Liah Thorley’s Scarborough ghost tours uncover the town’s dark history and folklore, blending paranormal tales with historical intrigue, writes DAVID SAUNDERSON
Liah Thorley, a history enthusiast and “open-minded sceptic”, has turned her fascination with the paranormal into a popular Scarborough ghost tours, uncovering its eerie past and hidden stories.
Liah’s love for the supernatural began in childhood.
Growing up in Doncaster, her grandmother’s unsettling dreams about the deceased and her grandfather’s spine-chilling honeymoon story at a haunted farmhouse nurtured her curiosity.
“I was that kid who watched horror films with my gran at nine,” she recalled, laughing. “Not the most age-appropriate pastime, but I loved it!”
Creating Scarborough’s Black Widow Tour
Liah’s life has been a patchwork of different countries and careers, all of which have shaped her love for history, storytelling, and the supernatural.
Originally from Doncaster, she left her hometown at 18 and embarked on a journey that took her to London, Italy, Malta, Australia and the United States.
When she decided to return to the UK, she wanted to live by the coast and instantly fell in love with Scarborough. Moving to the Yorkshire town, she sought a creative outlet and stumbled into ghost tours almost by chance.
A friend’s offhand comment during a York ghost tour sparked the idea.
Initially, she struggled to find local ghost stories.
“I thought maybe Scarborough didn’t have any!” she said.
But with persistence – researching in libraries, museums, and speaking to locals – she unearthed chilling tales of spectral sailors, smuggling tunnels, and haunted buildings.
One of the standout locations is the Three Mariners Inn, a former smugglers’ den and morgue.
The current owner shared tales of ghostly encounters, including his daughter feeling invisible taps on her shoulder.
Liah designed the 80-minute tour to be accessible, mostly downhill, and rich in dark history and folklore, blending eerie tales with historical context.
Scarborough’s Unique Hauntings
Scarborough’s beauty contrasts its haunting past. Its dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, and castle provide the perfect backdrop for ghost stories.
Liah shared chilling accounts, including the haunted Quay Street, where guests have reported dogs growling at empty spaces, and the Victorian tramway, where fairy lights mysteriously flickered during her storytelling.
Despite her immersion in the paranormal, Liah maintains a balanced perspective.
“I think we all sense echoes of the past. Whether it’s paranormal or not, who knows?”
Liah’s tours return in March, with special dates during the summer and Halloween.
She’s also delving into writing, expanding her exploration of folklore and haunted tales.
For fans of eerie stories and hidden history, Liah’s tour is a Scarborough highlight.
“It’s not just about ghosts – it’s about uncovering the darker, fascinating side of this beautiful town,” she said.
Visit Liah’s website, https://www.liahsthorley.com, and Black Widow Tours for more information about her tours and fiction.
