If you’re looking for a city with more reliable ghosts and apparitions than most, Bath, England may be ideal.
In fact, the biggest challenge may be how real Bath’s ghosts seem. Many look exactly like everyday, living people… in costumes.
Bath is one of the loveliest cities in the United Kingdom. It features winding streets, superb museums, fabulous shopping, and a history including Roman ruins.
If you’re a tourist and a fan of ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ you’ll enjoy the famous Regency-era Pump Room as well as the Jane Austen Centre.
However, Bath’s colorful history is documented by more than museums and plaques.
Its ghosts tell Bath’s story, too.
Around the city of Bath, ghostly figures and apparitions so commonplace, locals often take them for granted.
That’s why, especially for ghost hunters, Bath is a perfect destination for an extended holiday or vacation.
Here are a few of Bath’s most famous ghosts:
The Man in the Black Hat
Easily Bath’s most famous and most-seen ghost, the man in the black hat is dressed in late 18th-century attire and sometimes wears a billowing black cloak. He’s regularly seen around the Assembly Rooms.
For the best results, look for him at Saville Row and Bennett Street. [ map ]
Note: That isn’t the infamous “Hat Man” of popular folklore.
Freezing Hill
Several ghosts have appeared in the vicinity of Freezing Hill, just outside Bath. Most of these phantoms are from the 17th century, when this hill was the site of the bloody Battle of Lansdown.
The best opportunity to see these ghosts is from The Park, a 240 acre estate featuring a Jacobean mansion that is now an hotel. You can also enjoy a fine meal at The Oakwood Restaurant, and play golf at their Crown and Cromwell courses. [ map ]
It’s not a movie that’s being filmed at the Royal Crescent when you see an elegant coach drawn by four horses.
Instead, you’re witnessing a residual haunting, repeating the elopement of Elizabeth Linley of No. 11, with Irish playwright and politician Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Sheridan was not Miss Linley’s only suitor. Captain Thomas Mathews (a married man) and Lord Sheridan fought two duels – with swords – over the lovely Miss Linley.
Sheridan may have won her hand in marriage, but he later proved unfaithful.
Elizabeth contracted tuberculosis and died at age 38. A bronze plaque at number 11 Royal Crescent marks the address from which she eloped.
The Theatre Royal and Garrick’s Head Pub
These sites are next door to each other at St. John’s Place and Saw Close [ map ] Their ghost stories seem to be interwoven, and the ghosts congenially wander from one building to the other.
At least two ghosts appear in this area, and the site also reports what may be a cryptid.
One is an unfaithful wife and the other is her lover, from the 18th century. The lover was killed by the husband, and the wife committed suicide. Look for a woman (some say there are at least two) in a grey dress. The lover is handsome and well-dressed.
A second anomaly is noted at the Theatre Royal: A tortoiseshell butterfly appears there during the pantomime run each year, which is not butterfly season.
The Garrick’s Head pub offers both smoking and non-smoking sections, and is less than a half mile from Bath Spa rail station. (It’s also near Popjoy’s Restaurant, listed below.)
For more info: Call the Garrick’s Head, tel. 01225 318368, or visit the website of the Theatre Royal.
Popjoy’s Restaurant
This haunted site is at Saw Close, tel. 01225 460494
Many visit this former home of Richard “Beau” Nash for the fine food. However, the restaurant hosts at least two ghosts, both of them women.
One is Juliana Popjoy, the 18th-century mistress of Beau Nash.
The other ghost is Janice (or perhaps Janet). She is more modern, dressed in attire best suited to the 1960’s. She dines alone and looks perfectly normal until she vanishes.
The Beehive Public House
You’ll find this quirky haunt at 3 Belvedere – Lansdowne Road, at the corner of Julian Road
‘Bunty’, a serving girl from the Victorian Era or slightly earlier, appears in the kitchen of The Beehive, a popular Bath public house.
Crystal Palace Tavern
Less haunted than most, it’s still worth investigating. The tavern is at 10-11 Abbey Green, tel. 0870 3305191 [ map ]
A hooded figure – perhaps a monk – appears at this tavern when he is concerned that the structure may change, such as during repairs or redecorating.
He appears briefly and is fairly transparent. Except that his appearances coincide with events in our time-space, I’d wonder if he was a time-slip.
Julia, of Queens Square
This jilted bride has been seen strolling around the Square in her white gown. The white wedding gown would mean she probably lived (and died) in the Victorian Era.
References and recommended sites:
Ghost Walks of Bath, fast-paced information-filled tour sets off from near Garricks Head pub many evenings at 8 p.m. Call for details: +44 (0)1225 350512 Read review.
Join Haunting Breaks for real, paranormal investigations. They’re among the UK’s premiere ghost hunters.
Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, is a favorite among many people. But how realistic are the ghosts in the story?
Marley’s ghost rattled his chains as he appeared to Scrooge.
“The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel.”
-Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”
Ghosts in chains
Today, we rarely hear of a ghost rattling chains. In fact, apparitions are very rare, and most of them are silent. More often, invisible ghosts are the ones that knock, rattle objects (including chains), and whisper or shout.
