The Leopard Inn: Staffordshire’s Spectral Coaching House

The Leopard Inn in Tutbury has stood since the early 17th century, serving travelers on the road near Tutbury Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. The proximity to such a charged location may explain the remarkable paranormal activity reported here. Multiple ghosts, poltergeist phenomena, and unexplained occurrences make it one of Staffordshire’s most haunted pubs.

The History

Coaching Days

Built around 1603, The Leopard served coaches traveling through Staffordshire. Its central location made it a hub for news and gossip—including, no doubt, talk of the Scottish queen imprisoned nearby.

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary was held at Tutbury Castle on four occasions between 1569 and 1585. Her captivity and eventual execution left a psychic mark on the area.

Centuries of Service

The inn has operated continuously, adapting from coaching house to modern pub while retaining its ancient character.

The Hauntings

The Lady in Grey

A woman in grey is the most frequently seen ghost:

• She walks through the main bar
• Disappears through walls
• Some believe she is connected to Mary Queen of Scots
• Others think she is a local woman who died here
• Her expression is sorrowful

The Cavalier

A man in Civil War era dress has been seen:

• In the upper rooms
• He appears briefly then vanishes
• May be a Royalist soldier
• The area saw Civil War activity
• His boots are sometimes heard

The Child Spirit

A young child haunts the premises:

• Playing in corners
• Running through the building
• Laughter is heard from empty rooms
• The child seems happy, not frightened
• Identity unknown

Poltergeist Activity

The Leopard experiences regular disturbances:

• Glasses moving or falling
• Doors opening and closing
• Footsteps in empty areas
• Objects disappearing and reappearing
• Staff have been touched

The Cellar

The cellar is particularly active:

• Staff avoid going down alone
• Shadows move in the darkness
• Cold spots are constant
• Equipment stored there often malfunctions

Tutbury Castle Connection

The castle ruins above the town are famously haunted:

• Mary Queen of Scots herself appears there
• The energy seems to extend to the town
• The Leopard may serve as overflow
• Visitors to the castle report phenomena in town

Modern Activity

The Leopard Inn welcomes paranormal enthusiasts:

• Ghost hunts are organized
• Multiple investigation teams have visited
• Phenomena are regularly documented
• The staff have extensive experience
• Activity is consistent year-round

Visiting

The Leopard Inn is a working pub in the historic town of Tutbury. The castle ruins are a short walk away, and together they form one of Staffordshire’s most haunted locations.

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The Leopard Inn has served travelers for four hundred years, in the shadow of a castle that imprisoned a queen. The ghosts that walk here—the Grey Lady, the Cavalier, the playing child—are drawn to this ancient place where history’s echoes never fade.