HAUNTED LOCATIONS
Torquay
A charming seaside town located on Devon's English Riviera coast, with it's palm trees and sandy beaches, also a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, Torquay has something to offer for everyone.
Torquay also has it's share of ghostly tales and haunted spots. Interestingly, it is said locally that Torquay residents are more likely to report seeing ghosts than people elsewhere in the UK.
St. John's Church
The church on The Terrace is said to be haunted by its former organist, Henry Ditton-Newman. Witnesses claim to have seen him playing the organ during his own memorial service after his death in 1883. The organ itself has been heard playing mysteriously, even after it was removed from the church in 1956.
Torre Abbey's Spanish Barn
Torre Abbey's Spanish Barn, known as the tithe barn, was built around 1200. Originally serving as a storage place for taxes paid to the abbey in the form of grain, hay, and other farm produce, it's significance was cemented in 1588 during the Spanish Armada invasion.
The captured Spanish ship, Nuestra Senora del Rosario, was towed to Torbay. Around 397 prisoners were held in the Spanish Barn, making it the only surviving Armada prison in England.
Local people were hostile toward the prisoners, and there are stories of a farmer secretly giving food to the captives, only to be hanged when discovered.
The barn is said to be haunted by the ghost of 'The Spanish Lady' who is said to be the fiancé of one of the ship's lieutenants, who realising they were about to be captured, disguised herself as a sailor.
After enduring two weeks of appalling conditions crammed inside the barn, she succumbed to a chill and passed away. Since then, the ghostly senorita has wandered both the barn and the surrounding gardens, her quiet sobs echoing as she searches for her lost love.
Torre Abbey
Torre Abbey, built in 1196 is a historic building and art gallery. It originally served as a monastery for Premonstratensian canons. Today, it stands as the best-preserved medieval abbey in Devon and Cornwall. The abbey houses an impressive art collection with over 600 incredible works spanning from the 18th century to the present day.
Torre Abbey is well-known to be the most haunted place in Torquay.
A headless monk from the 1300s is said to gallop around the grounds on a ghostly horse, accompanied by 'Lady Cary', seen dressed in a ballgown riding in the back of an illuminated carriage.
It is said that an Abbot decapitated a young canon and subsequently concealed the gruesome deed.
Castel-a-Mare
Castel-a-Mare was once regarded as England's most haunted house.
This crumbling Victorian villa gained it's eerie reputation during the late 19th Century where the first intrepid ghost hunter to investigate this house was the author, poet and Spiritualist, Violet Tweedale (1862 - 1936).
Violet, who believed she was a psychic from a young age, lived down the road from the house and it was in 1920 that she wrote 'Ghosts I have seen and Other Psychic Experiences' where the house is detailed.
Violet in 1917 joined a group of investigators and medium and began to explore the notorious house. It is only what is described as pure terror and a frantic encounter with the otherside that the house was demolished and re-built in 1920. After a great deal of modernisation, the house still exists today and the current owners have not reported of any paranormal activity.
Brixham Theatre
Brixham Theatre's roots trace back to the late 19th century when it served as a gathering place for various events, including concerts, lectures, and amateur dramatic performances. Over the years, Brixham Theatre underwent several renovations and upgrades. These efforts aimed to enhance its facilities, acoustics, and overall appeal.
However, it does have tales of a spooky past.
Brixham Theatre is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of actor John Slater. A versatile character actor, Slater appeared in various shows, including “Pinky and Perky,” “Jackanory,” and “Z Cars.” After a refurbishment in 1973, he took charge of the theatre and performed Whitehall Farces during two summer seasons. Sadly, Slater passed away in 1975, but his spectral presence lingers. Witnesses claim to have seen him treading the boards, still wearing the costume from his last performance. Additionally, the curtains have been known to draw themselves.
Churston Court
Churston Court is a grade II listed hotel and restaurant located between Paignton and Brixham. It has a fascinating history dating back to the Norman times. During the Norman 12th & 13th centuries Churston Court was used as a dower house (the widow of the owner of the Manor being of the Nonant, later Bozun, families of Totnes). It was in 1303 that the manor became Churston Ferrers after Alice Bozun married Hugo de Ferrers. They held their seat of power during the 14th century, despite challenges like the Black Death and the Peasants' Revolt.
Churston Court carries a long history and today continues as a property of character and service.
With it's almost thousand year history, it's no doubt that it has some spooky tales to go along with it. Monks have been seen to appear through the walls and then disappear again, while Lord Churston has also been witnessed in a flat cap and tweed suit. Candles have also been known to blow out and relight themselves.
Torquay Museum
Torquay Museum began as two grand Victorian villas, designed by the visionary architect William Kitson. Later, Kitson converted these villas into a museum to showcase his personal collections.
The original decor, including elaborate plasterwork and fine fireplaces remain intact.
The museum houses many diverse collections including treasures from Ancient Egypt including a mummified boy and his unique royal coffin, to Agatha Christie's sets, props and costumes from TV adaptations of her novels.
Not only is the museum a respected, cultural building but also a place where ghostly tales come to life. Paranormal experts investigating the museum's Egyptian room captured a photo of a veiled woman, believed to be a ghost. New small fingerprints have been found within the 2000 year old coffin which had not been opened for a decade to a 300 year old crib rocking itself.