Haunted Castles — England Sorted by Name
Ghost sightings have been reported in many castles and manor houses. Few old castles do not boast the shade of a jilted lover tumbling from the battlements, a ghostly White Lady, a demonic Monk who vanishes if challenged, a poltergeist, a headless phantom, a spectral coach and horses or disembodied wailing. An especially common theme is that of a victim walled up alive within the castle, whose ghost haunts the castle for centuries afterwards, until the victim's body is found and properly buried. Some stories tend to be regional — spectral pipers on the ramparts of Scottish castles or demonic Black Dogs known as Shucks in the South of England.
Stories of supernatural omens are attached to many castles and the families that own them, generally warning of a forthcoming death in the family, sometimes specifically the lord, chatelain or clan chief. The omen typically takes the form of an unusual animal such as a white deer, a white owl, or a white fox.
In Scotland over a dozen castles claim the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots. In England several castles claim royal ghosts including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Berkeley Castle. Many of the best stories have historical events underpinning them: often an execution or a murder, with supporting detail such as names and dates. There are also a smaller number of reported supernatural creatures that inhabit castles: fairies, banshees and goblins; giants and vampires, and elemental sprites. There are also a large number of ancient legends and curses associated with castles.
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314 hauntings found
Castle Acton
A priest staying in the castle reported hearing the buzzing of a bell that woke him up several times during the night. The priest had spent the night in the former maid's room. A lady of the castle had had an electric buzzer connected to her maid's room should she require assistance, though it had was removed when she had died.
Acton Burnell Castle
A ghostly girl dressed in white lace haunts this ruined castle
Aldbury Castle
The Devil reportedly helped the owner of the castle perform alchemy on the site, before a chemical mishap blew them both to hell.
Alnwick Castle
A one time lord of the castle became a vampire and frequented the castle in the twelfth century. (an event recorded by the Chronicler William of Newburgh). The vampire "lived" underneath the castle and would emerge at night to attack the local villagers. An outbreak of the Black Death was attributed to the vampire, which resulted in the villagers digging him up and burning him.
Amberley Castle Hotel
Emily, a teenager, died shortly after being seduced by a bishop. Her ghost appears in and around the castle kitchen.
Annesley Hall
A woman was found murdered after she had fallen pregnant to a member of the owner's family. Her ghost haunts the old servants' quarters.
Annesley Hall
The ghost of an old man haunts the hall, a black figure wandering about searching for something in the old laundry rooms
Appuldurcombe House
The house is well known as one of the most haunted places on the island, with frequent tales and claimed sightings of ghosts. These include a phantom carriage parked outside the house, brown-clad monks, dark shapes roaming the grounds, babies cry and unseen hands leaf through pages of the visitor's book.
Arundel Castle
The ghost of a young woman dressed in white is seen wandering around Hiornes tower on moonlit nights (the tower located behind the castle in Arundel Park designed in the 18th century by the architect Francis Hiorne). It is thought that the young woman committed suicide, throwing herself from the tower after the loss of her true love. She appears on moonlit nights and often seen by the groundkeepers.
Arundel Castle
A ghostly small white bird is seen fluttering around the windows of the castle before the death of a resident of the castle and its appearance is regarded as an omen that tragedy will strike someone connected to the castle.
Arundel Castle
A young girl flees towards a tower, from where she once jumped and killed herself
Arundel Castle
People can hear the ghostly distant rumble of cannon being shot at the castle walls
Arundel Castle
The 'Blue Man appears In the library (renowned as one of the finest Gothic rooms in England). It is thought to be the ghost of a man who lived in the castle at the time of King Charles II.
Arundel Castle
The ghost of a young boy who worked in the kitchens some 200 years ago appears frequently scrubbing pots and pans and scurrying in the kitchen. It is thought that the boy died of sever beatings administered there.
Arundel Castle
The library is haunted by a blue man, paging through an unidentified book
Arundel Castle
This ghost is seen in the servants quarters, with long hair and dressed in a loose sleeved grey tunic. When seen the ghost fades away to nothing.
Arundel Castle
Equipment has been heard in use in the castle kitchens, though always empty on investigation,
Askerton Castle
May Marye was murdered by a lover. Now she extracts revenge on the living by jumping on the backs of passing horses and terrifying their riders. She once engaged a rider in conversation, making him swear on his life that the topic of discussion would never be revealed.
Astley Castle
Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk was the father of Lady Jane Grey. Bloody Mary had him beheaded on 23 February 1554, after his conviction for high treason for his part in Sir Thomas Wyatt's attempt to overthrow her after she announced her intention to marry Philip II of Spain. Henry's headless ghost now haunts this castle. His severed head was discovered in a vault in London's Holy Trinity church perfectly preserved by oak sawdust from the scaffold on which he had been executed, 297 years earlier.
Athelhampton House
A ghost known as the Grey Lady of Athelhampton is frequently seen, and often passes through solid walls.
Athelhampton House
A pet ape was accidentally trapped in the secret passage leading from the Great Chamber. The ghostly sound of scratching can be heard from the passage.
Athelhampton House
The castle is haunted by the ghost of a Catholic priest, believed to have been the Catholic chaplain of the Martyn family.
Athelhampton House
The spectral sound of tapping is said to be made by the ghost of a cooper near to the Great Hall.
Athelhampton House
A pair of spectal swordsmen haunt the Great Chamber, dualling.
Baconsthorpe Castle
A ghost soldier patrols the battlements that the soldier patrolled in life. He is blamed for the stones thrown into the moat.
Bamburgh Castle
A 'Pink Lady' haunts the castle. In life she was a Northumbrian Princess who wanted to marry her true love, but he was beneath her station. Her father sent her lover overseas and after a period of time, he told her that her lover had married someone else and that she should forget all about him. To cheer her up in her obvious melancholy, the King had a beautiful pink dress made for her. When it was completed, she put on the garment, then climbed on to the highest battlements and threw herself to her death on the rocks below. The princess returns to the Castle every seven years in her pink dress, wondering around then making her way down the rocky path to the beach, where she stands and watches, waiting for her lover to return.
Bamburgh Castle
A ghostly woman with a green cloak is sometimes seen falling from the top of the castle, but vanishes before she hits the ground.
Bamburgh Castle
A knight in armour is often heard stomping about the castle, sometimes rattling chains.
Barnard Castle
Her body having been tossed into the River Tees by her murderer, the ghost of Lady Ann Day is seen repeating her plummet into the river.
Barnwell Castle
Strong gusts of wind felt on windless days are attributed to the ghost of a murdered monk who walks this area wielding a whip.
Belgrave Hall
The ghost of Victorian woman in a terracotta dress and black shoes haunts the Hall.
Bellister Castle
An old minstrel often came and played his harp at the castle. The lord of the castle decided that the minstrel was a spy and had him killed. Now the musician's grey form is now seen about the castle.
Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle is the castle in which Edward II was confined in 1327 AD after he was deposed by his wife Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer. Confinement in the dungeons with their terrible conditions and disease failed to provoke the death of the King. They decided to depose of the King and Edward II was suffered probably the most horrific death of any British king in history. He was pinned down on a table and a funnel inserted into his rectum. Through it a red-hot poker was pushed into his bowels. The room where this murder took place can still be visied by visitors to the castle. Edward II died in such terrible agony that it has been said for many centuries that his screams can be heard miles from the castle on the anniversary of his death.
Berry Pomeroy Castle
A Blue Lady haunts the castle. She is the ghost of a young woman who became pregnant by her own father. When the baby was born, she smothered it causing her ghost forever doomed to wander in painful regret. The child has also been heard crying and screaming in the castle
Berry Pomeroy Castle
Eleanor de Pomeroy in a cruel act of spite, imprisoned and starved her sister Margaret to death because they both fell in love with the same man. She was killed beneath the 15th century now called Margaret's tower, reached by a winding stone staircase, in a dark castle dungeon. Margaret's ghostly form appears in the depths of the tower and many have said that they have felt her presence in the stairway leading to her former cell.
