Nestled in the picturesque Northumberland countryside, Chillingham Castle stands as a testament to centuries of history and intrigue. This medieval stronghold, dating back to the 12th century, has witnessed countless battles, royal visits, and historical events, making it one of the most fascinating and enduring castles in England. But beyond its formidable walls and grand architecture lies a darker, more mysterious side, filled with spine-chilling tales of hauntings and ghostly apparitions.
A Brief History of Chillingham Castle
Originally constructed as a monastery in the late 12th century, Chillingham Castle was transformed into a fortress by the Grey family, who owned the estate for over 800 years. Its strategic location near the Scottish border made it a key defensive stronghold during the turbulent medieval period. Over the centuries, the castle played host to various notable figures, including King Edward I, who used it as a staging point for his military campaigns against Scotland.
The castle underwent significant renovations in the 14th century, enhancing its fortifications and adding the imposing battlements that still stand today. Despite its primary function as a defensive structure, Chillingham also served as a luxurious residence, reflecting the wealth and status of its owners. However, the castle's long and tumultuous history is also marked by bloodshed and conflict, particularly during the Border Wars, where it became the scene of many violent skirmishes.
The Castle's Most Famous Ghost Stories
With such a storied past, it's no surprise that Chillingham Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in England. Visitors and paranormal enthusiasts flock to the castle, drawn by the eerie legends and ghostly tales that have been passed down through generations. Among the most famous of these stories are the hauntings of the "Blue Boy," the "White Pantry Ghost," and the "Ghost in the Chamber."
The Blue Boy
Perhaps the most well-known apparition at Chillingham Castle is the "Blue Boy." According to legend, the ghost of a young boy, dressed in blue, haunts the Pink Room. Guests have reported seeing blue flashes of light and hearing the agonizing cries of a child during the dead of night. The origin of the Blue Boy’s spirit is believed to be linked to the discovery of the bones of a boy and fragments of blue cloth hidden within the walls of the castle during renovations in the early 20th century. The tragic story suggests that the boy was bricked up alive, leading to his restless spirit wandering the halls.
The White Pantry Ghost
Another famous specter is the "White Pantry Ghost," a figure often seen in the castle's pantry. The ghost is said to be that of a frail woman dressed in white, who appears begging for water. The story goes that she was poisoned, and her desperate plea for water is a chilling reminder of her tragic end. Several staff and visitors have encountered this apparition, often feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness and urgency to help her.
The Ghost in the Chamber
The Grey family’s ancestral home also hosts the spirit of Lady Mary Berkeley, known as the "Ghost in the Chamber." Lady Mary was the wife of Lord Grey, who abandoned her for her sister. Heartbroken and left to raise her children alone, her spirit is said to linger in the castle, particularly in the room now known as the "Grey’s Apartment." Visitors have reported feeling a cold presence and hearing the rustle of a silk dress, believed to be Lady Mary wandering the halls, searching for her unfaithful husband.
I was lucky enough to stay overnight at Chillingham Castle with my best buddie and ghost hunting gal pal, Anne Rzechowicz from Oz Para Tech and we stayed in Lady Grey's apartment, right at the very top of some small and winding circular stairs.
This meant that taking our huge suitcases up to our room was impossible.
So, we chose a night bag with a few items and our ghost hunting gear.
The apartment was very large and it did feel like I had stepped back in time - the one thing that absolutely made me want to vomit was a huge elephant foot that was used as an umbrella stand which was in the corner of the room.
Thank goodness 'those' days are over!
Next thing was that we did not even get any complimentary coffee or tea, and for the price of the room that would have been the least they could have offered.
You know me and coffee - I must have it!
I guess this was a small inconvenience, but this room was bloody expensive!(yeah...I know...I've already said that it was expensive!)
The other thing was that we were supposed to be able to get into the dungeon, but it was locked - so that didn't happen either.
Last but not least is that we were there on the same night as another paranormal group and we encountered them as we sat downstairs conducting a quiet vigil around the big staircase in the internal courtyard.
These guys were so loud and took up so much space during their 'live'that it was impossible to continue and they were just not moving.
I tried to give some pretty serious hints and thought that they would understand that we were there too, but no, it was all about them and we ended up just going back to our room.
The night was pretty uneventful and after a short 'live' video to our Patreons we just went to bed.
Would I go again?
- I'd save myself some money and take something smaller in the Castle as there are a number of rooms to choose from and try and start my recording/experiements much earlier in the evening.
Chillingham is one of those places that reminds you of the grand castles you see on the big screen and for anyone who has never been in a Castle before this would be an epic one to choose as your first experience.
Did we have a spooky experience theremay she was also annoyed at the other ghost hunters there that night
Not really - I did want to have an experience expecially as we booked the Lady Grey room as it was said to be very haunted.
But maybe she was also annoyed at the other ghost hunting team there that night and decided to have an early night.
Maybe she could not be bothered showing them 'a sign'.
One last thing - we just may have left a copy of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in the apartment on our departure.
If you want to know more about our Chillingham Castle adventure and more about the ghost stories listen in to our podcast at the TRUE HAUNTINGS PODCAST on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/79suALRzGk9CTucICJmRX4
I hope you like the podcast so much that you listen to our other episodes and become a fan.
Thank you for reading.
#hauntedcastles #haunteduk #spookyisles #frightfullygoodholidays #anneandrenata #chillinghamcastle
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