TWO Gloucestershire venues have been included in the UK’s most popular haunted destinations, according to a new study.

A research team at QR Code Generator analysed Instagram hashtag data to determine the haunted spots with the highest number of social media uploads.

Two Gloucestershire venues found themselves in the top fifty; Woodchester Mansion in Nympsfield and the Ancient Ram Inn in Wotton-under-Edge.

Whilst these spooky venues made it into the top fifty, no Forest of Dean venues made the list. Foresters often cite the most haunted places in the region as Littledean Jail, Littledean Hall, St. Briavels Castle or Clearwell Castle.

Marc Porcar, the CEO of QR Code Generator, said: “From eerie streets to creepy castles, the UK certainly isn’t short of haunted locations. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s no surprise that these locations are gaining huge attention online. Social media hype is one of the main reasons why some of these locations have become so infamous, as tourists rush to share their own spooky experiences online.

“With many of these locations offering ghost tours, late-night events, and even immersive paranormal hunts in the lead-up to Halloween, visitors are given an opportunity to explore social media speculation and experience the myths, legends, and paranormal tales first-hand, making them must-visit attractions during the spooky season.”

Elsewhere in the UK, topping the list was London Bridge which proved to be the most popular haunted attraction in the UK. The iconic tourist destination, which has amassed over 1.6 million uploads on social media, is well-known for its spooky reports of paranormal activity. London Bridge is often associated with its gruesome history as a former public execution site, with some locals claiming to have seen ghostly figures along the River Thames at night.

In fact, four London venues made the top five of the list, with the others being the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Whitechapel.