Rob Kirkup

The north-east of England - Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside - has witnessed many grisly and tragic events over the centuries and it is no surprise that it is one of the most haunted parts of the country. In Ghosts of the North East paranormal investigator Rob Kirkup examines some of the region's most interesting ghostly stories. Newcastle's Norman Castle Keep has many such tales, the best known of which is of the 'Poppy Girl' who haunts a condemned cell. Durham Castle has many ghostly legends and further afield in Northumberland, Chillingham Castle is infamous as the haunt of the torturer John Sage, who would maim, torture and kill Scottish prisoners within the twelfth-century fortress. These tales of hauntings and other paranormal experiences in the North East are accompanied by illustrations of places featured in the text. They will fascinate all those interested in the story of ghosts in this region of England as well as those who wish to know more about its history.

With a history as rich, yet bloody, as Northumberland has, it comes as little surprise that the county is widely regarded as being one of the most haunted in Britain. In Paranormal Northumberland, local author Rob Kirkup draws on contemporary and historical sources to investigate some of the famous and lesser-known haunted locations in the county. This compilation includes ghostly monks that walk the grounds of Blanchland Abbey after being killed by bandits, and the Pink Lady of Bamburgh Castle who is seen eternally falling from the castle to the rocks below. He also explores Chillingham Castle, regarded as one of the scariest places in the country, if not the world, where the torturer John Sage is said to lurk in its ancient dungeons to this day. Illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to anyone who wants to discover more about the county’s haunted and hidden heritage.

Northumberland is England’s most northerly county and one of its most beautiful, with its spectacular countryside and coastline. Its location on the Anglo-Scottish border brings a wealth of history and culture, which, together with the stunning scenery, attracts many visitors who want to discover more of the county’s delights. In this illustrated book, local author Rob Kirkup brings us a selection of fantastical and mythical tales from Northumberland. It is unsurprising that the county, which has the most castles in the UK, also has a wonderful selection of myths and legends including one from the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, which on one stormy night was where a warlock commanding a skeletal army prevented Sir Guy the Seeker from rescuing a maiden in distress. Could Sewingshield Crags be the resting place of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, who lie beneath the Northumberland countryside in an eternal slumber, awaiting the time when they are to rise once again in England’s hour of need? Some of the tales featured are based on factual events, while others have mystical roots, but all are nonetheless fascinating.

Gateshead has often been portrayed as the ‘poor relative’ in comparison to its larger and more glamorous Tyneside neighbour, Newcastle. But Gateshead has a long and proud industrial and social history, much of which has sadly gone, but in recent years there has been a revival in Gateshead’s social and cultural infrastructure, which has placed it firmly on the tourist map. The twentieth and twenty-first centuries wrought huge changes on Gateshead, but traces of the town’s fascinating history are visible to the enquiring eye. Local author Rob Kirkup delves into the past in this unique approach to the town’s history, blending dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts and amusing stories, seeking out Gateshead’s many hidden secrets.

Looking at the past and present of Gateshead through the use of pictures and informative captions.

Wallsend has a rich heritage, which is uniquely reflected in this delightful, full-colour compilation. Contrasting a selection of forty-five archive images alongside modern photographs taken from the same location, this new book reveals the changing faces, buildings and streets of Wallsend during the last century. Comparing the workers of yesteryear with today’s tradespeople, along with some famous landmarks and little-known street scenes, this is a wide-ranging look at the area’s absorbing history. Wallsend Then & Now will awaken nostalgic memories for those who live in or know the town, whilst providing visitors with a glimpse of how the town used to be.

From the murderous cannibalism of Sawney Bean to the bodysnatching exploits of Burke and Hare, Edinburgh has seen its fair share of ghoulish happenings over the years. But does it truly deserve its reputation as one of Britain's most haunted cities? Along with his fearless team of 'spook seekers', Rob Kirkup donned his ghost-hunting gear and took to the streets of Scotland's capital to find out whether today's visitors have anything to fear. Might one meet a foul-mouthed poltergeist beneath the South Bridge, or have a close encounter at Edinburgh Dungeon? Should one avoid Greyfriars Kirk at night, or keep their eyes peeled at Bedlam Theatre? From the disembodied voices of Cammo Estate to suspicious sounds at Mary King's Close, the team really did see it all, and now's your chance to join them on their quest. Using state-of-the-art paranormal detection equipment, and drawing on his extensive field experience, the author shows us why it's worth keeping your wits about you in one of the world's most terrifying cities.

A fabulous collection of ghostly hauntings in York with over 60 illustrated photographs.

From reports of haunted castles, stately halls, hotels, public houses, Roman forts, stone circles and even England’s deepest lake, to heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, poltergeists and related supernatural phenomena, Ghostly Cumbria investigates twenty of the most haunted locations to be found in the area today. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, this selection includes a phantom friar said to walk the lanes near Grey Friars Lodge Hotel in Clappersgate; the ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots at Carlisle Castle; a cavalier at Moresby Hall in Whitehaven; and several ghosts at the Kirkstone Pass Inn at Ambleside, including a young boy killed by a coach outside the building, a young woman who died whilst travelling along the road during a snow storm, and a seventeenth-century coachman who lurks around the bar. Illustrated with sixty photographs, together with access details for each location, this book will appeal to all those interested in finding out more about Cumbria’s haunted heritage.

From reports of haunted castles, hotels, public houses, and even a prisoner of war camp, to heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, poltergeists and related supernatural phenomena, Ghostly County Durham investigates over twenty of the most haunted locations in the area today. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, this selection includes a club-footed monk at Finchdale Priory, the Singing Lady Cauldron Snout, as well as a collection of spectres that call Durham Castle home — including a shadowy figure which haunts the Black Staircase. Illustrated with sixty photographs, together with access details for each location, this book is sure to appeal all those interested in finding out more about the area's haunted heritage.

From reports of haunted castles, pubs, theatres and shopping arcades, to heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, poltergeists and related supernatural phenomena, Ghostly Tyne & Wear investigates thirty of the most haunted locations in Tyne & Wear today. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, this selection includes a phantom highwayman at Blacksmith's Table Restaurant in Washington, a Carry On film legend who haunts the Empire Theatre in Sunderland, a mischievous poltergeist at the the Central Arcade in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as sightings of phantom soldiers at Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields. Illustrated with over sixty photographs, together with location and access details for each location, this book is sure to appeal all those interested in finding out more about the area's haunted heritage.

From reports of haunted castles, hotels, battlefields, chapels and churchyards, to heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, poltergeists and related supernatural phenomena, Ghostly Northumberland investigates twenty of the most haunted locations in Northumberland today. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources, this selection includes a piano-playing ghost at Bamburgh Castle, the White Lady of Cresswell Tower, a mischievous poltergeist at the Schooner Hotel, as well as sightings of torturer Jogn Sage, who continues to stalk the dungeons at Chillingham Castle - widely regarded to be one of the most haunted places in Britain. Illustrated with over fifty photographs, together with visitor information and access details for each location, this book is sure to appeal all those interested in finding out more about the county's haunted heritage.