The Ye Olde Man and Scythe, tucked on Churchgate in Bolton, claims roots back to 1251, making it one of England’s oldest pubs. Rebuilt in 1636 after earlier incarnations, its black-and-white timber frame served ale to medieval merchants and Civil War soldiers alike. Tied to the brutal 1644 Bolton Massacre, it’s infamous as the execution site of James Stanley, Earl of Derby. Today, it’s a cozy local, but its creaky floors groan with Bolton ghost stories that echo its bloody past.
This pub thrived as Bolton grew from a market town to an industrial hub, its bar steeped in tales of trade and treachery. Its spot near the parish church soaked up centuries of life—some say with spirits that linger. The Ye Olde Man and Scythe blends Bolton’s rich history with a haunted chill, drawing fans of Bolton ghost stories and medieval haunts.
One chilling tale tells of The Beheaded Earl, James Stanley himself, axed outside in 1651 after the massacre. His headless figure staggers near the bar, a faint thud of the blade trailing—patrons feel a cold draft by his old seat. Another story spins The Crying Barmaid, a lass killed in a 1700s brawl over spilled ale. Her soft sobs drift from the cellar, and tankards tip as if she’s still cleaning. These Bolton ghost stories shroud The Ye Olde Man and Scythe in a spectral mist, a timeless haunt for ghost seekers.