Halloween is fast approaching and as the nights draw a dark veil across the sky, so Somerset springs to life with ghosts, ghouls and ghastly goings on. Steeped in ancient folklore and sporting a rich and riotous history, Somerset offers plenty of opportunities to embrace the spooky spirit of the season. In fact, our mystical county of folklore and fables is ranked NINTH, yes ninth, in the most haunted places in the whole of the United Kingdom. So, if you love a chilling encounter and can handle a goosebump or two, then let me introduce you to six spine-tingling activities and locations to get your scare on, this Halloween.
Shepton Mallett Prison –Is ‘the most haunted prison in the world’. Yes, THE WORLD! That’s worth a visit all on its own, especially as it runs regular Ghost Tours throughout the year. Paranormal goings on, ghost sitings and spine-chilling occurrences are run of the mill here, amongst the prison’s 400 year old walls. But book onto their especially spooky Halloween Ghost tour and be prepared for some extra jump scares along the way.
Wookey Hole – For more family-friendly frights and fears, head over to Wookey Hole, the home of the Wookey Witch. Wookey Hole is a truly ‘magical place of caves, legends, and adventure for the young and young at heart’ with a whole host of activities and fun things to do (more to read, here). As the ‘Home of Halloween’, however, they have even more spectacular events running into early November, from the Giant Pumpkin Trail, the Ghost Pirate Circus Show and a daily fancy dress competition. Book your tickets for a freaky family day out here.
Dunster Castle and Watermill – Another family-friendly day can be had at Dunster Castle and Watermill, worth a visit any time of the year, but especially if you love fun-filled magic and mystery-themed events. The Dunster Castle School of Magic returns in October (I need to enrol, now!) and is running the Pumpkin Games (£3 admission, no booking required – result). The trophy has mysteriously disappeared, and it is your job to follow the clues and compete in the games and collect a prize at the end. Don’t forget to keep a watchful eye for the pesky imps trying to get in your way!
The castle also runs ghost tours as well as a whole host of workshops, storytelling, tours and more. Take a look here for what’s on.
If family fun isn’t your thing and you’re more into supping a pint in a paranormal pub, then Somerset has plenty.
The Choughs Hotel, Chard – This unassuming 16th Century hotel is said to be one of the most haunted pubs in Britain and in fact even featured in the TV series Most Haunted in 2004. Not only has the skeleton of a bird (an actual chough one would assume – a member of the crow family) been found inside a tiny coffin, but there have been various ghostly sightings, including that of a girl called Elizabeth who likes to play with any children that stay there. Legend has it that she drank poison in 1845 so that she didn’t fall into a life of prostitution like her mother. Yup, the pub also used to be a brothel. The chough Hotel has a violent and bloody past but has also served as a school. Who knew?
The George and Pilgrims, Glastonbury – Built in 1475 and standing on the high street of the ‘occult capital of England’ you’ll find the rather beautiful mullion-windowed George and Pilgrims Inn. The beauty belies the hauntings that lie within, however. There are at least two known ghosts that frequent the interior and have been seen by many of the residents. One is a monk who has been known to sit beside guests and engage in a little chit chat. The other is a lady, thought to be the monk’s great love. Unable to consummate their relationship they have been doomed to wander the corridors of the pub until eternity.
Glastonbury Tor – Not only the location for Solstice celebrations and a daily pilgrimage for tourists, Glastonbury Tor has a darker, spookier side to it too. Legend has it that the monk St Collen, who had settled on the hill as a hermit, overheard two locals speaking about Gwynn ap Nudd, King of the Fairies and the Lord of Annwn, King of the Underworld. Collen steadfastly refused to admit that fairies existed, believing them to be demons in disguise. Gwynn, offended by Collen’s attitude, summoned Collen to meet him on the top of the Tor. Collen initially refused but gave in after two further summons and agreed to meet Gwynn, taking a flask of holy water with him for good measure.
Upon reaching the Tor, Collen was taken into the fairy underworld where he met Gwynn inside a fine castle, filled with food, drink and dancing. Gwynn offered Collen to partake, but instead Collen threw the holy water at him, at which point Gwyn and his castle disappeared, never to be seen again.
The Tor was also the site of the execution of Abbot Richard Whiting in 1549.
So there you have it – six spooky Somerset sites to visit this Halloween – if you dare! Do leave a comment if you've visited any of them - I'd love to know if you had your own ghostly encounter...
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