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Ghost Stories
Jimmy Allen, the Gypsy Piper
Stand on Elvet Bridge in Durham City at midnight and you might just hear the ghostly music of Durham Castle Northumbrian piper Jimmy Allen, who was imprisoned in the House of Correction beneath the bridge in the 18th Century. He died in the house of correction two weeks before his pardon arrived.
The Battle of Neville’s Cross
Walk three times round the shaft of the stone cross which marks the site of the Battle of Neville’s Cross in Durham City - then put your ear to the ground. Can you hear the ghostly sounds of armies clashing weapons just as they did long ago on October 17th 1346?
Pickled Parson of Sedgefield
The Pickled Parson of Sedgefield haunts Ceddesfeld Hall. Inconveniently dying just one week before the Parson’s tithe was due to be paid, his wife pickled him in brandy, propped him up in the Parsonage window so it looked like he was still alive to passers-by, then collected the tithe on his behalf. Only afterwards did she announce the death of the Parson.
The Old Hell-Cat of Raby
Elizabeth known locally as ‘The Old Hell Cat’, is said to haunt the battlements of Raby Castle, pacing furiously back and forth, knitting with red-hot needles.
Lily of Lumley
Every self-respecting castle ought to have a ghost story and Lumley Castle at Chester-le-Street is haunted by Lily of Lumley, the murdered wife of the castle's builder, Lord Lumley. Murdered and Lumley Castle thrown down a well by priests reputedly in a bid to save her soul after she converted from Catholic to Protestant - you can still see the well today.
The Grey Lady of Durham Castle
Some University of Durham students have the pleasure of sharing their College with a resident ghost or two. The Black Staircase of Durham Castle is haunted by the ghost of a wife of a 19th Century Bishop of Durham who is reputed to have fallen to her death from its top most heights. Even if you don’t see the ghost, you can certainly see the staircase on a tour of the Castle led by a student guide.
Barnard Castle
The historic market town of Barnard Castle is a town that holds a multitude of dark, ghastly secrets. Illicit wedding ceremonies were performed in a temporary chapel by an 18th Century bogus parson named Cuthbert Hilton. At the end of each ceremony the newly wedded pair were obliged to perform a pagan tradition by jumping over a broomstick, held by the unconventional parson, to seal the knot. Click below to see the ghost that was caught on camera in 'Barny'.
The Young Lady of Crossgate
In the Crossgate area of Durham City, a ghost of a young woman has been sighted. This is said to be the ghost of a Victorian girl from a workhouse near Allergate who was murdered and then thrown down a flight of steps. Her attacker was a soldier, who later confessed to his crime.
