The Hauntings of Berry Pomeroy Castle: One of the Most Haunted Castles in the UK

 

Berry Pomeroy castle is said to be one of the most haunted castles in the UK but many of the ghost stories associated with the castle are not rooted in its largely bloodless history.

The growth of the Romantic movement in the late 18th century meant that many tourists visited to the castle and with the growth of the nearby towns of Torquay and Paignton, more and more people began to visit the abandoned castle. The dramatic ruins naturally made visitors think of spectral inhabitants and ghostly figures roaming the now deteriorating corridors.

 The main ghost stories associated with Berry Pomeroy castle have no rootings in it's history and are mainly based on the incorrect belief that it was a Norman castle. But whether they are based in any truth or not, we all love a good ghost story. So what are the most chilling tales associated with Berry Pomeroy castle?

The Pomeroy Brothers

One story tells the tale of the two Pomeroy brothers taking their horses and galloping off the edge of a cliff following their defeat during a siege and their ghosts no roam the ruins. 

However, this is actually a story that took place at St Michael's on the Mount and there was never a siege at Berry Pomeroy castle. 

The Blue Lady

The Blue Lady was a member of the Pomeroy family who, according to some sources, became pregnant with her Father's child and so killed her child as soon as it was born. She now wonders the castle in remorse and is said to lure visitors to their deaths. 

This story was originally told by the Physician, Sir Walter Farquhar who said he encountered the Blue Lady in a panelled room with a stained glass window.

St Margaret's tower where Elinor Pomeroy is said to have locked and starved her sister.

St Margaret's Tower

The White Lady

The most famous of all hauntings of Berry Pomeroy castle is the story of the White Lady which originates from the Gothic tale, The Castle of Berry Pomeroy. The tale is one of Elinor Pomeroy who was jealous of her sister, Matilda (later the character was renamed Margaret), as she was prettier the she was and because they were both in love with the same man. This jealousy drove Elinor to lock her sister in St Margaret's tower and starved her to death.

Although none of these stories have any historical basis, many people continue to report sightings of the and paranormal phenomena including, cold spots, strange lights, feelings of terror, cameras and cars malfunctioning and just a general feeling of dread.