
HAUNTED LOCATIONS
Cheltenham
Cheltenham, a picturesque town nestled in Gloucestershire, is not only known for its Regency architecture, beautiful parks, and cultural festivals but also for its rich history and vibrant nightlife. While many visitors are drawn to its elegant streets and historic sites, others are intrigued by the town's darker side—its haunted locations.
The Old Courthouse
The Old Courthouse, located on Cheltenham's High Street, is one of the town's most iconic and historic buildings. Constructed in the early 19th century, it served as the main courthouse and judicial center for Cheltenham for many years.
The grand Georgian building was the site of numerous criminal and civil cases, including notorious trials that shaped the town's legal landscape. In the 1990s, the courthouse ceased to function as a place of law and was converted into a public house, blending its legal past with a new social role. Today, it serves as a popular venue, yet many believe its rich and often turbulent past has left behind an eerie legacy.
The Old Courthouse is renowned for its paranormal activity, particularly in the old courtroom and the former prison cells located beneath the building.
People have reported hearing the sounds of footsteps, doors creaking, and the unsettling feeling of being watched, especially in areas where no one else is present.
There are also numerous stories of ghostly figures, including a man in period clothing, believed to be the spirit of a prisoner wrongfully convicted and executed many years ago. The most chilling reports involve unexplained noises resembling the sound of a gavel striking, as if the courtroom is still in session, despite the building's transformation into a pub.
The Ivy
The Ivy Cheltenham, located in a beautiful Victorian building on the town's Promenade, is part of the famous Ivy Collection, known for its luxurious dining experience and stylish interiors.
The restaurant has gained a reputation for its high-end cuisine and its elegant ambiance, attracting locals and tourists alike. However, the building itself has a much older history.
Before it became a popular dining destination, it housed several businesses, including a department store.
The structure's long history and its connection to various past owners and employees have led some to believe that it may be home to lingering spirits.
The Ivy has its fair share of strange occurrences.
Patrons have reported hearing whispers or footsteps when no one is around, and some diners have felt an unexplained chill in certain areas of the building.
The most notable paranormal claim is the sighting of a ghostly woman in period attire, often spotted in the upper levels of the restaurant. Staff have also witnessed lights flickering and objects moving without explanation. These eerie experiences have led to speculation that the spirits of past inhabitants, perhaps employees from earlier times, are still present in the building.
Yates, Cheltenham
Yates in Cheltenham is a lively and popular bar that has stood at the heart of the town for many years. Housed in a former hotel, the building has seen many changes over the decades, from its use as a private residence to its role as a bustling social venue.
The site has always been a hotspot for Cheltenham's nightlife, but its history stretches far beyond its current function. The building once served as a family home and later as a hotel, with numerous visitors passing through its doors. It's this long history and many transitions that some believe have left behind spirits and strange energies.
Yates is said to be one of Cheltenham’s most haunted locations, with both customers and staff reporting unusual paranormal occurrences.
In particular, people have reported hearing the sound of footsteps echoing through empty rooms and feeling a cold presence in areas that are otherwise warm.
Several individuals have claimed to see a ghostly figure, often described as a man in old-fashioned clothing, wandering the upper floors.
The building’s turbulent history, including the death of a hotel guest and the many who have come and gone over the years, is often cited as a reason for the ongoing hauntings. Some patrons have even claimed to experience objects moving on their own or glasses mysteriously shattering, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
The Bottle of Sauce, Cheltenham
The Bottle of Sauce, located on the Bath Road in Cheltenham, is another popular pub that also carries with it a history of hauntings. Originally built in the early 20th century, the building was once a brewery before being converted into a public house.
Over the years, it has become a favorite among locals for its relaxed atmosphere and excellent food and drink. However, the pub's long history has also made it a prime candidate for ghost stories. The building's previous incarnation as a brewery and its connection to many former workers and patrons have led to a number of strange and spooky occurrences over the years.
The Bottle of Sauce is often regarded as one of Cheltenham's most haunted pubs, with staff and customers alike experiencing unusual phenomena.
Many reports focus on the pub's cellar, where patrons and employees have described hearing strange noises such as voices and footsteps, even when the area is empty.
Some have also experienced cold spots and sudden drafts in certain parts of the building. Perhaps the most commonly reported ghostly presence is that of a man dressed in old-fashioned clothing, often seen wandering the pub late at night. Other eerie occurrences include lights flickering and objects being moved inexplicably, adding to the pub's reputation as a site of paranormal activity.
Prestbury Village
Prestbury Village, located on the outskirts of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, is a picturesque and historic area with a rich history that dates back to Roman times.
With its cobbled streets, ancient church, and charming cottages, it’s no surprise that the village has become a focal point for tales of hauntings and paranormal activity. From ghostly apparitions to eerie sounds, Prestbury is often regarded as one of the most haunted villages in England.
