Maidstone in Kent is known for its picturesque countryside, charming architecture and chilling ghost stories. Here are some of its most haunted places.
1. Mote Park, Maidstone
Mote Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7RN
When Mote House was initially constructed in the late 18th century, Mote Park was a part of the Mote House estate. Finally sold to Maidstone Borough Council, the land was transformed into a public park in 1929, where it is still today. Locals have reported seeing a young girl running through the park at night while clad in white.
A local newspaper reported a local named M. Elspass describe how he ran into the girl while strolling through the park at one in the morning. He said he spotted a soft light in front of a tree, which he recognised was circling around the boot and couldn’t be attached to it. He watched as the light changed into the outline of a small girl without any distinguishing features.
Similar sightings have been recorded by many other people, but her origins are still unclear.
2. Allington Castle
Maidstone, ME16 0NB
William de Cornhill first built Allington Castle in Maidstone in the 12th century. Thomas Becket, the powerful Archbishop of Canterbury, later acquired ownership of it. Sir Thomas Wyatt, a well-known Tudor courtier and poet, undertook substantial renovations to the castle in the 1600s.
Solomon’s Tower, an original feature of the castle, is one of its most remarkable features. Legend has it that a young servant girl’s ghost walks the tower. The girl has reportedly been seen by visitors in the King’s Tower garden as well. Even when no one is in the upstairs, the castle’s occupants claim to have heard footsteps.
According to the servant girl’s legend, she was executed for drowning her unborn child in the moat. Although Allington Castle is now privately owned, guests can still enjoy exclusive tours and participate in garden open houses all year long. If you’re patient, you might be able to detect the servant girl’s spectral presence.
Allington Castle is still a fascinating, historic location with many of tales to tell.
3. Ye Olde Thirsty Pig
4A Knightrider St, Maidstone ME15 6LP
Ye Olde Thirsty Pig, a historic structure from the 15th century, is situated at the intersection of Lower Stone Street and Knightrider Street. The building features high vaulted ceilings upstairs, sloping flooring, and huge timber beams. It is thought to have been a part of the Archbishop’s Palace grounds and was originally a farmhouse.
The structure is rumoured to be haunted despite its lovely atmosphere. There have been reports of a young girl and a cavalier-looking man, as well as of phantom footsteps and heat from an abandoned hearth.
4. Leeds Castle
Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL
Leeds Castle is a historic castle located in Kent, England. It was originally built in the 12th century as a Norman stronghold and later became the residence of several English queens, including Eleanor of Castile and Catherine of Aragon. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and a venue for various events and activities.
A ghostly black dog, whose appearance portends bad luck or perhaps death, haunts Leeds Castle. According to the legend, Eleanor of Gloucester, Henry VI’s aunt, is responsible for the haunting. She was imprisoned for life in the castle after being found guilty of practising necromancy, witchcraft, heresy and treason in 1431.
Some people think that the black dog is a representation of the supposedly ancient witchcraft practised by Eleanor of Gloucester and that its spirit is still imprisoned in the grounds of the castle.
5. The Ringlestone Inn
Ringlestone Rd, Harrietsham ME17 1NX
The Ringlestone Inn is well known for its homely atmosphere, traditional English fare and even its paranormal background. Over the years, there have been lots of reports of paranormal activity at the tavern.
The place is said to be haunted by a variety of ghosts and spirits. Some of the stories include the naughty child who plays tricks by shifting toys and other items, an old couple who appear and then vanish and a ghostly guy in boots who blocks the cellar stairs.
One tale that stands out involves a young child who was discovered killing an animal on the nearby farmland. The boy’s parents concealed him in a wall crevice out of fear of harsh punishment, leaving a little opening for food to flow through.
Once the boy eventually stopped eating, the innkeepers concluded that he had passed away. They put in the last brick before leaving and never coming back. Since then, a lot of people think the boy’s ghost still spooks the inn.
Have you seen a ghost in Maidstone? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
Re. Allington Castle.
Could somebody please explain this …”According to the servant girl’s legend, she was executed for drowning her unborn child in the moat.” If a baby is unborn, how can it drowned?