Famous Ghosts of Britain: Did the Gilded Heiresses Meet Them?
When the Dollar Princesses came from their new or relatively young homes in the United States, it must have been a bit of a spooky shock to start new lives in estates that were hundreds of years old.
I know that as I’ve explored Britain’s historic houses and castles for the American Countess channel, I’ve come across many stories of ghosts and haunted spaces.
With all of the history that these grand estates have, it’s no surprise that figures from the past have been seen or heard wandering halls, gardens, and bedrooms.
And I’ve often wondered how often American heiresses have entered their estates and been a bit spooked.
It seems that every historic home has at least one ghost!
Even here at Mapperton House—though I haven’t experienced her myself—guests have let me know that there’s a grey lady, who doesn’t allow you to enter the Tudor bedroom without asking permission first. Yikes!
So, with Halloween just around the corner, I thought we could embrace the eerie spirit of the season and get to know some of the haunted houses and castles in Britain.
Ghosts in Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, first constructed in the late 10th century, is the incredible church in central London where all coronations of English and British monarchs have taken place. It’s seen sixteen royal weddings as well.
With a history dating back more than a thousand years and as the final resting place of more than 3,000 historical figures, of course there are many stories of ghosts and hauntings taking place in its halls.
According to legend, there are at least 3 ghosts who reside in the Abbey:
John Bradshaw: The 17th-century judge, who was the President of the High Court of Justice during the trial of King Charles I, was responsible for finding the King guilty of being a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and public enemy. He even signed Charles I’s execution warrant.
A year after John’s death, Charles II—set on revenge—ordered the bodies of those who tried and convicted Charles I to be exhumed. Among them, John’s body was chained to the gallows and then beheaded as part of a posthumous execution.
Now, John is said to be seen pacing the gallery of Westminster Abbey each year on the 30th of January, which is the anniversary of Charles I’s execution.
Unknown Warrior: The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, a memorial within the Abbey that honours the soldiers who died in WWI, houses the body of an identified serviceman from 1920.
Legend has it that, when the Abbey is quiet and empty, the ghost of the soldier appears, bowing his head to the tomb before disappearing right on the spot.
Father Benedictus: We’re not sure exactly who this ghost is, but he’s affectionately referred to as Father Benedictus.
The most popular story is that he was a murder victim from the 16th century and doesn’t actually know that he’s dead.
Those who have seen him always say that the sightings take place in the evening, just before the Abbey closes, and that he presents as a solid, alive-looking person dressed in monk’s robes. He even talks to people! One group in the early 1900s claimed that he spoke to them for 20 minutes about the Abbey, before vanishing into a stone wall.
If you’re brave enough, you might have a chance to meet him on the Medieval Monastery Tour.
Pictures of Spirits in the Houses of Parliament
Just around the corner from Westminster Abbey, the archives of the Houses of Parliament have been discovering eerie photos that show apparitions and other haunted happenings.
In their own blog on the topic, you can see some of these spooky photos.
While the archivists conclude the ghostly figures to be a product of old-fashioned exposure processes, I wouldn’t find it hard to believe that such an old and storied building has spirits of the past wandering its corridors.
Lady Lily of Lumley Castle
County Durham’s Lumley Castle has been called one the region’s most haunted castles.
It has many spirits and spectres that haunt the grounds (including members of the Lumley family), but the castle’s most famous ghost, referred to as Lady Lily, is thought to have been the wife of Baron Ralph Lumley in the 17th century.
The story goes that Lily turned her back on the church, which prompted a few local priests to come to the castle in hopes of restoring her faith. When she refused, a fight broke out. Lily was murdered and thrown down a well inside the castle.
The priests told Lord Ralph that Lily had run away to a nunnery, but whether or not he believed them is lost to history.
The well that became Lily’s final resting place is on display in the castle, and legend has it that she comes out at night to roam the halls.
Today, the castle is a hotel, which welcomes visitors to explore its historical significance and (just maybe) encounter a ghost.
Famous Ghosts at Hampton Court Palace
In the 16th century, Richmond’s Hampton Court Palace was built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. After the Cardinal fell out with the King, Henry VIII took over the building, which became one of his favourite royal residences.
In its 400 years of history, people have reported seeing the ghosts of Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard, and even Lady Jane Grey.
The famous phantoms of Hampton Court are so popular, in fact, that the historic building promotes its haunted tales and has even published a map guide to help visitors find its spookiest corners.
Haunted Historic Houses in Britain that I’ve Visited
In a previous ghost episode, The Most Haunted Historical Castles in Britain Revealed, I visited 4 gorgeous locations, each with its own spooky stories of ghostly apparitions and eerie happenings.
The episode itself delves more deeply into these sightings and legends, but here are the highlights.
1. A King Murdered at Berkeley Castle
The Berkeley family has called Gloucestershire’s Berkeley Castle home for almost 900 years, and this is where—in 1327—King Edward II was brutally murdered.
According to Mrs Georgina Berkeley, who has lived in the castle for 50 years, an unseen male presence can be felt in one of the bedrooms.
She’s even experienced him herself!
Could it have been the King? Or perhaps the spirit that once belonged to the skeleton they found under the floorboards in the great hall?
She told me about her other spooky experiences at the castle in the 2023 Halloween episode.
2. Multiple Hauntings at Athelhampton House
Athelhampton House, situated in Dorset, is the perfect example of a house that contains the spirits of the past.
Its owner, Giles Keating, claims that there are many ghosts on the estate!
When I interviewed him, he told me that a few of his friends have had unexplained encounters whilst at the house.
One such ghost seems to be related to a 16th-century girl, who wanted to end her life after a terrible heartbreak. So, her loyal pet ape followed her into one of the many hidden passages in the house, where they died together.
Today, visitors report seeing the ghost of her beloved ape walking through walls…perhaps looking for his heartbroken friend.
The story of the girl and her ape doesn’t end there, though. To hear Giles tell the rest, be sure to watch the episode.
Spoiler alert: he wrote a well-researched novel about it! (Remember, if you mention my name, he’ll sign the book for you!)
The episode also includes more stories, as told by Owen Davies (the estate’s manager), from what may just be the most haunted house in England.
3. The Ghosts of Owlpen House
Sir Nicholas and Lady Mander, who live in Owlpen Manor, a Tudor-era house in the Cotswolds, showed me around their extraordinary estate and told me about some of the past residents…who seem to have stuck around.
As it turns out, those who owned the house in the 1600s were quite superstitious. They decked out the walls and windows with symbols meant to keep witches and evil spirits at bay.
In the episode, Lady Mander recalled some of the times when she’s seen and felt the 4 ghosts that remain in the home.
As for Sir Nicholas, he told me about an alchemist who lived and worked in a room at the top of the house. He also showed me the room where a 15th-century Queen still comes to stay.
You need to see what it looks like now!
4. The Unwelcome Spirits of Birdsall Estate
When I visited the Birdsall Estate in North Yorkshire, Lady Cara Willoughby confided that she’d had the house cleansed when she moved in.
She told me that she could feel a bit of ghostly energy and simply wanted a fresh start for her family.
But while nobody has reported any spooky happenings since the clearing, Lady Cara did admit that she finds the occasional impression on newly made beds, as if someone has taken a seat.
More Ghosts to Come?
As I continue to go through Alberta’s letters (our very own American heiress), I’m keeping a keen eye for any ghost stories that circulated within the social circles of the gilded heiresses.
If (when!) I do find them, you’ll be the first to know!
Great stories
Lends credence to things that " go bump in the night" so to speak.....Scary!