The Seaman of Bush Inn
The Bush Inn in Morwenstow, Cornwall, is one of England's oldest pubs, with a ghostly presence that's been making waves for centuries. They say the spirit of a sailor haunts the building, possibly one of the unknown men who washed up on the nearby beach. Locals and visitors alike have reported strange occurrences and sightings, adding to the inn's reputation as a hotbed of paranormal activity.
Dating back to the 16th century, the Bush Inn has seen its fair share of history, including tales of smugglers and shipwrecks along the Cornish coast. The ghostly sailor is thought to be connected to these tragic events, with some believing he may have been a victim of the treacherous seas. While there's no concrete evidence to pinpoint the exact date or circumstances of his death, the haunting manifestations continue to intrigue and unsettle those who experience them.
16th-century inn with a rich history of smuggling and shipwrecks
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Cursed Chest of Morwenstow
Stanbury Manor, Morwenstow
Stanbury Manor in Morwenstow, Cornwall, is home to a rather unusual and intriguing haunting - the Cursed Chest. This chest is said to contain an evil presence that causes furniture to move around. Legend has it that two old women who previously owned the chest were struck deaf when they first opened it, releasing the malevolent spirit trapped inside. The chest was later delivered to Stanbury Manor, where the spirit is believed to still be active, causing unexplained disturbances.
Tonacombe Manor Ghostly Apparitions
Tonacombe Manor, Morwenstow
Tonacombe Manor in Morwenstow is home to a variety of ghostly residents. A short, balding man dressed in black is one of several apparitions said to roam the halls. Alongside him, a phantom woman in Elizabethan clothing carrying a large bunch of keys has been spotted, and another ghostly woman appears more as a mist than a solid figure. The sound of something or someone being dragged across the floor adds to the eerie atmosphere of this historic manor.
Parson Hawker's Ghostly Apparition
Church and general area, Morwenstow
In the quaint village of Morwenstow, Cornwall, a most intriguing haunting has been reported at the local church. It's said that Parson Robert Hawker, a legendary figure in his own lifetime, continues to roam the church and surrounding areas. One witness, engrossed in their bible, was startled to see a figure clad in dark red robes, topped with either a hood or an unusual hat, standing in the centre aisle. The apparition vanished into thin air, leaving the witness stunned. This remarkable sighting occurred on a late summer afternoon in 2024, reigniting interest in the folklore surrounding Parson Hawker's ghostly wanderings.
Knocking
, RAF Cleave
RAF Cleave was a flurry of activity during World War II, with WAAF huts bustling with personnel. But it wasnt just the living who made their presence known. The base was said to be haunted by strange knocking sounds that seemed to emanate from nowhere in particular. Armed guards were tasked with tracking down the source of the noise but they were unable to pinpoint it. The sounds were loud enough to be a nuisance but they didnt seem to be malevolent. They simply started one day and stopped a few weeks later, leaving behind a mystery that has become a footnote in the history of paranormal activity in Cornwall.
The Vanishing Castle Figure
The Castle, Bude
The Castle in Bude, Cornwall, is said to be home to a mysterious and elusive presence. A gardener once spotted a shadowy figure within the locked building, which promptly vanished as he gained access. It's as if the figure was a fleeting apparition, a ghostly visitation that didn't want to be seen. The castle's history is long and complex, but this particular incident has left many wondering about the nature of the paranormal activity that seems to occur here.
Sea Serpent
Off coast, Bude
Out in the choppy waters off Bude's coast, a strange creature has been spotted lurking beneath the surface. In October 1883 and again in October 1911, the vicar of the local parish reported a mysterious sea serpent gliding through the waves at a pace of around 25 miles per hour. As it moved through the water, it left behind an oily wake that glistened in the sunlight. The sightings were notable for their speed and the trail of oil that followed the creature.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Bush Inn Inn

The Devil's Stone Inn
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The Wellington Hotel
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Camelot Castle Hotel
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