Monk Bookshop Ghost
In the heart of Bury St Edmunds, a quaint bookshop at 38 Buttermarket has been the site of some eerie goings-on. This unassuming building, once the Suffolk Hotel, has a mysterious past that's said to be connected to a long-gone priory via an underground tunnel. It's here that reports have surfaced of monks creeping about, their presence seemingly tied to the site's history.
Digging deeper into the history books reveals that Bury St Edmunds has a rich monastic past, with the town once home to a Benedictine abbey. It's possible that the monks in question are residual energies, imprints of a bygone era. The fact that the bookshop occupies a site that was once a hotel, and before that likely a hub of activity, adds weight to the theory that these ghostly monks are a manifestation of the location's complex history.
Bury St Edmunds has a rich history dating back to the medieval period, with the town once home to a Benedictine abbey.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Grey Lady of Cupola House
Cupola House, Bury St Edmunds
Cupola House in Bury St Edmunds is home to a rather forlorn ghost known as the Grey Lady. This lonely figure has been spotted sitting in the front bar, shying away in a corner. It's a sad, isolated existence, and one can't help but wonder what her story is. Is she a former patron who met a tragic end, or perhaps a long-serving staff member who just can't let go? Whatever her tale, the Grey Lady seems to be a melancholy presence, adding a touch of poignancy to the atmosphere of this historic inn.
Monk Figure Haunting
Cathedral Cottages, Bury St Edmunds
In the heart of Bury St Edmunds, a quaint town famous for its medieval architecture and rich history, lies the unassuming Cathedral Cottages. It's here that a rather intriguing haunting has been reported. Enid Crossley, a spinster who lived in one of the cottages, shared with her friends at work a series of bizarre experiences she had in her bedroom. She claimed that the figure of a monk would cross her room and sit on the end of her bed on multiple occasions. What's more, she wasn't the only one to witness this apparition - others from neighbouring cottages have also reported seeing the monk figure.
Maude Carew's Ghostly Apparition
St Mary's Churchyard, Bury St Edmunds
St Mary's Churchyard in Bury St Edmunds is home to a rather infamous resident - the ghost of Maude Carew. Legend has it that Maude was cursed by a monk after she murdered the Duke of Gloucester in 1447. Every year on February 24th at 23:00h, Maude's shade is said to appear, drawing in crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of her. The story goes that her spirit is a harbinger of doom, but locals seem to have grown accustomed to her annual visits.
The Monk of Bury St Edmunds
Anabel's Togs shop, Bury St Edmunds
In the heart of Bury St Edmunds, a rather unusual sighting took place at Anabel's Togs shop back in October 1975. A member of staff was on duty when they saw an average-sized monk with a pointed hood walk through the wall. It was a straightforward, no-nonsense observation - no frills or dramatics, just a monk strolling through solid brickwork. Footsteps were also reported within the building, adding to the surreal atmosphere. The shop, located on Abbeygate Street, sadly no longer operates, but its paranormal legacy lives on.
Tragic Nurse's Railway Ghost
Railway Arch, Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds' Railway Arch, a nondescript spot near Mustow Street, belies a tragic tale of love and loss. This humble location has borne witness to a recurring ghostly scene, dating back to the Crimean War. A wounded soldier, stationed at a nearby hospital, fell deeply in love with a local nurse. Their plan to elope was cruelly thwarted when the nurse's father discovered their intentions, leading to a fatal confrontation that claimed the soldier's life.
Pharmacist's Ghostly Melody
British Gas Showroom, Bury St Edmunds
In the heart of Bury St Edmunds, the British Gas Showroom has been home to a rather unusual haunting. Phantom music has been heard emanating from the basement, where a pharmacist took his own life back in 1913. It's said that the melodic sounds are a lingering echo of the life that once pulsed through the building. The showroom briefly opened up the basement to the public in 1993 to raise money for Comic Relief, giving people a chance to catch a glimpse of the paranormal activity for themselves. A broom has also been spotted moving on its own, adding to the mystique of this haunted location.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near 38 Buttermarket

The Angel Hotel Lavenham
Babergh District, Suffolk

Swan Hotel
Babergh District, Suffolk

Bull Hotel
Long Melford, Suffolk

Lower Bell
Thetford, Norfolk