Restormel Castle - The Phantom Soldiers

Restormel Castle, with its unusual circular design overlooking the River Fowey in Cornwall, was the site of a significant Civil War siege in 1644. The castle is haunted by phantom soldiers from both Royalist and Parliamentary forces, witnessed appearing in the mists that often shroud the ruins. Visitors report seeing armed men in 17th-century military uniforms moving across the grounds, hearing the clash of swords, and the sound of musket fire echoing from the empty shell keep.

The ghostly reenactment appears to be a residual haunting, with the soldiers seemingly unaware of modern observers. They have been seen manning the battlements, engaging in combat within the courtyard, and marching along the curtain walls. Some witnesses report seeing the flash of musket fire and smelling gunpowder, only to find the castle grounds completely deserted. The phenomena occurs most frequently during the autumn months, particularly around the anniversary of the 1644 siege when Parliamentary forces captured the castle from Royalist defenders.

The haunting at Restormel is considered one of Cornwall’s most dramatic paranormal sites, where the violence of the English Civil War appears to have left a permanent impression on the location. English Heritage staff and visitors continue to report unusual experiences, including disembodied voices speaking in period dialects and the sensation of being in the midst of battle. The circular layout of the castle seems to amplify these phenomena, with sounds echoing in unusual patterns around the walls. The phantom soldiers remain locked in their eternal conflict, forever fighting a battle long since decided.