The Ten Bells

The Ten Bells pub on Commercial Street stands at the dark heart of the Jack the Ripper murders, serving as a drinking establishment for several of the Ripper’s victims before their brutal deaths in 1888. Annie Chapman and Mary Kelly both frequented the pub, and witnesses have reported seeing the ghost of a woman in Victorian dress sitting alone in the corner, her face obscured by shadow, matching descriptions of the victims. The apparition sometimes looks up at patrons with hollow, pleading eyes before fading away, leaving behind an overwhelming sense of sadness and fear. Staff working late have heard a woman’s voice softly crying in empty rooms, and the sound of Victorian-era music emanating from areas where no music is playing.

The pub’s connection to one of history’s most infamous serial killers has created an atmosphere thick with supernatural dread. Multiple witnesses have reported seeing a sinister male figure in a top hat and cloak standing outside the pub’s windows, watching the interior with malevolent intent before disappearing when approached. This figure matches Victorian-era descriptions of suspects seen near the murder sites. Inside, there have been reports of sudden temperature drops, glasses flying off shelves without cause, and an oppressive feeling of being watched that becomes overwhelming in certain areas. Some psychics who have visited claim to feel the presence of pure evil lingering in the building, suggesting the Ripper himself may have left a dark imprint on the location.

The pub underwent a name change to “The Jack the Ripper” in the 1970s to capitalize on the dark history, but changed back to The Ten Bells after reports of increased paranormal activity and customers complaining of feeling physically unwell while inside. Staff have reported seeing shadowy figures moving through the building, hearing footsteps in the upstairs rooms when no one is there, and experiencing the terrifying sensation of being grabbed by invisible hands. The cellar is particularly active, with reports of bottles moving on their own, whispered conversations in Victorian-era accents, and apparitions of rough-looking men from the 19th century who appear briefly before vanishing. The weight of tragedy and violence that occurred in the surrounding streets seems to have seeped into the very walls of The Ten Bells, creating one of East London’s most intensely haunted locations.