Paranormal encounters: English Heritage shares haunting tales from historic sites
From whispers of ghostly piano music to figures fading into the mist, a spine-tingling array of new ghostly goings on have been reported by English Heritage staff based in the charity’s castles, abbeys and historic houses across the country.
Asked as they were preparing for the charity’s season of Halloween events, nearly half of respondents reported witnessing something they couldn’t explain.
At Chester Castle, an unexplained image, appearing to reveal ghostly activity, was captured on camera.
The Cheshire fort’s security cameras recorded a mysterious figure in front of the main gates. It was seen directly where the medieval gatehouse used to be. Is it otherworldly – or is there a practical explanation?
A note accompanying the image says: ‘This is what was captured can you, head into the upper courtyard and check the area please.’ (Erm, no thank you! Ed).
When a security guard went to investigate, the area was empty — and, perhaps most unsettling of all, his usually fearless dog refused to enter.
Meanwhile, at Belsay Hall in Northumberland reports tell of doors closing on their own, a spectral hand appearing on an armchair and ghostly children seen playing among the gardens.
The firsthand accounts of strange and unexplained happenings add to the centuries-old tradition of ghostly tales associated with England’s historic landmarks.
‘Delicious excitement of sharing a spooky tale with friends and family’
‘Chilling tales of the returning dead have been told since the dawn of recorded history and provide a way of understanding our relationship with the dead and the past,’ explains Dr Michael Carter, Curator of History at English Heritage.
‘They captivate and intrigue us, and there’s nothing like the delicious excitement of sharing a spooky tale with friends and family.’
‘These ‘new’ spine chillers from our colleagues at English Heritage properties leave little doubt that the English ghost story tradition — the finest in the world — continues to thrive.’
At several English Heritage sites there has been a flurry of new ghost sightings, even at the surprising hour of nine in the morning – and even with even the most sceptic of staff swayed by a logic defying experience!
At Belsay Hall in Northumberland, as well as the mysterious hand appearing, firmly closed bedroom doors have been known to swing open by themselves.
Visitors have even reported seeing Victorian-clad figures wandering through the Quarry Garden — despite no actors being present.
Meanwhile, at Battle Abbey in Sussex, the team recount a chilling encounter during an after-hours tour, when an unidentified ‘visitor’ appeared to join the group – only to vanish without explanation.
And at Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, witnesses tell of ghostly piano music echoing through the halls, while some visitors claim to have felt the hand of a phantom child guiding them through the Venus Garden.
Image: Battle Abbey provided by English Heritage
‘Top nine’ eerie encounters
English Heritage has released a list of ‘top nine’ eerie encounters with the team pointing to one of the most striking reports coming from a fog-shrouded evening at Scarborough Castle.
The sighting happened around six in the evening. With just one family confirmed still on site, two staff members began their routine walk of the grounds.
While making his way from King John’s Hall, a staff member spotted what appeared to be a pair of legs moving through the mist towards the sea.
After radioing the gift shop, he was assured that the family had already returned inside – yet the mysterious figure continued ahead, always just out of reach.
The figure appeared to drift toward the Sally Port gate before vanishing completely. When the staff member reached the brow of the hill seconds later, the path was empty, and no one had passed his colleague on the opposite route.
With no place to hide and the perimeter fence in clear view, the sighting remained unexplained.
Years later, when recounting the experience to a former custodian, he was met with a chilling reply: ‘Oh yes, that would have been Piers Gaveston, luring you off the cliff in the fog.’
At Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, whilst locking up for the night staff reported unexplained sightings near the pavilion, including figures resembling soldiers vanishing into the surrounding woodlands.
Inside the historic mansion, the eerie sound of a ball bouncing in the staircase hall has been heard long after visitors have departed.
Leaving employees and customers intrigued – and puzzled
Staff at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk have reported an eerie encounter in the pot wash area, where one employee claims to have heard their name whispered mysteriously.
A visitor to Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire reported an eerie experience while chatting with a volunteer in the Clerks Room.
He suddenly felt a gentle hand rub the back of his head, each finger distinct, the touch delicate and unmistakably feminine – adding another curious tale to the Hall’s ghostly legends.
At Helmsley Castle in North Yorkshire, team members have described shadowy figures at the windows and disembodied voices in deserted rooms.
And at Lanercost Priory in Cumbria, multiple staff members reported witnessing a mysterious dark figure moving across the transept on the same day, leaving colleagues intrigued by the unexplained sighting.
Staff at Furness Abbey have reported a curious phenomenon in the undercroft. One groundskeeper recalls feeling a strong presence following just behind her, always to her left, while locking up each evening in winter.
Breaktime News has previously reported on various cases of hauntings.
