Media centre

UK residents have been revealed as a nation of amateur ghost hunters in a survey released today by The National Lottery.

Over a third (37%) of people surveyed said they believe in ghosts, and among these, 37% said they had seen a ghost whilst nearly half (46%) have tried to make contact with the supernatural world.  Among those who believe in ghosts, men are more likely to have had contact with the paranormal, with 40% of those surveyed saying they have seen a ghost, compared to only 36% of women. 

With Halloween being the traditional time for all things spooky, the National Lottery has compiled a top 10 list of haunted Lottery-funded locations, to help amateur ghost-hunters along the way.

The UK’s top 10 Lottery-funded spooky locations are:

• Muncaster Castle, Cumbria
• Tower of London
• Oxford Castle, Oxford
• Nothe Fort, Weymouth
• The Tolbooth, Stirling, Scotland
• RRS Discovery, Dundee, Scotland
• Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
• Ruthin Gaol, Ruthin, Wales
• Castle Espie Wetland Centre (Co Down), Northern Ireland
• Springhill House, Moneymore, Northern Ireland 

The survey also reveals that people have strong ideas about where they are most likely find a ghost.  The majority of people who believe in ghosts (58%) expect a castle or stately home to be the most haunted of locations, 39% think an old building is the place to see things that go bump in the night, 36% believe an old pub is a probable place to spot a ghoul, whilst 33% say a graveyard is a likely dwelling for a ghost.

Gail Porter, presenter of ghost hunting show Dead Famous said: “Ghosts are a growing fascination in the UK and we know supernatural activity can be found in a diverse range of locations." 

“The National Lottery research shows that people in the UK do have preconceived ideas about what and where might be haunted.   However, as the top 10 list reveals, ghostly activity can often be found in the most unlikely of locations, so it’s worth people getting out and investigating what’s on their doorstep.”  

Carole Souter, Chair of the National Lottery Forum, said: “With Halloween just around the corner we thought it might be fun to look at those Lottery-funded locations which are believed to be haunted. It’s amazing how many there are! We hope people will take an interest in what’s around them and find out about the stories behind the myths.”

The National Lottery funds arts, sport, heritage, health, education, environment, charity and voluntary projects. National Lottery players raise £25 million a week for Good Causes.

Ends

For more information please call:
Caroline Wood on 020 7211 3996 / 07930 528018.
Rebecca Neale on 020 7211 3894 / 07968 278851.
Corin Brett on 0207 211 1684 / 07966 755307.

Notes to Editors:
1. Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic pagan festival of Samhain on the night of 31 October when it was believed the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.  In Ireland the festival was known as Samhein, in Scotland as Hallowe'en and in Wales Nos Calan-Gaeaf (the Night of the Winter Calends)
2. The National Lottery provides funding across the arts, heritage, sport, environment, health, education, communities and charities
3. For every pound spent on The National Lottery 28p goes to good causes.
4. The research was carried out online by YouGov who surveyed 2,123 adults between 8-10 October 2007. Results have been weighted to be representative of the UK population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.