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Westbury Swimming Pool Ghost

THE 115-year-old Victorian swimming pool in Westbury is nationally renowned for its resident ghost.

Widely acknowledged as the oldest public baths in the country, historians have charted the series of encounters with an apparition nicknamed George.

One story describes George as being a doomed swimmer who jumped to his death off the pool balcony while others suggest the ghost is that of an old boiler stoker who stands by the pool edge still dressed in his overalls.

The Church Street baths were opened in 1887 and were given to the town by mill owner William Laverton.

Red Lion, Avebury
With its stone circles and ancient monuments of all kinds, Wiltshire has long been a centre of paranormal activity, ranging from ghost sightings to UFO reports. Some believe this relates to the large number of ley lines found in the county. The Red Lion pub in Avebury is said to lie at the intersection of two ley lines, and is actually located inside a stone circle. It is also well known for its spooky visitations - including the ghost of a woman called Florrie who was murdered by her soldier husband in the 17th century after he discovered that she had been unfaithful to him while he was away at war.

The Kings Arms, Monkton Farleigh
The Kings Arms in Monkton Farleigh has an array of ghosts almost as extensive as its many tempting menu options. Among the highlights (of the ghosts, not the menu) are a monk who reportedly died in the pub in mysterious circumstances; and a woman whose runaway carriage crashed into the building, killing her. There is also a mysterious key which was unearthed during recent building work on the site. Allegedly two ghosts appeared and warned the bar staff not to knock down the wall behind which the key was eventually found. The purpose of the key is still not known but it now hangs proudly on the pub wall.

The Black Swan Hotel
The Black Swan Hotel in Devizes has a long history dating back to the 15th century, one that is richly evoked by its thick timbered structure and historical décor. It also has a panoply of ghosts including the sorrowful spirit of a young woman who wanders through the walls, and two detached legs which have been seen walking around without any sign of a body!

Wardour Castle, Ansty
The castle was built in 1393 by John, 5th Lord Lovell. It eventually became the home of the Arundel family. The castle was badly damaged during the civil war, following a prolonged siege. The Arundels had a large house built close by which was also called Wardour Castle. Lady Blanche Arundel's ghost tells the story.

Ghost story: There were only twenty-five men and myself to defend the castle. We fought bravely for five days against hundreds of Roundheads. Although we were heavily outnumbered, the men showed true courage. When it became clear that the Roundheads' weaponry was far better than ours, we had no choice but to surrender. We agreed the terms of our surrender but these were not honoured. My men and I were put to death by those despicable Roundheads.

I still walk the grounds of the castle, although the castle itself is nothing but a ruin. You can see me walking towards the lake at twilight.

Pythouse Semly, Wilts
The current Palladian mansion was built in 1725 to replace an Elizabethan house. The Bennett Stanford's lived on this estate for 700 years. This is their housemaid Molly's story.

Ghost story: It was an accident, I didn't mean to do it. I would never have hurt my own child. She died after I scalded her with some hot water and I was hanged for my crime. Some people thought that the father of my child was "one of the family" and that is why they kept my skeleton at the house.

On only three occasions have my bones have been removed. The first time a wing of the mansion caught fire, the second time the son and heir died and the third time the only daughter died, so that branch of the family died out. They never learned.