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Three Haunted British Pubs - Jamaica Inn, Red Lion, Avebury, Skirrid Mountain Inn, Wales
Have a Ghostly Weekend
For me any visit to Britain means a visit to a public house. They’re warm and inviting and generally good food, drink and accommodation await.
And in many there’s something else - ghosts. Haunted pubs are well documented and welcoming. Here are three top haunts.
Jamaica Inn
For four centuries, Jamaica Inn, situated in the wild landscape of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, has entranced both tourists and locals alike.
In 1936 the hotel was immortalized by author Daphne du Maurier when she wrote the novel Jamaica Inn - later a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
This legendary Cornish coaching house stands in a wild, windswept coastal landscape. It was often referred to as the Smugglers’ Inn - and for good reason.
Smuggling is well documented on the Cornish coast and the Jamaica Inn was part of it.
The pub provides a museum of film, stories and artefacts of those past days of romance, pirates and passion.
Little wonder the inn boasts many eerie happenings, such as hooves and the sound of metal wheels turning over the cobbled courtyard when nothing is there.
A man who stepped outside the hotel was murdered. Watch out - he calls in to finish his ale.
Look out for a man wearing green and a tricorne hat. It’s only a spectre - just passing through.
All this combines with beamed ceilings, roaring log fires, smuggler memorabilia, home cooked food, and real ales.
Ghost hunts are available and catered for. So are ‘cut throat weekends’ - ghost hunting at its best, packed with humour and fun.
For Daphne du Maurier fans, a remake of Jamaica Inn has been made by the BBC - the three part series has been shown in the UK.
Personally, I'm anxiously waiting for the series to hit our screens here.
Red Lion Avebury
The mystical village of Avebury, Wiltshire, stands in the centre of a prehistoric stone circle.
It is thought the circle had a similar function to nearby Stonehenge and is dated roughly 2500 BC. Recently, travel experts recognized it as one of the world’s best heritage sites.
The Red Lion Hotel overlooks the site and hosts many legends, all shrouded in mystery.
A husband returning from the civil war found his wife Florrie in a compromising position with another man.
More than miffed, he shot her before throwing body her down a well. It appears Florrie retaliated - customers and staff have reported seeing Florrie on numerous occasions. She’s always dressed in black, wandering around the hotel and thought to be looking for a man with a beard.
Whether this is the husband or the lover is in dispute but bearded visitors seem to attract her attention.
She’s also has been seen in the ladies’ bathroom (presumably not looking for the bearded man)
Ghostly horse-drawn wagons have been spotted pulling up at the pub, with spectres described as mischievous but friendly.
Strange hovering lights, cold spots and flickering shadows are other weird happenings in this atmospheric 400 year old inn.
Today there’s a very pleasant bar situated in the oldest part of the pub serving a full range of food and drinks. Florrie’s well is clearly visible.
It’s worth staying over to wake up and gaze over the enigmatic stone circles and take a leisurely wander through the site. With a bit of luck you might meet Florrie.
Skirrid Mountain Inn
Said to be the oldest pub in Wales, the Skirrid also claims the title of most haunted - perhaps with good reason.
It’s said that in1685 around180 Monmouthshire rebels were hanged there when it doubled as a makeshift courtroom.
‘Hanging Judge’ George Jeffreys oversaw this mass execution after the rebels were found guilty of supporting the Duke of Monmouth and thumbing their noses at King James 11.
They were all hanged from a beam beneath the staircase. You can still see the beam, complete with scorch marks left by the hangman’s rope.
Locals at the pub are quite accustomed to the regular spooks. There are reports of phenomena such as sudden drops in temperature, faint flickers of light, shadowy figures walking along corridors.
Then there’s friendly Fanny Price, landlady during the 1600’s. She doesn’t have to travel far for a bit of a haunt. You’ll find her grave in the cemetery next door.
With all this paranormal activity the Skirrid has been the subject of much investigation over the years. Extreme Ghost stories, Most Haunted , Midlands’ Ghost Hunt company– Eerie Evenings have been reported as saying it is ‘one of the most paranormal active venues they have investigated.’
The inn has two bars, an ancient wood-paneled restaurant, open fires, an old ship’s bell for calling out last orders and good food. Despite the hauntings it’s a cheery welcoming place.
Tradition?
Ghosts – figments of imagination? Folklore? Tourist attractions? Or the real thing? I don’t have the answers.
However, having a resident ghost story is not a hindrance but an asset. Ghost weekends are extremely popular.
