Skip to main content

The Wronged Earl's Protest

Holland Park, W8, London Apparition Civil War

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.

This haunting dates back to 1965, when reports of the Earl's ghostly apparition first surfaced. The Earl of Holland's execution was a significant event in British history, and it's no surprise that his spirit is still making its presence known. While there aren't many details about the ghost's appearance or behaviour, it's said that his protests are audible to those who visit the park. The location's rich history and the Earl's tragic fate make for a compelling tale that draws in those interested in the paranormal.

Historical Context

The Earl of Holland was executed in 1649 for his role in a Royalist uprising against Parliament.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Public Park
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1965
Postcode Area
W8

Nearby Haunted Places

Living Apparition 0.2 mi

Lady Diana Rich's Ominous Fetch

Holland House, W11

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.

Historic Mansion Tudor
Read Full Story
Unknown 0.6 mi

Occult Confrontation at Blythe Road

36 Blythe Road, W14

Located in the heart of London, 36 Blythe Road was once the site of a dramatic and intriguing confrontation between two of the most influential occultists of the 20th century. On 19 April 1900, W B Yeats faced off against Aleister Crowley in this very building, which was then a temple of the Golden Dawn society. Crowley, dressed in a kilt and wearing a black mask of Osiris, brandished a dagger and began reciting spells, prompting Yeats to take action.

Former Temple Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.6 mi

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.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story
Poltergeist 0.7 mi

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.

Market Modern
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.7 mi

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.

Former Cinema Early 20th century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0.7 mi

Dylan Thomas Haunting

Bush Theatre, SE13

The Bush Theatre in Shepherd's Bush has a long history of entertaining audiences, but it's also home to a rather famous ghost. Dylan Thomas, the renowned Welsh poet and playwright, was known to frequent this very theatre, enjoying a drink or two and some lively company. As a former BBC worker, Thomas was no stranger to the world of entertainment, and it's said that his spirit still roams these halls, perhaps reliving old times or inspiring new generations of performers.

Theatre Mid-20th century
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Holland Park