However, there are exceptions. In the first century CE, Pliny the Younger documented a ghost who was seen and heard by Athenodorus, at a villa in Athens. The ghost wore chains, and pointed to a spot in the garden before vanishing. The next day, Athenodorus had that spot in the garden dug up, and a skeleton in chains was found buried. They re-buried him in a proper cemetery, and the ghost never appeared again.
But ghosts in chains are not entirely in the past. Even today, a tall, evil-looking man appears on back roads and highways in Yorkshire, England, and jumps out to frighten late-night travelers. He’s known as “Jack in Irons.” Most people who’ve seen him comment that the ghost appears wrapped in chains.
Of course, Marley is not the only ghost in Dickens’ famous tale. There are the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Shadows without consciousness
As Scrooge is led through scenes of his past, his ghostly companion informs him, “These are but shadows of the things that have been…They have no consciousness of us.”
That’s a superb description of paranormal phenomena we call “residual energy hauntings.”
These hauntings are like a hologram or video, played on a continuous loop.
Events from the past appear to be played like a movie, over and over again. Most are probably mere images of people who took part in the events, many years ago.
One of the best examples of residual energy hauntings is the visions of war seen in the United States, at Civil War battlegrounds.
Another might be the ghost of Anne Boleyn and companions, in the Chapel Royal at London’s Tower. Some suggest that her spectre that roams the Tower is residual energy, but when she leads a procession up the center aisle of the chapel, she’s a sentient ghost.
At Christmas, she appears at Hever Castle and – according to first-person descriptions – she appears to be alive and well and very real.
But, the clarity of the images in Dickens’ story – as well as reports of Anne Boleyn’s raise an interesting question: Are these really hauntings, or perhaps time slips… and is there a difference?
More residual energy hauntings
Regardless of what causes them, residual energy hauntings are a ghost hunter’s best opportunity to see a “ghost” that appears in human-like form.
Keep in mind, you’re only likely to see them. Some also report sounds with the imagery, but many don’t.
However, these forms rarely react to or interact with people viewing them. In fact, most ghost hunters believe that these hauntings are just energy imprints on the environment, replaying the events on a repeating and regular schedule.
That fits Dickens’ story, because – though Scrooge feels like he’s in the scene – he’s not able to interact with the people in them.
However, A Christmas Carol, is fiction, even if it matches many genuine ghost encounters.
The question this raises is: Did Dickens make up the story from whole cloth, or had he experienced something similar, himself?
Recent research suggests Dickens was intrigued by ghosts, and perhaps fearful of them. As a member of the Ghost Club, he seemed obsessed with debunking every ghost story and seance he could. That level of preoccupation suggests a greater fear: that ghosts are real, after all.
If you’re looking for a surname with an unusual history – including ghosts, banshees, faeries, and curses – the Duckett family is a good place to start.
Duckett’s Grove in Ireland was featured in a March 2011 episode of Destination: Truth, but it isn’t the only odd story associated with the Duckett family.
A little paragenealogy – genealogical research related to paranormal activity – reveals an interesting history.
The Duckett family’s ancestral homes was Grayrigg Hall, a medieval manor estate in Cumbria, England.
In the 17th century, Grayrigg Hall was owned by Justice Anthony Duckett (1636 – ca. 1692).
That house fell into decay shortly before Justice Duckett’s death. Today’s Grayrigg Hall is an 18th-century house.
Duckett was known for being a persecutor of the Quakers a very new and controversial religion in that era.
One legal case involved Francis Howgill, a Quaker who’d refused to take an oath of allegiance (to King Charles II) and was sent to prison.
Anthony Duckett was one of the magistrates when Howgill was sentenced to jail.
The Origin of the Duckett Family Curse
During Howgill’s imprisonment, he was released for a couple of days to attend to some business at home. While there, he visited Justice Duckett at Grayrigg Hall.
After the magistrate expressed surprise on seeing the prisoner, Mr. Howgill delivered this curse:
“…I am come with a message from the Lord. Thou hast persecuted the Lord’s people, but His hand is now against thee, and He will send a blast upon all that thou hast, and thy name shall rot out of the earth, and this thy dwelling shall become desolate, and a habitation for owls and jackdaws.”
Shortly after that, the Duckett family began to have problems. All of Anthony Duckett’s male children died without heirs. The estate failed and it was sold, around 1685, to a neighbor and family friend, Sir John Lowther.
The Duckett Family’s Irish Connection
That was around the time Anthony Duckett’s cousins began acquiring land at Duckett’s Grove in Ireland.
Both the Duckett family and Grayrigg Hall itself were equally cursed. In the 1777 book, The history and antiquities of the counties of Westmorland and Cumberland, here’s how Grayrigg Hall was described:
Grayrigg Hall being the ancient manor house, was a strong old building, in a quadrangular form, adapted for defence more than for convenience. It is now totally in ruins, most of the lead and timber thereof having been removed to Lowther.
So, the original (and possibly cursed) Grayrigg Hall is now gone. If you’re looking for its precise location, here are the coordinates: Latitude 54.3711, Longitude -2.6496
Another Grayrigg Hall was built near the church. (Don’t confuse it with the old, reputedly haunted Grayrigg.)
If you’re looking for the remnants of the haunted Grayrigg Hall, visit Lowther Castle. As described in the 1777 book, timber and lead from Grayrigg were used to expand Lowther Castle.
