The nights suddenly becoming colder and darker can only mean one thing…spooky season is upon us! While the UK has plenty of roads that will keep you on the edge of your seat, some are certainly more frightening than others. Meandering down a narrow country lane can be ominous at the best of times, but some UK roads have a haunting history behind them.
Buckle up as we observe some of the UK’s scariest roads…
Devil’s Highway, A666, Bolton, Lancashire
Although St Peter’s Way may be its official name, the A666 naturally had to be nicknamed the Devil’s Highway due to its beastly number. The route boasts views of the West Pennine Moors, where many drivers have claimed to witness mysterious shadowy figures that suddenly vanish.
The stretch of road between Egerton and Darwen has seen a significantly high number of accidents over the years, with the crash rate having been three times higher than other motorways in the borough.
As a result, several safety measures have since been introduced. Some of the changes include a speed limit change from 70mph to 50mph, the introduction of speed cameras, the banning of cyclists and slip road changes. While the updated safety measures have since reduced accidents by 60%, these haven’t been enough to scare away the mysterious figures on the moors …
Bermuda Triangle, M6, Cheshire
Junctions 16-19 of the M6 have been dubbed Chesire’s Bermuda Triangle with an array of spooky sightings being reported over the years. Visions have included vanishing hitchhikers, disappearing lorries – even Roman soldiers. The stretch of road is steeped in history and used to be travelled by the Romans, with numerous drivers stating they have seen the soldiers marching across the road.
Additionally, the road was built on a Roman burial ground, which some believe could be the reason for the ghostly sightings. It’s even been argued that the road’s high accident rate could be a result of these paranormal visions.
Regardless of what you believe, there’s clearly much more to the M6 than paying the toll charge!
Blue Bell Hill, A229, Kent
The A229, Blue Bell Hill appears unassuming on first glance. However, it’s become known as one of Kent’s most haunted spots with many chilling tales from motorists. Over the years, there have been over 50 spooky sightings of a bride waiting on the side of the road. The figure is believed to be a young woman who sadly died in a collision on the stretch of road in 1965 on the eve of her wedding day.
Many of the experiences involve the bride locking eyes with the driver before mysteriously vanishing. Additionally, some motorists have also experienced peculiar hitchhikers asking for a lift, only to disappear into thin air.
Stocksbridge Bypass, A616, South Yorkshire
While the Stocksbridge Bypass is a fairly new road, having only opened in 1988, it has quickly gained a reputation as being one of the UK’s most haunted roads. The most common tale involves sightings of children dressed in old-fashioned clothes, often heard singing near the electricity pylons. It’s been said the children could be from the Yorkshire mines, haunting the area a century later.
There have also been visions of a monk sitting on the bridge and wandering alongside cars. The man is thought to have been part of a nearby monastery from years ago who left to work as a groundsman, at a nearby townhouse.
The Hardknott Pass, Cumbria
Roads don’t have to be infested with ghosts and ghouls to leave you shaking at the steering wheel. The Hardknott Pass in Cumbria is often considered to be one of the UK’s scariest roads due to the sheer number of twists and turns, coupled with its steep gradient. Along with the Rosedale Chimney Bank in North Yorkshire, it’s been crowned as the steepest road in England.
Tackling the Hardknott Pass is not for the faint-hearted with its reduced visibility and bumpy terrain which can be very slippery in wet conditions. If you’re heading from central Lake District to West Cumbria, the Hardknott Pass is the most direct route. Proceed if you dare.
That concludes our list of some of the UK’s scariest roads. Next time you get an unsettling feeling driving through a particular area, there could well be a spooky tale behind it. Or it could just be really steep and narrow – fear comes in many forms!
Whatever road you’re travelling down, don’t let your car become a horror story! With our 10-point car check, you can rest assured that your vehicle is well-equipped for the colder weather and darker nights. Remember, you can get two 10-point car checks free with your Premium Halfords Motoring Club membership.
Or, if you notice an issue with your tyres or battery, take advantage of Halfords Mobile Expert. We fit tyres, batteries, and more from the comfort of your driveway or workplace. Booo-k now!