Aberglasney House Carmarthen, Dyfed, Wales
Omen, Five Candles |
In the 1630's a maid saw five candles floating around one of the rooms in the castle. The next day, 5 maid servents were found dead in their beds. A stove left burning overnight had asphyxiated them. Flickering of candles became an omen for impending death in the household. Some believe that the death of the maids caused a curse upon the household.
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Ackergill Tower Wick, Caithness , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Helen Gunn |
The castle is haunted by the ghost of Helen Gunn. Helen was kidnapped by one of the Keith family who brought her back to Ackergill Tower. She threw herself from the battlements of the tower rather than submit to her captor.
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Castle Acton Penzance, Cornwall, England
Ghost Haunting, Sound of Bell |
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.
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Airlie Castle Airlie, Angus, Scotland
Omen, The Doom of Airlie Castle |
This harbinger of doom takes the form of a ram that walks around the gardens prior to disaster. A drumming sound is also reported to herald a death in the family.
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Airth Castle Airth, Falkirk, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Phantom Screaming |
Several ghosts frequent the building, currently a hotel. A spectral dog is felt as it tries to bite ankles, two children and their nanny (all of whom died in a fire) still return from the grave, and finally the cries and screams of a maid who was attacked by an enraged master can be heard late at night.
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Alnwick Castle Alnwick, Northumberland, England
Vampire, Vampire |
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.
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Antrim Castle Antrim, County Antrim, Ireland
Ghost Haunting, Sinking Coach |
Every 31 May A coach pulled by a team of four horses which sunk into the pond drowning all on board is seen repeating the tragic accident once a year. In addition, a stone wolfhound which stands by the gateway is said to have once been flesh and blood - the dog gave a warning to an advancing sneak attack upon the castle before turning into rock. It now safeguards the Clotworthy family name on the condition it is never removed. Finally, the sound of heavy breathing can be heard coming from the ruined building.
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Appuldurcombe House Wroxall, Isle of Wight, England
Ghost Haunting, Multiple Phantoms |
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.
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Ardvreck Castle Inchnadamph, Highland, Scotland
Legend, The Devil |
According to legend the Devil himself assisted in the construction of the castle
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Arundel Castle Arundel, Sussex, England
Ghost Haunting, Girl in White |
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.
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Arundel Castle Arundel, Sussex, England
Omen, Small White Bird |
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.
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Arundel Castle Arundel, Sussex, England
Poltergeist, Poltergeist |
Equipment has been heard in use in the castle kitchens, though always empty on investigation,
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Astley Castle Astley, Warwickshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Duke of Suffolk |
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.
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Baldoon Castle, Bladnoch, Galloway , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Janet Dalrymple 12 September |
In the seventeenth century Janet, a young woman, was forced by her parents to abandon the man she loved, and marry David Dunbar. She stabbed him on her wedding night. He survived, but she died shortly afterward. Her wild ghost returns on the anniversary of her wedding to roam the castle dressed in white, blood-spattered clothes but is most often seen on the anniversary of her death. Her ghost became the subject of a novel by Sir Walter Scott - "The Bride of Lammermuir".
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Balnagowan (or Balnagown) Castle Ballchraggan, Highland, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Black Andrew |
Andrew terrorised the neighbourhood, raping local women and murdering locals men. They decided to act against the laird. They stormed his castle and hanging him by the neck from the highest window. Now his ghost remains within the walls of the castle, continuing to harasses visiting women.
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Bamburgh Castle Bamburgh, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady in Pink |
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.
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Barnbougle Castle Cramond, Edinburgh , Lothian, Scotland
Omen, Howling Dog |
This dog accompanied his master to the Crusades. Spectral howling was first heard at the castle when his owner died on the battlefield, and is heard again prior to death of the laird of the castle.
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Berkeley Castle Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England
Ghost Haunting, Edward II's Disembodied Scream 21 September |
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.
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Berry Pomeroy Castle Berry Pomeroy , Devon, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady in Blue |
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
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Berry Pomeroy Castle Berry Pomeroy , Devon, England
Ghost Haunting, Margaret de Pomeroy |
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.
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Betchworth Castle Betchworth, Surrey, England
Ghost Haunting, Lord Hope |
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.
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Castle Biggs Lough Derg, County Tipperary, Ireland
Shuck, Fire Breathing Black Dog |
A Fire Breathing Shuck with cloven hooves protects a hidden hoard of treasure.