The "lost castle" of Lowther is in this YouTube video at: https://youtu.be/YvMy3kUwZnI
The Duckett Curse Continues… with a Ghost
According to Simon Marsden’s website, Lowther Castle was inherited in 1784 by Sir James Lowther, the 1st Earl of Lonsdale, also known as “Wicked Jimmy.”
By the time of his death in 1802, Lowther’s young wife had died, he had no children, and depression had driven him to madness. His ghost has been reported at Lowther Castle.
Here’s the full text of the Grayrigg Hall story and curse, from The Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain, by John Henry Ingram, published in 1884.
GRAYRIGG HALL
In Ducketiana it is stated by Sir G. B. Duckett, that not a vestige remains of those extensive foundations which, a hundred years ago, attested the solidity and importance of the Westmoreland Ducketts’ residence, the Manor House known formerly as Grayrigg Hall.
A strange story is told of the last member of this opulent family, who inhabited this fine old English mansion ere it was dismantled.
The narrative has been detailed with great similarity in various works, such as Ferguson’s Early Cumberland and Westmoreland Friends, and Backhouse’s Life of Howgill, and is popularly known as “The Quaker’s Curse and its Fulfilment.”
Francis Howgill, a noted member of the Society of Friends, resided at Todthorne, near Grayrigg, in Westmoreland, about the middle of the seventeenth century.
At one time he travelled about the south of England preaching, and when he visited Bristol, in company with his compatriot, John Camm, his preaching was made the occasion of great rioting.
In 1663 he returned to his own neighbourhood, whither his reputation had apparently preceded him, for, upon arriving at the market-place of Kendal, he was summoned to appear before the Justices, who were holding a court in a tavern.
They tendered Howgill the oath of allegiance when he came before them, and as he refused to take it they committed him to confinement in Appleby jail.
It may be pointed out, as a matter of history, that in the earliest days of the brotherhood, members of the Society of Friends were often subjected to severe penalties and much persecution for their refusal to conform to the taking of judicial oaths.
At Appleby the judges of Assizes also tendered Howgill the same oath and, on his refusal to swear it, ordered him to be indicted at the next Assizes. Meanwhile they offered to release him from custody if he would give a bond for his good behaviour in the interim, but this he refused to do, and therefore was re-committed to prison.
During his imprisonment a curious incident happened. Howgill was allowed by the magistrates to go home to Grayrigg for a few days on private affairs, and in the course of the time he was at liberty the Quaker felt himself compelled to visit a justice of the name of Duckett, residing at Grayrigg Hall, who was a great persecutor of the Quakers, and was, also, one of the magistrates concerned in committing him to prison.
Francis Howgill, on this occasion, was accompanied by a friend who, over the initials “J. D.” would appear to have left a written report of the interview.
Justice Duckett expressed much surprise at seeing Howgill, and said to him, ” What is your wish now, Francis? I thought you had been in Appleby jail.”
Howgill replied to this effect, “No, I am not, but I am come with a message from the Lord. Thou hast persecuted the Lord’s people, but His hand is now against thee, and He will send a blast upon all that thou hast, and thy name shall rot out of the earth, and this thy dwelling shall become desolate, and a habitation for owls and jackdaws.”
When Howgill had delivered this message, the Justice trembled, and said, “Francis, are you in earnest?” To which Howgill responded, “Yes, I am in earnest, it is the word of the Lord to thee, and there are many now living who will see it.”
Eden Camp (in Malton, England) may be one of the eeriest sites ever shown on “Most Haunted.” And it’s one of England’s best locations for ghost hunting.
If you saw the two-part Most Haunted episode in January 2019, it might have looked like a tame, friendly little haunt.
It’s not.
There are three reasons I recommend Eden Camp among England’s many haunted places:
Most of the phenomena are “lite.” That’s why Eden Camp is ideal for first-time researchers.
Weird things happen more frequently than at many haunted sites. That makes it equally ideal for jaded professionals.
The ghosts make it personal. It’s one thing to wonder if the ghosts know you’re there. It’s entirely different when you’re sure the ghosts know what scares you the most.
Those things aren’t scary, but when you hear enough of them, it can get under your skin.
In some locations, like the bungalow (the pre-fab house), Eden Camp’s ghost/s seemed to respond rapidly to what Karl or Stuart said.
But even when the ghosts weren’t reacting to questions or commands, the unpredictable – and usually random – noises continued.
Aside from the bicycle (in the bungalow) falling over multiple times, what happened wasn’t physical. No one seemed at risk.
Such regular – but apparently minor – activity makes Eden Camp an ideal site for a ghost vigil.
You’re likely to witness at least one or two “weird” things.
You’ll know you’ve had a genuinely odd, ghostly experience.
You’ll go home with a smile.
But… more experienced investigators might not take Eden Camp so lightly.
Eden Camp’s Ghosts from a Professional View
In my previous review, I mentioned two impressive aspects of Most Haunted’s investigation.
Of course, it’s always a relief when a site has a steady patter of activity. At most locations, ghost hunters sit and stand for hours, waiting for something to happen.
It’s not that the ghosts were entirely obliging at Eden Camp. Yvette gave them many opportunities to manifest – as noises, poltergeists, and so on. But, they seemed less interested in startling her.
However, in Part 1 of the show, I noticed a few unusual things.
