A haunted place is an area that seems to be inhabited by ghosts, spirits or other supernatural entities. These ghosts or spirits are believed to have some kind of connection with the area in which they are seen, usually a former home or location associated with the event or emotion that caused their deaths. Traditional signs of a haunting include strange noises, lights, odors and breezes, the displacement of objects or even bells that ring on their own.
Some ghosts are alleged to be malicious, such as the murderous spirit of Anne Boleyn who has been seen at Hever Castle in Kent and other places where she was executed for witchcraft, treason, adultery and incest. Other ghosts are said to have a positive or neutral influence, such as the shadow figure apparition that has been seen in many homes and businesses as a protective presence for children.
Skeptics argue that these kinds of phenomena are just natural occurrences such as infrasound or electromagnetic fields that can create hallucinations and feelings of unease. However, the paranormal beliefs of a person are a moderating factor in this theory and affect the sense of place of people who believe in ghosts and other supernatural entities.
There is also a category of haunting that is believed to be the result of an intelligent ghost, which shows awareness and consciousness in interacting with living people. Typically these intelligent ghosts manifest as full-bodied apparitions and are indistinguishable from living persons.