fancying a visit to Ye Olde Salutation Inn!
There are more recorded ghost sightings too. The first is a pirate who drowned when he fell a well while hiding in the caves, while another is a highwayman often seen drinking at the bar. There are also stories of Roman soldiers marching through the cellar. But while full of apparitions, it’s hardly dead…
Ye Olde Salutation Inn, about a two hour train ride from Manchester, has everything from its own motorcycle riding club to weekly rock, karaoke and DJ nights. Plus, there’s all the homecooked food and real ale you could want. It also encourages paranormal investigators to book in the cave’s overnight ghost hunts – where you can find out if it really is the most haunted pub in the UK.
📍You can find the Ye Olde Salutation Inn at Hounds Gate, Nottingham NG1 7AA.