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Plymouth is a city in the UK that has been around since 1190. In all of these years, there have been many buildings that were said to be haunted. Here are just some of the stories about what you can find if you explore Plymouth’s haunted places!
The Elizabethan House
The Elizabethan House dates to 1584 and is a restored captain’s dwelling. The ghost of a young girl in a cap and apron is often reported at the window.
The most famous and well-known story is of an archaeologist from the Plymouth Museum who had a spooky experience on a dark, dank October evening in 1983. The gentleman was setting up for his lecture when he saw something strange: A small wooden child’s cradle rocking itself all by its lonesome self at steady pace without anyone touching it!
By now a number of his guests had started to arrive. He managed to convince them all, even the children, that it was worth their time just for fun and games at worst. The cradle was stationary while they chatted among themselves joking about what might happen next–the laughter cut short as it rocked back into motion from left to right once again!
Some ghost stories tell of a ghostly child that appears in the cradle. Others talk about a young girl, maybe eight years old, who appears in the first floor room, sitting in the corner. People have reported seeing her from the window outside.
Other signs of paranormal activity include cold spots, even on a hot summer’s day and furniture being moved around upstairs when no-one is there.
Shirley Valentine’s Taverna
Shirley Valentine’s Taverna (now the Kapodokya Restaurant) is known for its ghostly sightings. It is located on The Barbican, on New Street and features in the Haunted Plymouth book under it’s original name.
There are many sightings of a little boy in the restaurant, but he is not always seen and his purpose at Shirley Valentine’s Taverna remains unknown to this day
People often report feeling they are not alone when there are no other people in the building. A woman is also seen in the upstairs eating area.
Plymouth Gin Distillery
The Plymouth Gin Distillery has plenty of spirits but also a few ghosts. The distillery is the oldest working gin distillery in Devon and in England and was originally known as the Black Friars Distillery. The building itself dates back to the 14th century and started out as a monastery, hence one of it’s names. The Pilgrim Fathers were said to have spent their last night here in the 16th century before heading to America.
One of the ghosts is said to be that of a former employee who died in an accident. He has been seen roaming around the building and his presence makes for some interesting stories from employees!
A little girl in a hooded bonnet is also seen on occasion.
The Ghost of Jane Belsey: Jane was one of many gin distillery workers who died in a boiler explosion, and her ghost is said to haunt the distillery with occasional sightings reported.
There is also said to be a ghost in the ladies toilets, said to be a woman from the World War II era who was stabbed here after an argument.
The Plymouth Gin Distillery also has an old still that is sometimes referred to as “the spooking kettle” due to its tendency for producing apparitions! The Still Room has a woman in her twenties who appears, with a boy of around eight. Mediums also sensed the spirits of American soldiers from World War II as well as from a man who fell into the Still and died.
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
The Plymouth City Museum has had its fair share of ghosts over the years, with many different sightings from staff and visitors alike! One particular ghost is commonly seen in the basement area and can be quite malevolent at times! She was spotted by a security guard who said they felt an odd sensation by the basement door before a woman in white robes appeared.
The Plymouth City Museum is also said to be haunted by an old man who likes to hang around near paintings, and has even been seen crouching low on the floor!
Reel Cinema, City Centre
The Reel Cinema sits on Derry Cross and is said to be haunted by a ghost who likes to sit in the cinema seats. The poltergeist has been named “Rosie” because she loves going into children’s films and hiding behind the screen!
A male voice speaking French can sometimes be heard on the third floor of the cinema and visitors have also reported a ghostly apparition.
The Funky Ferret, West Hoe
This now closed pub is said to be haunted by a grey lady in its second-floor bar area. The woman was seen without her legs or lower torso! This may be due to changes in the building since her time.
Plymouth City Gaol
Anyone with an interest in history will know that Plymouth City Gaol was once known as the largest prison in England and housed many famous members of society! It is said that a prisoner was hanged for stabbing another while they were both out on work detail.
The ghostly figure of this angry spirit can still be seen wandering around the grounds, before vanishing into thin air.
The Minerva Inn
The Minerva Inn dated from the 15th century and is said to be haunted by a woman who haunts the pub in order to protect her daughter. She is seen as an apparition of smoke, and has been reportedly seen scratching at windows when she needs help with something!
Another ghost is that of Eddie Blake, a smuggler who was killed in a fight with the landlord, George. He is often seen walking around near his old cabin and can be heard whistling as he walks past it.
Other spooky stories at the inn include levitating spoons, a jukebox playing by itself and a small figure appearing at the bar.
The Royal William Yard
The Royal William Yard is a 19th-century naval base that’s now a tourist attraction. It is said to be haunted by the ghosts of sailors who perished in shipwrecks. Visitors have reported hearing them wailing from down below, and some unfortunate visitors can even smell what they say smells like death!
The nearby Tinside Lido also has its own spooky resident. The ghost of the Victorian swimmer, Jane Towlton-Wood, who drowned in 1906 is said to still haunt the area.
Devonport Dockyard
Devonport Dockyard is one of the most important parts of the city and not without its own spooky residents. These include the spirit of a young girl who died in the Royal Naval College, and also a black cat that is said to roam around.
The Ropemakers House is another haunted spot in the dockyard. The area is said to be haunted by a woman and child.
Radford Park
Radford House was a manor house that stood for almost 600 years but was demolished in the 1930s. It has been home to Norman abbeys twice and was an example of the Elizabeth E-plan layout. The remaining park has retained a few ghostly residents.
Radford Park has stories of ghostly sightings, such as that of a woman in a white dress and hood. The park is said to be haunted by the lady’s daughter who died from flu during World War I.
The Union Rooms
Built for the Plymouth Apprentice Boys Club in 1854, this building was once used for socialising but now it’s been turned into flats but the ghost of a young woman is still in the building.
The Barbican Theatre
Once used as an old prison, this theatre has now been turned into one of Plymouth’s most popular live venues but it remains haunted by unknown spirits who like to knock on doors and play practical jokes. There have also been sightings of someone dressed in black sitting at tables even when the theatre was closed.
Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre was originally built in 1898 for the Livermore Brothers and later became the Academy nightclub. The original building was largely destroyed by fire shortly after opening but was restored.
It is haunted by the spirit of a young woman who was killed in an accident involving one of the stage lifts. Another ghost is a woman who is known as Mary who was said to have died in the fire.
Union Street Jail
This former prison on Union Street has two ghosts that are often seen, most notably a man dressed as a medieval executioner with his head hooded and covered. The other is believed to be from the time when the jail was originally used and is thought to be a man who has been wrongly imprisoned.
Shopping Centre
This shopping centre in the city’s Barbican district is said to have quite a few spirits lurking around, including two young girls dressed up like they are on their wedding day. There have also been sightings of an old mop-haired woman who is said to have been a cleaner who died from cancer.
There are also stories of an old lady in blue, and that she is often seen looking through the windows at children playing in the centre’s play area. There has been speculation that this woman may be one of the building’s founders when it first opened back in 1957.
Tudor Rose Tea Rooms
The Tudor Rose Tea Rooms are nicknamed “The Haunted Tea Rooms” by locals. The building is one of the oldest in Plymouth and was built back in 1688, so it’s easy to understand why this place might be haunted!
There are reports of a poltergeist as well footsteps heard on the stairs when no-one is around. One customer had a cake thrown off the counter while they were paying for their order. Other customers have reported an elderly lady sitting in the room who vanishes. But not before complaining that it was her house and ‘she was gentry’ – clearly not happy at all the commoners using it!