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Ghostly trail brings a chill to city centre

Hayley CoyleYorkshire
News imageOli Constable/BBC Illuminated ruins of a Gothic stone abbey at night, lit in blue and purple. A curved pathway leads through a landscaped garden in the foreground, where two glowing, ghost-like figures stand beside shrubs. Bare tree branches frame the scene, and a lamppost rises near the centre.Oli Constable/BBC
The trail will feature 70 ghostly figures set among York's historic locations

An illuminated trail of ghostly sculptures has gone on display in one of Europe's most haunted cities.

Ghosts After Dark, which runs from 4 to 8 November, features 70 wire-mesh spectres hidden in and around the grounds of York's Museum Gardens.

York is reputed to have 140 real ghosts within its walls, with 15 alone said to frequent the Golden Fleece pub, overlooking the Shambles.

Jocelyn Palmer, from York Museums Trust, said: "The ghosts are a well-loved part of the city's autumnal calendar, and we're delighted to be hosting them all together again for this series of evening events."

News imageOli Constable/BBC Two illuminated wireframe sculptures stand beneath a tree at night in a garden setting. One sculpture resembles a horse, glowing with soft white and purple light, while the other depicts a cloaked figure wearing a broad-brimmed hat and holding a staff or walking stick. Purple lighting shines from the ground around the figures, with fallen leaves covering the grass. Green lights illuminate trees and foliage in the background, creating a dramatic, enchanted atmosphere.Oli Constable/BBC
Ghosts After Dark will also include live storytelling
News imageOli Constable/BBC An illuminated wireframe statue of a man stands next to a sign saying Yorkshire MuseumOli Constable/BBC

As well as the Museum Gardens, the sculptures can also been seen in the King's Manor courtyard and Library Lawn, the Anglian Tower, Edible Wood, Artists' Garden, St Olave's Churchyard and the area beside York Art Gallery.

Carl Alsop, from York BID said: "There's something really special about experiencing York Museum Gardens after dark and this year, visitors will have more to discover than ever.

"We've taken everything people loved about the first Ghosts After Dark and made it bigger."

News imageOli Constable/BBC A glowing green wireframe sculpture of a person riding a penny-farthing bicycle stands among trees in a wooded garden at night. The large front wheel and small rear wheel are illuminated with bright green light, while surrounding foliage and ground vegetation are lit in shades of green and blue. Warm lights from the wider park are visible through the trees in the background, creating a magical nighttime atmosphere.Oli Constable/BBC
The event will run from 4 to 8 November
News imageOli Constable/BBC An illuminated wireframe statue of a plague doctorOli Constable/BBC

He added: "All 70 ghosts will be gathered together across an expanded route, with atmospheric lighting, fog, live storytelling, interactive artwork and plenty of surprises hiding in the darkness."

Tours of the gardens run from 4 to 8 November between 17:30 until 21:30 and cost £10 for adults and £2 for children.

News imageOli Constable/BBC A small bat-shaped wire sculpture hangs upside down from an ornate metal post at night. The bat is made from fine mesh material and is illuminated by a nearby light, which creates a soft glow against the dark surroundings. Twisted metal detailing wraps around the post above the bat, while trees and foliage fade into shadow in the background. The scene has a mysterious, Halloween-like atmosphere.Oli Constable/BBC
York is said to be one of the most haunted cities in Europe due to its violent and gruesome history
News imageOli Constable/BBC An illuminated wireframe statue of a man siting on a river bank fishing. Oli Constable/BBC

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