Cornwall may be known for its sweeping coastlines, charming fishing villages, and summer holidays, but it also has a spookier side. With its rugged landscapes, ancient stone circles, haunted inns, and chilling legends, Cornwall is the perfect place to explore if you’re in the mood for something spine-tingling this Halloween.
Whether you’re a history buff who loves ghost stories or are simply looking for a fun day out, here are some of the spookiest places to visit in Cornwall.
Jamaica Inn
Perched on the windswept expanse of Bodmin Moor, Jamaica Inn is perhaps Cornwall’s most famous haunted location. Dating back to 1750, the inn became notorious as a smuggler’s haunt, which has certainly helped to establish some of the paranormal encounters experienced here.
One of the most reported apparitions is the “Man in the Tricorn Hat,” a malevolent spirit of a highwayman seen wearing a three-cornered hat and walking through doors. Of all the spirits at Jamaica Inn, this is the only one people report as feeling sinister.
Other ghostly sightings at the Jamaica Inn include a young mother and her baby who appear in Room 5, as well as the ghost of a murdered smuggler who is seen in the courtyard outside the inn.
There are also stories of hearing disembodied sounds like horses’ hooves, wheels on gravel, echoing voices in old Cornish, and doors opening or lights reacting to no visible cause.
The inn’s own Smuggling Museum adds an extra layer of intrigue, so there’s still plenty to see here if you visit and don’t spot any ghosts!
Image Credit: Bodmin Gaol from Cardell Road by Steve Daniels under CC BY-SA 2.0
Bodmin Jail
If anywhere in Cornwall has a truly chilling atmosphere, it’s Bodmin Jail. Built in 1779, the jail housed criminals for over a century and was well-known for hosting public hangings that drew huge crowds outside its gates.
The building has since been restored as a visitor attraction, complete with immersive exhibitions and after-dark ghost tours. The eerie cells and execution pit make this one of the most spine-tingling experiences you can have in Cornwall.
The most frequently reported ghost sighting at Bodmin Jail is the spirit of Selina Wedge, a woman who was executed in 1878 for the murder of her son. Her spirit has been spotted wandering the jail, mostly by young children, who report seeing her reach out to them while crying.
Pendennis Castle
Perched high above the Fal Estuary, Pendennis Castle in Falmouth is not only one of Cornwall’s most impressive fortresses, but also one of its most haunted. The castle is said to be home to at least eight ghosts, with countless visitors and staff reporting unexplained sights and sounds over the years.
The most famous of these is Maud, a kitchen maid who, according to legend, fell to her death while carrying food to the family. Her piercing screams have echoed through the castle’s stone corridors ever since. Alongside Maud’s cries, there have been reports of children’s laughter, phantom footsteps, and even heavy boots treading up a staircase that no longer exists.
Whether these are echoes of Pendennis’ long and turbulent history or something more supernatural, the castle’s haunting reputation remains one of the strongest in Cornwall.
Tintagel Castle
Famous as the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle sits on a dramatic cliff top above the crashing Atlantic. Beyond the Arthurian tales, Tintagel is also said to be haunted by restless spirits who wander the ruins. On a misty day, the ruined battlements and echoing caves below create a hauntingly beautiful setting that will send shivers down your spine.
There are five ghosts associated with the area around Tintagel Castle. Three of these spirits are believed to haunt the nearby Camelot House Hotel, where they’re known for their mischievous antics: knocking paintings off walls, upturning bins, and even waking guests in the middle of the night to offer them ghostly “bed baths.”
Another apparition is thought to be a former hotel employee from the 1940s, often seen walking the path between the hotel and his old cottage.
The most famous ghost of all, however, is said to be Merlin himself. The legendary wizard is believed to dwell within a cave beneath Tintagel Castle, occasionally emerging to chant in unknown languages, perhaps continuing to weave his spells over this most magical corner of Cornwall.
Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor is a place where legend, history, and haunting intertwine amid the wild, windswept landscape. Famous for its rugged beauty and sense of isolation, the moor has long been a source of eerie tales and supernatural intrigue.
Perhaps the most infamous is the story of the Beast of Bodmin Moor, a mysterious large black cat said to prowl the heather-clad hills. Since the 1980s, there have been more than 60 reported sightings of this elusive creature, described as panther-like with sharp, gleaming teeth and eyes that glint in the darkness.
It’s not only phantom beasts that are said to haunt Bodmin. The ghost of Charlotte Dymond, a young servant girl murdered by her lover on 14th April 1844, is said to appear each year on the anniversary of her death. Dressed in her Sunday best, she walks the misty paths near Rough Tor, her presence a sorrowful reminder of the moor’s darker history.
Image Credit: Alice Penger under CC BY-SA 4.0
Pengersick Castle
Pengersick Castle, near Praa Sands, is often hailed as one of the most haunted places in Cornwall, and with a history spanning over five thousand years, it’s little wonder why. The surviving four-storey Tudor tower, built in the 16th century, was once home to the infamous Pengersick family, whose dark deeds have seemingly left a lasting supernatural imprint.