Berry Pomeroy Castle
A ghostly black dog haunts this castle.
Berry Pomeroy Castle
A phantom cavalier haunts the castle
Berwick castle
The ghostly Scots piper plays his pipes while pacing the ruined battlements.
Betchworth Castle
While chasing an escaping prisoner, Lord Hope killed a man, thinking he was the escaped prisoner. He later discovered it was his son. The ghost of Lord Hope now walks the castle in regret.
Blanchminster Castle (now ruins)
When this knight returned from the crusades he discovered his wife had thought him dead, and remarried. He spent his remaining days living rough in the land around the castle, and his ghost can be seen in the former moat.
Blenkinsopp Castle
Lady de Blenkinsopp is said to wait for her husband to return from the crusades, where he went after a disagreement over gold. Some reports state that the treasure is still hidden on the site.
Bodiam Castle
Phantom singing, music, and words spoken in an unidentifiable language are heard in the castle on Easter Sunday.
Bodiam Castle
The ghost of a young boy haunts the bridge - he seems to be crossing it but the ghost disappears when he reaches the mid-way point.
Bodiam Castle
Thi ghost of a Lady dressed in red stands on the top of a tower, illuminated by bright moonlight, as if waiting for someone.ÿ
Bolingbroke Castle
The castle is haunted by a phantom hare, which locals believe to be a witch was once held prisoner in the castle.
Bolsover Castle
Phantoms have also been reported in the chamber under the castle: a man wearing ruffs and a woman in a scarf have been spotted standing together, before vanishing.
Bolsover Castle
The ghostly woman seen in the kitchen area of the castle carefully places a small child into the fireplace before vanishing.ÿ
Bolton Castle
Imprisoned by the English, Mary Queen of Scots spent some time at this castle. Her ghost walks around the courtyard.
Bramber Castle
Bramber Castle was, in the reign of King John, owned by William de Braose whose opulent lifestyle made him the envy of his monarch. He was to incur the King's displeasure in the events leading up to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 AD. The King decided to make an example of Braose and ordered him to give up his four young children to be hostages of the King ensuring their father's future good behaviour. When John's demand was refused, John sent an army to Bramber with instructions to take the children by force. Braose learned of the plan and fled to Ireland with his family. They were later captured, returned to England and imprisoned at Windsor Castle where the John had the four children starved to death as a warning to other barons. They died at Windsor Castle, but it is to the ruin of Bramber Castle that the spectres of the murdered children return at Christmas when they are seen begging for food.
Bramber Castle
Laid up with gout one Christmas, Lord Hubert de Hurst invited young William de Lindfield to the castle to come and cheer him up. Lord Hubert discovered his young wife, Maud of Ditchling, and William embracing in the garden. Lord Hubert, seething with jealousy, devised a plan to entomb William in a dungeon in the depths of the castle. Many years later after the castle was attacked during the Civil War, a skeleton was discovered in a corner, head upon hands, elbows resting on the knees - presumably the mortal remains of William de Lindfield. Maude of Ditchling's ghostly screams can be heard in the ruins.
Bransil Castle
A large black bird protects a pile of hidden gold within the castle grounds. The hoard cannot be moved except by a treasure hunter.in possession of the bones of Lord Beauchamp, former owner of the gold.
Brougham Hall
A skull is walled up somewhere in the walls of the hall. Its spectral screams can be heard wailing on dark nights. It is said that great evil will befal the hall if the skull were ever removed from the Hall.
Brownsea Castle
A photograph taken from a window in the castle showed a human face when the film was developed. It was identified as Mary Bonham Christie. She had bought the island in the 1920s, but when she grew too old to live in the castle her family forced her to move away. She died the day she was relocated.
Bruce Castle
Lady Coleraine is seen once a year, screaming as she jumps from a balcony to escape her possessive husband.
Bungay castle
After taking part in a failed rebellion against King Stephen, Bigod was forced to pay a large amount ofof gold in order to keep his castle. His ghost returns apparently to show his resentment, sometimes taking the form of a black dog.
Bungay castle
A shuck (a supernatural Black Dog) haunts this castle
Burgh Castle
Once a year the sounds of clashing swords and screaming (in Latin and Anglo Saxon) can be heard near the castle.
Burgh Castle
This shuck (a demonic Black Dog) is known locally as Old Scarfe, named after the Rudolf Scarfe who lived near the castle in the thirteenth. Old Scarfe haunts the castle grounds, his single eye glowing red and yellow.
Burgh Castle
During dark nights a ghostly figure plummets from the castle ramparts.
Burwell Castle
Geoffrey de Mandeville was killed while trying to storm the castle with a gang of thieves and robbers. His dying words can sometimes be heard on the wind on the site of this ruined castle
Cadbury Castle
Escorted by mounted knights carrying lances, King Arthur of the Britons takes this route back to Camelot (at Cadbury) on this day in June each year. Legend says a door opens every seven years in the hillside so that Arthur and his company can leave to feed their horses.
Cadbury Castle
On certain nights of the year ghostly mounted guards ride about the castle with torches.
Caister Castle
A horse drawn hearse driven by a headless horseman passes through the gates of the castle and circles the courtyard seven times to warn of the encroaching death of a family member.
Callaly Castle
The castle is plagued by mysterious sounds, thought to be generated by a phantom priest.
Callaly Castle
During the castle's construction on its original site, the stones kept collapsings. A disembodied voice announced that it should be built elsewhere, The voice was heeded and the castle building work went ahead without difficulty.
Carisbrooke Castle
The interior of the castle is haunted by the ghost of a woman in a long cloak, walking four small dogs on chain leashes.
Carisbrooke Castle
The ghost of a grey lady walks her ghostly dog around the moat of this ruined castle. Her facecan be seen down the well
Carlisle Castle
A woman in white was once challenged by a soldier on guard duty. She faded way in front of him, and he died of shock a few hours later. A body was found in 1835, bricked up in a castle wall which is thought to explain the ghost.
Carlisle Castle
The ghost of the old caretaker sits in a chair near the old bell. (there is a picture of him in life sitting at Queen Mary?s Table in the keep). He will present himself to you as whatever you wish to see.
Carlisle Castle
A black shadowy ghost is seen wandering around in the inner keep of the castle
Carlisle Castle
A ghostly sentry sits inside the archway of the inner keep of the castle
Carlisle Castle
The ghost of a yeoman walks up and down the path running in front of the cellblock towards the old Regimental Headquarters. He is often seen by people who realise only later that he was wearing the wrong uniform for the period.
Carlisle Castle
The ghost of King Stephen leans against the wall in the upper keep (next to the model of the City of Carlisle)
Carlisle Castle
The ghost of two medieval soldiers appear on the top floor of the castle keep.
Carlisle Castle
A ghost haunts the half moon battery.
Carrickfergus Castle
The ghost of a soldier haunts the area around an old well. He was executed after a case of mistaken identity. He is known as Buttoncap, after the large button worn on his headdress
Cawood Castle, grounds of
William Barwick murdered his pregnant wife and hid her body in a nearby pond. The following day Easter Tuesday, 1690 a witness saw the ghost of Mrs Barwick pointing to the pond that concealed her corpse. He reported what he had seen to the authorities, and William was arrested soon afterwards. The ghost of his wife still haunts the castle.
Chiddingstone Castle
This female ghost is rumoured to ride her horse along the lanes that lead to the castle. She is recognisable by her tricorn hat and black cloak.