Separating the Investigators
First, when the team were working in pairs of two, unearthly footsteps seemed to come from two distinct areas in one hut.
Mary Beattie impressed me when she quickly realized something was trying to separate – and isolate – team members from one another. As a professional investigator, that kind of activity is a big red flag. It’s one step away (no pun intended) from being malicious activity.
And, in most cases, it seemed like a deeply personal effort by Eden Camp’s ghost/s.
Making it Personal?
Then, something about Stuart’s demeanor troubled me. He seemed to internalize what was happening in the bungalow.
In other words, Mary could detach herself, mentally, from what was going on.
She saw the “method in the madness” of the moment.
By contrast, Stuart Torevell seemed deeply affected by the ghosts.
If one of my team member’s demeanor was like his, I’d be very concerned. He might need to leave the area for his own safety.
So, when you see Stuart seem troubled by what’s going on at a haunted site – even if the activity seems minor – pay close attention. That “red flag” may be subtle, but it’s significant. It’s a location that’s more haunted than most.
Remember: Those of us who’ve been investigating haunts for years… well, we get a little jaded. (That may be an understatement.)
A plate flies across the room and we yawn, “Yes, it’s another poltergeist.”
A team member feels a tap on his shoulder and we sigh, “Okay, it’s another attention-seeking ghost.”
Listening to EVP right after we recorded it, if the ghost mumbles, we’ll say, “Aww, c’mon, speak clearly.”
And so on. We’re not as startled or impressed as we once were.
So, when a pro reacts – especially in a dramatic or uncharacteristic way – that’s an anomaly in itself.
At Eden Camp, It’s Not Just Residual Energy
When I researched Eden Camp’s history, I found many reasons the site could have simple, residual energy hauntings.
It was a POW camp. People were there against their will, and some prisoners were Nazi officers whose political views were both extreme and aggressive.
That’s why, when I started watching Most Haunted’s first episode about Eden Camp – broadcast “as live” – I thought, “Okay, Eden Camp has more than the usual amount of residual energy.”
Soon, I realized something intelligent was behind what’s going on at Eden Camp.
It wasn’t just what Mary said or how Stuart reacted… it was more. It was the consistency of the activity, and who seemed targeted by it.
That seemed… odd.
The clever subtlety of Eden Camp’s paranormal activity impressed me. And its variety.
From my experience, a lot of hauntings are “one-trick ponies.”
There may be noises.
There might be some poltergeist activity.
A “shadow person” might make a fleeting appearance.
Or, an investigator might notice an odd odor, usually pipe tobacco or perfume.
And so on.
The Mystery of Mixed Anomalies
When investigators talk in terms of three or four types of anomalies, either the site is profoundly haunted…
Or, some “anomalies” aren’t extraordinary.
To be blunt, either they’re imagined, exaggerated, or – in rare cases – rigged.
In this case, I think Eden Camp is haunted… really, really haunted.
Most Haunted’s Eden Camp episodes were among the most authentic ghost hunting broadcasts I’ve seen.
I found plenty. The question is, are there layers of turbulent history – or extraordinary energy – beneath what I found?
Or, was there some interesting energy around Malton from earliest times?
Maybe more recent events just added to its paranormal activity.
Each piece of weird history added to my general impression of Eden Camp and the Malton area… and its ghosts.
So, by the time I saw Part 2 of Most Haunted’s Eden Camp broadcast, my expectations were high.
I was not disappointed.
Yes, It’s Personal
There may be residual energy hauntings at Eden Camp. Some noises could be explained that way.
In fact, the team went out of their way to debunk most of the phenomena.
In the first episode, the cat might have been responsible for some noises.
Maybe the bicycle wasn’t solidly propped against the wall, each time it fell.
And maybe there was a technical glitch so the smoke machine kept running, intermittently.
Rapping noises on the ceiling (or roof) and in the walls… sure, maybe they were squirrels or mice.
The swinging doors might have been an odd gust of wind. But then another… and another? Each time that happened, “normal” explanations seemed less likely.
When you put all of these seemingly low-level anomalies together, the picture changes.
The fact is, almost all ghostly phenomena can be explained by a dedicated skeptic.
But… ghost hunters (like me) raise an eyebrow when many odd, “explainable” things happen, one after another.
Variety, Pace, and Timing
It’s not the cause/explanation that holds our attention; it’s that these things happen at an anomalous pace, and all at one site.
Also at Eden Camp, some expected things didn’t happen.
Each of those was an anomaly, as well.
For example, at Eden Camp, relatively little seemed to happen around Yvette.
That’s odd. Usually, she’s the one most targeted by ghosts.
(She also recovers quickly when she’s startled. And then she gets straight to the point, challenging ghosts to make themselves – and their interests – known. Is it possible that Eden Camp’s ghosts were intimidated by Yvette?)
Eden Camp: An Intelligent Haunting
Eden Camp isn’t just haunted: It’s intelligently haunted.
The ghost (or ghosts) know exactly what they’re doing.
They’re tailoring each person’s experience to the individual.
Creating anomalies that could be explained/debunked… that’s a great way for ghosts to get you to drop your guard.
And that’s why the two-part Most Haunted investigation of Eden Camp was so compelling: Each investigator had a unique, unsettling experience.