Chief among them was Henry Pengersick, a violent and feared man who was excommunicated after murdering a monk from Hailes Abbey. Many believe this ill-fated monk still roams the grounds, his shadowy form drifting through the castle’s corridors as a reminder of Henry’s cruelty.
Henry’s young wife, Engrina, is another spirit said to linger within the walls. Guests staying in the master bedroom often report waking to see a woman gazing out of the window before turning, lying upon the four-poster bed, and clutching her stomach in silent agony, perhaps a tragic replay of her death. A second female ghost, thought to be a maid, is also said to pass through the wall and appear beside the bed.
Beyond these tormented souls, visitors have witnessed strange light orbs and mists drifting through the castle, a phantom black cat prowling the grounds, and even a demonic hound with glowing red eyes. With its blood-soaked history, spectral apparitions, and eerie atmosphere, Pengersick Castle remains one of Cornwall’s most chilling and enduringly haunted sites.
Image Credit: Prideaux Place by Derek Harper under CC BY-SA 2.0
Prideaux Place
Prideaux Place, an elegant Elizabethan manor overlooking Padstow, has stood since 1592 and remains home to the same family who built it; the Prideaux-Brunes. With more than four centuries of history, it’s no surprise that the house has gathered its share of ghostly tales.
Among the most frequently reported spirits is that of a young scullery boy, often seen darting through the old kitchen quarters, and a lady in nineteenth-century dress who quietly sews in the morning room. These spectral figures seem content to simply replay fragments of the past, but not all the manor’s ghosts are so peaceful…
The most infamous is Honor Fortescue, wife of Humphrey Prideaux, who tragically threw herself from the upper balcony after his death. Her restless spirit is said to remain in the house, storming through the bedrooms and chasing startled visitors away. Whether these are echoes of long-lost lives or something spookier, Prideaux Place exudes an atmosphere where history and haunting seem to intertwine.
Image Credit: Kennall Vale by Ashley Dace under CC BY-SA 2.0
Kennall Vale
Kennall Vale, near Ponsanooth, is today a peaceful woodland reserve filled with lush greenery, moss-covered ruins, and the gentle sound of water, but beneath its tranquil surface lies a haunting past.
Once one of Britain’s largest gunpowder works, Kennall Vale was a place of both industry and danger, supplying explosives to Cornwall’s mining operations throughout the 19th century. In 1838, tragedy struck when a series of explosions ripped through the site, destroying five mills and claiming the lives of several workers. Among them was William Dunstan, a local man who left behind a widow and ten children.
Locals and visitors alike say Dunstan’s spirit still lingers among the remnants of the old mills, wandering the overgrown paths and ruined buildings where he met his end. Though now a favourite spot for walkers and photographers, Kennall Vale carries the echoes of its tragic history, with whispers of the past seeming to cling to every stone.
Image Credit: Mevagissey – The Ship Inn by Rob Farrow under CC BY-SA 2.0
The Ship Inn
Nestled in the picturesque fishing village of Mevagissey, The Ship Inn may look like your typical cosy Cornish pub, but it hides a ghostly secret beneath its welcoming charm. The spirit said to linger here is that of Lil Barron, a former landlady whose presence has been felt long after her passing.
According to local tales, Lil still keeps a watchful eye over her beloved pub, and in 2012, her spirit made that very clear. When her portrait mysteriously disappeared from the wall, the inn began to experience a series of unexplained floods, baffling staff and patrons alike.
It wasn’t until the missing picture was found and returned to its rightful place that the flooding abruptly stopped. Ever since, locals have been careful to leave Lil’s portrait undisturbed, just in case she decides to make her displeasure known again.
Wheal Coates
Perched dramatically on the cliffs above Chapel Porth near St Agnes, Wheal Coates stands as one of Cornwall’s most iconic mining ruins. Dating back to around 1870, this once-thriving tin and copper mine was worked by generations of Cornish miners who risked their lives daily in the perilous underground tunnels. Today, the site, now cared for by the National Trust, draws visitors for its breathtaking coastal views and evocative remains.
Yet, beneath its rugged beauty lies a lingering sense of sorrow. Many believe the spirits of those who lost their lives in the mine still haunt the ruins. Some visitors have reported hearing ghostly reminders of the men who once toiled deep beneath the Cornish cliffs.
If you’re in Cornwall this Halloween, why not swap pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating for an atmospheric evening exploring these haunted sites?
From crumbling castles to eerie moorland inns, Cornwall’s supernatural side offers thrills and chills for brave visitors. Just don’t forget a torch, a warm coat, and perhaps a friend to cling to when the shadows start to stir.
Our cottages in Truro make the perfect safe and cosy base to retreat to after your ghost-hunting adventures! Ideally positioned in central Cornwall, only ten minutes from Truro, it’s the perfect location for reaching each of these spooky spots in Cornwall.