Chilham Castle
A room, now a bar, is haunted by an unknown girl who scares castle staff. According to tradition she had been bricked up alive by a Medieval owner of the caste.
Chillingham Castle
Broken hearted after her husband ran off with her own sister, Lady Henrietta Berkeley (a great scandal during the reign of King Charles II), Mary slowly pined away in the castle. Her ghost sometimes brushes past tourists in the tower.
Chillingham Castle
The 'Blue Boy' or the 'Radiant Boy' can be sighted in the Pink Room, part of the private apartments of the owners. This ghostly young boy is dressed in blue and surrounded by the light. He is dressed in the style from the period of King Charles II. During the 1920s, restoration work caused a wall to be opened and inside the bones of a young boy were found among with scraps of blue cloth. The bones were taken away and given a Christian burial in a nearby churchyard and apparently the Blue Boy stopped appearing after that although people still see unusual flashes of blue light in the room at night.
Chillingham Castle
The Tankerville's family silver was always stored is an inner pantry at Chillingham. As it was valuable, a servant always slept there to guard it. After retiring to bed one evening, the servant was confronted by a very pale lady in white who asked him for a drink of water. Thinking she must be a guest of the castle, he turned to go get a drink for her. When he turned back, she had disappeared. He suddenly realised that as he was locked in the inner pantry, no one could possibly have entered.
Chillingham Castle
A ghostly blue boy walks the castle and disturbes the sleep of guests with his fearful cries.
Chipchase Castle
Sir Reginald starved to death within the castle prison and his ghost is seen haunting the grounds.
Clifford Tower
In 1190 Christians fomented a pogrom here in which 150 local Jews were killed in the castle keep. Many Jews committed suicide rather than surrender to Christian mobs tearing up the town. The ground of the tower is said to be stained red, even after being dug up and replaced.
Codnor Castle
A stray soldier from Cromwell's army was seen in the ruins of this castle, appearing tired and in need of a shave.
Colchester Castle
James Parnell, a Quaker, was forced to climb a rope each time he wished to eat. He fell to his death in May of 1656, and now haunts the dungeon. A man once stayed the night in the dungeons as a wager, only to emerge the next day a gibbering wreck.
Compton Castle
Dressed in seventeenth century clothing, this ghostly figure haunts the castle tower.
Conisborough Castle
Sightings of this spectral monk date back to the 1770s, when he was first seen drifting among the ruins
Conisborough Castle
The castle is haunted by a white woman, along with sounds of quiet voices and bumping.
Corby Castle
This luminous apparition appears often in the form of a beautiful looking boy clothed in white with shining golden hair. Tradition holds that whoever beholds the ghost of the 'Radiant Boy' will find great fame and fortune but will then suffer a violent death. The room in which this Radiant Boy generally appears is known as the 'ghost room'. Although the ghost has been seen by members of the Howard family on many occasions, it is sometimes seen by others and the most quoted description of a sighting is that of the Rev Henry Redburgh, rector of Greystoke: ?Soon after we went to bed, we fell asleep; it might be between one and two in the morning when I awoke. I observed that the fire was totally extinguished; but, although that was the case, and we had no light, I saw a glimmer in the centre of the room, which suddenly increased to a bright flame. I looked out, apprehending that something had caught fire, when, to my amazement, I beheld a beautiful boy, clothed in white, with bright locks resembling gold, standing by my bedside, in which position he remained some minutes, fixing his eyes upon me with a mild and benevolent expression. He then glided gently towards the side of the chimney, where it is obvious there is no possible egress, and entirely disappeared. I found myself again in total darkness, and all remained quiet until the usual hour of rising. I declare this to be a true account of what I saw at Corby Castle, upon my word as a clergyman.?
Corby Castle
Appearing early in the morning, this ghostly child has golden hair and glows like an angel. Some believe that those who see him are blessed with wealth and power but also cursed with a violent death.
Corfe Castle
The terrifying ghost of the headless woman walks the hill near the castle gateway. The same ghost might be responsible for the lights that flit across the ruins at night, or they could be caused by the ghosts of Royalists who occupied the castle in 1643. The sound of a galloping phantom horse can be heard at the bottom castle hill.
Corfe Castle
At the time of English Civil War, the castle was defended by Lady Bankes until in February 1646 she was betrayed by one of her own men. When Cromwell's Parliamentary soldiers took control, they reduced the castle very quickly to the ruin that we see today. A few years later stories began to circulate of ghostly occurrences. The best-known spectral appearance is that of the headless 'White Lady' who sends shivers down the spine of anyone who chances upon her. She then fades away.
Corfe Castle
The ghost of a headless woman is sometimes seen next to the walls of the castle.
Corfe Castle
A headless gray lady wanders the castle's grounds, her sad moans echoing against the castle walls.
Coupland Castle
Taking the form of white mist, this ghost wakes everyone in the castle with her unearthly screams and running footsteps. It is believed to be the ghost of a woman who killed herself by jumping from the castle battlements.
Croft Castle
This spectral figure, at least seven feet in height, can be seen in the castle before slowly fading away
Cullaby Castle
A priest was one walled up in the castle walls. Since the the wall was knocked his ghost has been free to haunt the castle.
Dacre Castle
In the 15th century, Sir Guy Dacre, a young heir to the Castle fell in love with Eloise, the daughter of a French nobleman. She rebuffed his advances so he enlisted the help of his Italian tutor to help him win her. The tutor began an affair with Eloise while he was away fighting in Scotland. When he returned and she agreed to marry him, he was still unaware of this affair. Sir Guy once again left to fight in Scotland, and entrusted the castle to his loyal friend Lyulph who soon learned of the deception. The lovers left the castle and moved to York and Lyulph told Sir Guy the full story. Sir Guy set off in pursuit and brought Eloise back to his castle where he locked her in a dungeon. She turned to see her lover chained to the wall. When she tried to kiss him, his head rolled from his shoulders to the ground. Sir Guy's loyal friend had captured him and executed him. Eloise was kept captive in the cell and eventually went mad. She was kept there until she died beside the rotting corpse of her lover. The ghost of Eloise and her tutor haunt Dacre Castle to this day.
Dacre Castle
The site of Dacre Castle was the meeting place of three kings in ancient times. They met to arrange a peace treaty with the Vikings. Their regretful ghosts make an appearance at the castle to this day.
Dacre Castle
Lady Dacre was walled up alive in the castle with her dead lover after her husband discovered their illicit affair. Her phantom sobs and screams can still be heard at the castle
Dagworth Castle
Malekin a fairy child, possibly a fairy's changeling, frequented the castle. It could be heard crying out 'Play again, play again!', but was never seen until it befriended a servant girl. Malekin appeared once to the girl, who tried to touch her, at which Malekin disppeared and has not been seen or heard since
Dobb Park Castle
This three headed hound stands guard over a hoard of treasure hidden somewhere under the castle
Castle Dore
According to Arthurian legend the Grail was once housed at this hillfort.
Dover Castle
In the King's bedroom, the lower half of a man walks through the doorway.
Dover Castle
The ghost of a headless drummer boy in Napoleonic era costume, haunts the castle
Dover Castle
The ghost of a woman in a red dress haunts the west stairway of the castlekeep. The sounds of a creaking door (where a door used to be) can also be heard.
Dover Castle
Two ghostly figures, a lady in red and figure in blue haunt the castle.
Dover Castle
Tunnels under the castle are haunted by World War 2 soldiers.