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Blanchminster Castle (now ruins) Stratton, Cornwall, England
Ghost Haunting, Sir Ranulph |
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.
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Borthwick Castle Borthwick, Lothian , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Mary Queen of Scots |
Mary Queen of Scots called at the castle after her marriage (on 15 May 1567) to the Earl of Bothwell. The castle was besieged and she escaped by disguising herself as a page boy. After her death an apparition of Mary, dressed as a page boy, was seen at the castle and she returns every year.
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Boverton Castle Boverton, South Glamorgan, Wales
Ghost Haunting, Wissie |
During the reign of Richard I Boverton Castle was the property of the Earl of Gloucester. His daughter Hadwisa married Prince John. Ten years later John divorced Hadwisa of Gloucester, so that he could marry Isabella of Angoulˆme. His wife retired to the seclusion of Boverton Castle. According to local tradition, King John once fled from his barons, and was sheltered in Boverton Castle by the woman he had wronged. Her ghost still haunts the castle, her face scarcely visible, her long dark hair in neatly braided tresses down to her waist. She wanders from room to room in a slow, disconsolate manner, and occasionally her sobs break the silence.
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Braemar Castle Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, New Bride |
A newly married lord went hunting early one morning without informing his recent bride. Convinced that he must have abandoned her, she leapt off the battlements to her death. Her ghost now appears to others, not wanting them to make the same mistake.
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Brahan Castle, former site of Urray, Highland, Scotland
Curse, Soothsayer's Curse |
Before being boiled alive in a cauldron of tar, a local soothsayer predicted the downfall of the family that owned the castle.ÿ
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Bramber Castle Steyning, Sussex, England
Ghost Haunting, Four Siblings |
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.
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Bramber Castle Steyning, Sussex, England
Ghost Haunting, Maude of Ditching |
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.
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Bransil Castle Bransil, Herefordshire, England
Legend, Demon Bird |
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.
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Brodick Castle Isle of Arran, Ayrshire, Scotland
Omen, White Deer |
a White Deer is seen in the grounds of the castle whenever a chief of the Hamilton clan is close to death. The white deer appeared twice in the twentieth century, both times coinciding with the death of the head of the Hamilton Family.
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Brougham Hall Penrith, Cumbria, England
Legend, Wailing Skull |
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.
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Brownsea Castle Brownsea Island, Dorset, England
Ghost Haunting, Mary Bonham Christie |
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.
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Castle of Cachtice , , Slovakia
Ghost Haunting, Elizabeth Bathory |
The castle was home to Elizabeth Bathory, a member of the Hungarian royal family. She was known as the ?Blood Countess of Cachtice?. Elizabeth and her female lover, Anna Darvulia, with the aid of two servants, murdered over 600 young women. Elizabeth used to bathe in their blood in order to stay young. These killings became an obsession for Elizabeth Bathory and went on for over 30 years. Elizabeth was captured on December 29, 1610 just after she had killed a servant for stealing food. Elizabeth Bathory was put on trial for murder and was declared insane by the judge. She was sentenced to a confinement in the tower of Castle Cachtice. Her servant acccomplices were executed by fire or beheading. Elizabeth died in 1614. Her ghost still haunts the castle.
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Cadbury Castle Cadbury , Somerset, England
Ghost Haunting, King Arthur 20 June |
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.
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Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly, Caerphilly, Wales
Omen, Hag |
The de Clare family were haunted by a Gwrach-y-rhibyn, warning them of an imminent death in the family. Since they moved away, the ghost is seen - drifting towards the castle. It disappears once it reaches the ruins
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Caister Castle Caister-On-Sea, Norfolk, England
Omen, Coachÿ |
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.
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Callaly Castle Callaly, Northumberland, England
Legend, Warning Voice |
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.
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Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales
Legend, Giant |
A three metre tall giant walks the castle park
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Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales
Omen, Sound of a coach |
A horse drawn coach is heard when a member of the Hastings family is about to die at the castle. It was last heard by John Boyle, the night his cousin the Marquis of Hastings died.
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Cardiff Castle Cardiff, , Wales
Poltergeist, Poltergeist |
The dining-hall of the castle is disturbed by a poltergeist each night. At 3:45am heavy doors open and shut by themselves and lights flash on and off.
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Cardoness Castle Anwoth, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Legend, Curse |
After a curse was placed on the castle three owners went bankrupt. The forth and his family were drowned in the nearby loch when the ice cracked while they skated on it.