Inexplicable sightings and things that go bump in the night are an intriguing part of Britain’s history.
Who you gonna call? Well not me.
Google the above or www.visitbritain.com Happy hunting and enjoy.
Skirrid Mountain Inn Wales - Comments
travmaj,
Oh! How I would love to visit Eyam and the pubs, too. 2015 for me was as a dear friend describes, "Job's roll call of challenges." Thus, I have not been back on HP in quite awhile.
Many Blessings My Friend,
Kim
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ocfireflies - thank you so much. I hope you visit the English pubs one day - I know you would love visiting Eyam too. I agree totally re Year of Wonder
. It is fascinating to be there. Haven't been writing much recently, must get back into hub pages. For now, thank you for your warm comments, very much appreciated. Best wishes...
travmaj,
I hope one day to visit one or all of these pubs, but preferably on an evening when the ghosts are haunting elsewhere. Smiles.
Before reading this hub, I was drawn to your hub about Eyam. "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks is one of my all-time favorite novels, and even used a passage from the novel in response to a challenge by Jodah.
https://hubpages.com/literature/Words-had-become-u...
I hope I did not overstep my including the link to that hub. I would have left this information on the Eyam hub, but there was no comment space.
Blessings,
Kim
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Hello grangoldlady and thank you for such interesting comments. I agree, I haven't actually spotted a ghost yet but think perhaps I'm pleased about that!! These English pubs are packed with history and it's quite a fun look at 'ghosts.'
all best wishes...
I believe that there are spirits that roam the earth. I've had some experiences with relatives and friends when they'd recently died. I think the Bible says you will stay on earth for 40 days after your death, so your spirit can say goodbye to everyone.
As for ghosts, I had no experience, but have heard of people with a third eye who see them a lot. But I'll believe it when it happens to me -- but would rather it wouldn't, hahahaha.
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FatBoyThin - Great expression - clot! haven't heard it in years! You are not, easy just to think of Daphne du Maurier's haunting story. It is an interesting place to visit. I believe they have 'ghost weekends.' thanks for your comment and vote - much appreciated. Cheers
I didn't realise Jamaica Inn was a real place - now I feel like a clot! Great Hub, voted up.
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Hi Valeant - much appreciated - thank you.
Cool hub.
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Hi peachpurple - probably more fun than scary - and sometimes I reckon the proprietors enjoy the ghost stories, the tourists love them. Thank you, so good to see you here.
sounds very scary and yet tourist still visit these places,
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Thank you Barbara, these English pubs are certainly delightful, the hauntings just make them more fun.
Great hub. Makes me want to pack my bags and go visit those pubs right now.
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Hi Peg, these British Pubs are fun to visit and the haunting stories just add to the attraction. Hope you visit one of these days. Thanks Peg.
These sound like great places to add to my bucket list. Thanks for the enticing history and photos of these haunted pubs.
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Romanian - thank you so much for commenting and the follow...
It was interesting to find about these hunted places, thanks for sharing this information.
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Thanks Valley, good to have you back. I do enjoy the ghost stories and the pubs, nice combination. Time to visit some more I reckon.
Came back for another read Maj....this is a great hub, interesting and well researched:-))
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Hi Radcliff, Thank you. Spooky is spot on, they are all worth visiting and the extra apparition story is an asset!
Ooh! How spooky and exciting! The mystery of the afterlife makes places like these so interesting. I would love to pay the spirits a visit. Thanks for sharing!
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Rachael - thank you for reading and commenting - the British pub ghosts while having a sense of fun are still well documented. So much history.
I love haunting stories! This was very interesting. I'll never get to Britain to visit any time soon but I can visit through reading the stories and watching the ghost phenomenon shows on TV. This was a very good article.
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peachpurple - Thank you. I know exactly what you mean - I delve into them with great interest but reserve my judgement. A bit eerie!
i am afraid of ghost stories but I am eager to hear them
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Hi Imogen - thank you for such fun comments. I find the haunted pubs fascinating and believable with such historical goings on. Mmm = I agree, Jamaica Inn on a dark stormy winter's night would be awesome. Goose bumps thinking about it...
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Hi Ninasvoice, sorry re delay replying. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the haunted pubs. I agree, I love a good spook too. And Eyam is fascinating, must have made an impression when you were at school. What brave people. Thank you for stopping by.
Great hub, and very interesting. I have been in the Red Lion at Avebury, but didn't know it was haunted, and Jamaica Inn always seems to be overrun with tourists whenever I am over that way, but I would love to go there one day. I guess the best time to go is on a dark stormy winter's night, to get the best atmosphere - and a chance of a sighting!
