10 most haunted places in South West England
Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, there’s no denying that some of these spots are downright creepy.
There have been ghost sightings at some, and in others, people have reported feeling a strange presence.
Many dismiss this as complete fiction, but these old castles, foreboding moors and coaching inns definitely have an edge to them!
Here are the 10 most haunted places in the West Country.
1. Berry Pomeroy Castle, Devon
Berry Pomeroy Castle, located near Totnes in Devon, is often cited as one of the most haunted places in the UK.
The castle is now in ruins but has a dark and eerie history that includes tales of betrayal, murder, and tragic deaths!
Visitors and paranormal investigators report sightings of two prominent spirits: the “White Lady” and the “Blue Lady.”
The White Lady is believed to be the ghost of Margaret Pomeroy, who was supposedly imprisoned and starved to death by her jealous sister.
The Blue Lady, on the other hand, is said to lure visitors into the castle’s depths, where she met her tragic end.
2. The Ancient Ram Inn, Gloucestershire
The Ancient Ram Inn in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, is infamous for its intense paranormal activity – it has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted buildings in England.
Built in the 12th century on the site of an ancient pagan burial ground, the inn has a history steeped in dark rituals and gruesome events.
Visitors and previous owners have reported terrifying encounters with spirits, including that of a murdered child, a high priestess, and even a malevolent incubus.
The building’s oppressive atmosphere, combined with its storied past, has made it a hotspot for ghost hunters and those curious about the paranormal.
3. Bodmin Jail, Cornwall
Bodmin Jail in Bodmin, Cornwall, is a former prison with a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in the West Country.
Built in 1779, the jail housed some of Britain’s most notorious criminals and witnessed numerous executions over its grim history.
Today, visitors to Bodmin Jail report ghostly encounters, including sightings of former inmates, strange noises, and unexplained cold spots.
The most famous ghost is that of Selina Wadge, a woman who was hanged in 1878 for the murder of her child.
Her spirit is said to haunt the prison, especially the area around the execution site.
If you aren’t too phased by the supernatural, you can even stay in the adjacent Bodmin Jail Hotel!
4. Woodchester Mansion, Gloucestershire
Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished Gothic masterpiece shrouded in mystery and ghostly tales.
Construction on the mansion abruptly halted in the mid-19th century, leaving it incomplete and steeped in eerie silence.
Visitors and paranormal enthusiasts report various ghostly encounters, including sightings of shadowy figures, unexplained noises, and sudden drops in temperature.
One of the most famous apparitions is that of a stonemason who is said to haunt the building, possibly a remnant of the workmen who suddenly abandoned the site.
See my full travel guide to Bodmin town.
5. Glastonbury Tor, Somerset
Glastonbury Tor, rising majestically above the Somerset Levels, is a site steeped in legend and mystical significance.
It’s not just the legends of King Arthur and the Isle of Avalon that draw visitors, but also the numerous reports of ghostly apparitions.
The most commonly sighted spirits are those of monks, believed to be linked to the abbey ruins at the base of the Tor.
Some visitors have reported hearing chanting or seeing figures in robes, particularly around twilight.
See my full guide to Glastonbury.
6. Dartmoor, Devon
Dartmoor, with its vast, desolate moorlands, is a place rich in haunting tales and ghostly legends.
This rugged landscape in Devon is known for its eerie atmosphere, especially when the mist rolls in – it shrouds the moors in an otherworldly haze.
One of the most famous ghost stories is that of the “Hairy Hands,” a mysterious force that supposedly grabs the steering wheels of drivers and cyclists, forcing them off the road. Read more about them here.
There are also tales of ghostly black dogs, spectral prisoners, and phantom soldiers who roam the moors!
See my full guide to Dartmoor.
7. Athelhampton House, Dorset
Athelhampton House, a stunning Tudor manor located in Dorset, is not only known for its beautiful architecture and gardens but also for its numerous ghostly residents.
The house is said to be haunted by several spirits, including a phantom monk who is often seen or heard in the Great Hall.
Another famous ghost is the “Grey Lady,” believed to be the spirit of a former resident who roams the corridors of the house.
Visitors have also reported hearing the sounds of duelling swords in one of the rooms, suggesting that the spirits of past occupants may still be settling old scores!
8. Corfe Castle, Dorset
The ruins of Corfe Castle, perched high on a hill in Dorset, are not only a dramatic historical landmark but also a site of numerous ghostly tales.
The castle has a turbulent history, having been the site of sieges, betrayals, and executions, which many believe have left their mark in the form of restless spirits.
One of the most famous ghosts is that of a headless woman, thought to be the spirit of a royalist killed during the English Civil War.
Visitors and locals have also reported strange lights, unexplained noises, and a general sense of unease when exploring the ruins after dark.
9. The Red Lion Inn, Wiltshire
The Red Lion Inn, located in the heart of the Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire, is widely regarded as one of the most haunted pubs in England. It’s also the only pub in the world to be in a stone circle!
This 16th-century inn is said to be haunted by the spirit of Florrie, a former resident who was tragically murdered by her husband.
Florrie’s ghost is often seen around the pub, particularly near the staircase where she was supposedly thrown into a well.
In addition to Florrie, other spirits are said to haunt the inn, with visitors reporting unexplained cold spots, moving objects, and ghostly figures appearing in photographs.
10. Jamaica Inn, Cornwall
Jamaica Inn, located on the remote Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, is one of the most famous and atmospheric inns in the UK, with a history steeped in smuggling and dark tales.
Built in 1750, the inn was a notorious haunt for smugglers, who used it as a hideout for their illicit activities.
Today, Jamaica Inn is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in Cornwall.
Guests and staff have reported hearing phantom footsteps, ghostly voices, and seeing apparitions of shadowy figures.
One of the most famous spirits is that of a murdered smuggler, who is said to linger in the bar area, still tied to the place where he met his untimely end.
Another commonly reported ghost is that of a young woman, often seen wandering the halls, possibly searching for a lost loved one.
You can also stay the night here – here’s what it’s like.
Have you been to any of these haunted places in the South West?