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Carrigaphoca (aka Carrigaphouka, aka Carrigaphooca Macroom, County Cork, Ireland
Elemental Spirit, Pooca |
The site is also home to a Pooca, a ghastly grim entity which attacks visitors if the opportunity arises.
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Carrigaphoca (aka Carrigaphouka, aka Carrigaphooca Macroom, County Cork, Ireland
Vampire, Cormac Tadhg McCarthy |
Charged with tracking down Irish rebels, Cormac ate the flesh of one man he caught. His ghost haunts the ruins of the castle.
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Carrigogunnell Castle Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
Fairies, Fairy Riders |
Beneath the castle a company of fairies on horseback wait for the day they are needed.
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Cawdor Castle Nairn, Highland, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Muriel Calder |
The castle became part of the Campbell empire when Muriel Calder, heiress to the castle, was kidnapped at the age of 12 and married to the Earl of Argyll's son, Sir John Campbell in 1511. A ghost wearing a blue velvet dress has been reported in the castle and she is believed to be the ghost of Muriel Calder.
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Cawood Castle, grounds of Cawood , Yorkshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Pregnant Woman |
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.
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Chepstow Castle Chepstow, , Wales
Legend, Sleeping King |
A cave under the castle was once explored by a man who claimed to have seen King Arthur and his knights. He fled after making noise which made the knights stir.
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Chillingham Castle Chillingham, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady Mary Berkeley |
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.
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Chillingham Castle Chillingham, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Blue Boy |
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.
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Chillingham Castle Chillingham, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady in White |
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.
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Claypotts Castle Dundee, Angus, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Marion Ogilvie 29 May |
The castle is haunted by a "White Lady" seen at a window in the castle each 29 May. She is reputed to be the ghost of Marion Ogilvie, the mistress of Cardinal Beaton who was murdered in St Andrews on 29 May 1546.
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Closeburn Castle Closeburn , Dumfries and Galloway), Scotland
Omen, Bleeding Swan |
Prior to death in the Kirkpatrick family. Swans once brought peace and happiness here, until one was killed by a family member. Now, family death is heralded when a swan appears with a red-stained breast.
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Castell Coch Tongwynlais, Cardiff, Wales
Legend, Three Eagles |
There is a hoard of buried treasure at the castle, protected by three supernatural eagles
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Conwy Castle , Conwy, Wales
Ghost Haunting, Bereaved Lord |
One of the lords at Plas Mawr had to leave Conwy to fight in a distant war. When he was due to return, his wife and child climbed the steep steps to a lookout tower. He did not appear, so the wife and child had to leave the tower when it grew dark. On the way down she slipped, and both of them fell to the bottom of the tower. They were taken to the lantern room and a Doctor Dic was summoned. He could do nothing to save them. Fearing the wrath of the lord upon his return, a servant locked Dr. Dic inside the lantern room with the dying mother and child. On the lord's return, the door was unlocked and he found the dead bodies of his wife and child, but there was no sign of Dr. Dic, who was was never seen again. The bereaved lord went mad with grief and died soon after. His ghost still seeks the vanished doctor in the lantern room.
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Corby Castle Corby, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Radiant Boy |
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.?
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Corfe Castle Corfe, Dorset, England
Ghost Haunting, Headless Woman |
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.
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Corfe Castle Corfe, Dorset, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady in White |
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.
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Cortachy Castle Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland
Omen, Drummer |
Caught having an affair with the wife of the castle's owner, a drummer was placed in his own drum and rolled out from a tower. On the verge of dying he cursed all future generations who would live at the castle. His ghostly drum can be heard beating before a death in the family.
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Craigievar Castle Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Gordon |
A member of the Gordon family was murdered by Sir John Forbes who forced him out of a high (seventh storey) window at sword point. His ghost now haunts the Blue Room at the castle
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Crom Castle Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland
Omen, White Light of Crom |
This glowing ball of light rolls around the castle lake, marking a important events which will affect the whole of Ireland.
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Dacre Castle Dacre, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Eloise and her Tutor |
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.
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Dacre Castle Dacre, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Three Kings |
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.
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Dagworth Castle Dagworth, Suffolk, England
Fairies, Malekin |
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
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Dean Castle Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland
Omen, Rolling Head |
On 18 August 1745 a female servant in the building once saw the decapitated head of William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, her master, roll across the floor in front of her, even though he was still alive and well in another part of the building. Soon afterwards the earl joined the unsuccessful '45 Jacobite uprising. He was was beheaded in the Tower of London on 18 August 1746, exactly a year after the premonition.
