10 Most Haunted Places In Cornwall

Cornwall has a long history of seafaring with many fishing communities, not to mention tales of smugglers and pirates. The Cornish village of Zennor near St. Ives is also home to one of the oldest stories of humans encountering mermaid and he ghost remains to this day.

It's said that a beautiful, well-dressed woman often attended services at St. Senara's Church in the Cornish village of Zennor, where she used to listen to and join in with the singing. The parishioners soon became enchanted by her sweet singing voice. The best singer in the parish was the chorister, Matthew Trewhella, and it's said that the two fell in love, and Matthew followed her to her home at Pendour Cove and the two were never seen again.

Then one Sunday a ship cast anchor about a mile from the cove, shortly after a mermaid appeared, and asked that the anchor be raised, as it was resting on her door, and she was unable to reach her children. The villagers of Zennor concluded that this mermaid must be the same mysterious woman who had visited their church and had enticed Matthew to come and live with her.

On summer nights, it's said that the lovers can be heard singing together at the church, where a specially decorated "mermaid chair" can be seen to this day.

It's claimed that the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley has been linked to the dilapidated Carn Cottage on the hill overlooking the village of Zennor in Cornwall. The very whisper of any association has led some locals to believe that the building is haunted, perhaps due to claims that Crowley attempted to summon up the Devil himself there.

The Dolphin Inn on the harbour at Penzance is a historic English pub reportedly haunted by three ghosts. The spirits who are said to roam here include an old sea captain named George, who is spotted wearing a tricornered hat, lace ruffles and a striking jacket. As well as rare reports of sightings, he is often reportedly heard walking around the upstairs rooms and corridors in the dead of night.

There's also the ghost of a women seen wearing Victorian style clothing, who has been spotted on several occasions in the main bar where she seems to materialised from a wall before gliding across the room. The guest bedrooms are said to be haunted by a young, fair-haired man, who is often spotted standing by or sitting on the bottom of the beds in the rooms.

The Three Pilchards is the oldest pub in the costal village Polperro, it takes its name from the village's tradition of fishing. The paranormal activity at this pub include sightings of the ghost of a woman, who's seen milking a cow in the backyard. Some drinkers have reported the mysterious smell of violets wafting through the pub despite no flowers being present. The pub is also said to be haunted by a family who lived there in the 19th century, plus the ghost of an elderly woman upstairs.

This impressive stone-built house in Padstow stands nearly on the site of Bodmin priory, set against a backdrop of rugged coastline and with Bodmin Moor to the East. The home has remained in the hands of the same family for more than 400 years, but was used as a base for American serviceman during World War II.

It is supposed to be haunted by many different ghosts including the spirit of a young scullery boy who has been seen running around the kitchen. There are also two female ghosts who have been spotted on the main staircase, one dressed in grey, the other in green. The green lady has also been spotted in the drawing room and the great chamber, it's believed she haunts the house after she leapt or was pushed to her death there.

A phantom dog is also said to roam the building, it is most commonly seen growling at the end of the bed the Park Room, a guest bedroom which is said to have a very oppressive atmosphere.

The haunted reputation of the Jolly Sailor is well documented and the activity is so normal to some regulars that they don't bat an eyelid when something strange happens. The activity at the Jolly includes items being thrown, disembodied voices, flickering lights, taps turning themselves on, objects and furniture moving around of their own accord, staff and drinkers feeling as if they've been touched by unseen hands, and even the bar's doors being violently flung open just after closing time.

Guests staying upstairs in the B&B rooms have reported seeing figures, and one guest reported feeling someone get into bed behind her. Another said their phone was pushed off the desk while they were sat watching television. Even the landlady has awoken in the night to find standing over her bed an old woman who proceed to vanish.

There's also been reports of sightings of a blonde curly haired child in the kitchen, and the ladies toilets are said to be haunted by a male spirit who according to the staff is said to be a bit of a ladies' man. He's made his presence known to a few of the locals who will now refuse to use the toilet alone.

Probably the most famous supernatural story to be linked to the Jolly Sailor is that of the spirit of a girl from the village who committed suicide after being jilted by the love of her life. Since her death she has been seen in the form of a phantom white hare rushing down to the Jolly in order to warn the drinkers whenever misfortune is headed for the town.

Today Bodmin Jail is a tourist attraction, but for almost 150 years it was prison, in which time it saw over 50 public hangings. The jail is a popular location for paranormal researchers, including the 'Most Haunted' team who visited in their sixth series.

This was the location of the legendary incident that involved the show's producers feeding medium Derek Acorah false information, which saw him get possessed by a named Kreed Kafer. It came to light after the show that the spirit was fictionally and was in fact an anagram of the phrase "Derek Faker."

This fortified Manor House located between the villages of Germoe and Praa Sands is sand to be one of the most haunted buildings in Cornwall. It's been occupied by the Pengersick family since the 12th century and boasts quite a haunted past with over 20 resident spooks.

Sightings include the ghost of a monk who has been seen wandering around the medieval gardens, guests have reported seeing a woman standing at one of the windows staring out at night. There's also the ghost of a young girl who haunts the basement, strange light anomalies have been caught on camera, electrical equipment inexplicably fails, and there's even said to be the ghost of a cat and a dog.

One of the oldest coaching hotels in Cornwall, it dates back to the 17th century but was sadly damaged in the flood which devastated the village in 2004, but has since been restored to its former glory.

As well opening its doors to thousands of guests over the year, the hotel has also played host to plenty of spooked. Guests have reported seeing the ghost of a coachman walking the corridors. There's also the ghost of a little girl, and a spirit of an old lady has also been spotted walking through solid walls.

Room nine is said to be the most haunted part of the hotel, many guests have reported icy blasts, shadowy figures and even a presence stood over their bed in the dead of night.

Built in 1750, the Jamaica Inn is historic, atmospheric, welcoming and supposedly very haunted. The traditional coaching inn is setback from the busy A30 in Bolventor, overlooking Brown Willy, the highest point on Bodmin Moor.

Due to its history of hosting smugglers the pub has been the subject of books, television shows and an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

The paranormal activity at the inn includes the disembodied sound of footsteps throughout the building, unexplained tapping, the sound of children playing and babies crying, and most famously the sound of horses and carts moving in the courtyard.

Room 5, which is said to be one of the most haunted rooms is said to be haunted by the ghost of a mother and child. The young girl is often referred to as Hannah. The ghost of a murdered man has been seen in the main bar and sat on a wall outside the inn.

Guests and staff have reported seeing dark shadowy figures moving through corridors, the restaurant and the kitchen and many visitors have reported being touched by unseen hands while sleeping or having their hair pulled.