The Bubbling Column Haunting
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a bizarre and terrifying encounter took place in October 1817. Edmund Swifte, the Keeper of the Crown Jewels, was enjoying a family dinner in Martin Tower when a strange, glowing column materialised before their eyes. The column, which resembled a glass tube about the width of a man's arm, hovered in mid-air then drifted behind Swifte's wife, causing her to scream in fright. Swifte, trying to defend his family, swung a chair at the entity, but it passed through without impact, causing the column to vanish.
This remarkable event occurred during the early 19th century, a time when the Tower of London was still a prominent royal residence and military fortress. As the Keeper of the Crown Jewels, Edmund Swifte and his family lived on site, surrounded by the tower's rich history and legendary ghost stories. The 'bubbling column' phenomenon remains one of the most inexplicable and intriguing incidents in the tower's paranormal history. Swifte's written account provides valuable evidence of this unusual haunting, which continues to fascinate visitors and paranormal enthusiasts to this day.
The Tower of London has a long history dating back to the 11th century, with numerous royal residents and significant events throughout the centuries.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Bear of Tower
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a chilling encounter took place in January 1816. A guard was stationed near the Jewel House, now known as Martin Tower, when he spotted a large bear approaching him. In a state of panic, the guard tried to defend himself with his bayonet, but it passed straight through the creature as if it were a ghost. The bear continued its relentless march towards the soldier, who collapsed from sheer terror and died a few days later. This bizarre incident has become a famous footnote in the Tower's long history of paranormal activity.
Figures
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a Scots Guard was once shaken to his core by a spine-tingling encounter. In 1968, he was found quaking in the Sally Port area, claiming that several ghostly figures had emerged from the Sally Gate and started to follow him. The Sally Port, a small postern gate, has long been a point of interest for paranormal enthusiasts, and this incident only adds to its eerie reputation.
The Headless Cloaked Figure
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a shocking encounter took place in the late 1960s or 1970. A sentry, stationed at Water Lane, was found in a state of panic, repeating the phrase 'Man in Cloak'. Once he regained his senses, the guard recounted a terrifying experience - he had been approached by a headless figure clad in a cloak. The sudden and unexplained appearance of this apparition caused the sentry to flee in search of help, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
The Grey Lady of Tower
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a phantom grey lady is said to roam the Queen's House, making her presence known only to women. Her ghostly apparition is a mystery, as is the identity of a medieval man seen drifting along corridors in the upper part of the building. Footsteps echo down a rear staircase, and in 1978, a guest reported hearing faint plainchant late at night, though no one else seemed to have noticed.
Guy Fawkes' Tormented Screams
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a chilling phenomenon has been reported for years. In the room where Guy Fawkes was prepared for his execution, his anguished screams and cries have been heard echoing through the corridors. It's said that these blood-curdling sounds continued to reverberate long after Fawkes' fateful demise in 1606. The Tower, with its rich and often dark history, seems an apt location for such a haunting. Fawkes' involvement in the Gunpowder Plot, a failed attempt to blow up the English Parliament, led to his gruesome execution by hanging, drawing, and quartering.
Henry Percy's Tower Haunting
Tower of London, EC3
Deep within the Tower of London's ancient walls, a restless spirit is said to roam the battlements of Martin Tower. This is the haunting place of Henry Percy, a man who spent sixteen long years imprisoned within the tower's cold stone. His ghostly presence has been reported by many, and some claim he attempts to push visitors and guards down the steps by the tower. The atmosphere is thick with tension as you approach the tower, and it's easy to imagine the desperation and frustration that drove Percy to such actions.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Tower of London

Fox Connaught
Newham, London

The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel
Dartford, Kent

The Ostrich Inn
Colnbrook, Berkshire