16/10/2026
Whitby has so many ghostly
Stories x
Freaky Friday: The ghostly tale of Whitby's landlady who refused to leave! 👻
Deep in the heart of old Whitby stands the White Horse & Griffin, a centuries-old inn with a rather chilling ghost story.
According to local legend, the inn was once run by a formidable 19th-century landlady named Mrs Bowler, a woman who was certainly not known for her warm welcome.
Mrs Bowler was said to judge customers with a single glance. If she took a dislike to you, there was little chance of changing her mind!
But one night, her life came to a tragic end.
According to the story, Mrs Bowler suffered a fatal fall on the steps beside the inn, bringing her time as landlady to an abrupt end.
And according to local folklore, she never really left. 👻
Over the years, visitors and staff have reportedly experienced strange sensations inside the building. Some feel perfectly welcome, while others describe an overwhelming sense of unease, as though someone unseen is watching them and wants them to leave.
The story even claims that during the 1980s, when the building housed a museum of Victorian curiosities, a £50 reward was offered to anyone brave enough to spend the entire night there. Legend has it that nobody managed it!
Today, the White Horse & Griffin is a popular pub, restaurant and hotel, welcoming visitors from far and wide.
But perhaps Mrs Bowler is still keeping an eye on who comes through the door. 👀👻