​
Prestbury has a long and often turbulent history, which may explain the many ghost stories that have emerged over the centuries. The village is home to St. Mary's Church, a medieval building that has stood for over a thousand years. The church and its graveyard have witnessed countless events over the centuries, from local conflicts to devastating plagues. It is perhaps this deep history of death, sorrow, and loss that contributes to the paranormal activity in the area.
Many of Prestbury’s oldest buildings, including the historic church and the nearby Prestbury House, are thought to harbor spirits tied to the village’s past. Several ghost stories and sightings are often centered around these locations.
​
One of the most well-known legends in Prestbury is that of the "White Lady" who haunts the churchyard.
Witnesses have reported seeing a figure of a woman dressed in a flowing white gown, who appears to be walking between the graves.
Some claim she vanishes into the shadows, while others have described her as looking mournful and melancholic. Many believe the White Lady is the ghost of a woman who died tragically many years ago. Some even speculate that she is the spirit of a woman who died during childbirth, still haunting the place where her body lies buried.
​
Other accounts involve a darker version of the figure, described as a more ominous presence lurking near the graveyard in the early hours of the morning. The sound of footsteps is sometimes heard, even when no one is around, and a chill is said to fall over the graveyard when the ghost appears.
Prestbury House
Prestbury House, once the home of the local gentry, is another hotspot for paranormal activity.
There have been reports of ghostly figures seen in the windows, and strange noises heard from within the building when no one is present. People have claimed to have heard the sound of footsteps echoing through empty rooms, the faint laughter of children, and even the clink of dishes as if a dinner party were still in full swing, despite the house being long abandoned.
​
One particularly eerie account involves a visitor who reported seeing a full-bodied apparition of an elderly woman sitting in one of the rooms. The woman, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, reportedly stared blankly at the visitor before disappearing before their eyes. Some believe that this could be the spirit of a former inhabitant, unwilling to leave her family home.
The Phantom Coach and Horses
Another famous ghostly legend of Prestbury involves the phantom coach and horses that are said to appear at night, driving through the village’s streets.
The tale goes that the coach and horses are driven by a headless coachman and are often accompanied by the sounds of a rattling carriage and galloping hooves. Several people have reported hearing the sounds of the phantom coach driving down the main street at night, although no one has ever seen it with their own eyes.
​
Local folklore suggests that the coach is a manifestation of an ill-fated journey made by a noble family many years ago. Some say that the coach and horses met with a tragic accident, and their restless spirits continue to travel the route where they perished.
Local Homes
In addition to ghostly sightings, Prestbury has also been the site of poltergeist activity.
Several residents of the village have reported unusual occurrences in their homes, including objects being moved without explanation, doors opening and closing on their own, and lights flickering on and off. These disturbances have led many to believe that some of the village’s spirits are not just content to haunt the graveyards and historical buildings, but also to cause mischief and frighten the living.
​
One such case involves a family who lived in a cottage on the outskirts of the village. They reported hearing strange knocks on the walls, voices coming from empty rooms, and objects such as books and furniture moving on their own. After calling in a local medium to investigate, it was suggested that the disturbances were caused by a restless spirit, possibly a former resident who had suffered a tragic death.
To this day, Prestbury Village continues to attract paranormal enthusiasts and ghost hunters who are eager to experience the haunting atmosphere for themselves.
Ghost walks, organised by local historians and paranormal investigators, take visitors through the village’s most haunted spots, including Prestbury Church and its graveyard, Prestbury House, and other locations associated with ghostly legends. These walks provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the village’s dark past and the spirits that still linger in its midst.
The Cheltenham Poltergeist
The figure of the woman in black, seen both in daylight and at night, became a fixture in the household. The Despards reported the ghost standing at windows, walking through halls, and appearing at odd hours.
Other witnesses, including a neighbor and the household servants, also saw the apparition.
In 1884, the haunting peaked, with the ghost seen for long periods and footsteps heard throughout the house.
Theories suggested that the woman in black might have been Imogen Swinhoe, the previous mistress of the house, who had a troubled life marked by arguments and alcoholism. Rosina Despard believed the apparition to be the restless spirit of Imogen, mourning the loss of her husband.
​
Over the years, paranormal activity associated with the woman in black persisted. Even after the Despards left in 1893, reports continued.
Residents of the area, including those living near St. Anne’s, reported sightings of the figure well into the 20th century. Incidents continued up to the 1980s, with sightings of a woman dressed in black in the area and reports of poltergeist-like phenomena in the house.
​
The haunting of the Cheltenham Poltergeist remains one of the most well-documented and enduring cases of paranormal activity in British history.