It’s said to be home to around 15 or 16 ghosts, including its former owner Elizabeth Murray, the Duchess of Lauderdale, her dog and a heartbroken servant
It’s rumoured that at least 15 ghosts roam the corridors of Ham House(Image: DEA/G.Wright/Getty Images)
You may think it’s a bit late to introduce a touch of the eerie and mysterious into your life, given that Halloween is behind us for another year.
But just because a stately home might have some ghosts wandering around the corridors, it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a nice day out.
Especially when it resembles a palace straight out of Bridgerton – but this mansion has its own tales to tell, so forget Lady Whistledown and step into one of the most haunted houses in the country.
Ham House in Richmond, it’s said, is home to around 15 or 16 ghosts, including its former owner Elizabeth Murray, the Duchess of Lauderdale, her dog, and a heartbroken servant.
Built originally in 1610, Ham House was the creation of Elizabeth’s father, William Murray, and stands as a rare example of 17th-century opulence and splendour.
Watch out for the woman in black on the staircase(Image: Pawel Libera/LightRocket via Getty Images)
William’s friendship with Charles I would unfortunately disrupt the Murrays’ lavish lifestyle. The outbreak of the English Civil War and the subsequent defeat of the royalists left the future uncertain for the royalist Murrays.
In 1653, Oliver Cromwell was appointed ‘lord protector’ of the new Commonwealth, and his rule over the next five years would prove challenging for the Murrays.
But Elizabeth rose to the challenge – described as ruthless and tenacious, she cultivated friendships with both Charles II and Oliver Cromwell, all in pursuit of a place within high society.
Elizabeth inherited Ham House from her father in 1655, and with the commencement of Charles II’s reign in 1660, the estate once again became a centre for lavish entertainment. However, her shrewdness didn’t end there.
Who’s side was Elizabeth Murray really on?(Image: DeAgostini/Getty Images)
Rumours circulated that she wouldn’t hesitate to take family members to court if they crossed her.
Suspicion began to mount only when she wed her second husband, the recently bereaved John Maitland, 1st Earl of Lauderdale. There was speculation about the suspiciously close timing of the deaths of both her first husband and the Earl’s wife – was this a scheme to propel Elizabeth up the social ladder?
However, the extravagant lifestyle came crashing down when her husband encountered financial difficulties.
This, coupled with poor health, led the Duchess to confine herself to a single ground floor flat at Ham House.
This is how Elizabeth ended up being central to the ‘hauntings’, with her ruthless reputation haunting her beyond the grave.
The 17th-century mansion is now under the stewardship of the National Trust, allowing us all to step inside and experience the supernatural activity first hand.
Would you dare to enter one of the most haunted houses in the UK?(Image: English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Her room is reported to be the hub of the paranormal activity, with visitors claiming that the room emits an eerie atmosphere… and pets are hesitant to enter.
Rumour has it that a woman in black, thought to be Elizabeth, has been seen on the staircase – but no one can say for certain.
Despite the grandeur of its architecture and design, Ham House’s turbulent past continues to echo through its corridors today.
How to get there
Location: Ham House and Garden, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7RS.
Richmond Station is just a mile away from Ham House, making it an easy stroll. Alternatively, if you prefer to drive, simply input TW10 7RS into your SATNAV.
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