The Haunting of Beaulieu Abbey

Beaulieu Abbey in the New Forest was founded by King John in 1204 for the Cistercian order. After the Dissolution, it became Palace House, home of the Montagu family. The monks who once lived there appear never to have entirely departed.

The Abbey

The Cistercian monks of Beaulieu lived lives of prayer and labor for over three centuries. The abbey was dissolved in 1538, and most of its buildings were demolished. The monks’ refectory became the parish church; other buildings were converted to domestic use.

The Monk Procession

Visitors have reported seeing processions of white-robed monks walking through the grounds and entering buildings that no longer exist. These silent processions occur at various times and have been witnessed by tourists and staff alike.

The Chanting

The sound of monastic chanting, singing the Latin offices, has been heard in the former abbey precincts. The chanting is faint but clear, as if filtering through from another time. It is most often heard at dawn and dusk.

Lord Montagu’s Experiences

The Montagu family, who have lived at Beaulieu since 1538, have had numerous supernatural experiences. Various Lords Montagu have reported seeing monks and hearing unexplained sounds. The family’s long tenure gives their testimony particular weight.

The Curfew Bell

The abbey’s curfew bell, which once called monks to prayer, is said to ring on its own. The phenomenon has been reported for centuries and continues to the present day, though no physical cause has been identified.

Assessment

Beaulieu Abbey represents a place where centuries of monastic prayer have left permanent impressions. The monks’ devotion seems to have transcended their physical dissolution, continuing in ghostly form.