Skip to main content

Newquay Smugglers' Ghost

Area between Towan beach and Belushi's Public House, Newquay, Cornwall Apparition 20th century

Newquay's scenic coastline has a darker side, particularly where the old smugglers' tunnel lies hidden between Towan Beach and Belushi's Public House. Locals whisper about a tragic event from the 1930s when a young woman lost her life in a tunnel collapse. They say her spirit still roams these parts, her sorrowful cries echoing through the night air. Some claim to have caught glimpses of her floating apparition, a fleeting but unmistakable presence.

The story goes back to the 1930s, an era of smuggling and secrecy in Cornwall. A young woman, exploring the hidden tunnels, met a tragic end when the structure gave way. Since then, people have reported hearing a woman's cries and occasionally spotting her ghostly form. While there's no concrete evidence, the legend has become an integral part of Newquay's folklore, drawing interest from those fascinated by the paranormal.

Historical Context

The 1930s smuggling era in Cornwall

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Public House vicinity
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
TR8

Nearby Haunted Places

Apparition 0 mi

The Theologian of Crantock Manor

Crantock Manor, Newquay

Deep within the walls of Crantock Manor, a place of quiet contemplation has been disturbed by the restless spirit of Doctor Pusey, a theologian from a bygone era. His ghost has been seen sitting by a window, lost in deep thought, as if pondering the mysteries of the universe. A guest at the manor, mistaking the phantom for a real person, attempted to strike up a conversation, only to be left feeling perplexed and somewhat annoyed when Pusey failed to respond. It wasnt until she complained to the owner about the 'rude man' that she was made aware of his true nature - a harmless but intriguing spectre.

Country House Early Twentieth Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Newquay Backpackers Ghost

Fistral Backpackers, Newquay

Fistral Backpackers in Newquay has a reputation for being one of the most haunted hostels in the UK. An employee had a strange encounter when they spotted the reflection of an older woman wearing a flowery dress walking past behind them. They spun around but there was no one there. This wasn't a one-off incident either - the same employee also heard their name being whispered when cleaning an empty room. It's unclear what the connection is between these events, but they certainly left a lasting impression.

Hostel Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.1 mi

Woman Speaking Old English Haunting

Unstated road in village, Veryan

In the sleepy Cornish village of Veryan, a chilling encounter took place on a cold January night in 2004. A witness was making his way down an unnamed road when he was suddenly confronted by two bizarre figures. A man wielding a flaming torch and a woman, who was groaning and shouting about the end of the world, appeared to be in the midst of an intense argument. The atmosphere was tense, and things took a darker turn when the witness's presence was noticed - the pair began to chase him, their footsteps eerily silent as they pursued him for several hundred metres.

Rural Road Unknown
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.2 mi

Newquay Vanishing Boat Mystery

Harbour, Newquay

Newquay Harbour, a bustling spot for fishermen and tourists alike, holds a strange secret. On a calm evening in 2009, a fishing boat crew stumbled upon an old, empty vessel close to the harbour. They pulled alongside, thinking it had broken free from its moorings, but as they checked the cabin, they made a chilling discovery - the boat had been lost at sea eighteen years prior. The crew's excitement quickly turned to unease as they left the cabin, only to find the vessel had vanished into thin air.

Harbour Late 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.3 mi

The Smoking Man of Newquay Golf Club

Golf Club, Newquay

Newquay Golf Club is a place where the ordinary and the paranormal seem to collide. Cleaners in the bar have reported the unmistakable smell of cigarette smoke, despite the club being a non-smoking area and no one being present. It's as if the ghost of a smoker has lingered, leaving behind an eerie reminder of their presence. The mystery deepens with reports of a former owner of the site being spotted in the bar, only to vanish into thin air from a locked room, leaving behind a shattered glass and a broken bottle of scotch.

Golf Club Late 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.3 mi

Newquay Ghost Fisherman

Red Lion, Newquay

The Red Lion in Newquay is home to a rather curious ghost. A visitor to the pub claimed to see an old fisherman cross the courtyard of this building. It was a strange sighting that left staff mystified. What's more, three sets of shutters unclasped themselves and closed over the windows, with CCTV picking no one in the area. This unusual occurrence happened around 2003 and has been remembered ever since.

Public House Unknown
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Area between Towan beach and Belushi's Public House