Tamworth Castle

Tamworth Castle stands as one of England’s finest Norman motte-and-bailey fortifications, built on the site of an earlier Saxon stronghold established by Aethelflaeda, Lady of the Mercians, in 913 AD. Strategically positioned overlooking the confluence of the Rivers Tame and Anker, the castle served as a royal residence and military garrison for centuries. Its thick stone walls and imposing keep have witnessed sieges, royal visits, and countless deaths, creating a rich tapestry of paranormal activity that makes it one of England’s most haunted fortresses.

The most famous ghost is the Black Lady, believed to be Editha, a Saxon nun who founded Tamworth’s first church and later became a saint. She appears in the castle’s upper floors wearing flowing black robes, her face hidden beneath a dark veil. Multiple witnesses describe her as a sorrowful figure who glides silently through walls and locked doors, often appearing in the castle’s bedchambers and stairwells. Staff have reported lights turning on and off by themselves in areas where she manifests, and visitors frequently experience sudden, inexplicable feelings of sadness when she passes.

The White Lady haunts the castle’s battlements and courtyard, believed to be a Norman lady who died of grief after her husband was killed in battle. She appears in a flowing white gown, wringing her hands and weeping silently. In addition to these two female spirits, St Editha herself has been seen in the castle grounds near where her original Saxon church once stood. Witnesses describe a luminous figure in white and gold religious vestments, radiating peace and holiness. The castle’s haunted stairs are particularly active, with phantom footsteps, cold spots, and the sensation of being touched by invisible hands reported regularly by visitors and paranormal investigation teams.