Levens Hall: The Grey Lady and Pink Lady

Levens Hall, with its world-famous topiary gardens and Elizabethan architecture, harbors multiple ghosts within its ancient walls. Most notable are two female spirits – the Grey Lady and the Pink Lady – whose appearances and territories seem carefully delineated, as if even in death they observe certain proprieties.

The Ancient Estate

The core of Levens Hall dates to a medieval pele tower built around 1250 as defense against Scottish raids. The Bellingham family expanded this into an Elizabethan mansion in the 1580s, creating the house that stands today.

The estate passed through various families, each leaving their mark. The famous topiary gardens were created around 1694 and have been maintained in their original form ever since – a living museum of baroque garden design.

The Grey Lady

The most frequently encountered spirit is the Grey Lady, believed to be a woman connected to the Bellingham family:

Appearance: Witnesses describe a woman in grey clothing, consistent with 16th or 17th century dress. She appears solid and lifelike until she vanishes or passes through solid walls.

Locations: She haunts primarily the older parts of the house, particularly:

• The Great Hall and medieval tower
• The main staircase
• Upper bedchambers
• The Long Gallery

Behavior: Unlike many apparitions, the Grey Lady seems purposeful. Witnesses report her walking with determination, as if attending to household matters. She occasionally appears aware of observers, sometimes turning to look at them before fading away.

Identity: Local tradition suggests she may be a Bellingham family member, perhaps someone who died young or in childbirth. Her apparent attachment to household duties suggests she was mistress of the house.

The Pink Lady

The second major spirit presents quite differently:

Appearance: A woman in pink or rose-colored clothing, her dress suggesting Georgian or Regency period (18th-early 19th century). She appears less frequently than the Grey Lady but is equally well-documented.

Locations: Her territory seems distinct from the Grey Lady’s:

• The Drawing Room
• The Chapel
• The garden side of the house
• Paths in the topiary garden

Behavior: The Pink Lady appears contemplative, often seen standing still, looking at something invisible to witnesses. She has been observed at windows, in the garden, and in rooms associated with prayer or reflection.

Identity: Speculation connects her to the Bagot family period (1750s onward) or perhaps a visitor to the house. Her apparent fascination with the gardens suggests someone who loved them in life.

The Gypsy’s Curse

One of Levens Hall’s most famous legends involves a gypsy woman and a prophecy:

The Story: In the 18th century, a gypsy woman came to Levens Hall seeking food or shelter. She was turned away, either by a servant or by the family. In anger, she cursed the estate, declaring that no male heir would inherit until the River Kent ceased to flow and a white fawn was born in the park.

The Prophecy Fulfilled: For generations, no male heir successfully inherited. Daughters inherited, estates passed to distant relatives, but no direct male succession occurred.

Then, in the 20th century, both conditions of the curse were allegedly met: the Kent froze solid in an exceptional winter (thus “ceased to flow”), and a white fawn was born in the park. Shortly after, a male heir inherited successfully.

The Gypsy’s Ghost: Some witnesses claim to see a woman in a dark cloak in the grounds, believed to be the gypsy herself, perhaps checking on her curse.

Other Phenomena

Beyond the two ladies and the gypsy, Levens Hall experiences various unexplained activity:

Phantom Music: The sound of music, possibly harpsichord or early piano, heard from empty rooms. The hall once hosted musical gatherings, and these sounds may be echoes of those occasions.

Children’s Laughter: The voices of children playing, heard in the gardens and upper rooms. Multiple generations of children grew up at Levens, and their joy seems imprinted on the location.

Footsteps: Throughout the house, witnesses report footsteps in empty corridors, on staircases, and in rooms above. These often follow routes that match historical room layouts rather than current configurations.

The Black Dog: A large black dog has been seen in the grounds, particularly near the garden. It appears solid and real until it vanishes. Black dog legends are common in Cumbria, often associated with death omens or guardianship.

The Topiary Garden

The famous topiary gardens have their own spectral reputation:

Figures Among the Yews: Witnesses report seeing figures moving among the sculpted yews, dressed in period costume. These appearances are always brief and occur in peripheral vision.

The Gardener: An old man in working clothes, possibly an 18th or 19th century gardener, has been seen tending the topiary as if the work never ends.

Atmospheric Changes: Certain areas of the garden experience sudden temperature drops or oppressive atmospheres that visitors find unsettling.

Modern Experiences

The Bagot family still resides at Levens Hall, which is open to the public. Staff and visitors continue to report phenomena:

Sightings: Both the Grey Lady and Pink Lady appear regularly, with multiple sightings reported each year. Many witnesses are tourists unaware of the ghosts until after their experience.

Photographic Anomalies: Visitors frequently capture unexplained images – figures in windows, unusual light effects, shadow forms in the gardens.

Electronic Interference: Cameras, phones, and recording equipment often malfunction in specific areas, particularly in the older parts of the house.

Staff Experiences: Long-term staff acknowledge the hauntings matter-of-factly. Many have personal experiences but treat the ghosts as part of the hall’s character.

Investigations

Paranormal research teams have studied Levens Hall:

• Consistent EMF readings in locations associated with the Grey Lady
• Audio recordings capturing unexplained footsteps and voices
• Temperature anomalies that seem intelligent rather than random
• Witness testimonies spanning centuries show remarkable consistency

The Living History

Levens Hall represents nearly 800 years of continuous occupation. The house preserves not just architecture but atmosphere – the accumulated presence of everyone who has lived, worked, loved, and died within its walls.

The Grey Lady and Pink Lady, whether genuine spirits or psychic impressions, embody this continuity. They are part of Levens Hall’s identity, as much a feature of the estate as the topiary gardens or medieval tower.

Visitors to Levens encounter more than just history. They enter a space where past and present seem unusually permeable, where the women in grey and pink occasionally manifest, still attending to their eternal vigil in one of England’s most atmospheric historic houses.