TOP 10 Most Haunted Dolls in the UK: A Deep Dive into the Nation’s Most Chilling Toys

The UKS Most Haunted Dolls and their rankings based on media attention.

The UK is no stranger to paranormal phenomena, but few things are as unnerving as a haunted doll. These inanimate objects, said to be vessels for restless spirits, have become the focus of countless ghost-hunting investigations and media reports. Based on their reputation, documented incidents, and media coverage, here is a professional and in-depth look at some of the most infamous haunted dolls in the United Kingdom.

1. The Bridal Doll of South Yorkshire

• Location: The Haunted Objects Museum, Rotherham.
• What Haunts There: Widely cited in the media as the UK’s most haunted doll, this antique porcelain figure is believed to be possessed by the spirit of a jilted bride named Elizabeth. The doll’s owner, paranormal investigator Lee Steer, purchased the item for a significant sum after hearing about its malevolent reputation. Since then, the doll has allegedly attacked over 17 men, leaving some with physical scratches and a burning sensation. In one instance, a man’s shirt was mysteriously pulled while on a live stream. The doll’s animosity is said to be exclusively directed at men, while her actions towards women are limited to poltergeist activity like throwing objects and setting off alarms. The museum has noted an increase in activity, which some theorize is due to the doll’s jealousy over new, famous items being brought into the collection.

2. Norman

• Location: Cornwall, UK (Private collection).
• What Haunts There: Dubbed the “most cursed doll” in the UK by its owners, Norman is a baby-faced doll with a history of bringing bad luck to those who possess him. A paranormal investigator who now owns the doll claims that her life has not been the same since his arrival. She reports a number of strange phenomena, including the air turning freezing cold when the doll’s box was opened, and her family suffering from a streak of health problems and accidents. She also claims her child communicates with the doll and that she has experienced nightmares and even physical scratches on her body.

3. Grace

• Location: Ye Olde Kings Head Hotel, Chester.
• What Haunts There: Housed in a haunted hotel room, the Grace Doll has been compared to the infamous Annabelle from the US. Paranormal investigators who have worked with the doll claim that she is inhabited by a spirit that mimics a child’s voice to lure people in. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, loud bangs, and a pervasive sense of dread. The doll is said to be particularly active toward men, and its handlers have documented hearing the doll “growl.” The doll is so notorious that there is a strict warning against entering its protective salt circle, and some have claimed to feel compelled to open her chained box.

4. Scary Mary

• Location: A haunted museum in Stoke-on-Trent.
• What Haunts There: Owned by a team of ghost hunters, “Scary Mary” has a reputation for being one of the most haunted dolls in Britain. The doll, which was given to the team by a woman who felt uncomfortable with it, has been captured on video rocking on its chair, throwing itself off the chair, and even moving its eyes from side to side.

5. The Whispering Doll

• Location: Reported in a private home in Liverpool.
• What Haunts There: This doll, a figure from local legend, is said to whisper to people, especially at night. Its owner, a man from Liverpool, claims that the doll whispers phrases such as “Help me,” “I’m lonely,” and “I want to play.” The owner eventually had to seal the doll in a glass case and place it in the attic after guests complained of hearing the whispers during the night, even when the doll was nowhere near them.

6. The “Bannister” Doll of Preston

• Location: Ladywell Street, Preston.
• What Haunts There: While not a physical doll, this is a local legend of a phantom that manifests in the form of a doll. The ghostly apparition of a young woman named Dorothy “Doll” Bannister is said to haunt the area. According to the legend, she was killed by her father after he learned she was pregnant. Her spirit is said to roam the area, and some people claim to hear the sound of her feet behind them and see an apparition of a young woman in a white bonnet.

7. Florence

• Location: Featured in the London Dungeon’s “House of Curses” exhibition.
• What Haunts There: Florence gained a significant reputation after winning a “most cursed object” contest held in the UK. The owner of the doll, who has had her for years, has reported that she has had to be kept in a cabinet because she has caused so much disruption in her home. Florence is said to have been responsible for a number of poltergeist-like incidents, including lights flickering, electronics malfunctioning, and objects moving on their own.

8. The “Unknown Girl” Painting

• Location: House of Curses, London Dungeon.
• What Haunts There: While not a doll, this painting of a young girl is a famous haunted item that is often displayed alongside haunted dolls. It is said to be so cursed that it has to be kept in a sealed room and has a waiver for visitors to sign. It is rumored to cause chills, a sense of being watched, and even panic attacks in some visitors. It has been returned to a charity shop by multiple owners who claimed to be so terrified they had to get rid of it.