London isn’t only a city steeped in history; many of its buildings are surrounded by an aura of mystery and dark forces. In fact, even some of the city’s modern office buildings are said to be haunted places. If you’re an employee working late in certain London offices, you might have more than your workload to worry about! Let’s take a look at some of London’s most haunted office buildings, where ghosts might also be coming to clock in.
1. Fenchurch Street – EC3
Offices in Fenchurch Street range from listed buildings to modern landmark towers that will surely impress clients and visitors. But some people might not realise that office buildings in Fenchurch Street are just half a mile away from the Tower of London, one of the city’s most infamous haunted spots.
This central London fortress was a palace and a prison, as well as the site of many executions, including that of Anne Boleyn. It’s said that her ghost still roams the tower’s corridors, and who knows if it also roams beyond the building! If your office is in the vicinity, you might feel the eerie presence and hear the disembodied voices of those who met their end within these ancient walls. And if that’s not enough, The Ten Bells Pub is just down the road, too. With its links to Jack the Ripper’s victims and many ghostly sightings over the years, it’s regarded as one of the most haunted public houses in England. After work drinks with a side of ghostly apparitions, anyone?
2. St Paul’s EC4
One would expect that the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, better known as the Old Bailey, would have a chilling past. Over the centuries, this site saw many death sentences issued. Some sources say more than 12,000 people were sentenced to death here between 1674 and 1913, although not all of them were executed on-site.
Legend has it that the ghost of a wrongly accused man who was hung at the Old Bailey still makes its appearance in the building when miscarriages of justice happen. If your office is in the area, like around the corner near St Paul’s underground station, you’d better watch out for it.
3. 42 Berkeley Square, Mayfair
Office space in this Mayfair building is highly coveted due to the exclusivity of the area and the quality of the units on offer. But if you think carefully about the location, you’ll realise it’s only a stone’s throw from 50 Berkeley Square, which is considered the most haunted house in London.
This elegant townhouse has a dark reputation, with tales of a sinister presence within that drives people mad. The attic room of this iconic building is said to be haunted by the ghostly apparitions of a young woman who threw herself out of the window, and there are accounts of her ghost appearing going back to the 19th century.
4. 107 Great Portland Street
If you’re looking for a centrally located and fully equipped coworking space in the Marylebone area, you can’t go wrong with the amenities and facilities on offer at 107-109 Great Portland Street. What you may not know is that barely a 5 minute walk away is the 5-starred Langham Hotel, which is said to be the site of paranormal activity.
Some of the hotel’s rooms were used by the BBC during the 1950s and 1960s, which is when staff started reporting strange occurrences, such as lights taking on a human shape. Other famous guests, like members of England’s cricket team, ended up asking to move rooms after having enough of the poltergeist activity, witnessing how the lights and taps turned themselves on and off. Seems the London Bridge Experience doesn’t have a monopoly on spookiness.
5. The Bank of England Headquarters
Just down the road from the bustling Liverpool Street Station, The Bank of England’s headquarters, located on Threadneedle Street, are said to be haunted by several ghosts, but the most famous is the “Black Nun”. This is the ghost of Sarah Whitehead, a little girl who is often seen wandering the building’s offices looking for her brother, who was executed nearby. Upon Sarah’s death, she was buried at the Bank’s courtyard, and her ghost made the building her new home.
If you’re looking for office space near Bank but would rather avoid meeting the dark figure of the Black Nun, this is a good starting place.
9. 42 Tavistock Street
This office building boasts a central West End location in the Covent Garden – Strand area and is built into a remarkable period townhouse equipped to high standards. The building is only a stone’s throw away from the Royal Opera House, and from another famous cultural venue: Theatre Royal on Drury Lane.
This playhouse has the spooky privilege of being called the world’s most haunted theatre, inhabited by several ghosts who have a thing for slamming doors and releasing lavender oil scents. How’s that for an unsettling work environment?
10. Lincoln’s Inn Fields
The streets around Lincoln’s Inn Fields are home to numerous barristers’ chambers and offices. As you take a walk around the square, you might notice a sign informing you that this was the site where William Lord Russell was beheaded back in the 17th century – and this was not the only execution that took place here.
If ghost stories intrigue you or at least don’t scare you, the offices at 29 Lincoln’s Inn Fields could be a good vantage point to try and spot Lord Russell’s ghost.
Conclusion
Now you know which are London’s most haunted office buildings, or at least those within earshot of the disembodied screams of ghosts and historical locations of many paranormal investigations. Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or a sceptic, the history behind these spooky spots can definitely add an extra layer of intrigue to the London office working experience. Next time you’re staying late at the office and a thick mist is moving in off the Thames, remember that you might not be alone!
On the lookout for a spooky workspace in London that’s steeped in history?
The above inspired (or petrified) you to reconsider your work’s HQ? Maybe you’re now brave enough to seek out office space close to one of the eerie haunted locations listed above. Or, if you’d prefer a move-in-ready office space in Central London with all the mod-cons and no danger of stumbling into Casper or the Grey Lady, we have various choices for serviced offices and workspaces across Central and Greater London.
Contact us at 020 3965 9617 to talk with a member of our helpful and friendly experts. Our office space specialists will assist you and your business in finding the ideal office in London to meet your specific needs.
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