Dover Castle
The Arthurian hero Sir Gawain is buried here according to tradition
Dudley Castle
A phantom couple walk arm in arm through the gatehouse of the castle ruins
Dudley Castle
The ghost of Dorothy Beaumont appears as a grey lady at the castle, and has been suspected of pushing a man down the keep's spiral staircase in 1998
Dudley Castle
A ghostly Lady Jane Grey haunts the castle
Dudley Castle
The clash of spectral swords is heard at the castle
Dunstanburgh Castle
Sir Guy sought shelter at Dunstanburgh castle only to be confronted by a hideous creature dressed in white, inviting him to follow the creature to be rewarded by a 'beauty bright'. Sir Guy followed the figure up a winding staircase and into a room containing hundreds sleeping knights with their horses. In the centre of the room was a sparkling casket in which a beautiful maiden lay sleeping. On each side of the maiden were serpents, one holding a sword the other a horn. Sir Guy was told that he could wake the Lady but he must choose either the sword or the horn as only one of them could awaken her. Sir Guy chose the horn and blew it but this only woke the sleeping knights who attacked him. He fainted and awoke near the ruins of the Gate House baffled as to what had happened. He determined to find the sleeping maiden again and he spent the rest of his life searching the castle for the room in which she had lain. He died a broken man. His ghost wanders the castle still seeking the 'beauty bright and can not be laid to rest until he finds her again.
Dunstanburgh Castle
The castle was built by Thomas Earl of Lancaster, nephew to King Edward II. He lead a rebellion against the king. Thomas was captured and tried for treason at Pontefract Castle in 1322. He was executed on the hill north of St John's Priory. The executioner was experienced and that it took him 11 blows to sever Thomas's head with the axe. The earl's ghost now haunts the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle carrying his mutilated head.
Dunster Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of a royalist soldier called Richard who met his death in the castle grounds from a puncture wound above his right eye. The most haunted room in the castle is the 'Leather Gallery' so-called because of the leather hangings there depicting the story of Antony and Cleopatra. Men's voices are heard at night, along with doors banging and footsteps.
Dunster Castle
The castle stable block (now a shop) is haunted by a man dressed in green. Items in the shop mysteriously tumble and items are spoiled by a strange sticky brown substance.ÿ
Durham Castle
The wife of one of the former Prince Bishops of Durham fell down the black staircase in the castle and broke her neck. Her ghost haunts the staircase.
Featherstone Castle
Abigail Featherstonehaugh who lived in the late 17th century. She was in love with a boy from the local Ridley family but was due to marry the son of a neighbouring Baron at the behest of her father Lord Featherstonehaugh. The entire wedding party left for a hunt following the wedding, with the exception of Baron Featherstonehaugh who was overseeing the banqueting arrangements. As the bridal party was riding through the estate, it was ambushed, presumably by the spurned lover from the Ridley family. All the wedding party were killed in the affray. As midnight passed, the Baron, sitting alone, heard the sound of horses hooves arriving outside the castle and the door opened. The ghosts of Abigail and the rest of the wedding party entered making no sound and passing straight through solid objects. The ghostly wedding party is seen again each year on the 17th of January on the anniversary of the tragedy.
Featherstone Castle
Sir Reginald FitzUrse haunts a tower where he was held prisoner and where he starved to death
Featherstone Castle
A female ghost in a green and brown dress haunts the castle, gliding along the corridors.
Fillingham Castle
A woman committed suicide after her lover ran away. Her ghost, the "Green Lady", now haunts the castle.
Fillingham Castle
The ghost of a tall man riding a white horse can be seen passing through the castle park.
Gilling Castle
A young girl was murdered at the castle by a nurse by being submerged in scolding water. Her horrific ghost ghost still haunts the castle.
Goodrich Castle
A young officer and his lover drowned in the River Wye along with their horses while escaping from Cromwellian soldiers. Their ghosts, mounted on horseback, are seen struggling in the river, not far from the castle. They also stand in the ruins of the castle.
Greystoke Castle
A guest here once vanished without trace or explanation, leaving all his clothing and belongings. The ghost of this man has been reported several times, reappearing in the same room.ÿ
Greystoke Castle
A monk was bricked up alive in the castle cellars. Since then ghostly rapping on the walls has been heard there.
Guildford Castle
Walking around the grounds of the castle, the ghost of this Victorian woman seems not to realise that she is dead
Hadleigh Castle
A ghost in the form of a white lady offers to dance with anyone she comes upon during her walks around the castle. In 1917 she was seen by a group of men out partying. When one of them chased her with a stick, she disappeared.
Hadleigh Castle
The ghost of a man in black haunts the castle and offers to buy souls in return for a song.
Hastings Castle
A spectral image of Hastings Castle is seen floating above the sea, flags flying and in the condition it would have been in centuries ago.
Hastings Castle
The ghost of Thomas Becket, dean of the church college, still walks the area around the castle.
Hastings Castle
The spectral sounds of prisoners rattling their chains and calling out for food are heard coming from the castle cellars
Hastings Castle
The ghost of a nun haunts the castle.
Hastings Castle
The upper floors of the castle are haunted by phantom organ music
Haughton Castle
Locked away in the castle prison or oubliette Archie Armstrong was forgotten about. Before he starved to death he tried to eat his own arms. His ghost now haunts that area of the castle prison.
Helmsley Castle
Her green dress rustling, this ghost appears at the castle and in the surrounding area.
Herstmonceux Castle
A phantom drummer, emits a blue spark on every beat. He is thought to be the ghost a drummer from the battle of Agincourt.ÿ
Herstmonceux Castle
The ghost of a twenty year old woman haunts the castle moat, is seen either swimming or standing beside the water. According to locals she drowned there on the eve of her twenty first birthday.
Herstmonceux Castle
The ghost of a grey lady is seen in the castle, possibly the ghost of Grace Naylor who was starved to death at the castle in 1727.
Herstmonceux Castle
The ghost of a lady riding a white donkey is seen in the castle grounds
Herstmonceux Castle
The ghost of a white Lady is seen in the castle
Hever Castle
Hever Castle is haunted by the ghost of Anne Boleyn, executed by her husband King Henry VIII. There have been many sightings of her ghost gliding around the castle, through the gardens and across the wooden bridge.
Holt Castle
A Black Lady haunts the upper part of the castle. Workers in the castle are too scared to visit the attic.
Holt Castle
The castle cellars are haunted by a raven that attacks any form of light taken down there.
Hopton Castle
During the Civil War Hopton Castle was one of the few castles to be held for the Parliament in the west. Sir Michael Woodhouse, with a force of about 500, laid siege to the castle which was defended by 29 Roundheads under the command of John Moore. Moore eventually agreed terms and surrendered after three weeks. The Cavaliers reneged on the agreement, and all the defenders except Moore were massacred and thrown into the moat. The ghosts of all twenty eight Parliamentarians return to haunt the castle each year.
Hopton Castle
The ghost of a maid haunts the castle
Castle How
Children digging in the area unearthed a small fairy house - it later vanished, along with their digging equipment, though two small figures were observed in the area for days afterwards.
Hurst Castle
The ghosts of a monk and a small black dog haunt the grounds of the castle.
Hurst Castle
A phantom monk is seen in the castle ground
Hylton (or Hilton) Castle
Spectral disturbances are attributed to the ghost of a groom who was murdered at the castle by his master.
Hylton (or Hilton) Castle
A little brownie caused havoc in the kitchen at night. The servants, knowing their folklore, distracted the brownie by creating a distraction until the sun came up. The light of dawn caused the brownie to disappear for ever.
Kenilworth castle
A man dressed in black who was killed in a sword fight at the castle gatehouse. It is now haunted by his ghost.
Kenilworth castle
A phantom boy is reported in the castle stables, along with ghostly horses and chickens
Kenilworth castle
The castle gatehouse is haunted by an old woman who breaks the same candle over and over again
Kenilworth castle
The castle gatehouse is haunted by the ghost of a little girl who asks for her father
Kimbolton Castle
The first wife of Henry VIII was imprisoned here for the last two years of her life. Legend says Catherine of Aragon's ghost walks the gallery, after dying in one of the castle rooms in 1536.
