Haunted Britain: Codnor Castle
Each month, comedian Barry Dodds and his sidekick Rebecca Kirkspend a night in a different haunted location.
THE VENUE: Codnor Castle, Codnor, Nottingham THE HAUNTING:
Codnor Castle was built around 1190 and although it’s in ruins now, it served as a status symbol for the mighty for over 400 years. Its former owners include the formidable de Grey family – famed nationally for their hardened warriors, ambition and heady social status – and Richard III, Edward IV, and Henry VII, who purchased it for his son, Henry VIII.
Upon the castle grounds stands an abandoned 18th century farmhouse that has seen many deaths, suicides and grisly murders. Its structural beams bear protective scorings and scorches, and it is rumoured to be the most haunted place in Britain!
A grey lady wanders the grounds at night, thought to be a French serving girl whose horse bolted, killing her and her unborn child. Sometimes she’s seen riding her horse, or just walking through the forecourt. There’s an angry crusader, a warrior in a dull metal helmet, an inexplicable green light, a little boy in the attic, poltergeist activity, and black dogs, to name but a few of the local spooks. Both Time Team and
Most Haunted have unearthed hidden treasures here in the past, and now it’s Dodds & Kirk’s turn to see what they can find!
Kirk’s Paranormal Investigation Report:
10.10pm: After following miles of ancient winding country lane, we reach the rural castle grounds. The Codnor Castle Heritage Trust have held custodianship of the castle and farmhouse for over a decade, and they meet us there to let into the usually-locked up, abandoned farmhouse.
10.30pm: While the Trust’s Chair, Rokia ‘Coco’ Brown, is telling us all about the castle’s history, a heavy door slams and we think another volunteer has arrived…they haven’t.
10.50pm: ‘I’ve had many incredible experiences here,’ Coco tells us as we walk up the creaking, bare stairs to the first floor. ‘But the ghosts don’t set out to scare me or my team anymore because I think they finally understand that we’re here to help them.’
Wobblylegs
We walk into a bedroom that makes my legs feel like jelly. Strange.
‘I feel odd in here too,’ Judi, our photographer, admits to me.
‘The temperature has dropped,’ Dodds says.
10.55pm: We make our way up into the attic, where paranormal happenings have been reported by investigators. A loud bang sounds from the far corner of the attic.
‘They’re showing us they’re here,’ Coco says.
‘Can you make another noise, please?’ Dodds asks politely.
Two more loud bangs sound.
‘They’re interacting with us!’ Judi cries.
11.35pm: Judi, Dodds and I say goodbye to the Trust and are
left alone for the rest of the night. 11.50pm: We hear unidentifiable sounds above the roar of the open fire in the large reception room we’re sitting in. ‘Let’s investigate the castle,’ Dodds suggests. 12.15am: We spend some time near the castle ruins. Judi takes a photo of Dodds with an unexplainable light on it, and I take two photos of the farmhouse – while one is normal, the other has an unexplainable green mist on it. It’s only while re-reading my notes later I remember an odd green light has been reported here previously. 12.50am: We head back in and tentatively troop up into the dark attic.
‘I feel very uncomfortable,’ Dodds gulps as we ascend higher.
1.20am: We’re at the far end of the attic when the wind starts to pick up outside. Doors begin to slam and creak from all levels around the house.
Strangenoises
1.30am: ‘It’s just the wind, it’s just the wind,’ I chant to myself, feeling claustrophobic. ‘I’m not so sure…’ Dodds whispers, before calling out, ‘Is this just the wind?’
Seemingly in response, we hear an almighty bang and then what sounds like two loud, heavy footsteps.
‘Thank you for clearing that up,’ I whimper breathlessly.
2.20am: We head to the first floor and…silence. Utter silence. We can still hear the wind outside, but none of the doors are creaking or slamming anymore. We find two coins on the floor that we’re sure weren’t there before.
‘The silence is deafening,’ Dodds whispers.
3.30pm: We pack up, feeling watched. Even as we drive away, we feel unseen eyes upon us. We collectively shudder and our car journey home is an
oddly quiet one.
We feel unseen eyes upon us