Skip to main content

The Hanging Judge Ghost

Court Hotel, Chilcompton, Somerset Apparition 17th century

The Court Hotel in Chilcompton seems an unlikely place for a spectral presence but thats exactly where Judge Jeffreys has been spotted. This notorious judge was known for his harsh sentences during the Monmouth Rebellion and its said he still cant help but get stuck into his old routine. Guests and staff have reported catching glimpses of him wandering the hotel, eternally busy as if still pronouncing judgement on those around him.

Imagine being in a place where history seeps from every stone. The Court Hotel has stood for centuries and Judge Jeffreys was a regular here back in the day. As the Hanging Judge he was infamous for his role in the Bloody Assizes, sentencing hundreds to death or transportation. Its little wonder then that his spirit is thought to still haunt these halls, perhaps still doling out justice to those who cross his path. Witnesses describe seeing him in the twentieth century, a sign that his presence endures.

Historical Context

The Monmouth Rebellion and Bloody Assizes

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Hotel
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Twentieth century
Postcode Area
BA3

Nearby Haunted Places

Apparition 1.5 mi

Mary Hunt's Ghostly Apparition

Crossroads on the Dowlish road, Ilminster

On the misty stretches of Dowlish Road in Ilminster, locals whisper about a ghostly presence tied to a long-forgotten grave. This spot, known as Mary Hunt's Grave, is said to be haunted by the spirit of Mary Hunt herself. While the details of her life remain shrouded in mystery, her death seems to have left an indelible mark on the area. Some claim that on certain evenings, a fleeting figure can be seen darting across the road, as if trying to relive a moment from a past life. The circumstances surrounding her burial and the reasons behind her haunting are unclear, but one thing is certain - Mary Hunt's presence continues to captivate those who dare to venture into this part of Somerset.

Crossroads Georgian
Read Full Story
Legend 2.5 mi

Giant Goram of Holcombe

Giant's Grave, Holcombe

Deep in the Somerset countryside lies the Giant's Grave, a spot steeped in local legend. They say this is where Goram, or Gorm, a giant of old, was laid to rest. The story goes that this enormous being once roamed the land, and his burial site has become a place of fascination for those drawn to the mysterious and the unexplained. While there's no concrete evidence to prove Goram's existence, the enduring nature of this tale suggests that something remarkable about this site has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

Megalithic Site Prehistoric
Read Full Story
Legend 3.4 mi

Giant's Grave Haunting

Hurdlestone Wood, Redhill

Deep in Hurdlestone Wood, a sense of ancient history lingers. This Somerset woodland is said to be home to a giant's grave, a mysterious landmark that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The area's name is thought to originate from a rock that sits on the edge of a nearby cliff, which legend has it was thrown there by the Devil during a competition. It's a story that has been passed down through the years, leaving behind a trail of curiosity and intrigue.

Woods Unknown
Read Full Story
Poltergeist 3.5 mi

Bristol Poltergeist Haunting

Lamb Inn Inn, Bristol

The Lamb Inn in Bristol was once the epicentre of a most unsettling poltergeist haunting. For a year, from 5 November 1761 to November 1762, the inn was plagued by a malevolent spirit that became infamous for its brutal behaviour. The poltergeist was known to throw glasses, disturb occupants with constant tapping and rapping, and most alarmingly, beat the children. This reign of terror finally came to an end when the family sought the help of a cunning woman, who diagnosed a curse and provided a counter-ritual to restore peace.

Historic Inn Georgian
Read Full Story
Legend 3.8 mi

Bleeding Elm Tree Legend

Round Hill Tump, Radstock

Round Hill Tump, a small village in Somerset, is home to a rather unusual legend. The Bleeding Elm, also known as Woodborough, is an ancient tree that grew on a barrow, or burial mound. According to local folklore, if this elm - or possibly oak - tree was cut, it would bleed. This strange phenomenon has been recorded since at least 1937, and its origins remain shrouded in mystery. Was this tree considered sacred by ancient cultures, or was it simply a peculiar quirk of nature?

Ancient Barrow Pre-1937
Read Full Story
Apparition 3.9 mi

The Tall Woman of Hallatrow

Wells Road, Hallatrow

On a quiet evening in March, a driver travelling along Wells Road in Hallatrow caught a glimpse of a mysterious figure. The woman, described as tall and dressed in a long white Victorian-era gown, complete with a flower crown, seemed to be enjoying herself, her hands up to her face as if laughing. What made the sighting even more bizarre was that she appeared to be skipping along by herself. The driver and their occupant turned around just a few seconds later, but the figure had vanished into thin air.

Road Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Court Hotel