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Denbigh Castle Denbigh, Clwyd, Wales
Legend, Dragon |
Local legend says that a dragon once resided in the castle. It was killed by a man with eight fingers on each hand.
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Dobb Park Castle Weston, Yorkshire, England
Legend, Cerberus |
This three headed hound stands guard over a hoard of treasure hidden somewhere under the castle
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Castle Dore Pridmouth, Cornwall, England
Legend, Holy Grail |
According to Arthurian legend the Grail was once housed at this hillfort.
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Dover Castle Dover, Kent, England
Legend, Sir Gawain |
The Arthurian hero Sir Gawain is buried here according to tradition
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Dragsholm Slot , Horve, Denmark
Ghost Haunting, the Earl of Bothwell |
In the 1500s the Earl of Bothwell was held prisoner here for about 5 years and died in 1578 in the cellar. Every night his ghost comes riding in the court yard of the castle with his ghostly horse carriage, the horses' hooves clattering in the court yard.
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Dragsholm Slot , Horve, Denmark
Ghost Haunting, Lady in White |
The daughter of one of the owners of the castle fell in love with a man who worked in the castle. One day her father caught them. He was so angry that he imprisoned his daughter inside a thick wall of the castle. Her ghost returns every night to the castle and walks around the corridors. In the 1930s workmen tore the old walls down and found a little hole in the wall with a skeleton with a white dress in it.
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Duart Castle Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Omen, Headless Ghost |
Prior to a death in the MacLean family a decapitated figure on horseback is seen. The figure is reputed to be the ghost of a man executed by the MacLean family.
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Dunbarre Castle Alyth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Legend, Modred's House |
This castle is said to be the former base of Modred (or Mordred), the nephew of King Arthur. He was killed when the fort was overrun by Scots and Picts. Guinevere may have also been killed here, and is reportedly buried at nearby Meigle.
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Dunrobin Castle Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Margaret |
the daughter of the 14th Earl of Sutherland who was imprisoned by her father to stop her from marrying someone he regarded as unsuitable. She tried to escape down a rope from an upstairs room but fell to her death. The ghost which haunts the upper floors of the castle is reputed to be hers
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Dunstaffgne (or Dunstaffnage) Castle Oban, Argyll, Scotland
Omen, Glaistig |
The Glaistig is a fairy-like entity attached to the Campbell nobility. She bursts into song, cheers when good news is to be heard, and cries when bad news is to be heard. The Glaistig has not been heard since the castle burnt down.
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Dunstanburgh Castle Embleton, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Sir Guy |
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.
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Dunstanburgh Castle Embleton, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Thomas Earl of Lancaster |
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.
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Dunster Castle Dunster, Somerset, England
Ghost Haunting, Richard |
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.
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Duntrune (or Duntroon) Castle Duntrune, Argyll, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Bagpipe Music |
The castle withstood assaults by Coll McDonnell (Coll Ciotach) or of his son, Sir Alexander. McDonnell sent forward his piper in disguise to gain admission to the castle and report how best it might be attacked. The piper's disguise was penetrated and he was shut up in an upper room, but not untill he had had time to observe that the gateway was so constructed as to render attack disastrous without the aid of artillery. The next morning he saw from the window McDonell's army advancing to the assault. With a view to warning his master, the piper played the air then known as " Dunniveg's Warning" (now called "The March of Duntroon Castle"). McDonnell understood the signal and sheared off, leaving the piper to his fate. A hundred years ago it was commonly believed in the adjoining hamlet that the place was haunted by the ghost of a fingerless piper. This would seem to give a clue to the unfortunate man's fate. It is generally assumed that his captors heard him playing and ran up, slicing off his fingers with a blow of the sword as the quickest method of stopping the tune. Wild pipe music can still be heard in the castle.
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Dunvegan Castle Sligachan, Isle of Skye, Highland, Scotland
Legend, Fairy Flag |
The Flag of the MacLeod's was given to them by a fairy that changed herself into a mortal and married into the family. Each time the flag is waved, it grants the MacLeods victory over a foe, but the flag can only be used three times. It has been used twice so far, in 1490 at Glendale and and in 1580 at Trumpan, both times with success.
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Dunvegan Castle Sligachan, Isle of Skye, Highland, Scotland
Fairies, Fairy Bridge |
The Fairy Bridge near the castle is considered inherently evil, and upsets animals.
