HAUNTED LOCATIONS
Somerset
Located in southwestern England, Somerset is a captivating county celebrated for its rolling hills, historic landmarks, and charming villages.
Steeped in ancient history, it is a treasure trove of spectral tales and paranormal mysteries.
Renowned as one of England’s most haunted regions, Somerset offers an enthralling journey into the realm of the unknown.
The Crown Pub Hotel, Wells
The Crown Pub Hotel, located in the historic city of Wells, is one of the region’s oldest and most atmospheric inns, dating back to the 15th century.
Originally a coaching inn, it was a vital stop for travellers making their way through the picturesque city.
Wells, known for its medieval cathedral and quaint streets, has long been a centre of culture and history.
The Crown Pub Hotel played an essential role in the town’s community, offering lodging, food, and drink to weary travellers passing through on their journey.
Over the centuries, the hotel has seen numerous changes, both in terms of ownership and renovation, but it has retained much of its original charm. The building’s architecture is a blend of medieval and Georgian styles, with wooden beams, old stone walls, and cozy, candlelit rooms that have seen countless stories unfold.
As one of the oldest buildings in Wells, it has witnessed historical events, and many of the elements within its walls are steeped in centuries of history. Though it has been modernised for today’s visitors, the Crown Pub Hotel still retains an eerie, timeless quality that makes it a fascinating place to stay — especially for those with an interest in the supernatural.
The Crown Pub Hotel has a longstanding reputation for being haunted, with numerous accounts of strange occurrences reported by guests and staff over the years.
One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sighting of a ghostly figure dressed in Victorian clothing, who is often seen moving through the hallways or standing near the old fireplaces.
The figure is said to appear suddenly and without warning, often vanishing before anyone can approach.
The presence of this ghostly figure is believed to be that of a former guest or resident who never quite left.
The Choughs Hotel, Chard
The Choughs Hotel, a historic establishment that has stood at the heart of the town for centuries. Originally built in the 15th century, the Choughs has been a central point of both community life and local legend, with numerous stories of strange occurrences within its walls.
The Choughs Hotel, with its centuries of history, has served as an inn, a meeting place for traders, and a haven for weary travellers. Its period features, including exposed beams, winding staircases, and antique furnishings, give the hotel an air of timelessness, while its proximity to Chard’s town centre adds to its allure.
Over the years, it has witnessed many significant events in the town’s history, including visits from notable figures and local celebrations. However, it is also a site that has gathered a reputation for being haunted, with several paranormal investigations conducted over the years and a growing number of eerie stories emerging from its ancient walls.
The Choughs Hotel is widely regarded as one of the most haunted locations in Chard, with numerous reports of ghostly activity spanning generations.
Many of the hauntings seem to be linked to the hotel’s long and varied history, with visitors and staff alike experiencing strange occurrences throughout the building.
One of the most commonly reported phenomena is the sensation of being watched. Guests often feel as though they are not alone, especially in the hotel’s quieter corners and hidden passageways. Cold spots, particularly in the older areas of the building, are frequently experienced, and some claim to have felt a chill run through them as they pass by certain rooms.
The most famous paranormal activity at The Choughs is the recurring appearance of a shadowy figure, often seen in the hotel’s dining room and hallways. Witnesses describe the figure as a tall, dark silhouette, which disappears when approached or when the light changes.
The ghostly apparition is believed to be the spirit of a former innkeeper, who is said to have died under mysterious circumstances many years ago. In addition to the sightings of this shadowy figure, guests and staff have reported hearing unexplained noises, such as footsteps echoing down empty corridors or the sound of furniture moving when no one is around.
There have also been reports of ghostly laughter and whispers in the stillness of the night, adding to the hotel's eerie atmosphere. These strange happenings make The Choughs Hotel a fascinating and chilling place for anyone interested in the supernatural.
Dunster Castle
Many of the historic houses that the National Trust maintains have their fair share of dark and grisly tales, and the hilltop at Dunster, home to a castle for more than 1,000 years, is no exception.
Many people report ghostly sightings, shadows, and unexplained sensations.
Among the castle’s grimmest tales is the story of the oubliette that adjoins the old gateway.
Many medieval castles would have had a means of holding their prisoners in an underground cell beneath a gatehouse, and this dark, damp space is reputed to be a pit dungeon where prisoners would have been lowered in through a trap door, forgotten about, and left to die.
Sir Walter Luttrell, former owner of Dunster Castle, told the story of a skeleton being found here in the 19th century, creating the legend of an excavation which unearthed a 7-foot-tall skeleton manacled to the wall by his wrists and ankles. Dogs seem particularly troubled by this area of the site and subsequently refuse to climb the steps near to where the remains of the body were found.
Dunster Castle is renowned for its ghostly occurrences and eerie atmosphere. Visitors often report seeing shadowy figures and unexplained sensations, particularly in the older sections of the castle.
