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HAUNTED LOCATIONS

Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury, a charming medieval market town in Gloucestershire, is rich in history and heritage. Famous for its 900-year-old abbey, the town is also remembered for the pivotal 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury, a key moment in the Wars of the Roses. This battle is reenacted annually during the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, drawing visitors from across the country. Beyond the battlefields and historic buildings, Tewkesbury's winding alleys and ancient streets hold untold stories—stories that have evolved into ghostly legends over the centuries.

The Royal Hop Pole

The Royal Hop Pole is a prominent building located on Church Street in Tewkesbury, dating back to medieval times. Originally two separate structures, it was once a private residence and a coaching inn. As a popular stopover for travelers, the inn played an important role in the town’s bustling history.

It later became a pub and, more recently, a chain-owned establishment. Its long and storied past, combined with its changing purposes, has made it a site of intrigue for both locals and visitors.


The Royal Hop Pole is known for its chilling atmosphere, particularly on the first floor.

Staff have reported an unusual coldness in one area of the building, and they are often reluctant to work in that part of the pub after dark.

This eerie presence is thought to belong to the ghost of a chef who worked there when the building was still a coaching inn. The chef allegedly murdered a serving maid with whom he was having an affair, fearing she would expose him to his wife. Afterward, it’s said that the chef threw himself into the nearby River Avon.

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In addition to the chef’s haunting, the building has seen other unsettling phenomena. In the 1950s, a staff member reported encountering a man dressed in Civil War-era clothing while filling coal buckets in the yard. The figure vanished without a word. On another occasion, a night porter claimed to have seen Roman soldiers marching across the first-floor landing, though only their torsos were visible.

These strange sightings continue to make the Royal Hop Pole one of Tewkesbury's most haunted buildings.

Tolsey Lane

Tolsey Lane is one of Tewkesbury’s oldest and most historically significant streets, with buildings dating back several centuries. At its narrowest point, where it meets the High Street, a building that once housed a well-known UK newspaper retailer stood. The manager and his family lived above the shop, and their experiences with unexplained occurrences have contributed to the location's ghostly reputation.


The ghostly occurrences on Tolsey Lane are centered around the cellar of a former shop, which has seen many strange events over the years.

The manager and his family regularly heard unexplained noises such as banging doors and footsteps, and the cellar was particularly troubling. The manager once described seeing a dark, sinister figure in the cellar, and local paperboys refused to enter it alone due to an overwhelming sense of dread.

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Later, when the building became a ladies' fashion shop, the ghostly phenomena continued. Staff members reported clothes being thrown around the store and doors slamming when no one was present.

One particularly chilling event occurred when two employees, accompanied by a reporter and photographer, ventured into the cellar.

The staff members described seeing a small, dark creature in the shadows, which they couldn’t identify. When the photographer attempted to take a photo of the alcove where the creature was spotted, his camera malfunctioned, refusing to work. However, the camera functioned normally when aimed elsewhere.

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Perhaps even more unsettling, the reporter's account of these events mysteriously vanished the following day from her computer, while all other files from that day remained intact. This strange occurrence, along with the other eerie experiences, adds to the chilling history of Tolsey Lane.

Full Ghostly Funeral Procession, Tolsey Lane

Tolsey Lane is also home to one of the most mysterious and eerie ghost sightings in Tewkesbury. The lane itself is an ancient thoroughfare, steeped in centuries of history, with many old buildings that have seen both joyous and tragic events unfold.


One of the most remarkable reports from Tolsey Lane involves a full ghostly funeral procession that has been witnessed by many, including police officers. The procession, which takes place only at night, features undertakers, pallbearers, and mourners in full mourning attire—tall top hats and veils—accompanying a coffin in a horse-drawn hearse.

This sight has been described in great detail by numerous witnesses, all of whom agree on the appearance of the eerie procession, but it always disappears when approached.

The ghostly funeral march is one of Tewkesbury’s most captivating paranormal legends, adding a further layer of mystery to the town's already rich history of hauntings.

