Blenheim Palace

Woodstock
Oxfordshire
OX20 1PX

History

Blenheim Palace, once the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, is now home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and is set in 2100 acres of parkland and formal gardens. The palace was originally created to celebrate victory of the French during the Wars of the Spanish Succession and was a gift to the first Duke of Marlborough from the Queen and a grateful nation, with the promise of funds to build such a house, because he skilfully led the Allied forces into battle as a military commander in 1704. However the Duchess, a strong formidable woman, was not happy with such a grand residence and often argued with the architects and even fell out of favour with the Queen herself. Funds dried up and the building of the palace came to a halt in the summer of 1712. The palace was finally completed at the Duke’s own expense.

Subsequent Dukes and Duchesses have made considerable differences to the palace through horticulture and innovation but it was the 9th Duke who created the formal gardens and restored the Great Court, replanting the entrance avenue and the Grand avenue, that made the biggest contribution to Blenheim. He was also responsible for the complete redecoration of the State Rooms.

During the World Wars the palace was used for the various means to help the war effort. Winston Churchill, the grandson of the 7th Duke and close friend of the 9th, was born at Blenheim and spent a great deal of time at the palace.

The palace is now a World Heritage Site and is preserved by the present Duke who has committed his life to the preservation of Blenheim.

Paranormal Activity

The Dean Jones Room, named after the first duke’s former chaplain, was once said to have been haunted by the man himself but it was said he never appeared again once Churchill was born in that very room.

Blenheim is also reportedly haunted by a ghost of a Roundhead soldier who is said to appear sitting huddled over an empty grate, near to the fire, in one of the bedrooms.

The palace is also said to be the home of a poltergeist, which once forced the royal commissioners to leave the palace.

Oxford Castle

Oxford
OX1 1AY

History

Oxford Castle was a classic motte and bailey castle dating back to Saxon times and still has its motte today. Below ground can be found St George’s Chapel Crypt with its Romanesque columns, within is a 13th century vaulted Well Chamber and Oxford Castle is also home to a prison which dates back to the 18th century and was still used until just recently.

During the Civil War, Oxford Castle was used to detain parliamentarian prisoners and during the 18th century was home to many executions as well as stories of bodies being used for anatomical research.

Paranormal Activity

Oxford Castle is host to many strange happenings. The murderer Mary Blandy was tried and hanged at the castle in 1752 and it is said that her ghost has been seen wandering around the castle mound.

Poltergeist activity has also been reported and is believed to have originated after a séance took place during the 1970’s by a group of inmates. A priest was eventually called in to calm the spirits and perform an exorcism.

In recent years activity at the castle has included a photograph which captured a dark figure within the underground Crypt. Keiron Brown from Alton in Hampshire was astonished to see the dark shadow of a figure at the end of the corridor leading into the Crypt.

A strange white mist has also been witnessed by prison guards, rising up a flight of stairs and fading in front of their eyes and one guard reported the incident of when he was once on patrol with his dog and the dog stopped and growled and the apparition of black figures appeared in front of him.

Screams and shouts have also been heard echoing around the main buildings and security guards at the castle have long been uneasy doing the rounds at night.

Langsmead House B&B

Milton Common
Thame
Oxfordshire
OX9 2JY
Tel: 01844 278727

History

Paranormal Activity

This four star bed and breakfast is home to a male spirit with heavy footsteps and the sound of him clearing his throat. Visitors to this B&B have also reported seeing a man standing by their bedside dressed in army uniform.