Bank Station Black Nun

Bank Station, one of the busiest interchange stations on the London Underground, harbors a tragic ghost story dating back to 1812. The station is haunted by the “Black Nun,” believed to be the spirit of Sarah Whitehead, whose brother Philip was executed for forgery while working as a clerk at the Bank of England. Devastated by grief and refusing to accept his death, Sarah spent decades waiting outside the bank in black mourning clothes, asking daily if anyone had seen her brother.

Sarah Whitehead’s obsessive vigil continued for approximately 40 years until her death. Workers and commuters have reported seeing a woman in old-fashioned black clothing wandering the platforms and corridors of Bank Station, particularly in the older sections. She appears confused and distressed, sometimes seeming to search for someone or asking passersby if they’ve seen her brother. The apparition typically vanishes when approached or fades into the walls near the areas where the old Bank of England buildings once stood.

Station staff have reported unexplained cold spots, the sound of sobbing echoing through empty passages, and doors mysteriously opening and closing in areas where Sarah’s ghost has been seen. Some witnesses describe feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness when encountering the Black Nun. The sightings are most common during quiet hours or late at night when fewer commuters are present. The tragic nature of Sarah Whitehead’s story has made her one of London’s most sympathetic and well-documented ghosts, with reports continuing even as the station has undergone modern renovations and expansions.