That’s why I recommend Eden Camp Museum for ghost hunting.
Something intelligent haunts Eden Camp. I don’t know what its motives are.
It’s subtle. It’s clever.
If you go there, never wander off. Never be on your own.
Why to Investigate Eden Camp’s Ghosts
If you’re in England, haunted places are easy to find.
But… Eden Camp is an unusually ideal site for casual ghost hunters to encounter a “good scare.” I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful visit and a worthwhile vigil.
But, even better, Most Haunted’s investigation barely scratched the surface.
Your visit to Eden Camp could be intense.
Congratulations to Most Haunted for an excellent, authentic investigation. From my sofa, I was applauding.
*They did not ask me to recommend them and that’s not any type of affiliate link. I genuinely believe Eden Camp is one of England’s most impressive haunts.
Malton is one of England’s most fascinating haunts, and it’s an ideal destination if you’re ghost hunting. Malton’s history can make your ghost vigils even more interesting.
For starters, Eden Camp – featured on “Most Haunted” – is just one of many ghostly sites you can investigate around Malton, England.
But, as they say, that’s the tip of the iceberg.
Let’s start with the A64, where you might glimpse a ghost and not even realize it.
Ghosts of Malton, England
The A64’s ghost story is from the late 18th century or early 19th century, when a woman – traveling along the old Roman road – may have been murdered by a highwayman.
She is seen on foggy or misty nights, traveling towards Malton. She wears a simple, traditional gown – not torn or bloody, just normal-looking for that era – and she’s carrying a child.
The ghostly woman glances towards passing cars, but doesn’t seem to see them. She just keeps walking.
The odd thing is, despite her apparently rapid pace, she’s not making much progress. It’s as if she’s suspended just slightly over the ground, and walking towards the town.
If you’re on the A64 en route Malton for ghost hunting, watch for her. Your search for ghosts may be successful, even sooner than you’d expected.
The Talbot Hotel in Maltonmay have a ghost in its cloisters area. At the very least, several people have reported cold spots. (Later in this article, you’ll read why this hotel might have some wonderful residual energy. Expect ghosts from the 18th century through the Regency.)
At or near the Talbot (especially at York House), two more ghosts have been reported more frequently. Neither sound sinister, just watchful or even nurturing. (They may be Green Ladies, best known in in Scotland, but North Yorkshire may have them, as well.)
Blue Ball Inn Ghosts
Blue Ball Inn at Malton may have a ghost who – according to reports – appears to be a cook. I’m not sure why people associate him with the kitchen. (But, per Chris at the Inn, there’s no known ghostly cook.)
Some have associated the Blue Ball Inn’s ghost with Friar Tuck of Robin Hood fame.
Before you laugh at that idea, Friar Tuck is one of the few Robin Hood characters with a real history… if not quite in the right era. (Not unless his ghost led a band of robbers.)
“Twice in 1417, royal writs demand the arrest of an outlaw who led a band which robbed, murdered and committed other acts of general mayhem. One report says he “assumed the name of Frere Tuk newly so called in the common parlance.”
The Blue Ball Inn is a great location for ghost hunting, and it’s in comfortable walking distance of several other haunts.
Nearby, visitors to The Spotted Cow at Malton’s Cattle Market area (near the corner of Middlecave Road and The Mount), have reported ghostly footsteps and some poltergeist activity.
However, those reports are infrequent, so I’m not sure it’s a reliably haunted site. (I’d go there because the pub has great reviews.)
Ghost Hunting at the Derwent River
The Derwent River may have a mischievous ghost. According to one story from the 1980s, a fisherman was pushed and engaged in a fight with his apparent attacker. However, when the fisherman turned to face his assailant, no one was there… it was a ghost.
(The most credible part of this is the continued connection I’ve seen between poltergeist activity – which includes ghosts that push people – and the poltergeist connection to water.)
If you’re ghost hunting at the Derwent River, be careful. Frankly, it’s safer to research in the middle of Malton. You’ll have plenty of friendlier haunts to explore there, anyway.
More Ghosts Near Malton
Nunnington Hall is the home of several ghosts, including the Lady of Nunnington. (Like the ghostly woman at York House, I wonder if the Lady of Nunnington is a “green lady.”)
Pickering Castle may be the site of a ghostly, robed monk. He wanders with his face concealed and his hands outstretched.
That sounds like an opportunity for pranks, so – if you think you see the ghostly monk – use caution. He might be someone very much alive, and intent on scaring people. Do not approach him. (I’ve always said that ghost hunters have more to fear from the living than the dead.)
But, if you do encounter the ghostly monk, start recording EVP immediately.From my experience, monks were either very chatty in real life, or they kept vows of silence.
In both cases, their ghosts are likely to talk, and talk, and talk…
Then there’s the odd dragon on the Malton Road. I didn’t take this seriously until I saw the number of reports of this “mythical” beast.
Dragons at Malton Road
Dragons are reported along the B1257 (Malton Road, to Hovingham). The Paranormal Database describes it as a ghost of a great lizard, killed by a local man and his dog. (All died of their injuries in the fight.)
However, this story closely matches the story of The Dragon of Loschy Hill, set just a few miles north of dragon sightings along the B1257. The Loschy Hill story has a Nunnington connection, as well… the site of many more hauntings.
