Ham House in Richmond-on-Thames, is known as one of the most haunted buildings in Surrey.
But who haunts this house?
Over the years there have been many sightings, sounds and an unexplained scent of Roses around the house.
The first 'ghost' said to haunt the house is Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale.
Elizabeth was an ambitious and ruthless woman, befriending both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell so she could always have influence, no matter who won the civil war.
After the death of her first husband she re-married to the recently widowed John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale. Many speculate the close timings in both Elizabeths and John's spouses deaths... was their deaths less of an accident and more of a power play for Elizabeth?
Unfortunately after the death of her second husband, she fell in to financial difficulty and ill health had to resign her self to a single ground floor apartment in Ham House.
Apparently to this day there is a strange oppresive force you can feel in the room and pets are extremely reluctant to enter the room.
Staff before entering this room will often say Good afternoon your ladyship to keep her spirit happy.
There is also an old looking glass in her room, dating back to when she lived there. Most are afraid to look in to the glass, many who have looked in to it have felt as if someone is looking back at them.
Staff before entering this room will often say Good afternoon your ladyship to keep her spirit happy.
There is also an old looking glass in her room, dating back to when she lived there. Most are afraid to look in to the glass, many who have looked in to it have felt as if someone is looking back at them.
There is also a painting of Elizabeth in her younger days which many visitors and staff have felt was watching them when they were near it.
A woman in black has also been seen walking the grand staircase in the house, this is believed to be Elizabeth too. According to some tour guides, the third step is a bad place to stand, one tour guide felt something pushing them and had to steady themselves on the banister to avoid falling down the stairs. Maybe Elizabeth was in a bad mood and decided to take action...
Another ghostly figure seen about Ham House is that of a King Charles Spaniel, who was Elizabeth’s dog. The King Charles Spaniel has been see running up and down the long gallery at Ham House. I’m actually all on board with a ghost dog... how cute!
In the dining room you can smell tobacco, this is though to be John Maitland, Elizabeth’s second husband.
As well as the owners of the house still lingering on, apparently a servant named John McFarlane also haunts the house.
According to the stories, he was in love with a ladies maid. He arranged to meet her on the staircase and he planned to propose. Unfortunately she jilted him and he jumped out of the window, falling to his death.
John scratched his name and the date 1780 in to a window pane before he died, which can still be seen today.
Some say there are up to 16 ghosts that haunt Ham House..so maybe it is one of the most haunted locations in Surrey.
Some say there are up to 16 ghosts that haunt Ham House..so maybe it is one of the most haunted locations in Surrey.
Ham House is owned by the National Trust and they often do ghost tours, so maybe it’s time to book one and find out if the stories are true.
Have you ever been to Ham House? And if so, did you feel the presence of Elizabeth or any of the other ghostly beings?
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