The Flask, Highgate

Perched in the heart of Highgate Village, The Flask has been serving drinks since 1663 and stands as one of North London’s most haunted establishments. The pub takes its name from the flasks once used to carry water from the nearby Hampstead wells, but it’s better known for its association with legendary highwayman Dick Turpin, who allegedly used the pub’s cellars to hide from authorities. The spirit of a man matching Turpin’s description has been seen in the cellar areas, appearing briefly before disappearing through solid walls, while staff have reported hearing the sound of horses’ hooves and frantic whispers coming from the underground spaces where the fugitive once sought refuge.

The pub’s location in Highgate, an area already steeped in paranormal lore due to the nearby cemetery and its vampire legends, seems to amplify the supernatural activity within The Flask’s walls. Patrons have reported seeing the ghost of an old woman dressed in grey who sits in the corner of the bar before fading away, and the apparition of a young barmaid from the Victorian era who has been witnessed serving invisible customers at empty tables. The upper floors, which once served as lodging rooms, are particularly active with reports of furniture moving on its own, doors locking and unlocking without human intervention, and the overwhelming sensation of being watched by unseen eyes.

During renovations in the 1960s and again in the 2000s, workers reported tools disappearing and reappearing in different locations, sudden unexplained cold drafts in sealed rooms, and the feeling of someone walking closely behind them when they were alone. The building’s long history as a coaching inn means countless travelers passed through its doors over the centuries, and some seem never to have left. Regulars speak of certain seats that always feel occupied even when empty, and of glasses that move across tables when no one is near. The combination of The Flask’s age, its criminal connections, and its position in one of London’s most historically rich and allegedly haunted neighborhoods creates a perfect storm of paranormal activity.