Kent is bursting with medieval markets, ancient ruins and landmark buildings, but with all that fascinating heritage comes some pretty gruesome history.

If you want to delve into the darker side of the county, here are five gruesome ghost tours taking place this Halloween…

BUTTERMARKET: Meet at the 500-year-old Buttermarket, just outside the gates of Canterbury Cathedral, and set off on a 90-minute ghost tour of the city. The tour, which combines grisly history with nudge-nudge wink-wink humour, takes you through some of Canterbury’s oldest and most frightful spots and features creepy stories of death, disease and danger.

Details: Tours take place daily from 8pm at Buttermarket in Canterbury. Book online here.

DEAL CASTLE: Join a cast of spooky storytellers as they guide you through the grounds of this Tudor fort. The after-dark tour includes tales of smugglers and soldiers who touched down on Goodwin Sands and now haunt the castle. There will be stories of supernatural sightings and some gruesome details from the site's history.

Details: Saturday, October 26; Sunday, October 27; and Thursday, October 31 at Deal Castle. Book online here.

HEVER CASTLE: For just three nights, Hever Castle will be opening its doors after the sun sets for an evening tour. The guides will take you through some of the castle’s most haunted rooms where former residents have met their unfortunate fate. You will also be shown to the gardens and courtyard, which are eerily empty at night, and told some ghoulish tales from the castle’s 550-year history.

Details: Tuesday, October 29 to Thursday, October 31 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge. Book online here.

PLUCKLEY VILLAGE: Known for being the most haunted village in Britain, Pluckley seems like the place to be for those who have passed onto the other side. There’s the phantom coach and horses, the hanging body in Dicky Buss’s Lane and the Red Lady who wanders the churchyard of St Nicholas’ Church. On this walk, you can explore the village and listen to ghostly stories - make sure you look out for paranormal activity along the way.

Details: Sunday, October 27 from Pluckley Station, near Ashford. Book online here.

WALMER CASTLE: If you’re looking for a little scare that won’t give your kids nightmares for years to come, Walmer Castle is hosting some family-friendly ghost tours this Halloween. As dusk approaches, join your expert guide as they take you on a tour of the castle grounds and stunning gardens. They will tell you the castle’s strangest supernatural stories to help the whole family get in the mood for the spooky season.

Details: Saturday, October 26; Sunday, October 27; and Thursday, October 31 at Walmer Castle, near Deal. Book online.