Come see my stomping grounds
One of my favourite things to do in my free time when the weather is ‘nice’ aka not pouring with rain is go for walks.
I know it’s original as hell.
My partner and I both very much enjoy visiting places that are owned by the National Trust and have both been members at various points in time. Aside from serving the purpose of preserving our historic landmarks they also happen to maintain some amazing places (recent controversies aside).
Today I want to tell you about super awesome, potentially haunted, National Trust places that are well worth a visit.
Blickling Hall
Blicking Hall and Gardens is one of my favourite places to visit. We’ve been there many times and each time we find something new to grab our attention. It also helps that it’s just up the road from where we live. In November 2021 for example (our most recent visit) we had a nice walk around the park, looking for deer and instead found the mausoleum which is a large black pyramid in the middle of English woodland.
According to the National Trust, the Hall is haunted by Anne Boleyn, her headless ghost is said to return every year on 19 May, the anniversary of her execution.
As night falls, Anne Boleyn’s ghost rides up to the house, in a coach drawn by a headless horseman, with her own head on her lap. The moment the coach arrives in front of the house it vanishes into thin air.
Blickling is also said to be haunted by the ghost of Sir Thomas (Anne Boleyn’s father). Each year his ghost has to attempt to cross 12 bridges before cockcrow. His frantic route takes him from Blickling to Aylsham, Burgh, Buxton, Coltishall, Meyton, Oxnead and Wroxham.
Lastly, the Hall is also haunted by the spirit of Sir John Falstofe, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Falstaff.
Felbrigg Hall
Another Norfolk favourite I’m afraid, it’s almost like I visit local places!
This Hall was once owned by William Windhall 3rd who had a fascination with all things books (kindred spirit right there). It is said that his fascination with reading lasted long after his death with his ghost appearing in the library to catch up on his reading.
In 1809 after William had inherited the Hall a fire broke out in a friends library and William, who couldn’t bear to see the books burn tried to rescue them and was injured. He died from his injuries a few short weeks later.
Dunster Castle
Not a Norfolk one! This castle is in Somerset is said to be haunted by Phantom Soldiers and people have seen floating lights, strange apparitions and skeletons chained together in the dungeon. Dogs are said to act strangely around the gatehouse also.
There are three main stories for this castle, the man in green, who has been seen in the shop (used to be the stable). The voices in the Blue Kitchen, which several people have reported hearing. Lastly, the seven-foot tall skeleton of a prisoner was found manacled to a wall, with dogs absolutely refusing to go near where the body was found.
Letters from a Horror Writer 
I’ve always found the history that goes with stories of hauntings in places like these fascinating. There was a really good, old four-episode series about castle ghosts in the British Isles, hosted by the late Robert Hardy. I recommend it if you haven’t seen it.
Interesting note about Falstaff; I’d read an account of another inspiration behind the character–a Protestant martyr named Sir John Oldcastle, which was apparently the character’s original name, but Shakespeare was forced to change it due to Oldcastle’s unhappy relatives (he also had to change the characters Harvey and Russell to Peto and Bardolph).
I’ll give it a watch, thank you for the recommendation 😁
You’re welcome.