Ham House, situated between Twickenham and Richmond in Surrey, is a Jacobean residence built by Sir Thomas Vavasour in 1610. Charles II's minister, the Duke of Lauderdale, lived there for many years.
There are several ghosts that haunt this house, including the spirit of the evil Duchess of Lauderdale. In her old age, the Duchess took to wandering the house at night carrying her silver-headed cane. A ghostly tapping sound coming from the corridors of the house has been heard on numerous occasions.
A young girl that was staying at the house was awakened one night by an old woman scratching and clawing at the fireplace set in the wall of her room. The sight of the woman terrified the girl, as she had an evil expression on her face. The fireplace was later examined, and a hollow space within it was found containing papers stating that the Countess of Dysart had murdered her first husband in order to marry the Duke of Lauderdale. She succeeded in her scheme, and became the Duchess. It is believed that her ghost was searching for the papers to conceal her crimes.
A ghost of a King Charles spaniel is often seen in the grounds of Ham House in broad daylight. This lively spirit is very popular with visitors. |
