Explore Shrewsbury's Best Ghost Tales for October nights

Fallen Soldiers of Bosworth (Henry Tudor House)

In Barracks Passage linger the ghosts of Henry Tudor's soldiers, killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. They stopped in Shrewsbury on the way to battle in 1485 – in fact, the passage is said to have been named for the barracks they stayed in.

People visiting Henry Tudor House may see the shadowy figures of soldiers milling about, as if awaiting their marching orders, and people passing the pub may glimpse pale faces peering out of the windows.

Cursed Milk Seller (Smithfield Road / Raven Meadow)

Folklore has it that a milk-seller in the old Raven Meadow area boosted her profits by selling watered down milk to her neighbours – while charging them the full price. It’s not known exactly when this crime occurred, but when her deceit was uncovered, the furious townsfolk saw to it that a curse was placed on the woman, fating her to walk the area for eternity after death, reciting her confession: ‘Weight and Measure Sold I Never, Milk and Water Sold I Ever.’

The harsh punishment seems to have been effective, as townsfolk report seeing her to this day, wandering aimlessly about the area and repeating the same old rhyme.

Jilted Lovers (Prince Rupert Hotel)

The Prince Rupert Hotel is one of Shrewsbury’s ghostly hotspots – its conference suite, once the Prince Philip Suite, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a bride who hanged herself when her new husband left her on her wedding night. Room 7, meanwhile, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young man who killed himself on discovering his fiancée had eloped with his best friend.

Perhaps someone should make an introduction?

Another spectre takes the form of a man in a nightshirt, who appeared in a hallway and just as quickly vanished before the eyes of the Director of Photography on A Christmas Carol (1984) when he stayed in the hotel during filming.

Infirmary Ghosts (The Parade)

Before it was a shopping centre, the Parade was the Royal Salop Infirmary – a hospital in operation from 1744 to 1977.

Two ghosts regularly spook shop workers and building staff. One, a poltergeist, has been known to throw shop displays, goods, and furniture on the floor overnight when the building is unoccupied.

Another, the White Lady, haunts the rooms which used to be the operating theatres. Some believe her appearance signals that someone is about to die.

Mischievous Emily (Ten & Six)

Mardol’s name means ‘The Devil’s End’ and some of its timber-framed buildings date back to the 13^th century – no surprise to find ghoulish goings on here!

Occupying one of the street’s oldest buildings, quirky tearoom and champagne bar Ten & Six is said to be haunted by a ghost called Emily who plays tricks by moving things around, knocking glasses and cups over and banging on doors.