Kimbolton Castle
A young child was thrown from the castle battlements. Her ghost now haunts the castle walls.
Knaresborough Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of large person standing above the ghost of another person lying on the ground, with his right arm raised as if to strike the figure lying on the ground.
Knepp Castle
A ghostly white doe seen at the castle is said to be a maiden, turned into a doe by a witch in the 1400's.
Lambton Castle
The Lambton worm, (a dragon), took up residence on Worm Hill and terrorised the local area. On returning from the crusades, a young member of the Lambton family fought the creature and defeated it by wearing spiked armour that impaled the dragon as it wrapped itself around him.
Leap Castle
Strange spectral lights float around within the castle
Leasowe Castle (also known as Mockbeggar Hall)
Many years ago, this father and son were captured by the castle's owner. Rather than face the consequences, the father killed his son and then killed himself. Their ghosts have since come back and may be seen standing over people's beds.
Leeds Castle
A Shuck (a Black Dog) appears as an omen of death, but this shuck once saved the life of a woman. She was sitting in a bay window when she saw it, and jumped away. Within seconds the wall with the window collapsed into the moat.
Leeds Castle
Prior to a death or grave misfortune the shuck (a black dog) apprears. This shuck is an ill omen only for those live at the castle.
Lincoln Castle
Executions took place at Lincoln Castle after it became a prison. A malnourished hound, once owned by Clark a criminal who was hanged at the castle, spent the rest of its life waiting for its dead master and is now occasionally spotted around the castle walls.
Lincoln Castle
The spectral sounds of doors slamming and keys jangling in the castle are frequently heard.
Lincoln Castle
This pale phantom is thought to be the ghost of a Victorian prisoner who died during her stay in the castle-prison.
Lindisfarne Castle
The ghost of St Cuthbert is seen sitting in the ruin, on the beach of Holy Island, dressed in a brown monk's habit.
Lindisfarne Castle
A large white hound jumps from the castle runs at people, then slinks back to the castle.
Lowther Castle
The castle is said to be haunted by a previous owner, Sir James Lowther, or 'Wicked Jimmy'. Sir James inherited the estate in 1784 and entered into an arranged marriage. Unhappy with his bride he fell in love with the beautiful daughter of one of his tenant farmers who became his mistress. They were happy for a while but then the girl fell ill and died. Sir James was desolate. He became unhinged and would not allow his servants to say that she was dead. He left her body lying in bed as if sleeping. He would dress her himself and seat her at the dining table. When the stench of rotting flesh became too much, he had her moved to a nearby hall and had her placed in a glass lidded coffin so that he could visit her. Eventually he had her buried at Paddington Cemetery in London. Sir James returned to Lowther where he fell into a deep depression. It is said that his coffin swayed over the open grave at his funeral, a knocking noise coming from inside. Sir James' ghost appears when the moon is full on the anniversary of his burial. He takes the form of 'Wicked Jimmy' seated on a carriage riding maniacally through the parkland, whipping the ungroomed horses into a frenzy.
Ludlow Castle
Walter de Lacy was in conflict with Joce de Dinan. Walter and one of his knights, Sir Arthur, were captured and held as prisoners at Ludlow Castle. Sir Arthur fell in love with the beautiful young Marion de Bruer, one of the ladies of the Castle. She arranged for Arthur and Walter to escape from their imprisonment at the castle. Arthur returned to the Castle to see his lover Marion and whilethey met secretly in her chamber, soldiers of Walter de Lacy followed him into the Castle and slaughtered the entire garrison. Marion was distraught. She killed her treacherous lover with his own sword, then threw herself out of a window, and suffered a broken neck. Her ghost reenacts this tragedy, to the sound of her dying treatcherous lover dying.
Lulworth Castle (now ruins)
A room in the castle is sometimes illuminated by an eerie radiance at night. It glowed so brightly that the room was once knocked down and rebuilt, but the new room radiated the same mysterious light again.
Lumley Castle
Lady Lumly, the 'Lily Of Lumley', as the lady is also known, was killed by monks after refusing to agree with their religious beliefs. When Sir Ralph discovered what had happened to his wife he had the monks executed. Ghostly monks are sometimes seen walking in file around the area of the castle, while the ghost Lady Lumley walks within the castle's corridors and grounds.
Lydford Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of Judge Jeffereys in the form of a big black pig.
Lydford Castle
The ghost of Lady Howard haunts the castle.
Lympne Castle
Six Saxon warriors were murdered at the castle by Normans. Their six ghosts now haunt the castle.
Maxstone Castle
Mary was pushed down a castle staircase here after a furious argument with her husband. Now her ghost haunts the castle.
Middleham Castle
The spectral sounds of battle come from outside the castle are heard, and a knight on horseback charges at those who hear them, only to fade away before making contact
Middleham Castle
Muffled sixteenth century music can be heard inside the castle.
Middleham Castle
Treasure is believed to be buried in the grounds of the castle.
Mitford Castle
A spectral warrior haunts the castle, waving a sword in one hand. In the other hand he holds a bloody screaming head
Moreton Corbet Castle
This Tudor ruin is both haunted and cursed. Construction began on the house 1606 by Sir Robert Corbet but he died of the plague before work on the building had gone very far. Sir Vincent Corbett, his successor continued the work. At this time, King James I was persecuting the puritans. One such puritan was a local man called Paul Homeyard. Sir Vincent gave him refuge. As the puritan's ideals became more fanatical, Sir Vincent told him to leave. Homeyard fled into the surrounding countryside where he hid in caves eating wild berries and hunting wild animals to survive. Eventually made his way to Morton Corbet where, on meeting Sir Vincent, he cursed the family as follows: "Woe unto thee, hard hearted man, the lord has hardened thy heart as he hardened the heart of the Pharaoh, to thine own destruction. Rejoice not in thy riches, not in monuments of thy pride, for neither thou, nor thy children, nor thy children's children shall inhabit these halls. They shall be given up to desolation; snakes, vipers and unclean beasts shall make it their refuge, and thy home shall be full of doleful creatures...". The mansion was never completed and Sir Vincent and his son, Andrew, never lived there. On moonlit nights, the bedraggled ghost of the puritan can be seen wandering through the desolate halls of Morton Corbet Castle.
Moreton Corbet Castle
The castle is haunted by an aging man and a younger gentleman
Moreton Corbet Castle
During its construction in the Fifteenth century, the owner of the castle was cursed by a neighbour, and the castle was never finished.ÿ
Mulgrave Castle
This castle was built by Wade, a giant, born at the end of the eighth century. He is also held responsible for two large 'graves', marked by standing stones.
Muncaster Castle
After the battle of Towton in 1461 Henry VI fled to Muncaster Castle where Sir John Pennington sheltered him. Henry gave Sir John a glass drinking bowl with a prayer that they might prosper for as long as the glass remained unbroken. The glass is known as 'The Luck of Muncaster' and remains unbroken to this day. Henry VI was murdered in the Tower of London on the night of 21/22 May 1471. His ghost appears in the chamber at Muncaster castle that he occupied in life, possibly wanting to return to a place where he felt happy in the company of loyal subjects.
Muncaster Castle
Murdered by a jester on the orders of the then owner Sir Ferdinard Pennington, a carpenter (who made the mistake of falling in love with Sir Ferdinard's daughter) was beheaded in the garden. The ghost of carpenter now haunts the castle. The ghost of the jester also haunts the castle, holding a severed head.
