Abbey House

A "Grey Lady", thought to be a nun has been seen on the pathway in the garden and in the house (which was built from materials scavenged from the remains of a nearby medieval priory); however, it is not clear if the spectre is still seen (indeed it is not clear if any of the spectres mentioned here are still "active" after an exorcism in 1986). The legend of the Grey Lady is that she and the canon at Barnwell priory had become lovers and would meet in a tunnel that connected the convent and the priory. Another ghost that is said to have been seen at Abbey House is that of 18th century squire Jacob Butler, who liked to drink and play jokes. His phantom is said to "clump and thump" about the building. In additional, a phantom red squirrel and hare have also been seen! There are many other reported ghosts including six "whitish nun-like figures", semi-formed heads and the sensation of something sitting on a bed and pressure on the chest, bangings on bedroom doors, and the sound of footsteps, muttering, singing and other "strange" noises.