CORNWALL LOCATIONS
Cornwall is a gateway to the spectral realm, and there is much here to attract and engage the attention and the interest of the intrepid seeker after the mysterious and the paranormal.
Indeed, haunted Cornwall offers such an abundance of myth and legend that, over the centuries, a formidable array of supernatural and fantastical tales have been woven against its rich backcloth of bleak moors, rugged coastlines and sleepy villages.
Tales of menacing mermaids and mysterious creatures of evil intent abound in some of the remote coastal villages; whilst stories of demon hounds and saintly men of God are everywhere. Add to all this the tangible remains of nearly 5,000 years of history and you really do have a rich seam of lore and legend that can arouse feelings of awe and wonder in even the most jaded 21st century city dweller.
All in all the haunted and mystical locations of Cornwall offer some truly magnificent places in which to hunt for ghosts and to root out ancient mysteries.
THE A - Z OF CORNISH
GHOSTS AND LEGENDS
BODMIN JAIL
- Berrycoombe Rd
Bodmin, PL31 2NR
Built in 1779, Bodmin Jail is a truly creepy place and the ghosts of several prisoners who were executed here now haunt the crumbling interior.
THE BOTATHEN GHOST
- A Field
Near South Petherwin
In 2018, there were reports that a ghost, which had first appeared in 1665, was haunting a house near the village of South Petherwin.
THE BUCKET OF BLOOD
- 14 Church Town Road
Phillack, TR27 5AE.
A nefarious tale of a bloody murder is said to have given rise to the unusual name of the Bucket of Blood Inn, a place that has several ghosts.
COTEHELE
- Saltash, St Dominick
Callington PL12 6TA
Cotehele is blessed with a wonderful atmosphere and is possessed of a distinct otherworldly ambience to which the ghosts just have to return.
THE CRUMPLEHORN INN
- The Coombes
Looe PL13 2RJ
Although this place has only been an inn since 1972, the Crumplehorn has several resident wraiths to go with the friendly welcome that visitors receive.
THE DOLPHIN TAVERN
- Quay St
Penzance, TR18 4BD
Penzance's Dolphin Tavern, is one of Cornwall's famous haunted taverns, and many a ghost appears to enjoy its hospitality.
DOZMARY POOL
- Bodmin Moor
Nr. Bolventor
Legends aplenty come marching out of the Cornish mists that swirl around the brooding waters of this sinister little pool on Bodmin Moor.
HELLA POINT
- Hella Point
Near Porthgwarra
The sea-sprayed splendour of Hella Point is the perfect setting for a poignant tale of love and loss between a sailor and his faithful lover.
JAMAICA INN
- Bolventor
Launceston PL15 7TS
Despite the fact it is a sprawling complex, parts of the Jamaica inn are truly atmospheric and numerous ghosts are said to reside within it walls.
THE JOLLY SAILOR
- Princes Square
Looe, PL13 2EP
Apparitions aplenty can be encountered by visitors inside the delightful and atmospheric Jolly Sailor, an inn that is steeped in history and legend.
LAND'S END
- Just Keep walking, you'll know when you've reached it!
Legend holds that, beyond the rugged cliffs of Land's End, there stretches the submerged kingdom of Lyonesse, a place where mystery abounds.
LANHYDROC
- Bodmin
PL30 4AB
Originally built in 1630, Lanhydroc is a house that has known tragedy, and, in consequence, several ghosts are said to haunt its atmospheric interior.
LANYON QUOIT
- Madron
Penzance TR20 8NY
Despite indignities and damage that the elements and locals have heaped upon this Cornish Dolmen, it still maintains its dignity and is an impressive sight.
MEN-AN-TOL
- Nr. Morvah
Penzance
Mên-an-Tol is an impressive, though small, formation of standing stones about which tradition has a great deal to say and around which legends swirl.
PENGERSICK CASTLE
- Praa Sands
Penzance TR20 9SJ
Pengerisck Castle is one of Britain's most haunted locations and can boast numerous ghost. But it is also possesses an aura of true enchantment.
POLDARK MINE
- Trenear
Helston, TR13 0ES
Ghosts aplenty haunt the chilly and chilling depths of the Poldark Mine, one of which is a malevolent miner who is, to say the least, unwelcoming!
PENDENNIS CASTLE
- Castle Drive
Falmouth, TR11 4LP
Built by Henry VIII in the 1540s to thwart threats of invasion, the imposing fortress of Pendennis Castle has a stormy past and is home to several ghosts.
THE PUNCH BOWL INN
- Lanreath
Looe
A wonderfully melodramatic ghost, that of a cockerel, used to haunt the Punch Bowl Inn in Lanreath, until the pub served its last pint on 1st May 2012.
ROCHE ROCK
- Near The Cricket Club
Roche
Crowned by the haunting ruin of a medieval chapel that is dedicated to St Michael, the guardian of high places, and it is steeped in Cornish legend.
ST BARTHOLOMEW'S
- Warleggan
Bodmin PL30 4HB
There is an aura of mystery about the lovely little church of St Bartholomew, which is haunted by the ghost of an eccentric former vicar.
THE ST KEW INN
- St Kew
Bodmin PL30 3HB
Building work in this lovely old inn, once uncovered the skeleton of a girl who then proceeded to become the resident ghost at the inn.
ST MICHAEL'S MOUNT
- Marazion,
TR17 OHS
Legends of one of England's most legendary figures, Jack the Giant Killer, swirl around the sparkling jewel that is St Michael's Mount.
ST PIRAN'S CROSS
- Penhale Sands
Perranporth, TR6 0AQ
Cornwall's oldest stone cross, on Penhale Sands, remembers St. Piran, the man who is said to have brought tin to Cornwall.
ST SENARA'S CHURCH
- Zennor
Saint Ives, TR26 3BY
A time-battered chair inside Zennor's St Senara's Church has on it the carving of a mermaid behind which lies a poignant legend.
THE THREE PILCHARDS
- Quay Rd
Polperro, PL13 2QZ
The Three Pilchards is Polperro's oldest pub, dating back to the early 16th century. It's also haunted by the reverberation of a long-ago crime.
TINNERS ARMS
- Zennor, St Ives
TR26 3BY
The Tinners Arms in the village of Zennor, is as welcoming a pub as you could wish for, and several ghosts are prone to return to its cosy interior.
TINTAGEL CASTLE
- Castle Road
Tintagel, PL34 0HEB
The dramatic cliff top ruins of Tintagel Castle are steeped in history and legend. It was here, so tradition holds, that King Arthur was conceived.
TRERICE
- Kestle Mill
Near Newquay, TR8 4PG
Trerice is an Elizabethan manor house which remains rooted in a bygone age. Several former residents are said to return to its timeless interior as ghosts.
TRETHEVY QUOIT
- Off B3254, Nr Darite
St Cleer, PL14 5JY
An air of mystery hangs heavy over this ancient dolmen and many legends comes march out of the mist-shrouded past to imbue it with an aura of wonder.
THE TRISTAN STONE
- By the roadside
Between Fowey and Castle Dore.
Legend holds that this seven-foot tall, weather-beaten monolith once marked the grave of the legendary lover Tristan, the nephew of King Mark of Cornwall.