The most haunted place in Peterborough..?

With Halloween almost upon us, conversations about supernatural phenomena and spooky goings-on invariably increase.

And, when it comes to Peterborough, it doesn’t tend to take long for Peterborough Museum to come up in such conversations

Indeed, the venerated cultural landmark – which was once a medical facility familiar with many a life-and-death occurrence – is often lauded as the most haunted place in the city. But is it?

“It used to be the city’s only hospital,” explains Laura Hancock, the museum’s heritage engagement manager.

“One of the reasons people believe the building is so haunted is because of its very long history [which is] peppered very much with lots of hospital incidents.”

Unsurprisingly, the museum offers a range of supernatural-themed tours in the run up to Halloween, ranging from family-friendly daytime tours to candlelit nighttime ghost hunts.

Granting a somewhat fidgety Peterborough Telegraph video reporter a look around the spooky landmark, Laura elaborates on the building’s medical history by heading upstairs to the old Victorian operating theatre, which she describes as “evocative”.

The austere yet well-lit room, with its vaulted ceiling and angled skylights, certainly has a certain ‘vibe’ - the blood-soaked sheets on the operating table adding to the atmos.

At this point a door slams, making the hitherto bold reporter turn on his heel while Laura stifles a giggle that could almost have been a cackle.

When asked what kind of supernatural phenomena is associated with this room, the chatty manager replies “We’ve got ghostly hands [and] chills up the spine” far too matter-of-factly.

‘Most famous ghost’

Gesturing to the stairway outside the operating theatre, Laura goes on to explain that the building’s most well-known apparition was once a patient who received care here.

“Perhaps the museum’s most famous ghost, Sergeant Thomas Hunter – sometimes known as ‘The Lonely Anzac’ – is most often seen on the stairs.”

Australian soldier Sgt Hunter died here following his evacuation from the Battle of the Somme during the First World War. He was buried in Broadway Cemetery following a grand funeral laid on by the city of Peterborough, whose citizens took him to their hearts.

The next stop on Laura’s tour is, despite a creaky door, a fairly plain, unimposing conference room.

“This room never used to be on our Candlelit Tours,” she explains, “but we’ve added it in because so many paranormal groups have reported ‘happenings’ here.”

When pressed on ‘happenings’, Laura shares that “lots of poltergeist activity” is what she actually means.

“Rather than a particular apparition, there are things moving and unexplained lights - things like that.”

Just then the video camera filming our tour glitches. We leave abruptly.

As we head downstairs and make for the museum’s grounds, Laura points out that the tours offered by the museum are based on first-hand accounts and experiences:

“We promise; no gimmicks [and] no set-ups.

“All of the haunted history of Peterborough Museum isn’t made up - it’s entirely things that have been reported to us, often many, many times.”

Most haunted part of the museum

Outside in the safety of the bright daylight, Laura leads us to a series of stone steps that descend to the entrance way to the Priestgate Vaults, the oldest part of the building.

“This is the most haunted part of Peterborough Museum,” she says, quite unnecessarily.

Standing outside a heavy black door at the bottom of the steps, Laura stops:

“This is the area that has been known to make grown men have fear,” she says earnestly.

“We have had lots of people who simply don’t like being down here, that won’t come on their own so yes, it’s not for the faint of heart.

“There’s definitely a vibe - there are a few particular ghosts that are particularly associated with the vaults.

“There’s an overwhelming sense of not being welcome.”

All of the museum’s various tours and walks can be booked online. To find out more, visit https://peterboroughmuseum.org.uk/events/halloween