Muncaster Castle at Ravenglass, Cumbria, England is reputedly one of the most haunted buildings anywhere in the UK. Scientists have been researching the many ghosts of the castle since 1992 and are still unable to fully explain some of the strange occurences reported there.

Current archaeological work suggests the site may have been the location of a large Roman fort to rival those seen at Chester and Ribchester in Lancashire.

The castle has been home to the Pennington family since 1208. Today, three generations of Pennington’s share their home with the tourists who visit daily, and the ghosts which are said to roam the shadowy corridors.

Most castle’s claim to be haunted after all it’s good for business and Muncaster is no expection. Its corridors echo with spooky footsteps,and the pitful cry of a baby is often heard late at night. If you should be brave enough to spend a night in the epicentre of the hauntings – the ‘Tapestry Room’ it may prove to be the worst nights sleep you will ever have! With sombre paintings on the walls and an iron fire dog shaped like a devil’s head, visitors often report an unpleasant forboding presence in the room. Black figures have been seen leaning over alarmed guests, whilst others have experienced a heavy weight falling on top of them whilst sleeping in the room’s four poster bed.

But the most of the ghostly goings on at the castle are attributed to the ghost of ‘Tom Fool’.Tom died around 1600 but his spirit still lingers on!

Tom Fool was hired by the castle as a jester and he created much mischief when he was alive and centuries later still continues to do so.

A typical example of his malicious nature would be when strangers would stop to ask at the castle for directions to London, Tom would point them in the direction of nearby deadly quicksands rather than a passable ford.

Tom may have been a jester, but a local carpenter who lived around that time certainly wasn’t laughing. Under the orders of Sir Ferdinand Pennington, Tom chopped the carpenter’s head off as punishment for falling in love with Helwise, Sir Pennington’s daughter. It was said that Tom took great delight in the task.

The present owners of the Muncaster, believe Tom still keeps a watchful eye on the castle and occasionaly gets up to more sinster mischief. Most of the strange bumps, bangs,cackling and icy touches on visitors shoulders are attributed to this fiendish fool who still is having ghoulish fun in the afterlife!

About the Author

LINDA PRESTON WORKS AS A PROFESSIONAL PSYCHIC & WRITER OF PARANORMAL ARTICLES. SHE HAS BEEN FEATURED POSITIVELY IN NATIONAL MAGAZINES & SHE IS A FREQUENT EXPERT GUEST ON VARIOUS RADIO SHOWS. SHE IS CURRENTLY PUTTING TOGETHER A NEW BOOK ON HAUNTINGS & IS ALWAYS INTERESTED TO HEAR YOUR TRUE GHOST STORIES & CAN BE BE CONTACTED VIA HER WEBSITE AT http://www.psychicreadingsbylinda.co.uk

(Written Wed Aug 8th, 2007, by LINDA PRESTON)