So, is the ghostly dragon near Malton an urban legend based on the Loschy Hill story, or does this area still have dragons… or at least their ghosts? Given the volume of reports, cryptozoologists and dragon enthusiasts may want to explore the Malton Road.
If you’re looking for ABCs… well, they’ve been seen in several locations around Malton. (I even wondered if ABCs might explain some of the odd activity filmed during Most Haunted’s visit to Eden Camp.)
If I were in the Malton area, I’d also investigate Wharram Percy, and possibly “cursed” Howsham Hall and nearby Kirkham Priory. (The Hall was for sale in 2009, and I’m not sure anyone has been willing to buy it since then.)
In England, haunted places can seem almost commonplace.
However, Malton is unique for many reasons, including some unusual historical events. Also, Malton has been the home of endearing characters… most likely to return as ghosts.
Other aspects of Malton’s history may explain why the town is so haunted… besides it being in Yorkshire (widely respected for its ghosts) and near Scotland (ditto).
As I continued my Eden Camp ghosts research – looking at the location and its Roman history – I stumbled onto some delightful history.
The Colorful, Independent-Minded Wentworths
The quirky history may start with Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1593 – 1641). He served in Parliament and supported King Charles I, but when Strafford had to choose sides, he aligned with the king and turned firmly against Parliament.
Parliament was not amused. Strafford had to pay the price.
Under some duress from Parliament, Charles I signed Strafford’s death warrant. (After all, the King was still trying to save his own neck.)
So, Strafford – not guilty of any crime – was executed. (Eight years later, when King Charles I was beheaded, his last words were that God was punishing him for allowing Strafford’s death.)
But that’s just the beginning…
Politics and Family Rivalries
Where the family tree gets interesting is when the revived Earl of Strafford title went to Thomas Wentworth (1672-1739), the 2nd Earl, who was impeached for his involvement of the Congress of Utrecht, and was a leading conspirator in the Atterbury Plot of 1720-1722 to restore the Stuarts to the throne.
Meanwhile, though Thomas Wentworth inherited the Strafford title,the Strafford fortune and the Jacobean house, Wentworth Woodhouse, was left to Thomas Watson (1665 – 1723).
Of course, that sparked a significant rivalry among the relatives.
Note: I’m still sorting the Wentworth family tree, with its multiple William Wentworths, Thomas Watson-Wentworths, and so on. (I apologize for any genealogical errors.)
In receipt of the fortune and the house, Thomas Watson changed his name to Thomas Watson-Wentworth, and – with part of his inherited fortune – bought the Borough of Malton in 1713. When he died, he was buried in York Minster, and memorialized by a lovely monument there.
The Malton Estate website notes that, “From the outset the family invested heavily in Malton as they do to this day.”
Twelve generations later, much of Malton is still owned by descendants of Thomas Watson-Wentworth (the elder). That’s helped Malton retain its unique identity as a community.
By contrast, as the York Press suggests, “Most town centres are now owned by institutions like insurance companies and pension funds, investors from overseas and collective investment schemes.”
That authenticity may contribute to the vivid residual energy and hauntings in the area.
But, Malton has even better reasons to be haunted. One includes an odd little mystery.
Thomas Watson-Wentworth (the younger) and the Gascoigne Papers
Especially in the early 18th century, Malton records are rife with the kinds of events that can spark later hauntings.
The first one that caught my attention was an act of wanton destruction… for no apparent reason.
In 1723, Thomas Watson-Wentworth’s son – also called Thomas Watson-Wentworth (1693-1750) – succeeded as 1st Marquess of Rockingham.
Then, in 1728, he inherited as Baron Malton.
… That’s when – on the advice of his attorney – Thomas Watson-Wentworth (the younger) deliberately burned most of the genealogical records left by his ancestor, Richard Gascoigne.
What was the secret? I’m trying to understand why those records seemed so dangerous.
So, I tried to reconstruct them.
At least some of those records were copied by a relative before Watson-Wentworth burned them. They appear in the book, The History of Barwick-in-Elmet(pages 129-132). Additional references are in the History of Barnbow.
Yes, I see that Sir Thomas Gascoigne was accused of conspiracy to murder King Charles II, but he was acquitted.
Also, in 1567, there may have been issues when the Gawthorpe and Harewood estates were passed to the Wentworth family, by marriage. That wasn’t a secret, either.
So, I’m baffled. I don’t see anything to suggest why it was imperative to destroy historical records. (If anyone can explain this, I’m very interested.)
Even More Likely Haunts in Malton
Then there’s Hoober Stand, a folly constructed by Henry Flitcroft (1697 – 1769) at the request of Thomas Watson-Wentworth (the younger), to celebrate the English victory at Culloden.
In light of his cousin’s role in trying to restore the Stuarts to the throne, that probably sparked more controversy within the family.
I’m fairly certain ghost hunters will find EVP around Hoober Stand.
Also, I’m intrigued that, in 1739, Watson-Wentworth acquired the building we now know as the Talbot Hotel. He then turned it into a hotel for people attending the races in Malton.
That sounds like a jolly idea. Though the record-burning is odd, the more I learn about Thomas Watson-Wentworth (the younger), the more I like him.
So, I’m sure there were boisterous parties in Watson-Wentworth’s era, and they could have left residual energy that lingers to this day… including at the Talbot Hotel.
