Terrifying Tales: The Ghost of the Tower of London
Where History Meets Haunting
Few places in Britain hold as much dark history — and as many restless spirits — as the Tower of London. Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, this fortress has served as a royal palace, prison, armory, and execution ground. And where there’s that much death, betrayal, and power? Ghosts tend to linger.
Let’s take a walk through the blood-soaked halls of one of Britain’s most haunted landmarks — and meet the spirits who never truly left.
The Headless Ghost of Anne Boleyn
A Queen Betrayed
Perhaps the most famous spirit to haunt the Tower is Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. Anne’s tragic downfall is one of the most shocking in Tudor history.
After failing to produce a male heir, Anne fell from the king’s favour. She was arrested on May 2, 1536, and charged with adultery, incest, and high treason — all likely fabricated to justify her removal. Despite a lack of credible evidence, Anne was found guilty.
On May 19, 1536, Anne was beheaded by a skilled French swordsman specially brought in for a more ‘merciful’ execution. The event took place on Tower Green, reserved for high-ranking executions. Her body was buried in an unmarked grave inside the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula.
📚 Want a deep dive into Anne’s life and death?
“The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” by Eric Ives (Amazon UK)
Her Ghost Still Walks
To this day, visitors and Yeoman Warders (the Tower’s ceremonial guards, known as Beefeaters) report sightings of a headless woman in Tudor dress, silently gliding across Tower Green or through the chapel. Some have even claimed to see her carrying her severed head under her arm — an image that sends chills down every spine.
Witnesses describe an eerie silence that falls before her appearance, sometimes accompanied by the faint rustle of silk skirts or a sudden drop in temperature.
The Princes in the Tower
The Royal Mystery
One of the Tower’s darkest legends surrounds Edward V (age 12) and his younger brother, Richard, Duke of York (age 9). After their father, Edward IV, died in 1483, the boys were placed in the Tower by their uncle — Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who would later become Richard III.
They were last seen playing on Tower grounds that summer. Then… they vanished.
Though Richard claimed the throne, the fate of the boys remains a historical mystery, and their disappearance has become one of the greatest unsolved cases in English history.
🧵 Explore the full story:
Historic Royal Palaces – The Princes in the Tower
Their Spirits Remain
Many believe the princes were murdered in secret, and their souls never left the Tower. Visitors and staff have claimed to hear soft sobbing at night, especially near the Bloody Tower, and some have seen two small figures dressed in white nightgowns, holding hands and staring from the shadows.
Some Yeoman Warders report lights flickering or extinguishing completely when walking past the tower at night.
The White Lady in the Window
High in the windows of the White Tower, another ghostly presence has made herself known — the mysterious White Lady.
She’s often seen waving at children and tourists from upper-level windows. But when guards investigate, they find the area completely empty. In several cases, those who’ve encountered her report being overcome by a strong, musty scent of old-fashioned perfume — followed by feelings of nausea, dizziness, and confusion.
Who she is remains unknown. Some say she may be the ghost of a noblewoman held captive during the Tudor reign, others claim she’s something much older…
Ghostly Smells and Screams from the Salt Tower
Not all hauntings involve sightings — some involve sound, smell, and sheer terror.
The Salt Tower, used throughout the centuries to imprison religious dissidents and traitors, is notorious for unexplained paranormal activity. During their rounds, several guards have reported:
- The acrid smell of burning flesh, with no visible fire
- Sudden, dramatic temperature drops, especially near the walls
- Whispers, groans, and muffled screams heard late at night
- Invisible hands brushing their shoulders or pulling at their clothes
Some Yeoman Warders have reportedly refused to patrol this section alone — particularly during the witching hour.
The Phantom Beefeater
The Tower is famously guarded by its Yeoman Warders, but not all of them are living.
Numerous visitors and even modern-day staff have reported sightings of a phantom Beefeater dressed in full Tudor uniform. He appears solid at first — walking in measured, silent steps along the battlements. But as witnesses approach, he either vanishes into thin air or walks straight through a wall.
No one knows who he is, but some believe he may have been a real Yeoman who died defending the Tower — eternally loyal to his post.disappears.
Visiting the Tower of London
Location: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
Best time for spooks: Autumn evenings, especially around Halloween. Try to catch a ghost tour or the Twilight Tours, which are often packed with history and eerie tales.
💡 Local tip:
If you can, go during a weekday to avoid crowds — and maybe get some quieter moments to listen for ghostly whispers.
Final Thoughts
The Tower of London isn’t just a tourist attraction — it’s a living, breathing chronicle of British history… and death. Its ghost stories aren’t just for show — they’re part of what makes this place so unforgettable.
So if you visit, listen closely. Look twice. And remember — some of the Tower’s most famous residents never truly left.
Have you had a spooky experience at the Tower? Share your story in the comments!