Very spooky, I remember watching the Red lion pub on The Most Haunted programme once. I love a good spook. Voted up. Just been reading your hub about Eyam, brought back a lot of memories from my school days, as I remember doing about it in history. I wanted to leave a comment but It wouldn't let me. Both great hubs.
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Hey Phoenix - Better hit the parks.beach while you can - autumn here, beautiful days but a bit chilly in the evenings...
Cheers....
Good Morning, travmaj. Well, we've had two whole days of sunshine in a row. Going for a hat trick today. How goes it by you?
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phoenix - hello - hope you are warming up in UK. Thanks, will definitely check kitty out...cheers.
I think you'll like kittythedreamer. Her hubs are so educational and fun.
I love the article travmaj. These are now added to my list of places I'd like to visit! Lovely pictures too. Thanks for sharing this.
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heidithorne - Thank you for stopping by - most appreciated, I'm pleased you joined me for a look at the pub haunts, such fun. And thanks for the info, I will certainly check out kittythe dreamer.
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kashmir - thank you for stopping by for a haunt, and for voting - very much appreciated -
Being a fan of Ghost Hunters and Haunted Collector TV series, this hub was certainly up my alley! Have you connected with @kittythedreamer here on HP? She has some amazing hubs along the same lines. Thanks for the interesting hub!
This is a great list of haunted places to satisfy any ghost hunter or paranormal lover . Well done !
Vote up and more !!! Sharing !
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phoenix - great to hear from you in the Uk and all the things that go bump in the night. Mis 'em. Cheers
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Hi Marcy - these haunted hotel/pubs are really something - full of atmosphere and intriguing happenings. Maybe exaggerated but still fascinating - some pubs also served as courts and the guilty were hung 'there and then.' It would quite put you off the beer! I agree, there are many things we do not understand. Thank you and for the vote - much appreciated.
It is that, ma'am. It is that. :)
Oooh! I love haunted house stories, so the idea of a haunted pub fascinates me! I have to say there are enough 'unusual things' in the world that we truly don't know what the next kingdom will resemble. And the veil is thin between here and there. Fun and interesting read. Voted up and shared!
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phoenix - thanks for stopping by and commenting - hope you make that visit to Jamaica Inn - well worth it - Cornwall has so much to offer.
Your list of places to visit is probably like mine - overflowing.
Here's to travelling. Cheers...
'Jamaica Inn' by Christmas? That gives me just enough time to read the book.
I'd heard stories about Jamaica Inn but have yet to visit it. I've not heard of the other two and will be adding them to my list of places to visit.
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Hi Rosemay - yes some great pubs in Lancashire. I have a haunted list -when I get around to it. My grandmother was a Lancashire lass too. (and me) And now we're both at the other end of the world - what would they think?
Some of the best hail from lankashire, that was my grandmother's birth place. :))
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kidscraft - Irish pubs are a blast - I've no doubt you'll find some haunted ones - and Dublin do a very interesting ghost walk. Thanks for stopping by - appreciate it.
I will have the opportunity to visit some old Irish pubs later this year...so I suppose I might encounter a ghost or two in those old places .... let's hope that they are friendly!
Funny hub! Thabk you for sharing!
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Hi Rosemay - I'm so pleased you stopped by to comment. The stories from the pubs are fascinating - I like the beard story also. York - what a wonderful place you hail from - and I see you are now in another great place in NZ - I'm from Lancashire originally! thanks again and for voting and sharing...
Great hub Maj. I can certainly imagine how Cornwall has some of the most haunted pubs being a smuggling area. Love the way you added humour to this.
All three of these are fascinating and quite humorous, fancy a ghost looking for someone with a beard, a little scary for any guy that has one.
I was born in York which has more than it's fair share of ghostly haunts
Up and sharing
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Thanks Darja - I do hope your wish comes true and you get to visit Britain and the pubs - these are all recommended.
My big wish is to visit Britain, and of course some pubs there. There are many options.
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Hello CrisSp - what a coincidence, your book and my hub. These are just three of the Inns that promote paranormal activity - but when you delve into the history over the hundreds of years - well...so much to ponder. I just want to know more - glad you enjoyed - thanks.
Ha..ha...travmaj, I'm laughing at your ending: "Who you gonna call? Well, not Me."--that is so charming of you.
