Inside Story Issue 60
Throughout October, a visit to the palace will be truly terrifying, as we celebrate all that is weird and wonderful in Hampton Court’s history. Will you be brave enough to explore the terror-ific transformations? You won’t want to miss out on the occult marketplace in Master Carpenter’s Court, a mad scientist’s laboratory in the Clerk’s Office, ectoplasm climbing the walls of the Wine Cellar, and a rancid, rattling feast in the King’s Private Dining Room (not for the squeamish)…
A Georgian ghoul
To get those goosebumps going, here’s something strange that was recently unearthed by our Historic Buildings Curator, Karey Draper. While searching through newspaper archives, a peculiar letter to The Morning Chronicle, dated 16 September 1777 caught her eye. This is one of the earliest ghost sightings we have ever come across, and we’re thrilled to share it with you here!
Sir,
For some month past the inhabitants of Hampton Court have been amused with stories of strange noises having been heard during the night in many of the courts and passages; and some went so far as to aver their having seen an uncommon figure stalking through the dark passage which leads to the chapel.
This, however, by people of sense, was laughed at as chimerical, ‘till, on Tuesday evening last, a gentleman of undoubted veracity (who has far too much firmness and good sense to be imposed on by an illusion of fancy) returning from a visit through the above passage, was surprised by hearing a hollow murmur, like the sound which generally proceeds a storm, or a deep groan, mellow’d as it were by being heard at some distance: this was immediately succeeded by a faint light, which slowly approached him.
The gentleman had a stout cane in his hand, and imagining this to be some disguise to frighten him, was determined to give the author of the farce a wholesome correction. No sooner therefore was the figure within his reach, than he struck at it with all his might, and to his astonishment the end of the stick fell to the ground as if nothing opposed it: he had the courage, however, to strike again, and fully convinced himself that the figure had no bodily existence. He confessed he was then very much startled, but still preserved firmness enough to question it; it returned no answer, but, gliding as it were slowly back to the chapel door, beckon’d him to follow.
This (as he thought it might possibly be a spirit of evil) he declined, and made the best of his way home.
I am Sir, your humble servant,
Prospero
Join the ghouls
Are you brave enough to greet our ghosts? A scary selection of characters from Hampton Court’s past will be drifting through the palace at half-term, mysteriously drawn to a gathering in Base Court and Clock Court twice a day. They’re longing to meet you! Just in case you are struck speechless with terror, here’s an introduction to just a few of them …
Michael Faraday
The ground-breaking scientist lived in a grace-and-favour residence situated on Hampton Court Road (opposite Trophy Gate) until his death in 1867. Among other things, he discovered how to generate electricity, so no doubt he’s got a few shocks in store for you!
Ernest Shackleton
Following his death during an expedition to the Antarctic in 1922, Shackleton was buried in South Georgia. His wife Emily was left with considerable debts, and she was granted a grace-and-favour home near the Tudor Kitchens. After a long illness, she died in 1936. Has the famous explorer returned from his icy grave to find her, a century too late?
Ada Goodrich-Freer
A ghost-finder extraordinaire! Ada described many ghoulish glimpses at the palace in The Victorian Ghost Hunter’s Casebook, from the 1900s. She loved the legends surrounding Henry VIII and the reported hauntings of his queens Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard. Will Ada’s spectral presence rouse any other sleeping spirits to join her?
Harry Corant
A 16th-century English woodcarver, who sculpted the original King’s Beasts for Henry VIII. He appears clutching his favourite, the mischievous yale with swivelling horns and a lion’s tail. Has he come back to revenge the destruction of his sculptures by William III in the 17th century?
Jacques Francis
The expert African free diver led the expedition to salvage King Henry VIII’s guns from the warship Mary Rose after it sank within minutes of leaving dock in 1545. Is Jacques Francis now looking for King Henry VIII to give him back his lost treasures?
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
Dare to face the spirits that roam from 24 October to 01 November; no pre-booking required. Designed to be family-friendly, but expect darkness, loud noises, flashing lights and occasional jump scares.
Hosting Halloween
Take a seat as the spooky season gets under way with our series of Palace Host Talks, presented by our expert storytellers in the Stone Room in William III’s Apartments. Enjoy a 15-minute terrifying tale from Hampton Court’s history, suitably scary for Halloween. Topics include our famous ghost stories, witchcraft and witch trials of James I, and the dark side of being a queen, featuring Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots and Lady Jane Grey.
01 - 23 October
11.30 and 14.30, Wednesday - Sunday
Members go free; no pre-booking required
Eeek! What a wicked week!
Halloween happenings over half term
Spooky storytelling
This fictional tale features lots of audience participation. It’s not too scary for younger visitors, but may be adapted for an older, bolder crowd, too! Enter a darkened King’s Guard Chamber, with candlelight illuminating the giant statues and deadly weapons on display. Prepare for a scare!
24 October – 01 November
15-minute sessions throughout the day
Members go free; no pre-booking required
Win: Murder at the Tower
We have 15 copies of Murder at the Tower by N R Daws to give away to members. To enter, email [email protected] by 11 November 2026 and tell us the name of the African free diver you might encounter at Hampton Court this Halloween.
Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email by 27 November 2026.
Terms and conditions
Discover more
Watch our exclusive Members’ Ghost Tour and uncover some of Hampton Court Palace’s most chilling stories.
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Sarah Slater, expert guide, shares ghost stories and suspicious happenings from Hampton Court Palace.
Ghost Stories at Hampton Court Palace: video transcript
Follow along with an interactive transcript on YouTube; the link is in the video description.
Image: Witch feeding her familiars with blood, in A Rehearsall both Straung and True, of Hainous and Horrible Actes Committed by Elizabeth Stile (1579). © The British Library (Public domain).
Anne Boleyn and the rumours of witchcraft
Tracy Borman investigates how patriarchal Tudor beliefs about witchcraft were used to undermine Anne's reputation, even after her death.
Image: Lady Jane Grey was imprisoned in the Tower and executed in 1554. Her ghost is said to appear at the Tower of London on the anniversary of her death. © Historic Royal Palaces.
Famous ghost stories of the Tower of London
Take a walk through the Tower of London’s shadowy corridors, to uncover the chilling tales of its most famous ghosts and paranormal activity.
