The Black Boy Inn: Nottingham’s Haunted Hideaway

The Black Boy Inn is one of Nottingham’s oldest pubs, its cellars connecting to the famous cave system beneath the city. Dating from around 1600, it hosted King Charles I in 1642 and has accumulated ghosts from every era since. Its low beams, ancient stonework, and cave connections create an atmosphere ripe for supernatural activity.

The History

Tudor Origins

The inn was established during the reign of Elizabeth I or James I, making it over four centuries old. Its name comes from Charles II, whose swarthy complexion earned him the nickname.

Royal Connection

King Charles I stayed at the Black Boy in 1642, raising his standard at nearby Nottingham Castle to begin the English Civil War. He reportedly drank here before that fateful act.

The Cave System

Nottingham is built on sandstone riddled with caves. The Black Boy’s cellars connect to this network, once used for storage, brewing, and possibly smuggling.

The Hauntings

The Cavalier

A man in Civil War era dress is the most dramatic ghost:

• Full Cavalier costume with wide-brimmed hat
• He appears in the main bar
• Sometimes raises a toast to invisible companions
• May be from Charles I’s retinue
• A proud, melancholic presence

The Cave Spirits

The cellars and caves produce phenomena:

• Footsteps in empty passages
• Shadows moving without source
• Cold spots that move around
• The sense of being followed
• Some refuse to enter alone

The Grey Lady

A woman in grey haunts the upper floors:

• Seen on the stairs
• Walking through walls
• Her period is uncertain—possibly Stuart era
• She seems to be looking for someone

The Child

A child’s spirit has been reported:

• Playing near the fireplace
• Running through the bar
• Laughter from nowhere
• The child seems happy
• May be from any era of the pub’s history

Poltergeist Activity

The Black Boy experiences regular disturbances:

• Glasses moving
• Taps turning on by themselves
• Doors slamming
• Items disappearing and reappearing

Charles I’s Ghost?

Some claim to have seen the king himself:

• A regal figure in Stuart dress
• He appears worried or preoccupied
• The visit before raising his standard
• A man walking toward his doom

Modern Activity

The Black Boy is a working pub with a paranormal reputation:

• Staff share stories readily
• Visitors report regular experiences
• The caves add to the atmosphere
• Ghost hunts have been conducted
• The Cavalier is most frequently seen

Visiting

The Black Boy Inn is in Nottingham’s old town, near the castle. Its historic interior and connection to the cave system make it distinctive among Nottingham’s many old pubs.

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The Black Boy Inn has served Nottingham for four centuries, since before the Civil War tore England apart. The Cavalier who raises his glass may be toasting a king who rode to defeat, or mourning a world that was about to end.