ST.ALBANS GHOST TOUR
22nd March 2010
We were fortunate enough to take a tour with Pauline King, a St.Albans Ghost Tour Guide, around the atmospheric streets of St.Albans. We asked Pauline not to give us any prior information on the hauntings or any historical details relating to each place, we left it to our resident Psychic to see what they could find. The Psychic had no previous knowledge of the areas individual history or the supposed 'hauntings' of each place. They had visited St.Albans before, and had a few 'strange' experiences, so this was an ideal opportunity to add more to the Towns Ghostly Tales...
SPECSAVERS
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel anything in this particular shop, but this could be because we were outside, and the haunting itself is ‘indoors’. However, one photograph taken of the upstairs window, does show a faint ‘orb’ on the brickwork (so not due to camera flare). I did sense that the area to the left of the premises, leading into the shopping precinct has a spirit attached to it.
THE TOWN HALL
On my previous visit to the Town Hall (and the Coffee shop indoors) there was definitely a ‘presence’ there, and more than one. Unfortunately during the day, the place is busy with customers, and focussing enough to ‘pick up’ on individual spirits was difficult. The only overwhelming feeling I got was of ‘butchery’ and I did wonder if the premises had ever housed a butchers? The only thing about this feeling of ‘butchery ‘ I had was that it was on a very large scale, like an abbatoir. I could sense a huge amount of bloodshed on the premises at one time, though I would need to return there for longer to sense anything more.
W.H.SMITHS
An interesting encounter! The alley to the side of the premises definitely has spirits attached to it! The windows above the shop drew my attention, and I could clearly see a male trying to jump out of the window, and having to be forcibly dragged back inside. The feeling here was of ‘escape’ and people risking life and limb to jump out of the first floor windows rather than face their fate inside! Again, the photos taken here show ‘orbs’ in them – Interestingly in the area I could ‘see’ the person trying to jump out of! – Other photos, taken around the area, and of other windows – showed nothing.
LAURA ASHLEY (as was now WILLS University Outfitters)Again, another ‘indoor’ haunting, and focussing on the upper windows I could sense an elderly female, (from around the mid/late 1800s) who wears a white pinafore and cap. Her job there was something to do with needlecraft, such as lacework, and her eyesight suffered terribly as a result of the work she had to do. She sits in front of the window, as this was the only place she could get natural light in which to do her work.
Another ghost here is a tall thin gentleman, rather stern looking with a short, dark bushy moustache. He dates from around the Edwardian Era, and wears a smart suit, with starched collar – everything about him, is ‘just so’ and in its place, which is how he liked things – a perfectionist with high standards almost possible to achieve. I would say, he is not a very nice character at all, terribly cruel, although those who knew of him may not have been aware of just how cruel he really was – his appearance belied this side of his nature– He either owned the premises at the time, or was employed there as a manager. I wonder if the premises ever housed workers who were paid based on the number of items they produced? (such as piecework?) Or on the quality of the work they produced (such as garment making??)This male ghost certainly seemed the type to work his employees hard in order to achieve results, and profits..
FRENCH ROWAs on my previous visits, French Row always feels ‘alive’ with spirits. On this evening, the Row itself was virtually empty, but I still felt the overwhelming feeling of being ‘crushed’. This place has seen many people over the centuries, and attracted all of society to its narrow alleyways. It feels dirty, dangerous and yet ‘alive’ – as though many people have chosen to remain there after death. It played an important role in many peoples lives, and they still remain because of this.
"Whore" ALLEY (next to the Fleur De Lys)I have walked past this alleyway many times before, but never ‘felt’ anything there. On this evening I was drawn to it inexplicably and knew immediately that this was ‘whore alley’ (as I called it) or a place for prostitutes to ply their trade! I could see them clearly, lining up against each side of the alleyway. There would be as many as 20-30 various girls and women there at a time, and I suppose you could call it a ‘meat market’. Their ‘customers’ walked through the alley, and ‘chose’ the lady they wanted. They weren’t women of any particular standing, but nor were they all ‘hags’. There was something to suit every taste! They all seemed to know each other, and had codes and standards between them that where adhered to (like an honour amongst thieves) They were, however, very territorial of their ‘patch’, and didn’t accept newcomers easily. They were certainly a spirited, feisty bunch of ladies, making the best of what they had. I wouldn’t say they all liked what they did, but it paid the bills! And in their own way they saw what they did as a service, unlike today, they seemed to have a place in society, and were (perhaps grudgingly) accepted as part of the community. As I walked along the alley, my left hand became as cold as ice – a sure sign to me that there were still ghosts there! – However, these were friendly, certainly nothing to make you feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
THE FLEUR DE LYS
I visited this pub once, but didn’t feel very much inside it, the only place that drew my attention was the staircase. – I wonder if a ‘ghost’ haunts this particular place in the Inn?
THE TUDOR TAVERN (now Thai Restaurant)This has at least one definite ‘spirit’ attached to it, which I sensed while outside looking up at the first floor windows. This spirit dated from the time the place was a personal house, rather than an Inn or Pub.