The blue oval on the map shows where Malton Castle was built, possibly in the early 12th century.
When William the Conqueror was King, the Lordship of Malton – and the castle site – was granted to Gilbert de Tyson. Then Henry I owned it, and then Eustace FitzJohn, who gave Malton Castle to David, King of Scotland.
In 1138, in connection with the Battle of the Standard, Archbishop Thurstan of York attacked Malton, burning the town and capturing the castle.
Then, in 1322, Robert the Bruce occupied the castle. (Ghosts are reported at almost every major site connected with Robert the Bruce. Drum Castle is among the more famous, but there are many more… and I’d bet Malton Castle site is among them.)
After Robert the Bruce’s occupation, the castle fell into ruins for two hundred years.
After that, the Eure family rebuilt the house (I’m not sure how many times), until two sisters – Mary and Margaret Eure – inherited the house, together.
That did not set well with either sister, and an icy cold feud began. Finally – to settle the dispute – in 1674, Henry Marwood, High Sheriff of York, demolished the mansion.
He piled the stones into two equal heaps, one for each sister.
The nearby Lodge and gateways are still original to the Malton Castle estate, but they probably used the stones in many of today’s Malton buildings.
(In other English towns – such as Glastonbury – hauntings have been connected with the re-use of stones from emotionally charged sites.)
And so, Malton has Ghosts
This turbulent history – from family secrets to feuds and fires, and from Roman forts to Eden Camp – makes Malton, England a prime resource for ghost hunters.
As a paranormal researcher, two questions really stood out as I studied Malton’s history.
Why did Watson-Wentworth burn his family records?
Why were forts, castles, and houses built and rebuilt, repeatedly? (I know the Yorkshire winters can be harsh. Fires happen. And time takes its toll on all buildings. But… the frequent rebuilding in Malton suggests something else.)
From haunted hotels to ghostly pubs to Eden Camp Museum, investigated by Most Haunted in January 2019, you’ll find plenty to explore – and ghosts to encounter – in Malton, England.
Visit Malton
For an overview of Malton, this YouTube video is brief and shows various parts of town.
Places to see in ( Malton – UK )Malton is a market town, civil parish and electoral ward in North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding o…
Malton railway station is Grade II Listed, and it’s on the TransPennine Express route. Fast trains run every hour from Scarborough to York, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. Current fastest train time from Malton to London Kings Cross (with one change at York) is approximately 2 hours 33 minutes.
Q. What could give a professional ghost hunter chills, just watching TV?
A. When it goes far beyond the usual frights, and gets personal – even sinister – with the investigation team.
That’s what I saw when Most Haunted visited Eden Camp, and – in my review – you’ll learn why their investigation troubled me.
Most Haunted’s first Eden Camp episode (2019) showed viewers that Eden Camp has consistent, low-level activity. That – plus some of my own research – convinced me that Eden Camp was worth a visit.
In fact, when Eden Camp Museum is open for ghost vigils (evening or overnight investigations), I recommend it… but ONLY if you’re okay with real ghosts.
Why…?
Well, in the first Most Haunted segment from Eden Camp, several things impressed me. I felt like the Bungalow – investigated by Karl and Stuart – was one of the stars of the show.
It was more than just a building. Something is in there, and I’m not sure what it is… but it seems able to get inside your thoughts.
But, I was more interested in Stuart’s demeanor. For an experienced investigator, it seemed odd. And a little worrisome.
At times, he seemed deeply and personally concerned. To me, that personal connection practically shouted “active, sentient ghosts!”
For example, his facial expression was almost distressed when he said that – except that he was on an investigation – most people would run from that building and never look back.
(If he wasn’t aware of how distressed he seemed, someone needs to mention it to him.)
When a spirit makes an especially deep emotional impact on an investigator, that’s noteworthy.
If he returns there, I’d keep a close watch on Stuart at Eden Camp, because he may be more vulnerable than the other investigators.
I’d warn other investigators to protect their personal/emotional boundaries at Eden Camp, too. As we saw when something tried to separate Mary and Darren, a malicious entity might lurk at Eden Camp.
Also, in Most Haunted’s second Eden Camp segment, I hope someone returned to the bungalow kitchen, and they set up multiple cameras to capture poltergeist activity and noises there. The amount of energy there… that was fascinating.
The Bicycle
In the bungalow, I think everyone was startled when the bicycle fell over. When it toppled a second time, though it had been carefully propped against the wall, that was especially odd.
One reason the bicycle interests me is: it’s made of metal. From my research, metal objects – especially iron and steel – can hold considerable psychic energy.
Could a bicycle act as an antenna for EVP…? I have no idea. That seems a bit of a reach.
But – in this case – I’d definitely explore that possibility.
I’d also want to know if the bicycle belonged in the camp when POWs were there. Does the bicycle have residual energy from one person in particular?
The Cafeteria
In the second segment (airing 19 Jan 2019), I’m eager to see what the Most Haunted team discover in the cafeteria/dining hall. I was intrigued when Yvette Fielding and Glen Hunt commented that the cafeteria seemed “wrong.”
Since that room has a history of poltergeist-like activity – chairs moving, by themselves – that could be an interesting room to investigate.
