Lady Diana Rich's Ominous Fetch
Holland House, a grand mansion in London's Holland Park, has a long history of paranormal activity. One of the most intriguing accounts is that of Lady Diana Rich, who in 1658 encountered her 'fetch', a double that appears as a warning of impending death. According to reports, Lady Diana met her fetch while walking the grounds of the estate, and she died within a month. This eerie encounter has been repeated by two other women who lived in the building, who also recalled similar experiences prior to their own deaths.
The history of Holland House dates back to the early 17th century, when it was the residence of the Earl of Holland. It's said that the Earl, who died in 1614, still haunts the mansion, often seen holding his decapitated head in his hands. In 1965, students reportedly spotted the Earl's ghostly figure, adding to the house's reputation for paranormal activity. The connections between these events are unclear, but it's evident that Holland House has a rich and complex history of ghostly encounters.
Holland House was built in the early 17th century for the Earl of Holland
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Wronged Earl's Protest
Holland Park, W8
Holland Park in London's W8 is home to a rather disgruntled ghost. The story goes that the Earl of Holland was executed by General Fairfax, and as a thank you for his troubles, Fairfax was given the building that now stands within the park. The Earl wasn't exactly thrilled with this arrangement, and his spirit has been protesting the injustice ever since. They say his ghostly presence is a manifestation of his continued discontent.
Little Girl in Petticoat
Kensington Church Street, W8
Kensington Church Street is home to a charming but eerie presence - a little girl in a long petticoat and pinafore. She has been spotted by numerous people, and one witness even thought she resembled Alice in Wonderland. The girl is said to haunt a house along this picturesque street, which is lined with beautiful old buildings and bustling with activity during the day. But as the sun sets, the atmosphere changes, and the little girl's presence is felt.
Stealing Cashier Ghost
Former Coronet Cinema, W11
The Former Coronet Cinema on Notting Hill Gate is home to a rather tragic and unsettling ghost story. A cashier who used to work at the cinema was caught stealing from the night's takings and, in a desperate attempt to avoid confrontation, killed herself by leaping from a staircase. Her desperate footsteps can still be heard running up the stairs towards the area where she met her untimely demise, breaking her neck in the fall. This heartbreaking event seems to reoccur around Christmas time, leaving many to wonder if the cashier's spirit is doomed to relive that fateful night forever.
Smell of Death Haunting
6 Lonsdale Road, W11
At 6 Lonsdale Road in London's W11 area, a rather eerie phenomenon was reported back in the 1920s. This Edwardian house, now sadly no longer standing, was once home to occupants who would occasionally experience rhythmic waves of wind and an overwhelming smell of decay. The stench was so potent it led some to believe it was caused by the ghost of a man who had taken his own life by hanging himself in the house. The tragic part of this story is that his body wasn't discovered for two weeks, leaving the house with a lingering and malevolent presence.
Royal Ghosts of Kensington
Kensington Palace, W8
Kensington Palace, a favourite royal residence for centuries, is said to be haunted by the ghost of George II. He's often seen gazing out of a palace window, intently watching the weathervane as if waiting for a message from Hanover. This monarch's restless spirit is not alone; another ghostly presence, believed to be Sophia, aunt of Queen Victoria, is known to operate an old spinning wheel in the dead of night. A third entity, a man dressed in breeches, is reportedly seen strolling around the courtyard, adding to the palace's rich history of paranormal activity.
Dancing Wig Poltergeist
Kensington Market, W8
Kensington Market was once the scene of a bizarre and unexplained incident that has become a footnote in London's paranormal history. On 26 August 1968, Patsy Dorett, a stallholder at the market, reported that six wigs on a shelf suddenly flew into the air and danced around. This strange event was not an isolated occurrence, as it followed two months of reported disturbances caused by a poltergeist in the area. The wigs' aerial dance was captured in a newspaper report, providing a tangible record of the incident.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Holland House

Fox Connaught
Newham, London

The Ostrich Inn
Colnbrook, Berkshire

Great Fosters Hotel
Egham, Surrey

The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel
Dartford, Kent