Dive into the spooky underground of Keighley's Victorian Royal Arcade and see if you can catch some paranormal action firsthand!

This event is open to persons over the age of 16 however all 16-17 year olds must be accompanied by a responsible adult eg. parent, guardian, carer or older family member.

The Royal Arcade's underground area was once the ground level of a bustling late-Victorian commercial area in Keighley. By the late 19th century, the town was expanding, and in 1899, Turner & Fowlds purchased the site with the intention of building a new, covered shopping arcade above the existing structures. The original street, with its shops and stables, was last in use around the 1890s and subsequently built over, with access via stone steps from the new ground level. This created a subterranean world that was primarily used for storage and cellars for the shops above, effectively a "lost" street beneath the modern arcade.

The hidden area was rediscovered accidentally in 2002 by builders conducting renovations on the Royal Arcade above. They smashed through to what they thought were simple cellars and found a remarkably well-preserved network of Edwardian shops and stable pens, complete with original wooden shopfronts, doors, signage, and even some abandoned goods. The discovery offered a rare, time-capsule glimpse into the past, as the area had remained sealed and untouched for over a century.

The underground is considered a paranormal hotspot where visitors and staff report mysterious occurrences like unexplained footsteps, whistling, and cold spots. One prominent spirit is thought to be Billy, a saddlery worker who reportedly died on the site after falling down the stairs. He is described as a "drunk and unpopular" spirit who enjoys "messing with the ladies" during tours, while men report being touched in the area of a former brothel.

You will have access to all our paranormal equipment and have the chance to take part in many experiments in our search for activity so come along and join our team for this intimate Christmas Special at this eerie location.

Complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Description supplied by the event organiser.