I write gothic horror novels – and these are my six favorite creepy country houses and castles in Britain

For centuries, British country houses, long considered the epitome of refinement and luxury, have also proven to be a cornerstone of Gothic fiction.

With their many empty hallways, locked rooms and corners to hide in, they are the perfect setting for a ghost story, especially when an imaginative author comes to visit.

Here, I’ve picked out six of the country’s creepiest mansions and castles – spooky abodes that have inspired some of the scariest books and films. Read on – if you dare!

Abbey House, Cambridge

From gray ladies, ghostly animals, poltergeists and disembodied heads, Abbey House (pictured) boasts spooky happenings straight out of the pages of a classic Gothic novel, writes Louise

In 1986, Abbey House was consecrated by three clergy before being sold to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.

Located in Abbey, Cambridge, this 17th century house has retained its reputation as the most haunted house in the city since the early 20th century. From gray ladies, ghostly animals, poltergeists and disembodied heads, Abbey House has spooky happenings straight from the pages of a classic Gothic novel.

Local legends tell of a nun from nearby St. Radegund’s Priory, who used an underground passage beneath the house to meet her lover, the canon of Barnwell Priory, and was subsequently walled into the walls as punishment.

In 1986, Abbey House was exorcised by three clergymen and sold in 2002 to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, who agreed to open the house to the public.

Visit opencambridge.cam.ac.uk.

Allerton Castle, Yorkshire

It is believed that Allerton Castle was once the site of an ancient monastery and dates back to the 11th century

Ghostly footsteps can be heard in the servants’ quarters, lights flicker on and off and the faces of long-time residents, such as the Grand Old Duke of York, have been spotted from the ballroom window

The gothic Allerton Castle is located in beautiful Yorkshire. The castle was rebuilt in 1843 and is said to have once been the site of an old monastery. It dates back to the 11th century. Possibly an explanation for the strange events that would take place in the house.

Now open to the public, ghostly footsteps can be heard in the servants’ quarters, lights flicker on and off and the faces of long-time residents, such as the Grand Old Duke of York, have been spotted from the ballroom window.

Don’t you believe it? Go on a ghost tour and discover the truth for yourself.

Visit www.allertoncastle.co.uk/castle-tours.

Woodchester Mansion, Gloucestershire

Woodchester Mansion is a beautiful Victorian Gothic style home that remains unfinished

There is said to be a ghostly Tall Man in the chapel, a ghostly old woman, and a visitor reported a floating head in the women’s bathroom.

Woodchester Mansion is a beautiful Victorian Gothic style home that remains unfinished – perhaps because of the eerie events that took place there.

Legend has it that one of the workers was mysteriously murdered, causing the others to put down their tools and leave, leaving the house an abandoned, half-finished building reminiscent of the Mary Celeste ship.

There is said to be a ghostly Tall Man in the chapel, a ghostly old woman, and a visitor reported a floating head in the women’s bathroom.

Complete with gargoyles, grotesques and carvings from English folklore, Woodchester is the perfect setting for a spooky atmosphere.

Visit woodchestermansion.org.uk.

Cairndhu House, Northern Ireland

Cairndhu House, County Antrim, is considered one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland

The house (above) is now privately owned, although uninhabited – at least by anyone

Louise Davidson’s debut novel, The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond (£8.99, Moonflower Books), is available now

Cairndhu House, County Antrim, is considered one of the most haunted places in Northern Ireland.

The house was built in 1880 and was later purchased by Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon in 1918 before being donated to the government as a convalescent hospital.

The house is now privately owned, although uninhabited – at least by anyone. Paranormal investigators of the house have long been considered haunted by locals and have reported hearing running footsteps, seeing figures in the windows and the ghost of a servant who died in the house.

Officials insist the structure of the house means it is not suitable for visitors.

Visit irelandbeforeyoudie.com.

Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire

It’s a fine example of a medieval house and it’s not surprising that Samlesbury Hall (pictured) is haunted, says Louise

Legend has it that the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth, known as the White Lady of Samlesbury, haunts the various rooms. Upstairs is the salon

Gothic novelist Louise Davidson

It is a fine example of a medieval house and it is not surprising that Samlesbury Hall is haunted.

Legend has it that the ghost of Lady Dorothy Southworth, known as the White Lady of Samlesbury, haunts the various rooms after she was sent abroad when her brother murdered her fiancé to prevent them from eloping.

It is said that her ghost waits for a lover who will never return.

Visit samlesburyhall.co.uk/guided-tours.

Skaill House, Sandwick, Orkney mainland

Skaill House is believed to have been built on an ancient Pict cemetery

While Skaill House was being renovated, visitors reported sightings of ghostly figures, sounds from empty rooms and the appearance of a strange man, who seemed to disappear moments later. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons licensing

Originally built in 1620, Skaill House is located near the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, which was excavated in 1850.

The house is now open to the public and is believed to have been built on an ancient Pict cemetery. And while it was being renovated, visitors reported sightings of ghostly figures, noises from empty rooms and, if no male staff members were working that day, the appearance of a strange man, who seemed to disappear moments later.

Visit skaillhouse.co.uk/your-visit.

Louise Davidson’s debut novel, Olivia Richmond’s fortunes (£8.99, Moon flower books), is out now.

LOUISE DAVIDSON’S INSPIRATION FOR HER GOTHIC NOVEL

The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond is inspired by National Trust Property Sunnycroft House in Shropshire (above).

The two-storey red-brick Victorian villa was the inspiration for Mistcoate House, which places Louise deep in the Norfolk wilderness. Surrounded by deep woods, it’s the setting for a tale of tarot, divination and speaking to the dead – “the perfect Halloween read,” says publisher Moonflower Books.