Haunted Places - Athelhampton Hall to Bramshill House - Resources - The White Goddess

Haunted Places

Haunted Places

A list of Haunted places, Castles, Hall's and other places known to have ghosts, with a short story about the ghost.

Athelhampton Hall

Location: nr Puddletown, Dorset
Origin: 16th Century

Background: The Martyn family erected the earliest part of this house in the 15th Century. Their crest was of an ape sitting on a tree stump and the motto was "He who looks at Martyn's ape, Martyn's ape will look at him." The family had a pet monkey and this is its story told by a daughter of the family.

Story: It was my fault, I was so sad I didn't notice our pet. I opened the secret door by the fireplace in the great chamber. I went in, closed the door behind me and climbed the stairs. I didn't know the monkey had followed me. My lover had jilted me and I no longer wanted to live. I took my own life but, unknown to me, had locked the monkey in the room. The poor creature starved to death and you can still hear it scratching at the panelling wanting to be let out.

Added: 04/04/2004

Baldoon Castle

Location: Bladnoch, nr Wigtown, Scotland
Origin: 17th Century

Background: Sir Walter Scott based his story The Bride of Lammermoor on the events here. The castle, which is now a ruin, belonged to Sir David Dunbar. His son, also called David, married the daughter of Sir James Dalrymple. This is Janet Dalrymple's story.

Story: I loved Archibald. I didn't care that he was penniless but my father wanted me to marry David Dunbar. They did not like Archibald and constantly objected to my seeing him. I did not want to let my parents down so eventually I agreed to marry David.

I did not want to be with him and on our wedding night tragedy struck. No one is sure what happened. The door of the bridal chamber was broken down after hideous screams were heard. They found my husband very badly wounded while I cowered in the corner covered in blood.

I saw things that night that I cannot talk about. I tried to block the images from my mind but they still drove me insane and I died within a month, on 12th September 1669. My husband survived the ordeal but never spoke about what happened. Some people think I attacked him, some think Archibald did it and others think the Devil did it. The secret is safe with me.

I do return to the place of this horrible deed and you might see me wandering the ruins, usually on the anniversary of my death.

Added: 04/04/2004

Berry Pomeroy Castle

Location: Totnes, Devon
Origin: Unknown

Background: The castle was built by the Pomeroy family during the 12th Century. They lived there until 1547 when the castle was sold to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector. This is Lady Margaret Pomeroy's story.

Story: How could a sister be so cruel? We let a man come between us and ruin our sisterly love. People said I was more beautiful than my sister, Eleanor. Maybe I was, but love should go deeper than one's looks. We both loved the same man and I can only think that because of my beauty, Eleanor thought he would love me over her. In a jealous rage, she locked me in the dungeon beneath the tower and left me to starve to death. The hours I spent wishing the end would come but life dragged on. I suffered so much and yet my sister did nothing. I only hope she thought it was worth it.

I still walk the ruins and I know that I leave a lasting feeling of fear and hatred with those people who have seen me. Some even say that if you see me then you may die. So perhaps, if you visit, it would better not to look for the White Lady.

Added: 04/04/2004

Bosworth Hall

Location: Market Bosworth - Leicestershire

Origin: 1758

Background: The Hall dates from 1680 and in recent times has been used as a nursing home, hospital and conference centre. In 1758, it was the home of Sir Wolston Dixie and his daughter Ann. This is Ann's story.

Story: My father is to blame for my fate. I was in love with the gardener's son, he would visit me in my room late at night, they were such wonderful times. My father found out and didn't approve. I had kept the meetings secret because I knew how he would react. If only he had let me see the man I loved, but no, he had to have his own way.

He set mantraps in the grounds of our house. They were meant for my love, but on this particular night we had arranged to meet in his hut and it was I who stepped into one of the traps. I suffered terrible injuries to my leg, too horrible to describe. I would not have wished them on anyone, even my cruel and arrogant father. I dragged myself from the garden to my room but I lost too much blood and died.

There is a permanent reminder on the downstairs ceiling where my blood soaked through from the floor of my room. I still walk the floors of this house looking for love...or revenge. If you visit, look for me - I am the Grey Lady

Added: 04/04/2004

Bramshill House

Location: nr Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
Origin: 18th Century

Background: Since 1953 the house has been a police training college, but reference to Bramshill (Bromeselle) can be traced back to Saxon times. In 1605, Edward Lord Zouche of Harringworth became lord of the manor and demolished a large part of the building and began to build the present house. This was completed in 1612. In 1699, it passed to Sir John Cope. The ghost is thought to be a member of his family. This is the Legend of the Mistletoe Bough.

Story: It was my wedding day and I was so happy. We were playing games and everyone was having fun. But it was not meant to be a happy day for me. We were playing hide and seek. I found an old chest and hid inside. Nobody could find me; I thought I had been so clever. It went quiet and I decided to get out of the chest; I assumed the others had given up.

The lid wouldn't move. No matter how hard I tried it wouldn't open. I shouted and screamed but nobody came. Eventually there was no air left in the chest and I suffocated. I wander through the house hoping to find someone who can release me.

Added: 04/04/2004