A good ol’ pub is an important part of the British cultural experience, a gathering place for friends and family, and the hub of any community. It’s no wonder so many boast a haunted reputation. Let’s explore three of the UK’s most famous haunted pubs.
The Jamaica Inn, Cornwall
Built in 1750, The Jamaica Inn watches over Bodmin Moor and has a long, dark history.
As in the famous Daphne du Maurier novel of the same name, The Jamaica Inn has long been associated with smuggling and as such, ghost stories abound.
Whispered voices – possibly speaking old Cornish – are said to be heard, as well as the sound of horses hooves and carriage wheels on the gravel outside although no horses, vehicles or indeed gravel are present.
As well as the odd ghostly child, the spirit of an unknown man has been heard and seen throughout the inn. According to legend, this stranger once stopped by the inn, only to be found dead on the moor the next morning – allegedly murdered.
The Jamaica Inn is still a popular spot on the roads down to Cornwall, not only as an inn but as a museum as well. Why not stop by? We hope to.
The Golden Fleece, York
York is renowned as one of the most haunted cities in the country, so it’s no wonder it has a list of supposedly haunted pubs and The Golden Fleece is said to be its most haunted.
Build in the 16th century, The Golden Fleece is said to have a whopping 15 specters wandering its halls. Along with a Canadian airman who fell to his death from a window, the ghost of a former landlady, Alice Peckett is said to roam the stairs at night, sometimes moving furniture if she dislikes its placement.
A pair of nastier spirits are said to haunt the pub’s bottom bar, one by the name of One Eyed Jack – a pistol wielding ghoul in a red coat – and a “Grumpy” Man who sits at the bar staring angrily, swearing before disappearing into thin air.
Other ghosts are said to include a Victorian boy and a legion of Roman soldiers alongside a handful of others, so be careful if you go for a pint in this historic location.
The Skirrid Inn, Monmouthshire
Claiming the title of the oldest pub in wales, it’s no wonder The Skirrid Inn is considered one of the most haunted pubs in the UK.
Though it’s said that an inn has been on the site since the 1100s, historical records dates the current building to the 17th century when the first floor was allegedly used as a courthouse.
During its courthouse days, the infamous Hanging Judge Jeffries (my 14thX great uncle) was said to have presided over the inn, sentencing those involved with the ill fated Monmouth Rebellion.
It’s said that 183 people were executed at The Skirrid Inn, and these unfortunate souls were hung in the buildings stairwell, where a noose still swings.
As well as Judge Jeffries, a ghost by the name of Fanny Price is said to make her presence known by the smell of lavender and the rustle of her long dresses. Fanny, whose family were the landlords of The Skirrid Inn, died of consumption in the 1600s. Her grave, along with her family’s are buried in the nearby churchyard.
But the legends surrounding The Skirrid Inn don’t stop there. Under the banner of Spookanatural Explorers, JD and I braved the night in the inn, and along with some new friends, we conducted a ghost hunt inside its legendary walls.
Subscribe to our channel to find out if the spirits of The Skirrid Inn make themselves known.
Spoiler alert: I was personally affected by some spirits of a different nature.
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