Naworth Castle
Falling in love and becoming pregnant by the lord of the castle, a local girl committed suicide after being shunned by him. Her mother cursed the lord resulting in his death, and that of his heir, but the ghost of the pregnant girl still haunts the castle.
Neville Castle
The sound of Scottish troops can be heard engaging the English troops near the castle.
Norwich Castle
The ghost of an old lady floats around the castle grounds
Norwich Castle
According to legend the hill on which the castle stands conceals the grave of an old king, together with his hoard of silver and gold.
Nottingham Castle
Heard pacing Mortimer's former cell in the castle, his ghost appears not to be aware that he was executed in 1330 on the orders of Edward II.
Nottingham Castle
Queen Isabella (She-wolf of France) can be heard howling, as she did when they dragged her lover Roger Mortimer off to his execution
Nottingham Castle
A phantom child haunts the castle
Nottingham Castle
The gallery is haunted by the hhost of the Countess of Nottingham. She appears to people who will die within a year.
Okehampton Castle
The ghost of Lady Howard rides in a carriage constructed of the bones of four of her husbands that she murdered. It is driven between Okehampton Park and her old home in Tavistock by a ghostly headless coachman accompanied by a skeletal dog. According to legend each night Lady Howard has to convey a single blade of grass from the castle grounds and return it to Tavistock, as punishment for her many sins. Once every blade of grass has been transported, the world will come to an end.
My ladye hath a sable coach,
And horses two and four;
My ladye hath a black blood-hound
That runneth on before.
My ladye's coach hath nodding plumes,
The driver hath no head;
My ladye is an ashen white,
As one that long is dead.
"Now pray step in," my ladye saith,
"Now pray step in and ride."
I thank thee, I had rather walk
Than gather by thy side.
The wheels go round without a sound
Or tramp or turn of wheels;
As cloud at night, in pale moonlight,
Along the carriage steals.
I'd rather walk a hundred miles
And run by night and day
Than have the carriage halt for me
And hear the ladye say:
"Now pray step in, and make no din,
Step in with me and ride;
There's room I trow, by me for you,
And all the world beside."
My ladye hath a sable coach,
And horses two and four;
My ladye hath a black blood-hound
That runneth on before.
My ladye's coach hath nodding plumes,
The driver hath no head;
My ladye is an ashen white,
As one that long is dead.
"Now pray step in," my ladye saith,
"Now pray step in and ride."
I thank thee, I had rather walk
Than gather by thy side.
The wheels go round without a sound
Or tramp or turn of wheels;
As cloud at night, in pale moonlight,
Along the carriage steals.
I'd rather walk a hundred miles
And run by night and day
Than have the carriage halt for me
And hear the ladye say:
"Now pray step in, and make no din,
Step in with me and ride;
There's room I trow, by me for you,
And all the world beside."
Okehampton Castle
A ghostly black dog and a ghostly falcon are seen about the castle ruins
Okehampton Castle
This large black dog is reportedly the ghost of Lady Howard, who walks from here to Tavistock.
Old Wardour Castle
On 2 May 1643, during the absence of her husband Lady Blanche Arundell defended Wardour Castle for nine days with only herself, her children, a few maid-servants, and twenty-five men against the Parliamentary forces of thirteen hundred men and artillery commanded by two Parliamentary officers, Sir Edward Hungerford and Colonel Edmund Ludlow. She was forced to surrender on honourable terms. but the terms were not honoured, with the castle being sacked, and she was removed as a prisoner to Dorchester. Lady Blanche still dressed for battle can be seen just as the sun sinks beneath the horizon.
Old Wardour Castle
The Arundell family are haunted by ghostly white owls, which appear prior to a death in the family.
Pendragon Castle
Sir Hugh de Morvillefor was one of the knights responsible for murdering Thomas Becket. His ghost still haunts the castle.
Pendragon Castle
Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur, resided here until he and a hundred of his men were poisoned by the Saxon invaders. Some believe Pendragon's ghost still remains here.
Pendragon Castle
A hoard of treasure hidden here is protected by a phantom black hen that replaces the soil of any hole dug as quickly as it is removed
Pengersick Castle
A phantom knight has also been reported, sporting a white tabard with a red cross.
Pengersick Castle
Master Millington tried to poison his wife, but ended up killing himself - for his mistake, he is doomed to spend the rest of time here
Pengersick Castle
The castle is haunted by a man who attempted to poison his wife, but died because she poisoned him first.
Penyard Castle
A cave hidden under the castle contains a vast collection of gold and lewels. This treasure is protected by a large bird which never sleeps, and which attacks anyone who comes close to discovering the cave.
Pevensey Castle
In 1399 the castle was besieged by an army in support of Richard II. During the siege the constable of the castle, Sir John Pelham, was away fighting with Henry Bolingbroke. Defense of the castle was left to Sir John's wife, Lady Joan Pelham. She wrote to her husband and begged for his return. He returned to end the siege and rescue both his wife and Pevensey Castle. The ghost of Lady Joan, a pale Lady, still haunts the castle's outer walls searching for her husband coming to her rescue.
Pevensey Castle
Walking along the tops of the walls of the castle ruins, this ghost is believed to be of Lady Pelham who was besieged here by Richard II. Sometimes a small army is seen at the castle gate.
Pevensey Castle
Below the castle walls a ghostly army can be seen and heard.
Peveril Castle
Banging and clanking has been reported in the castle after dark, with searches revealing no apparent source.
Peveril Castle
The ghost of a knight has been observed standing by the keep, while his riderless horse trots around nearby.
Peveril Castle
The ghost of an old lady and a phantom horse have been reported in the area.
Peveril Castle
A shuck (a black dog) haunts the area near the castle, while a phantasmic knight stands motionless on the ramparts.
Pickering Castle
Clad in grey robes, this spectre drifts across the lawn outside the front of the castle. It has a bloody face and carries an unidentified object under his arm
Pontefract Castle
Holding a large axe, this spectral figure walks the ruins of the castle
Pontefract Castle
The ghost of a Black Monk walks from the castle kitchen towards the Queen's Tower in the late afternoon.
Pontefract Castle
A ghostly woman in grey holds a lantern near the castle gates.
Pontefract Castle
Phantom monks haunt the castle
Pontefract Castle
The ghost of a grey monk haunts the castle
Pontefract Castle
Two ghostly children play near the dungeon of the castle
Portchester Castle
The pale ghostly figure is thought to be the ghost of a woman called Charlotte
Portchester Castle
A ghostly lady is seen riding a ghostly white horse
Portchester Castle
a ghostly monk walks outside the front of the castle
Portland Castle
This castle was used as a hospital to treat casualties of the Civil War. The smell of burning flesh is sometimes reported, and people hear the sound of an invisible person humming an old song.
Powderham Castle
Anÿ'evil' black cat materialises in a bedroom
Prudhoe Castle
The ghost of a knight with a large beard haunts the castle
Prudhoe Castle
The ghost of a grey lady haunts the castle.
Raby Castle
The famous 'Rising of the North' was formulated by the Nevilles at Raby in 1569 AD, in conjunction with the powerful Percy family of Northumberland. This was an attempt to get rid of Elizabeth I and replace her by her Catholic cousin Mary Queen of Scots. At first Charles Neville, sixth Earl of Westmorland was unsure about the plan. His wife stormed into the hall and called them cowards. Inflamed by her words, they agreed to go ahead. After the rising failed, Raby Castle was confiscated by the Crown. To this day the ghostly spectre of Charles Neville appears in the Barons Hall.
Raby Castle
An unidentified ghost can be seen entering the castle, vanishing as it reaches the gate
Raby Castle
The ghost of Charles Neville, the Sixth Earl of Westmorland, drifts up the staircase on its way to the Baron's Hall.
Raby Castle
A figure resembling Lady Barnard is seen in the castle corridors at night.