Poltergeist Activity
Speaking of poltergeists, I think it’s brilliant to include new team member Mary, because she’s bright and thoughtful, and she seems to have nerves of steel, especially for someone new to these intense settings.
When two phenomena happened in opposite sides of the hut, Mary immediately realized the entity might be trying to separate team members from one another.
That was a very astute observation. And, in my opinion, it was accurate. I hope Mary continues to investigate with Most Haunted.
In addition, her age and gender could further fuel the energy used by poltergeists.
(From past studies, we know that women – especially teens – are often connected with poltergeist activity. Likewise, I’m sure gender was one reason that – at Eden Camp – Louise and Jenny saw the most startling, consistent poltergeist activity: the swinging door.)
An additional benefit to more young cast members like Mary is: the new generation of ghost hunters bring fresh viewpoints and attitudes.
As an “old timer,” I’m mindful of the importance of experience. But, if that’s all we needed, we’d have more insights about hauntings. And have a better grasp of what ghosts are.
The Unasked Questions
I’ll admit that my own research – especially about the Romans – caused me to talk to the TV screen as I watched the first Eden Camp episode.
(And yes, I know that no one hears me when I talk to my TV. Nevertheless, I talk to the TV screen, saying what I would, had I been part of the investigation team.)
During the show, Yvette asked the ghosts “Are you German?” and “Are you Italian?”
The only response she received was a negative one when she asked, “Are you English?”
That’s when I spoke to the TV screen insisting, “No, ask them if they’re Roman!”
To me, the singular response to the English question suggested Romans.
If they were German, they’d have responded “no” to both the question about being Italian and the one about being English.
And, if they were Italian: vice versa.
In my opinion, only the Romans would be vehement enough about the English to single out that nationality for a “no!” response.
But… maybe I’m reading too much into this. I tend to be very literal (and perhaps hyper-vigilant) when using real-time communications with ghosts.
And, to be fair, my own focus is a little narrow. After all, Yvette didn’t ask if the ghosts were Vikings or Norse, either. And I haven’t researched their occupation of the Malton area, if there was any.
(Admittedly, I jumped on the Roman topic because York’s half-body ghosts have fascinated me. Vikings, etc…? Not so much.)
The Camp… or the Land Beneath It?
Seeing the wide range of low-level activity at the camp, I believe the land beneath the camp could be important. History suggests Roman occupation at the Eden Camp site. In England, haunted places often have a Roman connection.
That could explain why the ghosts said multiple people had died at the Eden Camp site. During Eden Camp’s POW years, only one person died there.
My guess is: those other deaths were Romans. Or other people who were on the Eden Camp property before it became a prisoner of war camp.
When you have widespread activity at a location, always consider the history of the property it’s on.
At Eden Camp, the team found evidence of:
Poltergeist activity, sometimes very physical and dramatic, throughout the camp.
The sound of footsteps – and some other anomalous noises – throughout the camp.
Shadows and shadow figures, inside and outdoors.
Intelligent hauntings, both in the bungalow, and when an entity tried to separate team members from one another.
The team did not seem to witness physical contact. No one was hit, pushed, or otherwise assaulted, even by thrown objects. So, I think physical danger is unlikely.
(I’m still concerned about the effects on Stuart, as well as the clever attempt to separate or isolate team members.)
Nevertheless, the extreme range of activity intrigues me. I’d like to know more about Eden Camp’s location – why it was placed there, and any known history of that particular site. (For that, I might need local resources. Meanwhile, for additional articles at this website, I’m researching Eden Camp’s location with my personal library and the Internet.)
In the Eden Camp episode, I applaud Most Haunted for presenting a realistic, two-hour show.
Though Eden Camp is especially active, it was refreshing to see Most Haunted convey what real ghost hunts are like. I hope more ghost-related TV shows follow Most Haunted’s great example.
Here’s one brief video showing Eden Camp Museum in daylight:
Places to see in ( Yorkshire – UK ) Eden Camp Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum is a large Second World War-related museum near Malton in North Yorkshire…
These sites are next door to each other at St. John’s Place and Saw Close [ map ] Their ghost stories seem to be interwoven, and the ghosts congenially wander from one building to the other.
But ghosts in chains are not entirely in the past. Even today, a tall, evil-looking man appears on back roads and highways in Yorkshire, England, and jumps out to frighten late-night travelers. He’s known as “Jack in Irons.” Most people who’ve seen him comment that the ghost appears wrapped in chains.
Shadows without consciousness
Regardless of what causes them, residual energy hauntings are a ghost hunter’s best opportunity to see a “ghost” that appears in human-like form.
In 
When I researched Eden Camp’s history, I found many reasons the site could have simple, residual energy hauntings.
The intensity of the team’s encounters were why I started looking into 
In the first episode, the cat might have been responsible for some noises.
The A64’s ghost story is from the late 18th century or early 19th century, when a woman – traveling along 
Especially in the early 18th century, Malton records are rife with the kinds of events that can spark later hauntings.
Well, in the first Most Haunted segment from Eden Camp, several things impressed me. I felt like the Bungalow – investigated by Karl and Stuart – was one of the stars of the show.
That was a very astute observation. And, in my opinion, it was accurate. I hope Mary continues to investigate with Most Haunted.
The only response she received was a negative one when she asked, “Are you English?”