Ghosts of Barnard Castle

Guy de Balliol built Barnard Castle between 1095 and 1125 to protect a strategic crossing point over the River Tees. In 1216, King John stayed at the castle during a campaign against northern rebels. King Edward I granted Barnard Castle to the Earl of Warwick, Guy de Beauchamp, in 1300.

 

Barnard Castle was surrendered to rebels by Robert Bowes in 1536 during the Pilgrimage of Grace. In 1569, it was besieged for 11 days during the Rising of the North before it was surrendered again.

The castle was sold to Henry Vane in 1630. Henry also owned nearby Raby Castle and used stonework from Barnard Castle to improve Raby Castle. The ruins of Barnard Castle are now in the care of English Heritage.

Just a shell of its former self, Barnard Castle's lonely romantic ruins now provide lovely views of the River Tees and the nearby town. But the castle is not quite as empty as it seems. It is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Lady Ann Day.

Little is known of Lady Ann, except that she was murdered at Barnard Castle at a young age in the 16th century, and her body was unceremoniously tossed from the castle walls into the River Tees. It is unknown who murdered her or why. The ghost of a young woman dressed in white has been witnessed falling from the castle walls. Some witnesses have claimed her fall is accompanied by a heart-rending scream, which stops as her spirit disappears just before getting to the waters of the River Tees.

Other visitors have reported experiencing a feeling of dread while visiting the Round Tower. It's unclear if these feelings are also attributed to Lady Ann Day.