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Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, James Graham |
James Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee or Bonnie Dundee as he was known, was the Jacobite commander of the forces at the Battle of Killiecrankie on the 27th July168, where he was mortally wounded. The Viscount was seen on the same day by Lord Balcarres in Edinburgh Castle. Lord Balcarres later discovered that the Viscount had died at Killiecrankie around the time of the sighting.
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Featherstone Castle Featherstone, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Ghostly Wedding Party 17th January |
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.
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Finavon Castle Finavon, Angus, Scotland
Legend, Rhyme |
A local rhyme states that when the castle is reduced to dust, the world will end.
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Fyvie Castle Fyvie, Aberdeenshire , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Lady in Green |
Dame Lillias Drummond was starved to death by her husband, Sir Alexander Seton, who remarried soon after. Her ghost, a Green Lady, scratched her name on the window sill of the bedroom of the newlyweds and can still be seen there.
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Fyvie Castle Fyvie, Aberdeenshire , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Lady in Grey |
The castle is haunted by a "Grey Lady". When building work was being carried out in the early part of the twentieth century a skeleton was found in a secret room. The Grey Lady was seen frequently afterwards, until the bones were returned to the room and things quietened down again.
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Fyvie Castle Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Omen, Lady in Green |
A green lady, is seen and not heard as she drifts down the corridors to the 'Murder Room' always presaging a death in the family at the castle.
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Fyvie Castle Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Omen, Andrew Lammie |
The ghost of Andrew Lammie blows a single long note on his instrument as a death approaches the family.
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Glamis Castle Glamis, Angus, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Monster of Glamis |
The most famous legend connected with the castle is that of the Monster of Glamis, a hideously deformed child born to the family. In the story, the monster was kept in the castle all his life and his suite of rooms bricked up after his death. An alternative version of the legend is that to every generation of the family a vampire child is born and is walled up in that room. There is an old story that guests staying at Glamis once hung towels from the windows of every room in a bid to find the bricked-up suite of the monster. When they looked at it from outside, several windows were towel-less.
The legend of the monster may have been inspired by the true story of the Ogilvies. Somewhere in the 16-foot-thick (4.9 m) walls is a famous room of skulls, where the Ogilvie family, who sought protection from their enemies the Lindsays, were walled up to die of starvation.
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Glamis Castle Glamis, Angus, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Earl Beardie |
"Earl Beardie", who has been identified with both Alexander Lyon, 2nd Lord Glamis, and Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford wanted to play cards on the sabbath, but no-one would play with him. Lord Beardie became so furious that he claimed that he would play with the Devil himself. A stranger then appeared at the castle and joined Lord Beardie in a game of cards. The stranger was the Devil who at the end of the game condemned the Earl to play cards until doomsday. The large bearded ghost of "Earl Beardie" still haunts the castle. (A similar sory is told at Lordscairnie Castle)
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Glamis Castle Glamis, Angus, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Grey Lady of Glamis |
James V hated Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis along with all of her family. James had Janet's family members and servants subjected to torture to obtain false evidence against her. Janet was convicted of witchcraft and was burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, which her young son was forced to watch. Her ghost is the "Grey Lady of Glamis". A seat in the chapel is always reserved for the "Grey Lady" and although the chapel is often full, no one else is allowed to sit in that seat.
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Gormanston Castle Gormanston, County Meath, Ireland
Omen, Foxes |
Whenever all the local foxes gather at the front door of the castle, a death of a death of a Viscount Gormanston.will occur soon after.
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Castle Guthrie Guthrie, Forfar, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Lady Guthrie |
During a visit by the Bishop of St Andrews in 1620 the ghost of a former Lady Guthrie came to make sure he was comfortable. Since then the ghost of Lady Guthrie has returned to look after whoever is sleeping there. Guests in the castle (now an hotel) often say it has been the most peaceful sleep they have ever experienced.
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Gwydir Castle Llanrwst, Conwy Valley, Wales
Ghost Haunting, Maid |
Sir John Wynn murdered a maid at the castle after she threatened to make public their affair. He bricked her body up in a chimney, but the smell of the rotting corpse hung around the room for months afterwards. Her ghost is said to secrete the same stench. Sir John also continues to linger around the building, as does a large dog and several crying children.
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Hermitage Castle Hawick, Borders, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Sir Alexander Ramsey |
Sir Alexander Ramsey was starved to death in 1342 in the castle dungeon by Sir William Douglas. Legend has it that Sir Alexander survived for seventeen days by eating small quantities of grain that fell through the cracks in the floor of the castle granary above the dungeon. His ghost now walks the castle grounds.
