The Ghosts of Lanhydrock House

Lanhydrock House near Bodmin in Cornwall was devastated by fire in 1881 and immediately rebuilt. The Victorian interiors, complete with servants’ quarters and below-stairs areas, are among the best preserved in England. The servants who once worked there seem reluctant to leave.

The House

The Robartes family built the original house in the 1620s. A devastating fire in 1881 destroyed most of it, but the family rebuilt immediately in high Victorian style. The National Trust acquired the house in 1953.

The 1881 Fire

The fire killed Lady Robartes and destroyed most of the house’s contents. The trauma of this event may account for some of the reported supernatural activity. The rebuilt house preserves the memory of what was lost.

The Kitchen Ghost

The most frequently reported ghost appears in the extensive kitchens and servants’ quarters. A woman in Victorian servant’s dress has been seen going about household duties. She appears to be working, unaware that her employers are long gone.

The Grey Lady

A grey figure has been seen in the Long Gallery, one of the few rooms to survive the fire. She walks the length of the gallery before vanishing. Some believe she may be connected to the pre-fire house.

Staff Experiences

National Trust staff have reported numerous unusual experiences. Bells ring in the servants’ hall when no one has pulled them. Footsteps echo in empty corridors. The smell of cooking emanates from the closed kitchens.

Assessment

Lanhydrock’s combination of fire tragedy and exceptional preservation of Victorian life creates conditions for haunting. The servants’ presence suggests that devotion to duty can transcend death itself.