Every night, once the doors are locked, our properties are left alone in the dark...or are they? Hundreds of ghostly apparitions, cold chills and former residents of our properties are left to roam the empty corridors in the dead of night with only the bats for company.
It’s a sad fate, but this year you’ve got a chance to end this neglect by booking on one of our regular ghost tours throughout the winter. Are you brave enough?
Ghost Tours for Adults
Join our spooky tour guides for night time trips around some of our – purportedly – most haunted properties. Hear about the fascinating past residents of our spooky castles through tales of apparitions, peculiar sightings and dark deeds from days gone by. Who will be hiding around the next corner?
Midlands
Valentine’s Ghost Tours – Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, Fri 17 Feb
Ghost Tours - Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire, Sat 25 Feb
Please note the above events are for over 16s only.
Ghostly Fun for Kids
Junior ghost busters can join in with spooky stories and special family ghost tours in the South West region.
Family Ghost Tours - Pendennis Castle, Cornwall, Fri 9 Mar
Family Ghost Tours - Dartmouth Castle, Devon, Thu 29 Mar
About the Properties: Spooky Stories
Bolsover Castle
"Sir Charles Cavendish"
Some say the ghost of Sir Charles Cavendish, who bought the old fortress in 1612, likes to wander around this extravagant 17th century fantasy mansion he once restored.
Pendennis Castle
“Captain Melville’s Chair”
During a wedding at the castle, all the guests were sitting quietly waiting for the bride and groom when they heard the sound of furniture being loudly moved in the room above. Staff went up to ask for quiet, but found nobody there – only a chair moved halfway across the room. It is believed the ghost of Captain Melville (a governor who had lost an arm in battle) was dragging his chair to the window to watch the ships as he had always done in life.
“Ghostly Horses”
During the Civil War when Pendennis was besieged, the castle occupants were forced to slaughter their horses for food. The custodian’s family have been regularly kept awake by the sound of horses’ hooves outside, but upon investigation, no horses have ever been found…
Kenilworth Castle
“The Rocking Crib”
During the 1560s a servant known as Sarah fell in love with the master of the house. After having an affair she became pregnant. Once the baby was born the master flew into a rage, murdering both mother and child. Both mother and baby may still be at the castle - the creaky cot in one of the bedrooms is said to rock all on its own!