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Hermitage Castle Hawick, Borders, Scotland
Legend, Hidden Treasure |
There is a hoard of hidden treasure under the ruins of the castle, but the Devil watches over it. When people have tried to dig for the treasure, violent storms have always driven them away.
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Hopton Castle Hopton, Shropshire, England
Ghost Haunting, 28 Parliamentarian soldiers 14 March |
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.
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Castle How Cockermouth, Cumbria, England
Fairies, Fairies |
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.
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Howth Castle Howth, County Dublin, Ireland
Omen, White Rat |
This ghostly white rat appears whenever misfortune or evil threatens the House of St Lawrence.
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Hylton (or Hilton) Castle Sunderland, Durham, England
Fairies, Brownie |
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.
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Inveraray Castle Inveraray, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Battle in the sky |
On 10 July 1758 five witnesses in two different places watched a battle between the Highlander regiment and garrisoned French troops, in the skies over the castle. This battle mirrored real events in America at the same time, where 300 Highlanders were killed assaulting a French fort.
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Inveraray Castle Inveraray, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Omen, Ghost |
A ghost appears at the castle when a Campbell chief is close to death.
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Kilcosgriff Castle Kilcosgriff, County Limerick, Ireland
Omen, Lady in White |
The wife of a former Lord Langford, the ghost of this lady appears prior to a death in the Langford family
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Kilkea Castle Castledermot, County Kildare, Ireland
Spirit Haunting, Wizard |
The castle is haunted by the spirit of a wizard who once lived there, and whose living body lays in a trance under the castle.
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Killua Castle Clonmellon, County Westmeath, Ireland
Ghost Haunting, Jacky Dalton |
Jacky Dalton was a land steward to Sir Benjamin Chapman in the 18th century, a small wily man. He swindled his master out of great sums of money but turned to drink and committed suicide by throwing himself into the lake after his master''s death. With wild yellow hair, Jacky's vile-looking ghost now haunts the castle at night.
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Kindrochit Castle Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Plague Victims |
When the Black Death was discovered in the castle, local villagers blocked the external castle doors so that no one could escape and spread the disease. All of those who died inside the castle haunt the castle.
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Knepp Castle West Grinstead, Sussex, England
Legend, White Doe |
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.
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Knockdolian Castle Colmonell, Ayrshire, Scotland
Curse, Mermaid's Curse |
The mistress of the castle ordered the destruction of a water-side black rock, which stood a short distance away, in order to prevent a mermaid sitting on it and singing. In revenge, the mermaid cursed the family, ensuring they all died without leaving an heir.
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Lambton Castle Fatfield, Durham, England
Legend, The Lambton worm |
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.
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Leap Castle Birr , County Offaly, Ireland
Ghost Haunting, Prisoner |
Prisoners pushed into an oubliette fell eight feet onto spikes projecting from the floor. Around the year 1900, workmen hired to clean out Leap Castle pulled up the drop floor of the dungeon and discovered human skeletons piled on top of each other in the oubliette. The ghost of at leat one of them still haunts the castle.
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Leap Castle Birr , County Offaly, Ireland
Elemental Spirit, Spectral Creature |
Leap Castle is also haunted by an Elemental, a dark evil creature about the size of a sheep with a human face and black pools for eyes. It smells of rotting flesh.
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Leeds Castle Maidstone, Kent, England
Omen, Shuck |
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.
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Leeds Castle Maidstone, Kent, England
Omen, Shuck |
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.
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Lordscairnie Castle Moonzie, Fife, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Beardie 31 December, Midnight |
Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford played cards with the Devil and lost. His ghost, Beardie, can be seen playing cards with the devil at midnight each New Year's Eve, though anyone watching it will travel to hell with them at the end of the match. (a similar story is told at Glamis Castle)
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Lowther Castle Lowther, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Wicked Jimmy |
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.
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Ludlow Castle Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Marion de Bruer |
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.
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Lumley Castle Chester Le Street , Durham, England
Ghost Haunting, Lily ofLumley |
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.
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Middleham Castle Middleham, Yorkshire, England
Legend, Buried Treasure |
Treasure is believed to be buried in the grounds of the castle.
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Moreton Corbet Castle Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Paul Homeyard |
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.
