If it’s spooky goings-on you’re after this Halloween, you needn’t travel far.

Right here in Dorset there are a plethora of locations promising to give you a bit of a fright.

Here are our top five.

Wimborne:

On the outskirts of Wimborne, Knowlton Church is regarded as one of the most haunted places in the county.

Known for its ruined Norman Church, Neolithic rings and pagan relics, paranormal investigators have recorded sightings of unexplained phenomena and even those who don’t believe in ghosts have had weird experiences.

There have been spooky sightings of a cloaked figure with a blue sheen at the 14th century deserted church, as well as people reporting centurion like figures, a woman kneeling outside the church, the sound of fighting and, most commonly, a man or men on horseback who visibly rides through the church as if it was not there.

Others claim there is a strange feeling as you approach the church – one dogwalker said his pet stopped, started barking and backed away from the sight in broad daylight.

Rumours have it that Knowlton Church is still used for ceremonies, with tales of black and white magic.

Beside the B3078, north of Wimborne Minster, a coffin has been seen lying on the verge. It is believed to be the coffin of a farmer who committed suicide by hanging himself in a barn nearby

Purbeck:

Entire books have been written about unexplained events in the Purbeck area.

Swanage author David Leadbetter collated a host of experiences for Paranormal Purbeck from nearly 70 locations in the region, featuring accounts by more than 100 local people including UFO sightings, ghosts, moving objects, near death experiences and out-of-body experiences.

David researched more about the phantom army at Creech and headless woman Lady Bankes at Corfe, who is reported to walk just outside the main walls of the castle she had bravely tried to hold against besieging Parliamentarians in the Civil War, as well as events at Herston’s Royal Oak pub – where he interviewed nearly 40 people about their ghostly experiences.

In nearby Bovington, Herman the German is a regular ghost spotted at the Tank Museum, often seen dressed in a black uniform from the Second World War. He is said to be a crew member killed in battle who couldn’t leave his Tiger Tank behind.

The ghostly dancers of Lulworth have been seen several times dancing on the beach on a moonlit night, as well as a headless figure driving his coach at dawn down to the beach, believed to have been a highwayman who attempted to hold up a coach but was killed in the process.

Poole:

As you'd expect from a town of its years, Poole is home to a plethora of traditional pubs and ancient buildings, which have been standing since the days of smugglers - the architecture is stunning and the old cobbled streets are said to be haunted.

In the Old Town area, The Crown Hotel is famously host to several spooky goings on, such as lights turning on and off and the ghostly sound of a piano being played in the former stables.

The venue is said to have been the home to two children who were locked up by a parent who was too embarrassed to let them run around and play in front of other people, and who now let their protests be heard in the form of crying and yelling.

There have also been sightings of a ghost at the King Charles pub on Poole Quay, as well as the sound of disembodies footsteps and a young female voice.

In the nearby high street, in the former Daily Echo building, a ghost by the name of Mr Jenkins was frequently spotted rudely pushing past people on the stairs.

Other haunted buildings include Custom House on the quay, the Guildhall and the waters at Poole Harbour, where bells have been heard ringing at night.

West Dorset:

Not to be outdone, West Dorset has its fair share of haunted happenings.

With a legend of a witch at Langdon Hill, near Chideock, who takes the form of a hare and runs around the hills at night, and another phantom lady is believed to stand in a pub car park in the town.

The phantom of the handsome Duke of Monmouth has been spotted riding a white horse up from the harbour at Lyme Regis.

Bridport Museum is said to house a haunted dress, and is also host to the ghost of the owner of the building from Edwardian times, Captain Albert Codd, who has been seen dressed in a yellow smoking jacket and black trousers.

The town’s Bull Inn has also been the site of some paranormal activity. Members of the public and staff have repeatedly investigated sounds of a child in the ladies toilet, but no child is ever found. A lady dressed in tweed is also believed to sit in the reception area.

Athelhampton House, Dorchester is reputed to be one of the most haunted houses in England, featuring in one of the very first episodes of Living TV’s Most Haunted series.

A duelling due has been seen in the Great Hall, both staff and guest have reported seeing a grey lady passing through the walls and a dark apparition, believed to be a monk, has been spotted in broad daylight.

Bournemouth:

Bournemouth is said to be home to “younger ghosts”, including the ghosts of a soldier wearing a Second World War uniform and a horse which both haunt the Town Hall.

One of the town’s most haunted buildings is the Langtry Manor Hotel, built by Edward VII for his mistress, Lillie Langtry.

The hotel is believed to be haunted by Lillie’s ghost, which has reportedly appeared to both guests and staff in the form of a grey shadow.

Footsteps, moving items and voices have also been experienced.