Haunting Places To Visit in Cornwall This Autumn
With Halloween looming, we’ve been exploring Cornwall and its mysterious tales of pirates, smugglers and spooky encounters. So look out for the ghost of Merlin, who is said to live under Tintagel Castle in his cave. Even better, hunt for the Beast of Bodmin Moor, who savages livestock and causes trouble in the dead of night. Here’s our top five haunting locations to visit if you dare…
The Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor
Originally built as a coaching house in 1750, The Jamaica Inn is most famous of all. With a colourful history as a smuggler’s den, the inn is classed as one of the most haunted places in the whole of the UK.
In other words, many spirits haunt it. The most famous being a spiteful highwayman in his traditional three cornered hat. This eerie character is often seen walking through the doorways. Even more so, other sightings include a distressed mother and her crying baby in room five. And with reports of raised voices arguing in the old Cornish tongue, you’re bound to have a spooky experience.
Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth
The picturesque woodland walk through Kennall Vale is a favourite for families, dog walkers and runners alike. It is one of the largest gunpowder works in the United Kingdom.
In 1838, a gunpowder explosion tragically killed many workers and destroyed five mills, making Kennall Vale an eerie place to explore. Apparently a gentleman named William Dunstan, who died in the explosion leaving his wife and ten children, as a result haunts the area.
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
This 17th century castle was built by Henry VIII as a safe place to protect the Carrick Roads when the French and Spanish invaded. However, the enemy used the castle to trap the royalists for six months. With nothing to eat, the royalists were forced to eat their own horses and dogs until they chose to surrender.
Ever since, Pendennis Castle has been home to ghostly figures, including a kitchen maid who fell down a staircase to her death.
Bodmin Jail, Bodmin
Bodmin Jail was built by prisoners in the 18th century on the order of Henry VIII. It now houses a haunted Cornwall museum packed with artefacts about the jail’s rich history.
A ghost named Selina Wedge glides through the jail in a dress at night. Selina was believed to have killed her youngest son in exchange for marriage, only to be jilted at the very end as the man didn’t want her after all. It is said that her loud cries echo through the walls.
A hot-spot for public hangings in the 18th century, why not visit Bodmin Jail at night for a supernatural evening?
Tintagel Castle, North Cornwall
The ruins of this 12th century castle, where five ghosts roam, is the setting for some spooky encounters. Three ghosts haunt the nearby Camelot Hotel where they play mischief on the guests. From knocking paintings from walls and tipping bins over, to even trying to give people a bed bath in the middle of the night.
One of the most famous ghost sightings at Tintagel is one of King Arthur’s mentor, Merlin. Babbling in a language that is foreign to all, even the Cornish! He is said to live in a cave just underneath the castle.
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