The Ragged Cot Inn

The Ragged Cot Inn is located just outside of Tewkesbury, in the Gloucestershire countryside, and has a history that stretches back hundreds of years. The building, originally a farmhouse, has been a popular stopover for travelers and traders since at least the 17th century. Over time, it was converted into an inn to accommodate weary travelers along the old roads that wound through the area.

The Ragged Cot Inn became known for its cozy atmosphere, hearty meals, and as a place to rest after long journeys. Despite its rural setting, the inn’s long history and role in the community have ensured it remains a significant landmark.


The Ragged Cot Inn is infamous for its haunted reputation, with staff and guests alike reporting a variety of ghostly encounters.

One of the most prominent apparitions is that of a former innkeeper who is said to have died at the location.

His ghost is believed to roam the building, particularly in the lower floors, where the feeling of a chilling presence often lingers. Some guests have described hearing strange noises late at night, such as footsteps and doors creaking, despite no one being present.

Staff members have also reported a sudden drop in temperature in certain areas, particularly near the old fireplaces, which seem to come alive with an unsettling energy.

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The inn’s ghostly occurrences have not been confined to one particular area, and some visitors have claimed to hear voices coming from the empty rooms. A few guests have even experienced the sensation of being gently touched or having their bedclothes pulled back in the dead of night. These unsettling experiences, combined with the inn’s long history, have solidified the Ragged Cot Inn as one of Tewkesbury's most haunted spots.

Ye Olde Black Bear Inn

Ye Olde Black Bear Inn is another historic establishment in Tewkesbury, dating back to the 13th century.

It is one of the oldest inns in the town, with a colorful past that includes serving as a stop for medieval pilgrims making their way to the nearby Abbey.

Over the centuries, the inn has seen various owners and undergone many changes, but its status as a popular drinking hole and meeting place for locals has remained constant. The building retains many of its original features, including timber beams and stone walls, giving it a quaint yet atmospheric charm that reflects Tewkesbury's long history.


Ye Olde Black Bear Inn is widely regarded as one of the most haunted buildings in Tewkesbury, with numerous ghostly sightings and paranormal encounters. The inn’s most well-known spirit is a woman who is believed to be the ghost of a former innkeeper’s wife. Guests and staff have reported seeing her wandering the hallways, often near the bar area or the staircase leading to the upper floors. Some visitors have described feeling a sudden, inexplicable chill in these areas, accompanied by the sensation of being watched.

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In addition to the female ghost, strange noises are frequently heard throughout the inn, including the sound of furniture being moved or doors opening and closing by themselves. In some cases, objects have been found displaced or turned around when no one was present, leading some to believe that the spirits of past inhabitants still linger in the building.

The inn's long history and eerie atmosphere make it a favorite among ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts who seek out the unexplained.

Tudor House Hotel

Tudor House Hotel is one of Tewkesbury’s most iconic buildings, showcasing the town's rich Tudor architecture. Originally a private home, the building dates back to the early 1500s and is known for its distinctive timber framing and medieval features.

Over the centuries, it has served various purposes, including as a merchant’s residence and later as an inn. The Tudor House Hotel retains much of its historical charm and remains a popular destination for visitors seeking a glimpse into Tewkesbury's past. Its central location in the heart of the town further adds to its prominence as a historical landmark.


Tudor House Hotel is notorious for its paranormal activity, with multiple reports of ghost sightings over the years. Guests and staff have claimed to see the apparition of a man dressed in 16th-century clothing, believed to be the ghost of a former resident or visitor. This figure is often seen standing near the staircase or in the upper floors, where he is said to vanish when approached. In addition to this apparition, other mysterious occurrences have been reported, such as strange noises, including whispers and footsteps, that cannot be attributed to anyone in the building.

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The hotel is also said to have several “cold spots,” areas where the temperature drops dramatically without explanation. Some guests have experienced restless nights, with unexplained noises and the sense of an unseen presence. These paranormal occurrences, along with the hotel’s centuries-old history, contribute to its reputation as one of Tewkesbury’s most haunted locations. It has become a favourite among those who are drawn to the paranormal, seeking to experience the eerie energy of a building that has stood for centuries.

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