Raby Castle
Henry Vane's head and shoulders are seen in the castle library.
Riber Castle
The lady in blue wanders throughout the castle, apparently oblivious to the soldier ghost which also haunts the site.
Richmond Castle
Under the keep of the castle, deep underground, is a secret room where King Arthur sleeps until Britain needs him. A young drummer sent down a tunnel to find theroomt vanished without trace, though his phantom drumming can still be heard.
Ripley Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of a nun who walks around at night, knocking on bedroom doors, but entering only if invited to
Ripley Castle
This demi-ghost walks out of the Tower Room through two doors, whether they are open or not
Ripley Castle
The Tower Room experienced poltergeist activity when the chimney was unblocked in the middle of the twentieth century. Pictures were turned around and the furniture positions altered.
Castle Rising
The upstairs rooms of the castle are haunted by Isabel of France, a former resident. She was responsible for the murder of her husband Edward II in 1327 at Berkeley Castle. In her later years she suffered dementia and spent her time in the upper floors of the castle. This might explain the spectral sounds of a mad woman coming from the castle in the middle of the night
Rochester Castle
In 1264 the Norman Castle at Rochester was under attack by the Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montford. The Castle was defended by a Crusader called Ralph de Capo who was the intended husband of Lady Blanche. In the attacking force was Sir Gilbert Clare, a rejected suitor of Lady Blanche. On the evening of Good Friday the battle swayed in favour of the defenders of the Castle and the Earl of Leicester retreated. Ralph de Capo left the Castle with some of his men and gave chase. Gilbert de Clare circled around and entered the Castle dressed in a suit of armour resembling that worn by de Capo. His intention was to confront the Lady Blanche. He caught up with her on the battlements by 'the round tower' on the South East corner of the Castle. Lady Blanche struggled to push de Clare away. Her plight was spotted by de Capo, an excellent bowman.. To save his intended, he fired an arrow which hit de Clare but glanced off his armour and went through the heart of Lady Blanche, killing her. Her ghost, dressed in a white robe and still with the arrow through her heart still walks the battlements near the round tower on the anniversary of the event.
Rochester Castle
Charles Dickens' ghost haunts the moat
Castle Rushen
A local woman was once executed for murdering her own child in the Eagle Tower at the castle. It is said to be her ghost that haunts the castle, wearing a distinctive headdress and bloody hands.
Castle Rushen
Under the castle, a knight sleeps with a huge sword by his side.
Ryde Castle Hotel
The poltergeist at this castle has a sense of humour, and plays pranks rather that causing random havok.
Saint Briavel's castle
A knight in armour appears in the grounds and along corridors of this former castle (now a hostel). The same knight might be responsible for the disembodied sound of footsteps along the Castle walkways.
Saint Briavel's castle
The spectral cries of a young child are heard in the King's Hall at the castle, near to where the bones of a baby were found walled up
Saint Briavel's castle
A ghost woman in white appears on the castle staircase.
Sandal Castle
A small, yapping phantom dog scares animals many times larger than itself. When touched the phantom terrier fades away.
Scarborough Castle
Beheaded in 1312, Piers spent his last free days in this castle. His ghost now returns, walking the paths. One version of the story has him trying to lure visitors to the cliff edge before pushing them off.
Scotney Castle
Said to have been killed by Arthur Darrell (a previous owner of the castle), this revenue man now climbs out of the castle moat, dripping wet, and stalks the castle looking for revenge.
Scotney Castle
A tax collector, murdered by drowning, is said to walk the halls, dripping spectral water as he goes.
Scotney Castle
Arthur Darrell's body was buried near the castle. According to legend his ghost turned up to his own funeral, saying 'That isn't me!' before vanishing.
Seaton Delaval Castle
The Lady of the castle watched from the chapel, waiting for her husband to return from battle. He never did so her ghost still keeps watch from the window in the hope that one day he will come home.
Sewingshield Castle ruins
Legend says the site of King Arthur's hall. A local farmer once claimed to have discovered the location deep underground, a cavern full of sleeping knights, dogs and two royal looking figures.
Sheffield Hutton Castle
Nancy was servant at the castle. Her ghost now walks around the area wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled up.
Sherborne Castle
Sir Walter Raleigh appears here once a year on St Michael's Eve, near to a tree that is named after him.ÿ
Sherborne Castle
Ghostly horses and a ghostly child both haunt the castle
Sissinghurst Castle
The garden area is said to be home for a peaceful monk, killed by Sir John Baker who built the castle. His footsteps have been heard walking alongside visitors to the gardens.
Sizergh Castle
Catherine Parr is said to haunt the Queen's Room.
Sizergh Castle
One room here had its floorboards removed and scattered by unseen hands on several consecutive nights
Sizergh Castle
Sobs of a phantom woman have also been heard
Skipsea Castle
Drogo, a Baron from the eleventh century, poisoned his wife and fled abroad. Her ghost can be seen walking from the castle (or what remains of it) to a brook, disappearing before reaching the bridge.
Snape Castle
This ghost dressed in blue is believed to be Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. The queen (who died in her bed of old age) is said to radiate a sense of calm.
Spofforth Castle
Only the top half of this spectral figure is seen at the top of a ruined castle tower, before falling to the ground below.
Sudeley Castle
In August & September a ghostly housemaid is seen cleaning and dusting, and dressed in Victorianperiod working garb.
Sudeley Castle
The ghost of a man is seen in the castle grounds with a hawk perched on his arm.
Sudeley Castle
A woman in a green dress is seen from time to time.
Tamworth Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of St Editha, known as the black lady of Tamworth. St Editha founded a nearby convent at Polesworth in the 9th century. The nuns were expelled from their Convent by Robert de Marmion in the Twelfth century. The nuns in their prayers called Editha from beyond the grave. One night in 1139 AD after a banquet, Marmion was attacked by Editha's ghost, which warned him that unless the nuns were restored their convent, the Baron would meet an untimely death. Before she vanished the spectre hit Lord Marmion on his side with her crosier. Marmion's cries awoke the whole Castle. His pain only ceased when the nuns returned to Polesworth. St Editha has a room named after her in the castle. The middle room of the Norman tower is known as the ghost room.
Tamworth Castle
The White Lady was captured and locked in the Tower by Sir Tarquin. After a while she fell in love with him but Sir Lancelot du Lac, came to rescue her and killed Sir Tarquin. She threw herself from the battlements when she found that Sir Tarquin was dead. Her ghost still walks the castle battlenmts, weeping over her dead lover.
Tamworth Castle
The blue lady took her own life after watching her lover die in a jousting contest outside the castle. Her ghost now patrols the battlements.
Tattershall Castle
the ghost of a white woman haunts the battlements at night.
Taunton Castle
A fiddler named Tom haunts a room in the castle. He is not seen but but his loud spectral fiddling is heard.
Taunton Castle
Heard marching through the castle's museum, these invisible troops belonged to the untrained army of the Duke of Monmouth. They were slaughtered during a failed attack
Taunton Castle
The ghost of a lady dressed in clothing matching the civil war period makes the occasional appearance in the castle
Taunton Castle
A cavalier holding a pistol haunts the castle
Thirlwall Castle
A table of solid gold is said to be hidden somewhere under this castle, protected by a gruesome dwarf.
Thunderfield Castle
The castle is said to have been a resting place for King Harold's men as they marched to Hastings. A phantom bell tolls as the sun sets here, growing louder until midnight comes and an army of men pass through the area.
Thunham Castle
A seven foot tall man dressed in a green and blue tunic runs around, brushing up againstr visitors, waving his arms wildly. He has no face, but he does have hair, which is cut short.
Tintagel Castle
In the bay below the castle is a cave haunted by the spirit of Merlin.
