Behind Cambridge University's prestigious reputation and centuries of scholarship lies a darker legacy—one of restless spirits, eerie encounters, and haunted halls. From cursed chambers to phantom footsteps in the dead of night, the university’s colleges have become hotbeds for the supernatural. In this guide, we uncover some of the most chilling legends from Cambridge’s spookiest academic institutions.

Table of Contents

• St John’s College: Built on Bones
• Trinity College: The Cradle of Paranormal Investigation
• King’s College: Screams, Secret Tunnels, and Ghostly Music
• Peterhouse: Exorcisms and a Cursed Corner
• Corpus Christi: Tragedy in Old Court
• St Catharine’s College: The Sky Hall Ghost
• Can You Visit These Haunted Colleges?
• Step Into the Shadows of Academia

St John’s College: Built on Bones

St John’s College is one of the most paranormally active colleges in Cambridge—perhaps unsurprisingly, as it's built over a 13th-century hospital and burial site. Thousands of bodies rest beneath the foundations. The most infamous tale is that of Robert Grove, who returned from a trip with a disturbing prophecy from a ghostly visitor. Within months, three men tied to the vision were dead, and the tale has been passed down for generations.

There’s also the ghost of James Ashton, a student who died under suspicious circumstances in 1746. Unexplained noises in the college library have since been linked to his unsettled spirit.

Trinity College: The Cradle of Paranormal Investigation

Not only is Trinity College one of the most prestigious colleges at Cambridge—it’s also home to multiple hauntings and the birth of ghost hunting as we know it. In 1851, students at Trinity founded The Ghost Club, the world’s oldest paranormal society. Its members—students, professors, and even bishops—were committed to studying ghosts with scientific rigour.

Stories persist of haunted student rooms, most famously those said to be disturbed by the ghost of a child, reported by multiple unrelated occupants over the years. The Master at the time, Christopher Wordsworth, saw this as confirmation that the sightings weren’t just imagined.

King’s College: Screams, Secret Tunnels, and Ghostly Music

King’s College might be famous for its stunning chapel, but it also harbours some terrifying tales. One of the most chilling is that of a student who kept a coffin in his rooms—and who was later found dead inside it. Every year on the anniversary of his death, screams are said to echo through the Gibbs building where he once lived.

Then there’s the tale of the hidden tunnel to Grantchester, where a fiddler entered and was never seen again. Legend has it that his ghostly tune can still be heard today, drifting up from the ground beneath King’s.

Peterhouse: Exorcisms and a Cursed Corner

As the oldest Cambridge college, Peterhouse has had more time than most to acquire a few ghosts. One dark corner of the college, overlooking the churchyard, is said to be plagued by a crouching, shadowy figure. Multiple exorcisms have taken place here—most recently in 1997—after staff and students experienced terrifying sightings, freezing temperatures, and overwhelming dread.

The apparition of a hooded figure in the Combination Room, witnessed by at least six people including the college bursar, has been identified as the ghost of a former bursar who hanged himself in the 18th century.

Corpus Christi: Tragedy in Old Court

Corpus Christi’s Old Court has been continuously inhabited since the 14th century—and it shows. The college has several ghostly tales, including that of Dr William Spencer’s daughter, Elizabeth, who accidentally left her lover to die in a locked cupboard. Her spirit is said to roam the college searching for him, while his ghost is said to haunt the room where he perished.

Later students have reported everything from deafening knocks to a white figure with a neck wound. The paranormal activity grew so intense in the early 1900s that a group of theology students performed an exorcism using holy water and crucifixes.

St Catharine’s College: The Sky Hall Ghost

At St Catharine’s, the attic rooms known as Sky Hall are home to one of Cambridge’s most consistent ghost sightings. Students reported an elderly man sitting silently in a chair by the fire—some say he pointed accusingly at the flames, others that he simply stared. One scholar kept a pistol under his pillow for protection. The ghost is believed to be the spirit of a past resident who froze to death.

Can You Visit These Haunted Colleges?

Some of Cambridge’s colleges are open to the public, though access can vary depending on the time of year and academic term. For a full ghostly experience, join a guided tour such as the Creepy Cambridge Ghost Tour, which weaves together these chilling tales with expert storytelling and after-dark atmospheres.

• Self-guided exploration: Many colleges allow access to courtyards and chapels during certain hours.
• Join a ghost tour: See the spookiest sites with guides who know all the dark details.
• Visit haunted pubs and bookshops: Extend your evening with a drink at The Eagle or browse the Haunted Bookshop.

Step Into the Shadows of Academia

From ghostly scholars to cursed corridors, the colleges of Cambridge hide more than just academic secrets. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or a die-hard paranormal enthusiast, the haunted halls of this ancient university offer a glimpse into a world where the past never quite rests.

Ready to uncover more? Book your ghost walk now and come face-to-face with the spirits of Cambridge University.