Cornwall is one of the most atmospheric counties in the UK. With vast moors, mysterious rock formations and a rugged coastline renowned for shipwrecks, it is the perfect setting for tales of mystery and paranormal occurrences!
As we head into the colder months, what better way to spend an evening than cosying up in our Truro holiday cottages with a hot drink and some nail-biting tales to keep you entertained? Discover some of our favourite Cornish ghost stories, from phantom ships to evil spirits!
The Lost Land of Lyonesse
Once the home of Tristan in the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult, Lyonesse is now more famously recognised as a mythical lost land off the coast of Cornwall.
The legend of Lyonesse is of a kingdom living on fertile land which once connected Land’s End on the western coast of Cornwall with the Isles of Scilly. Then, on one stormy night, it was swallowed by the ocean.
Only one man was thought to have survived the tragedy, who, by a stroke of luck, was hunting. Upon hearing the noise of the massive surge of water, he rode away on his white horse towards Land’s End. As he ferociously escaped, his horse lost one shoe. The symbol of three horseshoes and a white horse is used on some family crests by those who believe they are his descendants.
This ghostly tale has been enhanced over the years by fishermen who claim to hear the eerie ringing of church bells underneath the water around Land’s End and the Isles of Scilly to this day.
The Ghost of Jan Tregeagle
One of Cornwall’s most feared ghosts is the spirit of Jan Tregeagle. Once a Cornish magistrate and lawyer in the 17th Century, Jan Tregeagle was infamous for his evil acts, including the murder of his wife. Allegedly in alliance with the devil, he was believed to appear and testify at his court case after his death… spooky!
In the horror that he may not be able to be sent back to hell, he was ordered to do a series of laborious and mind-numbing tasks until judgment day. His first task was to withdraw all the water from Dozmary Pool, a lake on Bodmin Moor once believed to be bottomless, using a limpet shell with a hole in it!
Eventually, after escaping his punishments, St Petroc was summoned to fasten him in chains, where he was then taken to Helston.
The Whooper of Sennen Cove
A classic fisherman’s tale. The beautiful Sennen Cove, now one of Cornwall’s most popular beaches, was once believed to be home to a mysterious phenomenon of sudden fog. Even on the clearest, sunniest day, random bouts of fog would mysteriously appear out of nowhere, accompanied by a strange whooping cry.
Locals believed this whooper to be a warning of impending storms, a signal not to go out to sea, coming from a mysterious force. Until one day, two fishermen ignored the warning and went out to sea anyway. Those two fishermen never returned.
Some believe the whooper left Sennen Cove after that night. Others wonder if it’s still out there in the fog, trying to warn sailors to this day.
Land’s End’s Ghostly Church Bells
At Land’s End lies a mysterious graveyard where the sound of bells can be heard chiming at midnight. It is believed the bells come from the ghost of a sea captain, who is in denial that his ship has sunk.
It is a sign of terrible luck if a sailor hears those church bells – one sailor was lost at sea after reportedly hearing the bad omen.
The Twelve O’Clock Stone
Are you familiar with logan stones? A logan stone is a large stone that is naturally balanced and rocks with the smallest force, such as wind. At Nancledra, just inland from St Ives, a tale tells of a now-lost logan stone which only ever rocked at midnight.
It was rumoured to be the meeting place of witches, and those who wanted to convert would secretly visit the stone. They had to touch the rock nine times at midnight. Its powers were believed to cure children of illnesses if they lay on it at midnight and it still rocked – but only if their parents were married!
The Ghost Ship of Porthcurno
Shipwrecks used to be a common occurrence around Cornwall, which has given birth to various stories about ghosts haunting the waters. Another of these is the Ghost Ship of Porthcurno, an old vessel supposedly seen regularly off the beach’s coastline.
Some believe the ghost ship is the remains of one such shipwreck, potentially tied to Cornish smugglers who would regularly go missing without a trace in the treacherous waters. Others believe it was an optical illusion caused on a foggy day. Whatever it is, it’s a reminder of how spooky the Cornish coast could be.
There are many more Cornish ghost stories to discover – many of the most convincing are ones passed down by locals, specific to small towns and villages. No matter where you visit on your Cornwall holiday, here’s hoping you enjoy a spooky escape!
