Greyfriars in Leicester was plagued by ghostly noises and disturbances well before the remains of King Richard III were discovered beneath the site in 2012, write former nearby office worker BEV BARSBY
Before King Richard III’s remains were unearthed, Greyfriars in Leicester was just an ordinary office location for many, including myself. But beneath the surface of this seemingly mundane 1930s building, something far more sinister was lurking. Little did we know, as we went about our daily routines, that the echoes of the past were making themselves known in ways we couldn’t explain.
I used to work at Greyfriars for quite a while, and during that time, I experienced some of the most unnerving moments of my life. My office was downstairs, overlooking the grave site. I was there when the archaeologists began their dig, and we got to know them quite well. A large pile of soil from the excavation sat right outside our window for most of that time – remnants of a history we could only begin to comprehend. The building itself wasn’t particularly old, built in the 1930s, but what happened inside was something I’ll never forget.
I always made a habit of getting to work early, relishing the quiet before the day began. But the silence was often broken by the sound of doors banging, as if someone – or something – was wandering the halls. It wasn’t just me who noticed these strange occurrences. A colleague who also arrived early would hear the same sounds, and we even heard them together on more than one occasion. She was so spooked that she refused to go to her upstairs office until another person arrived.
But the most terrifying incident happened when a colleague and I were in our downstairs office while the team upstairs was out for a day. The building was eerily quiet, and suddenly, we heard a dragging noise followed by an enormous bang directly above our heads. It sounded as if a full filing cabinet had been dropped from a great height.
Our hearts pounded as we tried to make sense of the noise. We assumed someone was still upstairs, but when we went to investigate, we found the floor completely empty. Nothing was out of place, and no one was there. I even searched outside, thinking the noise might have come from the house next door, but there was nothing—no sign of any disturbance.
This incident spurred me to ask around among colleagues who had been in the office longer than I had. To my surprise, I found out that these strange noises had been going on for years. They even had a name for the ghost – George, or maybe it was Fred; it’s been a long time, so the details are a bit fuzzy.
One colleague was convinced it was a man, and she believed he had a particular interest in scaring women. She told me about a time when she saw a heavy fire door slam open with a bang, and could even feel his presence—sometimes physically. Once, she felt a sensation as if someone had placed their fingers on her head and spread them out, like the old trick of mimicking a cracked egg.
All of this happened long before King Richard III’s body was found. Interestingly, I don’t remember hearing any knocks or bangs during the dig itself. Shortly after the discovery, we had to move out as the visitor centre was being built. The archaeologists had determined that the Abbey Cloisters were right where our office building stood.
I’d be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind – was it Richard III himself haunting the building, only to find peace once his body was found and laid to rest? Or was it something else entirely, a restless spirit displaced by the demolition? Whatever it was, I hope it managed to find a new home when we vacated the building. The echoes of the past are strong at Grey Friars, and they’ve left a mark on all of us who worked there.
Have you experienced anything paranormal at Greyfriars in Leicester? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
BEV BARSBY says: “My name is Bev Barsby, and I’m a fairly recently retired Social Worker. I was born and bred in N.E. Derbyshire, but lived and worked in Leicester from the age of 17. I’ve always had a fascination for the paranormal and folklore and love listening to other people’s experiences and tales.
“I was brought up in my Nan’s pub, so there were always lots of stories to go round! I’ve also always loved history and medieval churches. My Nan used to say I couldn’t go past a church without insisting we go inside, and would throw a tantrum if i was refused this! I think I inherited these passions from my Dad though, as he enjoyed anything out of the ordinary, and as a kid would take me and my mates (who had formed our own ‘Mystery Club’ in junior school like some kind of second rate Famous Five!) out to places like Rowtor Rocks and Arbor Low stone circle, as well as the odd graveyard pointing out the resting places of highwaymen and unusual headstones.
“I’m happy to say I’ve got plenty of time now to explore my interests further, and me and my husband have a little campervan, and so, with our little dog, are often out and about, poking round churchyards, and finding out about new hauntings and folktales countrywide now!”
