Ghosts in England - Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset and Durham (2/6)

Geographical location of the counties of Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset and Durham (Source - modified file)

Cornwall

A large forest around the river Kennall with ghosts

The Nature Reserve of Kennall Vale, in Falmouth, in days gone by was the location of an important gunpowder factory; legend has it that in the 19th century, five of the mills exploded and the spirit of one of the operatives that died, leaving behind a widow and ten children, now wanders amongst the ruins.

Remains of one of the locations in which gunpowder was made in Kendall Vale (Source)

How do you get there?

I only know of one way of getting there; we took a train from Plymouth to Truro, that passes along the river Tamar, which separates the counties of Devon and Cornwall, and I can assure you that the views from the train are unforgettable. From Truro, we went by car to the Nature Reserve of Kennall Vale, admission to which is free of charge.

Far from being a gloomy place, the setting is one of the most idyllic. In fact, I think it's a marvellous place, intended for routes or hikes with time, plenty of time, not just for a simple stroll.

Whatever the case, if you visit Cornwall at one point and if you have other plans, forget about the wandering souls and move forward so that you don't miss any of the many things to see and do there.

Cumbria

A haunted pub

Kirkstone Pass Inn, in the Lake District, has its origins as an ancient monastery, which increases, although only through tradition, the possibility that mysteries are confined within its walls. There are those that claim to have seen spectres or spirits of possible dead travellers of the perilous journey through the tempestuous Kirkstone Pass.

One of the legends tells the story of Ruth Ray, who went walking, together with her small son, to visit her sick father. Suddenly, it started to snow with such an intensity that it was hard for her to find the path on which to continue walking and she ended up dying in the snow. Her husband found her frozen body on the snow but the baby, in her arms, was still alive. It is believed that the spirit of Ruth can be seen at the Kirkstone Pass Inn to warn travellers of the bad weather ahead.

Interior del Kirkstone Pass Inn (Source)

How do you get there?

I assure you that the pub is extremely high up, the air is so thin that even on a sunny day it can cut your hair. The inside is really cool, I'm sure that in the middle of winter you don't feel like leaving. The surprising thing is that there were so many people. Of Ruth Ray, not a trace, but that's because the weather was so nice...

For me, the Lake District National Park was a true discovery, although now that Blackpool airport isn't operating I don't know how you can get there. Perhaps from Liverpool there are good connections by train or bus although the journey won't be short. What I do think is important to be able to travel through the area is a car; if you go at any point, don't miss the towns of Ambleside, known also as "the land of lakes", Windermere and Easedale Turn. Just one more recommendation, go in Spring or Summer.

Derbyshire

Did you know that Derby is known as the Capital of the ghosts of England? To its credit it has over a thousand documented sightings of ghosts.

For example, many employees of the Royal Derby Hospital have seen the blurry image of a figure in a black cloak that enters and leaves very quickly from the rooms and disappears through a wall. The vision takes place, more frequently in the morgue. The different investigations have led to the belief that it could be a roman soldier given that part of the hospital was built on an old roman road.

All this is rather surprising because the hospital is very modern; I was only there on one occasion with my mum on a visit to a lady who I had been an au-pair... well, many many years ago. Whatever the case, I hope you never have to visit it.

How do you get to Derby?

The closest airport is Nottingham (East Midlands) and there are direct flights from Barcelona.

Devon

The stone that the devil lost and the spirits that lurk in a pub

Devil's Stone Inn is a tavern located in Shebbear, Beaworthy, that owes its name to the nearby rock Devil's Stone, and that in turn was so christened by a legend: a stone fell from the pocket of the devil when he was cast out of heaven and descended to hell and the rock fell on him. Nobody knows what the devil has to do with it however both workers and local clientele have been witness to strange apparitions or have heard footsteps that get closer without anyone around.

Imagen de la fachada del Devil´s Stone Inn (Source)

According to the stories, there is a ceremony every year in which various people gather to turn the rock over, to avoid a catastrophe; it is the bells of the church, almost like a drum and cymbal, that announce the start of the ceremony. The legend states that the devil takes a year burrowing in the earth to be able to make a tunnel that will bring him to the surface once more, and turning the rock, blocks his exit. The English are very superstitious, and as you know, very fond of keeping traditions; they say that the rock was not turned during WW1 and bad luck stalked all the village, with countless casualties. Furthermore, during WW2, on the day that the rock should have been turned, the majority of the men were immersed in the Battle of England and couldn't carry out the ceremony; that battle lead to Britain's complicated position in WW2.

The inhabitants of Shebbear are clear: their luck and destiny depends on the position of the rock, it cannot be left unturned any year.

How do you get there?

We travelled throughout Devon by car but if at any point you go through Barnstaple (something that I strongly recommend, although just to go shopping or to walk the banks of the river Taw) you could coincide the date of your visit to the change of the position of the rock, which is in November, and go by bus from there to Beaworthy. Visiting the pub is worthwhile for its ambience and its fabulous cider, very popular in Devon as you already know.

Dorset

Child Spirits in a hotel

The Crown Hotel, in Poole, seems to be the place that some twins born in the 17th century are not ready to leave. Their parents, then owners of the building, kept them hidden and chained given the deformities that they had been born with. Upon their death, they were buried underneath the floor of the pantry. They, alongside a little girl with a white nightgown have been seen by various guests that, also, have heard childlike voices.

The hotel has a restaurant (with quite high prices, of course) that also functions as a pub; drinking a pint in the small garden housed at the rear is a real luxury.

How do you get there?

Poole is very close, by bus, to Bournemouth. If you're in the area, I'm sure that you could dedicate a day to Poole; it's a village with beautiful beaches, frequented often by British tourists.

Durham

A haunted hotel

In Lumley Castle, in the city of Chester-le-Street, the ghost of Lady Lily Lumley appears often but also many of their guests (currently it functions as a hotel) have been able to see the spectre of a child playing or a man sat at the bar. If you are looking for accommodation in this area...

Lumley Castle Hotel (Source)

How do you get there?

A friend that studied at Durham University took me there we went by train to Chester-le-Street and it only took a few minutes, although then you have to take a bus and walk a bit to the castle's surroundings.

A cream tea costs around 6 pounds, which I think is quite cheap compared to other places; the cups and porcelain places that they use... well, it is a pure Elizabethan style snack with a lot of glamour. The surroundings couldn't be nicer, absolutely recommend although the spirits did not manifest themselves assiduously, not even at tea time!

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