Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Specific Location: Bathampton

Hauntings

Sham Castle

The Sham Castle at Bathampton is a Grade II listed building dating from 1762. It was built for the entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ralph Allen (Born 1693 – Died 29 June 1764), who perhaps haunts it still. The following extract is taken from an article by David Brandon and Alan Brooke which was published in The Guardian on 31 October 2009.

King Arthur / Legends

Bathampton Down & The Battle of Badon Hill

It is thought by some that Bathampton Down and it’s Iron Age hillfort, Bathampton Camp, may have been the location for the early 6th century legendary Siege or Battle of Badon Hill (also known as the Battle of Badon or the Battle of Mount Badon), in which King Arthur’s Britons halted the advance of the Saxons into Britain.

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The George Inn, Bathampton

The Grade II listed George Inn on Mill Lane in Bathampton dates from the mid late 17th century and is thought to be haunted by Viscount John Baptiste Du Barry who was killed on Bathampton Down on18 November 1778 during the last legal duel in Britain. His mortally wounded body is said to have been brought into The George Inn where he finally died.