Myths, Beasts, and Ghostly Encounters: Cornwall's Haunting Legends
Steeped in ancient history and surrounded by rugged landscapes, Cornwall’s misty moors, forgotten castles, and shadowy woodlands have long been the setting for tales of the supernatural. For centuries, locals and visitors alike have whispered of strange creatures, haunted ruins, and restless spirits that still roam these lands. Read on to discover a few of our favourite haunted spots in Cornwall, where eerie legends and ghostly encounters await those brave enough to explore.
Beasts and Supernatural beings
Beast of Bodmin Moor
The windswept expanses of Bodmin Moor are home to one of Cornwall’s most infamous legends: the Beast of Bodmin. Described as a large, black panther-like creature with glowing eyes, this beast has allegedly stalked the moor for decades, leaving behind sightings, strange livestock deaths, and unexplained paw prints. While no concrete evidence of the creature has been found, locals swear that it’s more than just a myth. Some believe the beast to be a ghostly predator, forever haunting the wild moors, while others think it’s an escaped exotic pet from long ago. Regardless, the Beast of Bodmin Moor remains an enduring and eerie presence.
Owlman of Mawnan Wood
Deep in the shadowy woodland of Mawnan, near Falmouth, lurks another mysterious creature: the Owlman. With sightings going back as far as 1926, the Owlman is described as a man-sized, feathered being with the face of an owl and piercing red eyes. Witnesses reported its unnerving, shrill screeches and bat-like wings. Some claim it’s a cryptid, while others suggest it could be a supernatural harbinger of doom. The Owlman’s legend persists, adding a chilling layer to the already spooky atmosphere of Mawnan Wood.
Morgawr
Morgawr, meaning "sea giant" in Cornish, is a legendary sea creature said to haunt the waters off Falmouth Bay. Sightings of this mysterious creature, often described as a long, hump-backed serpent, have occurred as far back as 1903, when Captain White encountered a tusked beast near Longships lighthouse. In 1926, two fishermen hauled an unidentifiable creature onto their boat, but it thrashed violently, breaking free and leaving behind blood and fur. The 1970s saw a surge in sightings, with grainy photographs emerging of a snake-like creature captured along the Helford River. Whether it’s a prehistoric survivor or a trick of the mind, Morgawr remains one of Cornwall’s enduring maritime mysteries.
Castles and Keeps
Pendennis Castle
Pendennis Castle, overlooking the Fal Estuary, has witnessed centuries of warfare, sieges, and tragedy. Built in the 16th century, the castle is said to be haunted by soldiers who perished during the brutal siege of 1646. Apparitions, including the tragic figure of a kitchen maid who fell to her death, are regularly reported. Eerie footsteps on a long-abandoned staircase is a common experience for visitors to this fortress.
Tintagel Castle
Tintagel Castle, with its ties to King Arthur and Merlin, is shrouded in myth and magic. But beyond the legend lies something more sinister. The castle ruins, perched on a rugged cliff edge, are said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who perished here. The ghost of Merlin is said to haunt the caves beneath the castle, while mysterious figures have been seen wandering the ruins. Some have reported seeing a shadowy figure, thought to be the spirit of King Arthur himself, while others claim to hear whispers on the wind.
Lanhydrock
After a devastating fire in 1881 claimed the life of Lady Robartes, her spirit is said to wander the halls, appearing as a grey-clad woman in the Long Gallery and Drawing Room. Visitors often report the unsettling scent of cigar smoke in empty rooms, while eerie sounds, like children's laughter, echo through the Nursery Suite. With sightings of a former maid who died in a tragic fall, and shadowy figures lurking in the gallery, Lanhydrock remains one of Cornwall’s most haunted locations.
Cotehele House
Cotehele House, built between 1485 and 1687, hides a haunting presence within its historic walls. Visitors often report a herbal scent and the sound of faint music drifting through the rooms. The most famous apparition is a ghostly girl in a white dress, seen gliding silently through the halls. Shadows flicker in the corners, and footsteps echo in empty corridors, leaving guests with a lingering sense of unease.
Prideaux Place
Prideaux Place, built in 1592 on the remains of a dissolved monastery, is home to several ghostly figures. The most famous is Honor Fortescue, said to haunt the house after leaping from a balcony. One electrician was so terrified by her presence that he fled the building, vowing never to return.
St Michael’s Mount
St Michael’s Mount, a mystical island fortress, is steeped in legends from the dark ages. The most famous tale is of Cormoran, a giant said to have lived on the island before being slain by Jack the Giant Killer. Visitors claim to have seen a tall ghostly figure, thought to be linked to the discovery of a 7'8" hermit’s remains within the chapel.
Other spectral figures include a ghostly monk and the Lady in Grey, the former nanny of the St Aubyn family, who took her own life after a tragic love affair. Even the surrounding waters carry eerie tales, with fishermen reporting the sound of phantom church bells and ghostly whispers around Mounts Bay.
Pubs and Inns
Jamaica Inn
Perhaps Cornwall’s most famous haunted pub, Jamaica Inn is notorious for its association with smugglers and ghostly goings-on. The inn’s isolated location made it the perfect hideout for criminals, where illicit contraband could be hidden and deals whispered under cover of night. The building’s walls seem to hold the secrets of these shadowy figures, whose presence still lingers in the form of phantom footsteps, disembodied laughter and the sound of hoofbeats on the moor.
The Crumplehorn Inn
Though only an inn since 1972, The Crumplehorn Inn harbours a history far older—and perhaps darker—than its charming appearance lets on. Guests have reported shadowy figures vanishing in the bar, and a barmaid once saw the toilet door creak open and close by itself late one night.
Former owner Andrew Taylor, living in the inn’s 16th century mill house, once woke to see a figure smoking in his bedroom, only for it to vanish. Night after night, Andrew and his wife, Ann heard whispers in the loft—voices of a man and woman, even though the loft had no door. Ann, a psychic, believed the voices belonged to a World War I deserter and his lover, who once hid in the loft before the soldier’s tragic capture and death.
The Bucket of Blood
The Bucket of Blood pub in Hayle has a chilling past that lingers in its very name. The legend dates back to the 18th century, when the pub’s landlord, expecting to draw water from the well, pulled up a bucket of blood instead. Upon investigation, locals found the mutilated remains of an excise officer, murdered by smugglers trying to protect their secret operation. The ghost of the murdered officer is said to roam the pub, often seen near the well where he met his untimely fate. Patrons have reported feeling phantom hands pushing them, and staff frequently find furniture mysteriously rearranged overnight.
The Jolly Sailor
Known affectionately as “the Jolly,” The Jolly Sailor has stood since 1516, welcoming seafarers, smugglers, and travellers through its doors. Smugglers once found refuge here, with stories of a crafty landlady hiding barrels of contraband beneath her skirts, knitting calmly as the authorities searched the inn. One of the most frequently spotted is a coachman in a frock coat, seen drifting silently through the tavern with a distant, faraway gaze. A young girl’s spirit also roams the inn, often slipping through walls without a sound. Another spirit, a woman in antique dress, has even been known to speak briefly to guests before vanishing. The most curious of all is a small white rabbit that hops through the corridors, seemingly searching for something lost long ago.
If you're fascinated by Cornwall's haunted past and want to uncover even more locations steeped in mystery and history, click below to discover a treasure trove of historic sites and legendary tales waiting to be explored.
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