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Moreton Corbet Castle Moreton Corbet, Shropshire, England
Curse, Nieghbour's Curse |
During its construction in the Fifteenth century, the owner of the castle was cursed by a neighbour, and the castle was never finished.ÿ
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Moy Castle Island of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Omen, Bean-nighe |
The Bean-nighe is a Scottish spirit, an ill bringer who would be seen washing the clothes of those soon to die. This creature has long breasts, slung over her shoulders, and if one was grabbed from behind she would tell to whom the clothes belonged. If they were yours, she could change your fate. The laird of the castle, upon seeing the creature, tried to grab her but failed and died in battle the following day
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Muncaster Castle Muncaster, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Henry VI |
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.
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Muncaster Castle Muncaster, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Headless Carpenter |
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.
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Noltland Castle Pierowall, Orkney, Scotland
Fairies, Broonie |
Broonie is a helpful brownie named who ensures that boats remain safe during storms.
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Noltland Castle Pierowall, Orkney, Scotland
Omen, Shuck |
Forthcoming deaths at the castle ar announced by the howls of a large black dog.
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Noltland Castle Pierowall, Orkney, Scotland
Omen, Spectral Light |
The castle was owned by the Balfour family. A ghostly light flickering at the castle window still shines when a birth or death occurs in the Balfour family.
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Norwich Castle Norwich, Norfolk, England
Legend, King's Treasure |
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.
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Nottingham Castle Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Omen, Countess of Nottingham |
The gallery is haunted by the hhost of the Countess of Nottingham. She appears to people who will die within a year.
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Okehampton Castle Okehampton, Devon, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady Howard |
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."
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Okehampton Castle Okehampton, Devon, England
Shuck, Lady Howard |
This large black dog is reportedly the ghost of Lady Howard, who walks from here to Tavistock.
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Old Wardour Castle Wardour, Wiltshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady Blanche Arundell |
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.
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Old Wardour Castle Wardour, Wiltshire, England
Omen, White Owls |
The Arundell family are haunted by ghostly white owls, which appear prior to a death in the family.
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Castle of Park Cornhill, Banff , Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Pregnant Servant |
This castle incorporates a 16th century tower house. A green woman appears at an upstairs window. She is the ghost of a servant who was dismissed because she was expecing a child, and who subsequently committed suicide. Residents say they feel as though they are being watched and objects mysteriously move from one room to another.
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Peel Castle Peel, Isle of Man, Scotland
Shuck, Moddey Dhoo |
A local shuck (a demonic black dog), the Moddey Dhoo, haunted the local guardroom, appearing at night to sleep by their fire. One guard grew tired of hiding away from it and went to face the creature alone in 1660; he returned soon afterwards, silent and dying, but the creature was never seen again.
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Pendragon Castle Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England
Phantom, Black Hen |
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
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Pennard Castle (ruins) Penmaen, Caerphilly, Wales
Legend, Fairies |
The owner of this former castle once refused the local fairies the right to dance at his wedding party. The upset little people conjured up a massive storm which then destroyed the building. The site is now home to a Gwrach-y-rhibyn.
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Penyard Castle Weston Penyard, Herefordshire, England
Legend, Hideous Bird |
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.
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Pevensey Castle Pevensey, East Sussexÿ, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady Joan Pelham |
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.
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Pitcaple Castle Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Omen, Robin |
To find a robin perched within the castle walls is considered the ultimate in misfortune, as it denotes a family death.
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Powis Castle Welshpool, South Glamorgan, Wales
Ghost Haunting, Man in Gold Laced Suit |
This haunting ended in 1780 when a new maid was placed in a haunted bedroom as a joke planned by the other workers; she listened to the ghost instead of running like so many had done in the past, and as a reward the supernatural being led her to a box hidden under a floorboard. This was later presented to her master who rewarded the maid with freedom and a cottage. The ghost was seen no more.
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Raby Castle Raby, Durham, England
Ghost Haunting, Charles Neville |
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.
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Rait Castle Rait, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Handless Girl |
During a bout of clan warfare, a daughter of the Comyns had her hands chopped off by her father who falsely believed she had betrayed him to their enemies (the MacIntoshes). She jumped from the castle battlements, rather than to bleed to death; her wraith is now seen drifting the castle ruins.
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Ripley Castle Ripley, Yorkshire, England
Poltergeist, Poltergeist |
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.
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Castle Rising King's Lynn, Norfolk, England
Ghost Haunting, Isabel of France |
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
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Rochester Castle Rochester, Kent, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady Blanche de Warenne Good Friday |
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.
