The Phantom Monks of Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey, founded in 1132 and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539, is one of the largest ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. Visitors report seeing phantom monks walking the grounds and hearing ghostly chanting.

The History

For over 400 years, monks lived, worked, and prayed at Fountains Abbey. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the monks were expelled and the buildings stripped and left to ruin. But perhaps not all the monks departed.

The Apparitions

Visitors see figures in white or grey robes walking among the ruins. The monks appear solid at first but fade when approached. They are seen most often at dawn and dusk, following paths between buildings.

The Chanting

Many visitors report hearing Gregorian chant when the abbey is empty. The sound seems to come from the ruins of the choir. Some describe it as hauntingly beautiful; others find it unsettling.

The Atmosphere

The abbey has a profound sense of presence. Visitors report feeling watched, sensing movement in peripheral vision, and experiencing sudden cold. Some feel profound peace; others feel unwelcome.

Assessment

Fountains Abbey’s monks dedicated their lives to the sacred. Their violent displacement may have bound some to the place they loved. The ruins seem to echo with centuries of devotion that destruction could not erase.