A poltergeist priest and a murdered Earl are among the spirits reported to be haunting Greater Manchester’s pubs.
As some of our oldest buildings, it’s no surprise some of them have gained a good ghost story or two over the years.
With Halloween just around the corner, we’ve uncovered some of the ghostly goings on at the region’s most haunted pubs.
True stories or tall tales? You decide.
Ye Olde Man and Scythe, Bolton
Dating from 1251, this is the fourth-oldest pub in Britain and is reputedly haunted by the Seventh Earl of Derby, James Stanley.
The royalist, whose family originally owned the inn, is said to have spent the last hours of his life there before he was beheaded in 1651 towards the end of the Civil War.
The chair he sat in before he was taken outside and executed is still in the pub today - and some say so is he.
Hundreds of soldiers and civilians were also killed outside the pub in the Bolton Massacre of 1644.
With such a bloody history, it’s no wonder it’s become known as a hotspot for paranormal activity - ghosthunters believe it’s haunted by at least 25 spirits.
Among them is said to be a woman who hung herself in the cellar several centuries ago as well as an eight-year-old girl and a phantom dog.
If you don’t believe it, take a look at this freaky footage captured on CCTV there last year, showing a shadowy figure flickering into view by the bar.
The Ring O’Bells, Middleton
Legend has it that Middleton’s oldest pub is haunted by the ghost of a cavalier named Edward, who was reputedly murdered by Cromwell’s Army when they passed through the town.
He’s said to have appeared wearing royalist uniform in front of regulars and landlords, and punters have also reported witnessing glasses sliding along the bar and hearing heavy footsteps and peculiar noises.
The Shakespeare, Manchester city centre
The Fountain Street pub is reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl. Some believe she accidentally set herself on fire while lighting the candles in the inn, with witnesses reporting seeing her blazing ghost standing at the top of the stairs.
According to another version of the story, she was murdered by a chef who later hung himself. The rope marks are apparently still visible on a ceiling beam inside and his spirit is said to haunt the pub too.
Albert’s Schloss, Manchester city centre
Formerly a chapel, the Peter Street building is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Methodist minister, The Reverend who used to preach against the dangers of alcohol there - so we can imagine his fury when it later became a bar.
Back when it was Brannigans, bar staff claimed to have felt a presence trying to push them down the stairs while others reported strange noises, cold spots and smashed glasses. It even featured in an episode of Most Haunted.
Peveril of the Peak, Manchester city centre
Built in 1829, this Grade II listed pub has plenty of history - and the family who have run it for the last four decades claim to have witnessed some ghostly goings-on over the years.
Long-serving landlady Nancy and son Maurice say they have noticed a paranormal presence including pint glasses levitating off the bar and falling into the glass-wash.
“It’s like having our own ghostly helper,” Maurice has said .
