Lincoln Castle

The haunting

Lincoln Castle has developed a reputation for being one of Lincolnshire's most active paranormal locations. Reports are particularly concentrated around the Victorian Prison, Lucy Tower, the former execution areas and parts of the castle walls. The reported activity includes apparitions, unexplained footsteps and voices, strange noises and the sensation of being watched. One of the castle's best-known legends is considerably older and involves a ghostly horseman attempting to reach the castle with a royal pardon.

Historical background

Lincoln Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068, shortly after the Norman Conquest. It was constructed on a strategically important site overlooking the city and remained an important military and judicial centre for centuries. The castle later became home to a prison and courthouse. The Victorian prison was built in 1848 and operated using the notorious separate system, which deliberately isolated prisoners from one another. Men, women and children were held there, with some prisoners as young as eight. The castle also has a particularly grim execution history. Public executions took place at Cobb Hall between 1817 and 1859, with 38 prisoners hanged during this period. Some executed prisoners were subsequently buried within the castle grounds, including seven murderers buried at Lucy Tower.

References & research

Sources & background

These sources document the location, story or claimed activity. They do not prove paranormal activity.

• Haunted History of LincolnshireHistoric record · University of Lincolnshire

  Lincoln Castle

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