It's almost Halloween, and if you fancy looking at some of the world's most haunted places, but don't fancy actually visiting these locations in case it turns out that the paranormal is actually real, well you can stay in your comfort zone and explore them on your computer. Google Street View has compiled a list of spooky places where you can actually walk around the area and even look inside buildings, and IBTimes UK has added a few of our favourites too.

1. Isla de las Muñecas, Mexico

The Island Of The Dolls is located just south of Mexico City and is the home of many terrifying dolls. It is said that a girl was found drowned in mysterious circumstances many years ago on this island and that the dolls are possessed by her spirit.

Isla de las Munecas
Isla de las Munecas on Google Street View Google

2. Newsham Park Hospital, UK

Newsham Park Hospital in Liverpool is an abandoned building that once housed an orphanage in the 19th century and then a mental asylum up until 1997. It is believed to be one of the most haunted buildings in Europe and people have already spotted a ghost child standing in the window just from looking at Google Street View's photographs.

Newsham Park Hospital on Google Street View
Newsham Park Hospital on Google Street View Google

3. Bran Castle, Romania

Bran Castle in Romania is commonly known as "Dracula's Castle". Although the castle only had tangential associations with Vlad III, voivode of Wallachia, who was reportedly the inspiration for Dracula, it is a beautiful piece of architecture that houses the art and furniture that was collected by Queen Marie.

Bran's Castle, aka Dracula's Castle
Bran's Castle on Google Street View Google

4. Winchester Mystery House, US

The Winchester Mystery House in Santa Clara Valley, California was the home of Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester. Sarah lost both her child and her husband, and the legend goes that a medium told her that the Winchester family had been cursed by the souls killed by Winchester guns.

She was advised to move to a new place and build a house for the spirits of the dead, and that if she ever stopped building the house, she would die. As a result, the house has 160 rooms and windows and doors set into ceilings and walls in odd places.

Winchester Mystery House
Winchester Mystery House on Google Street View Google

5. 13th Gate Haunted House, US

If you love haunted houses, then you have to visit the 13th Gate Haunted House in Louisiana one day. It's a 40,000 square foot haunted house attraction boasting 13 realms and an epic cast of over 160 professional actors, 40 crew members and a team of special effects make-up artists.

13th Gate Haunted House
13th Gate Haunted House on Google Street View Google

6. Gunkanjima, Japan

Gunkanjima (which means "Battleship Island" in Japanese), also known as Hashima Island, is an abandoned ghost island lying about 15km from the city of Nagasaki. It features historical concrete buildings, undisturbed except by nature, and the surrounding sea wall. Prior to and during WWII, it was used for forced labour, and it was featured in the James Bond movie Skyfall. There is an interactive 360-degree walkthrough of certain parts of the island on Google Street View.

Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)
Gunkanjima on Google Street View Google

7. Château de Brissac, France

The Château de Brissac in Maine-et-Loire, France is one of the most haunted places in the country. The castle is haunted by the la Dame Verte, or "Green Lady", who was killed in a double murder that occurred sometime in the 15th century. Her moans are often heard in the castle in the early morning and any visitor who bumps into her will see a creepy face with gaping holes where the eyes and nose should be. There is a full interactive 360-degree walkthrough of the castle available on Google Street View.

Château de Brissac
Château de Brissac on Google Street View - an interactive tour of the castle is available Google

8. Bodie State Historic Park, US

Bodie State Historic Park is a ghost town in the Bodie Hills in Mono County, California that dates back to the Gold Rush in the 19th century. It is preserved in a state of arrested decay. There are 110 buildings still standing and one of the gold mines remains open, and visitors can walk around to see how life was in the 1800s. There is a full interactive 360-degree walkthrough of this location on Google Street View.

Bodie State Historic Park
Google

Sadly, not all the world's most haunted places are available to view on Google Street View as many are on roads not covered by the service. Here's a list of the 21 Most Haunted Places in the world where you can read more.