Tintagel Castle
A place featuring in Arthurian legend (Arthur is said to have been born here), the cave under the castle was the home of Merlin. His spirit is reluctant to leave the place
Tiverton Castle
A newly wedded bride played hide and seek with her guests, only to disappear. A few years later her mummified body was found in a chest in the attic, the spring mounted lid having trapped her inside.
Tower of London
Anne Boleyn, Henry VII's second wife, was imprisoned in the King's house before her execution on Tower Green in 1536. Her headless corpse was buried under the floor of the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula.ÿ Her ghost haunts both the Chapel, the Green, the corridor of the White Tower and the King's House where she walks with her head tucked under her arm on May 19th, the anniversary of her death.
Tower of London
In 1804, a waderin the Tower named Corporal Jones saw a woman in a white dress with a red pattern on it coming towards him. As she approached, he realised that what he had thought was a red pattern was in fact blood and that the woman was headless. Later enquiries brought to light that a guardsmen in 1784 had murdered his wife and cut off her head. The head was never recovered so it may be that Corporal Jones saw the ghost of the murdered wife.
Tower of London
In the Bloody Tower the two small sons of King Edward IV known as the "Princes in the Tower" are said to have been murdered in 1483 AD on the orders of their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Since the late 15th century guards in the Tower have seen two small shadowy figures gliding down towards them.
Tower of London
The fifth wife of Henry VIII, Catherine Howard, was convicted by Henry of adultery and sentenced to die on the block.ÿAt her execution, she ran from the executioner who pursued her, took hold of her and hacked off her head.ÿ Her cries are heard outside the room where she was kept before her execution.
Tower of London
The keeper of the crown jewels, Edmund Lenthal Swifte was dining with his family in the Martin Tower when his wife screamed. He saw a strange cylinder shaped apparition come into view.ÿ It appeared to be filled with a blue bubbling liquid. When Swifte threw a chair at it, the apparition disappeared.
Tower of London
The ghost of Thomas Becket (murdered at Canterbury) haunts the Tower. Its first sighting was by a priest in the 13th century at the time when the Traitor's Gate was being built.
Tower of London
During the 19th century a ghostly bear was seen at the castle, which guards bayoneted to no avail.
Tower of London
Squads of ghostly marching soldiers haunt the Tower, as do ghostly funeral carriages.
Triermain Castle
While living, this young boy became lost on the nearby snow-covered common, and froze to death. His shivering form is now seen by the castle walls, and on the odd occasion will reach out and grab people (this is supposed to mark the witness's impending death, the area of the body touched being the primary area responsible for death).
Tutbury Castle
A grey lady haunts the castle
Tutbury Castle
A phantom monk haunts the castle
Tutbury Castle
A young drummer boy haunts the castle
Tutbury Castle
Mary Queen of Scots haunts the castle
Verdley Castle
This is said to be the location where the last wild bear in England was killed. The creature's ghost now returns to the spot where it died
Wallington Castle (aka Wallington Hall)
The castle is haunted by a ghost who has a habit of sharing a bed with visitors.
Wallington Castle (aka Wallington Hall)
Heavy breathing, the flapping of wings, and banging are some of the spectral noises heard in this castle.
Warblington Castle
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, can be seen walking around the castle without her head. She was beheaded on 27 May 1541 at the command of King Henry VIII, her cousin once removed.
Warblington Castle
The ghost of a smuggler haunts castle.
Warkworth Castle
Bertram de Bothal of Bothal Castle fell in love with Isabel Widdrington. Although she felt attracted to the young man, she wanted to see more proof of his love for her. She presented him with an engraved helmet and she told him that if he would wear it bravely in battle then he could have her hand in marriage. Shortly after Bertram had his opportunity. Lord Percy crossed the border pursuing Scottish raiders and in the ensuing battle Bertram fought courageously but was wounded and taken back to England to recuperate. Isabel on hearing the news felt guilty about her challenge and set out with a single manservant to reach him. After a week passed, Isabel had not arrived and although Bertram was not recovered he left his bed and set out with his younger brother to search the Borderlands for her. Crossing into Scotland, they decided to go in different directions to cover a wider area. After a few days, Bertram learned that Isabel was held prisoner in the castle of a border raider and hurried to the castle which he then spied on from nearby. On the second night of his vigil, he saw a woman climbing down a rope from the tower and a man dressed in tartan helping her. Recognizing the woman as Isabel, Bertram followed the couple away from the castle and then confronted them demanding that the Scotsman release Isabel. In a rage, Bertram struck out at the man who fell to the ground and when Bertram raised his sword to strike again, Isabel flung herself between them and received the full force of his sword, which passed through her and killed the man. Isabel used her dying words to explain that Bertram's brother had disguised himself as a Scot and had arranged for her escape from the castle. He had killed his own brother. Desperate with grief, Bertram returned to Northumberland where he was granted sanctuary by Lord Percy at Warkworth Castle. After a while, Bertram renounced his wealth and possessions and left the Castle to build the hermitage nearby, carving the chapel out of the rock face. Here he spent many lonely hours in prayer and meditation until his death. Into the chapel rock he carved the following in Latin: 'my tears have been my meat by day and by night'. The inconsolable ghost of Bertram de Bothal still haunts the hermitage and castle.
Warkworth Castle
After a tragic accident in which he accidentally killed his future wife, Sir Bertram became a hermit. His ghost still remains still repenting his mistake.
Warwick Castle
After being caught stealing from her customers, an old servant at the castle was dismissed. In revenge, she bewitched the castle, after which a shuck (supernatural large black dog) appeared and created havoc. The creature was defeated by quotes from the bible read aloud by a local holy man.
Warwick Castle
Murdered by a trusted servant, Sir Fulke appears in a misty form in his study at the castle
Warwick Castle
The phantom 'Dun Cow of Warwick' appears at the castle a few weeks before a death in the family.
Whittington Castle
Seen peaking out from the gatehouse windows, these children are never found when looked for.
Windsor Castle
A ghostly group of men haunts the East Terrace. In the castle grounds in 1906 one of the sentries from the Coldstream Guards was on patrol in the East Terrace when he saw a group of men.ÿ He challenged them but received no answer. He opened fire only to see his bullets passed straight through them.ÿ He then charged the group but they just disappeared.
Windsor Castle
The most famous ghost associated with Windsor Castle haunts the depths of Windsor Forest.ÿ His name is Herne the Hunter (referred to in Shakespeare's 'Merry Wives of Windsor').ÿ Herne was Richard IIs favourite huntsman who had at one time saved the King's life, being wounded at the same time.ÿÿHerne made a recovery and as the King had promised him, he was made head huntsman. But he was soon dismissed from his post because he appeared to have lost all his skills. In a deep depression he hanged himself from the branch of an oak tree in Windsor Forest. On dark stormy nights, a ghostly band of hunters led by Herne are to be seen galloping wildly through Windsor great Park along with a pack of ghostly hounds. Asighting of this band of spectres is a portent that some kind of national disaster will soon occur.
Windsor Castle
In the deanery of the chapel the spectral voice of a small boy can be heard saying "I don't want to go riding today" after which his footsteps can be heard running away.
Windsor Castle
The ghost of Queen Elizabeth I glides through the library wall into a locked up room in the castle. On occasions her presence is felt her footsteps heard in other areas of the castle.
Windsor Castle
Cromwell imprisoned King Charles I inÿthe Canons house within the castle walls. The ghost of the king haunts the area of the area of St George's Chapel nearÿthe Canons house.
Woodcroft Castle
Killed at the fortification by Cromwell's soldiers in 1648, Doctor Michael Hudson's hands were severed as he tried to climb down the castle walls to escape. His handless ghost now haunts the grounds.