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Ruthven Castle Kingussie, Highland, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Chess Game |
The castle was once home of the infamous 'Wolf of Badenoch' a laird who reigned hardship and terror on the locals. The laird played chess with the Devil and lost. Now the match is replayed for evermore in spectral form.
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Ryde Castle Hotel Ryde, Isle of Wight, England
Poltergeist, Joker Poltergeist |
The poltergeist at this castle has a sense of humour, and plays pranks rather that causing random havok.
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Sewingshield Castle ruins Sewingshield, Northumberland, England
Legend, Sleeping Knights |
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.
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Sherborne Castle Sherborne, Dorset, England
Ghost Haunting, Sir Walter Raleigh 28 September |
Sir Walter Raleigh appears here once a year on St Michael's Eve, near to a tree that is named after him.ÿ
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Castle Stalker Loch Linnhe, Argyll, Scotland
Omen, Hovering Light |
Prior to a death of a Stewart chieftain, ann orb of brilliant light hovers over the castle
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St Andrews Castle St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Cardinal Beaton |
Cardinal Beaton who served as the Archbishop of St. Andrews. Beaton was little interested in the Church, living in open concubinage, and providing lavishly for his children from ecclesiastical property. He imprisoned Protestants in the dungeon beneath the castle. Eventually, these prisoners would go insane in the darkness, at which point they were murdered. Cardinal Beaton's barbaric treatment of Protestants included the arrest, trial and execution of George Wishart who was burned at the stake in front of St. Andrews Castle on March 1st, 1546. In response, Protestant infiltrators penetrated the castle and assassinated the cardinal. His body was suspended over the castle walls by an arm and leg, to form the cross of St. Andrews.Although just a ruin today, Cardinal Beaton still roams the castle
As for the Cardinal, I grant,
He was the man we weel could want'
And we?ll forget him soon!
And yet I think, the sooth to say,
Although the loon is well away,
The deed was foully done.
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St Donats Castle St Donats, South Glamorgan, Wales
Omen, Old Hag |
The apparition is seen, looking like an old hag. This spectre heralds a death in the family much like a banshee, wailing in the night and scratching at windows.
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Tamworth Castle Tamworth, Staffordshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Lady in Black |
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.
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Tamworth Castle Tamworth, Staffordshire, England
Ghost Haunting, White Lady |
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.
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Thirlwall Castle Greenhead, Northumberland, England
Legend, Gold Table |
A table of solid gold is said to be hidden somewhere under this castle, protected by a gruesome dwarf.
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Tintagel Castle Tintagel, Cornwall, England
Legend, Merlin |
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
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Tower of London Tower Hamlets, London, England
Ghost Haunting, Anne Boleyn 19-May |
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.
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Tower of London Tower Hamlets, London, England
Ghost Haunting, Murdered Wife |
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.
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Tower of London Tower Hamlets, London, England
Ghost Haunting, Princes in the Tower |
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.
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Tower of London Tower Hamlets, London, England
Ghost Haunting, Catherine Howard |
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.
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Tower of London Tower Hamlets, London, England
Ghost Haunting, Spectral Cylinder |
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.
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Triermain Castle Gilsland, Cumbria, England
Ghost Haunting, Gilsland Boy |
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).
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Tulloch Castle Hotel Dingwall, Highland, Scotland
Ghost Haunting, Two Little Girls |
A guest staying the night in Room 8 reported feeling the two adolescent girls sitting on his chest as he lay in bed, as if trying to suffocate him. Previous guests in the room have reported a figure sitting at the end of their bed, door handles rattling, and other strange disturbances
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Castle of Vayne (ruins) Fern, Angus, Scotland
Legend, Guardian Beast |
Protecting a wealth of gold and jewels, this monster remains hidden unless threatened by treasure hunters.
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Warblington Castle Warblington, Hampshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Margaret Pole 27 May |
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.
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Warkworth Castle Warkworth, Northumberland, England
Ghost Haunting, Bertram de Bothal |
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.
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Warwick Castle Warwick, Warwickshire, England
Legend, Shuck |
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.
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Warwick Castle Warwick, Warwickshire, England
Omen, The Dun Cow |
The phantom 'Dun Cow of Warwick' appears at the castle a few weeks before a death in the family.
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Windsor Castle Windsor, Berkshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Ghostly Group |
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.
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Windsor Castle Windsor, Berkshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Herne the Hunter |
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.
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Woodcroft Castle Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England
Ghost Haunting, Michael Hudson |
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.
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