However, when we went inside, on the ground floor, the place didn’t feel ‘haunted’ at all! The place was warm and welcoming, and from our conversation with the manager no-one had ‘sensed’ anything there for a while.
It was upstairs (in the area I had seen from the street) that I sensed the ghost of the Tudor Tavern! The upstairs was considerably colder than the ground floor, despite the fact that the area we were in was adjacent to the kitchens. There were also many candles and lights in the area, but it was still noticeably colder than downstairs. The large rafters spanning the room caught my attention, and I had a feeling that my throat was constricting – as though being crushed. This usually indicates a strangulation, or hanging. It then became clearer that the ghost of the Tudor Tavern had hung themselves from the rafter. I took a photo of the rafter I suspected and the photo did show an ‘orb’ on the rafter itself. Other photos taken around the premises, I should add, showed nothing.
This (male) ghost was the former owner of the Tavern, and at the time they had lived in the premises with their family. They had money, and standing and their house was (at the time) one of the grandest in St.Albans. The man wore a black hat, white ruff and black outfit (somewhat like a quakers outfit) and had long, dark hair (to shoulder length )and a long thin moustache.For some reason, they lost the house, and had to leave, and this is what I believe drove them to take their own life. They simply could not bear to lose the house (and the way of life) they had enjoyed.
Since their death they have stayed at the Tavern, and not always been happy with the way things have changed there (which is when the haunting have escalated) but I did feel that the present incarnation, and owners of the Tavern were something they were happy about. They certainly presented no malice to people now. Interestingly, the manager did say that they kept their premises ‘faithful’ to their surroundings – which is something the ghost, I’m sure, would appreciate!
ROAD FROM THE TAVERN
As we left the Tavern I felt warm and comfortable. As we proceeded towards our next destination I felt cold, sombre and sad. This area had seen an awful lot of misery and sadness, as though a procession had walked down it towards some terrible eventuality. As we walked along, I felt a pain in my stomach which went through to my back, with my back becoming very painful as though someone had tightened a belt around my waist and was pulling it tighter.
ROMELAND
This place seemed to have seen so much sadness and misery. Emotionally it has never lost these feelings and a still, sad, somewhat serene feeling remains, as though nothing could ever replace it. I wouldn’t be surprised if even on the hottest summer days it still feels cold there, and people don’t remain on the benches there for long. Whoever died there did so in the most barbaric circumstances, and their death was unnecessary, and unjustified.
It seemed to me that they were murdered ‘to prove a point’ as an example to others. And those witnessing this death, were not there to cheer, or gloat, but were there rallying against it, until the end, although they could do nothing to prevent it. It is these sad figures that still remain, as though they never want others to forget what happened. They are still mourning, weeping and chilling the air. (I actually still get goosebumps while writing about this particular place...)
THE ABBEY ARCHWAY (now St.Albans School)Cold and foreboding in both atmosphere and appearance. I would equate this to being St.Albans version of the Tower of London. There are still spirits around it, but they are not welcoming. The whole place felt cold and unhappy, and not a place I feel people want to stay in for too long. The windows in particular caught my attention, as though there were still ghosts behind them, looking out.
THE WHITE HART HOTEL (1st Visit – prior to Ghost Dinner & Tour)
The arch to the left of the White Hart has one identifiable spirit, who seems to have died somewhere in the middle of the alleyway. – However, I only paid a quick visit to this place so could not identify anything more at the time. During the time I spent inside the Hotel (on the ground floor) I felt nothing, only a slight cold breeze at times which passed over my hand. However, when I went to the toilet (situated on the first floor) I definitely sensed more. The atmosphere once again felt much colder, and there was a definite feeling that there were other spirits there, especially around the staircase, and the door leading to (I think) Hotel Rooms. I remember thinking that it was a childs spirit, though I wasn’t there long enough to sense more than a fleeting presence. The coldness of this area led me to think that it wasn’t a happy spirit.
ST.PETERS STREET (opposite the taxi rank)I sensed an old lady, dressed in shabby clothes walks along here. She is small and doubled over (as though she has a ‘hunched’ back) She is a ‘wandering’ spirit who shuffles aimlessly along the street. She is unaware of those around her, and the reasons for her ‘shuffling along’ are unknown – although it seems she is looking for something or someone in particular.
THE COCK
Again I sensed the scene of battles and bloodshed, but on a much smaller scale than further into town. I would say these were ‘minor skirmishes’ rather than anything more. (more like a pub brawl in terms of numbers and violence involved) – Although the Cock did have some trace memory of a ghostly nature, it was vague and almost faded.
WE HOPE TO JOIN PAULINE AGAIN SOON FOR ANOTHER NIGHT....
FOR MORE PSYCHIC REPORTS ON ST.ALBANS SEE OUR PSYCHIC REALM PAGES:
The White Hart Ghost Dinner & Tour Report
The Boot Report & Timeslip
17 The High Street
St.Albans Abbey
Misc.St.Albans Reports.