This is very interesting. Ironically, my current bedside read is a book by Paul Roland, "Ghosts-an exploration of the spirit world from apparitions to haunted places", which is quite fascinating and thought provoking just like your hub.
I'll be watching out for the remake of Jamaica Inn on BBC.
I believed ghosts and spirits exist and inhabit the world around us. We can hear and see them, if we only allow our senses enough to be aware of them. :)
Good, enjoyable hub. Thanks.
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Thanks you Glimmer - yes indeed, the folklore, the atmosphere, make these old inns very enjoyable places to visit.
This is a great list for travelers. I love visiting places with such interesting lore surrounding them.
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Nell Rose - I hope you get to Jamaica Inn - it is well worth a visit. They are so proud of Daphne du Maurier - I can't wait to see the remake either -(although down here I might be waiting some time) I read her biography (margaret forster) had a queue of people waiting to borrow it.Thanks again -
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thost - you make a good point - ghosts and real ale - great combination. Thanks again...
That was great! And I am so glad Jamaica in is going to be remade! I read all the Daphne du Maurier books, my favourite is the Strand. Time travelling adventure, to be honest I never realised that the inn was still there! now I have to go! lol! thanks!
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Michelle - thanks for being here - I agree, just fascinating stories.
Great article and so exciting, ghost and real ail. Makes you want to go on a pub-crawl. I will vote this one up.
Wow...that is certainly haunting. I have heard of the Jamaica Inn hauntings, but not the other two. Fascinating!
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Hello Colin and the Cats -thanks so much - just great to hear from you - pleased you enjoyed the haunted pubs - sorry can't help you with the Guinness. I will definitely check out The Haunting though - and sending my very best wishes back to you all. Cheers!
Hello my friend from Colin and his cats at lake erie time ontario canada 8:45am and you certainly tell a wonderful ghost story here. I am still in love with your Paris cemetary hub presentation and now I love your work here. Certainly we all enjoy a good mystery and after reading this you have also whetted my appetite for a pint of Guinness, lol.
Recommended to you is my favorite ghost movie of all time from 1963 - The Haunting by Robert Wise, yes the same Robert Wise who went on to direct The Sound of Music (you can find The Haunting at You tube)
I am sending my warmest wishes to you and good energy too from lake erie time ontario canada 8:49am
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Thanks again Valley - cheers
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Hi Valley - Simba's take on the spirits is a hoot, loved it - but still fascinated by the stories in those pubs. It all adds to the atmosphere. Many pubs like the Skirrid were also courts and many were found guilty - therefore - on the spot hanging. The Hark to Bounty in Slaidburn had a courtroom (although can't find any reference now). You might know Simon Entwistle who conducts ghost walks around your valley.
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Simba - that is hilarious - maybe the shelf spirits conjure up the other spirits. Wouldn't be surprised. Good to hear from you. LOL
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Hi wet ND - Hope your spooks are friendly too - but - scary - come on - you read those really scary crime books. LOL
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bac2basics - Hello again Annie - so nice to hear from you. Thank you and may I say - great minds think alike hey? Haunted pubs - and all that goes with the stories. Glad you can link with yours. Also hope you can enjoy some months of sunshine before you leave for UK. All best wishes...
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Mhatter - appreciate your comments - and I totally agree.
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xstatic - thank you for your comments - much appreciated. You're right, scary and interesting - I love the atmosphere the ghost stories create in these old public houses.
Hi Maj...another very interesting and enjoyable hub. Ghosts are a strange but fascinating mystery...I too have only seen the spirits Simba is talking about whilst visiting British pubs, but I maintain an open mind on the subject. Stories of resident ghosts add a real interest to the long histories of some of our oldest pubs; it helps to bring history to life, although I'm not sure if that is quite the right word to use! Thanks Maj for another gem:-))
Great hub !!!
I have visited many British pubs , well I am English :)
I have to say I have seen many spirits in all of them too !!! They come from all over the world and are mostly on the top shelf ;)
Hahaha
But seriously great hub !!!
Simba
Delightful and scary hub. May the ghosts I run into be friendly, cause I can surely get spooked easy sometimes.
Hi Maj.
What a fantastically spooky yet fun hub, I loved it :) Of course you probably know I was the landlady of a haunted pub in Bognor Regis, we should have cashed in on our " visitors" but never thought of it at the time. I am most definitely going to link this hub to that one. Great job maj as always xx
Great article. Though I have never witnessed anything paranormal, I keep an open mind.
Scary stuff, and and adventuresome evening to be spent as well! This is interesting and a tale well told!
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