Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Specific Location: Plymouth

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

Minerva Inn, Plymouth

Dating from the late 16th century or early 17th century*, the Grade II listed Minerva is Plymouth’s oldest serving public house. Found at 31 Looe Street, the Minerva was associated with Plymouth’s Press Gangs and many a customer in the 17th century were tricked into service aboard Navy vessels.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Haunted Carpentry Shop, Plymouth

In his ‘The Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain’ (1897), John Ingram gives the following account of the ghostly carpenters encountered by Mary Anne Hunn, probably around 1791.  ‘Amongst the innumerable multitude of buildings which have the reputation of being haunted, it will be noted that by far the larger number are haunted by strange noises and mysterious sounds only,

Legends

Plymouth Leat (Drake’s Leat)

Following a 1585 Act of Parliament, Plymouth Leat or Drake’s Leat was built to divert water from the River Meavy on Dartmoor, seventeen and a half miles to Plymouth. The idea itself dates back to 1559 when Plymouth Corporation asked Mr Forsland of Bovey to make an initial survey for its construction, in order to create a new supply of fresh water. A more detailed survey was completed in 1576.