One of the most unsettling areas is the oubliette, the dark pit where prisoners were left to die.
The discovery of the manacled skeleton of a prisoner in the 19th century only added to the legend of the castle’s ghostly inhabitants.
Many people have reported seeing the apparition of a tall, gaunt figure in the dungeon area, thought to be the spirit of the man who died there. Dogs, in particular, seem disturbed by this area and refuse to climb the steps leading to it, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
The castle’s long history and its association with death and suffering make it a hotspot for paranormal activity, with many visitors leaving with a feeling of unease and unexplained chills.
The Wookey Hole Caves
This well-known visitor destination includes a 200-year-old paper mill, which is an atmospheric example of the industrial era when working practices were very different from today. Young children were employed, and there were many recorded unfortunate fatalities.
The caves are said to date back over 45,000 years. Ghostly activity at the caves has left guests terrified in the past, with shadow movements witnessed along with poltergeist activities such as stones being thrown. With ancient caves come tales and myths, and Wookey Hole is famously known for its story of the witch.
The Wookey Hole Caves are steeped in mystery and have long been associated with paranormal activity.
The caves are famous for their ghostly occurrences, with shadowy figures and unexplained movements reported by visitors. Many have experienced the sensation of being watched, and strange noises, such as distant voices or footsteps, echo through the dark passages.
One of the most famous legends associated with Wookey Hole is that of the Witch of Wookey, a woman who was allegedly turned to stone by a monk in the 16th century.
Some believe her spirit still haunts the caves, and visitors have reported seeing her apparition in the darker recesses of the cave system.
Poltergeist activity is also common, with stones being thrown, and eerie lights appearing in the shadows. The chilling atmosphere of the caves, combined with the tragic history of fatalities among the child workers, makes Wookey Hole a hotbed for supernatural occurrences.
Shepton Mallet Prison
This institution housed its first inmates in 1625 and was finally decommissioned as recent as 2013.
Not only does the angst, remorse, and guilt of inmates echo around the building, but also the fact that many executions were undertaken on site.
Between 1889-1926, seven men convicted for the crime of murder were executed within the prison. Their bodily remains are buried within the grounds of the prison courtyard, which are soon to allow the bodies to be exhumed in 2025 if their families request so.
During World War II, the United States armed forces took control of the prison. Sixteen US servicemen were also hanged, and a further two executed by firing squad. Shepton Mallet Prison was expanded in 1790, but conditions were again criticized in a report of 1822, and further building work was undertaken in the 1820s and 1830s. This included the installation of a treadwheel for those sentenced to hard labor.
In 1843, the number of cells was also increased by adding a second storey to each wing. The prison was home to the iconic gang brothers the Krays Ronnie and Reggie whilst they served 9 months for assaulting a member of the Royal Military Police for refusing to conduct their time in the National Service. It was also home to the holding of all of the public records along with the Dooms Day book back in 1940 by a Mr Johnson and Mr Collie.
Shepton Mallet Prison is known for its rich and haunting history, with numerous paranormal activities reported by staff and visitors alike. One of the most famous ghosts is that of the "White Lady," a woman who was falsely accused of murdering her husband.
On the eve of her execution, she requested to wear her wedding dress one final time. The morning of her execution, guards found her dead in her cell, with no signs of harm or suicide, leaving only the suspicion of a broken heart. Paranormal investigators have often reported strange noises, the feeling of being watched, and cold spots. Footsteps and echoing voices are frequently heard in the old cells, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Many believe the spirits of the executed men still linger in the prison, and some have reported ghostly apparitions of these men, their faces twisted in pain and fear.
The presence of their lingering guilt and anger seems to permeate the air, with many visitors feeling a deep sense of unease in certain areas.
The Rock Inn, Waterrow
The very look of this 500-year-old half-timbered coaching inn, nestled in a valley near Wiveliscombe in West Somerset, is inspiring for those interested in the paranormal.
Many sightings and experiences have occurred within, as the building was crafted into the steep rockface behind where it is stated some of the original workmen died. Sightings include that of a female proprietor from the early 1900s who had contracted Spanish flu and subsequently hung herself as a result of her depression. Most recently, intense occurrences of poltergeist activity have been experienced in the public bar area.
The Rock Inn is famous for its paranormal activity, with many reports of ghostly apparitions and eerie occurrences. One of the most frequently encountered spirits is that of a female proprietor from the early 1900s who tragically took her life after contracting Spanish flu.
Witnesses have reported seeing her figure, dressed in period clothing, walking through the inn's corridors and peering into the public bar area.
Guests have also heard the sound of a woman’s soft crying, believed to be the spirit of the inn’s former owner. Additionally, intense poltergeist activity has been reported in the bar area, with glasses and bottles mysteriously flying off shelves, and furniture being moved without explanation.
The inn’s unusual architecture, built into the rockface, seems to amplify the presence of these spirits, and many claim to feel an unsettling atmosphere while dining or staying at the inn.