THE HEREFORD PARANORMAL GROUP
&
HAUNTED HEREFORD PARANORMAL DATABASE
The websites dedicated to Hereford's Original established not for profit paranormal team and home to the Haunted Hereford Paranormal Database
Established in 2006 and led by members with decades of experience
Aylestone High School
There have been reports of hearing the piano being played and some have claimed to see the keys move with no visible, rational cause.
HEREFORD CITY
HAUNTED HEREFORD PARANORMAL DATABASE
County Hospital
The recently rebuilt Hospital, where many buildings once stood, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of four workmen who died in accidents during construction, around the Lugg Ward. Staff of the premises have reported feeling uncomfortable presences during night shifts, items being moved, the feeling of someone sitting on a bed, and hearing muffled voices. It is said walking through the old and empty part of the building, once containing bustling wards, induces uneasy feelings upon those who pass through
Did You Know?
That the Hereford Paranormal Group were involved in investigating the Black Lion with the BBC. Both TV and radio crews assisted with what became the Ghost Cam project. A sealed off room that was re-opened live on radio and showed that an ornament (used as a trigger object) had moved significantly. The team also returned and were the first group to ever be allowed to access all areas which included the various rooms in the attic. which also produced some interesting restults
Don't Forget by Clicking On The Book It Will Take You Back to the Database Menu
The Black Lion
Regularly investigated, featured by midlands today 2006, receiving regular local news coverage, and alleged to be haunted, this timbered public Inn is one of Hereford' s oldest buildings, allegedly dating back to 1550. Its time as a coaching Inn, with stables, may rationalise the sightings of horses along the Old Bridge. With reports of monks, the spirits of children and a possible angry energy with the name of John, the Black Lion tends to have gained the reputation of being one of the most haunted public houses in Hereford.
BBC Studios
A medium was tricked into visiting the studios. He was informed he would be visiting the Cathedral, but it turned out to be a test and walkaround of the BBC studios itself. The medium claimed he was made aware of a spirit called Geraldine, a nurse. He also suggested that the building had a connection with the Hereford Cathedral and a sense of medical and "being looked after" was present. This turned out to be accurate as it was once a building run by the Cathedral for pregnant women. There are tunnels beneath the building which lead to the Cathedral, though today, these are not passable for safety reasons. These tunnels appear to be the most active part of the location, where sounds were heard, and feelings of being watched, but some have reported shadows moving throughout the floors housing the studios.
Did You Know?
The HPG were lucky enough to be involved and co-ordinate Hereford's first paranormal event in Hereford. The night was hugely successful and saw hundreds of people attend who wanted to visit the many various stalls that were sited within the very popular pub called Zombies. There was also a special guest, Richard Felix who stayed and chatted and encouraged the team to run regular ghost walks and events throughout the city.
Churchill Gardens
The country of Herefordshire has always held stong links with Quakers. It is reported a witness described the full apparition of a Quaker, a strong, forming figure which appeared to be pointing in the direction they were walking.
Gwynne Street
It is reported in 1945 locals witnessed a mist and heard the sound of horse hooves clattering, and allegedly this mist formed the apparition of a man on horseback. It believed to be the ghost of Nell Gwyne's lover King Charles. Nells house was demolished in 1858 and all that remains today is a remembrance plaque mounted on the large stone wall.
Hightown/New Look
A house towed to its new location in 1966 is said to be haunted by a herbalist who is said to have accidentally overdosed his assistant resulting in their death, whom subsequently took their own life plagued by guilt. His ghost is said to remain. Part of the Chemist shop can be seen when looking above what is now New Look. It is said the apothecary haunts the area still feeling guilty for the accidental loss of life. Many reports were made, particularly when the building was the Littlewoods department store, of sightings and poltergeist types of activity.
Did You Know?
The HPG regularly gets sent photographs of interest to share with our supporters.
James kindly sent in this photograph so that our supporters can get a unique look at what the other side fo the old chemist/apothecary shop looks like. Is it possible the ghost of a man, riddled with guilt, still haunts this area?
Many witnessed the whole property being towed up the street in 1966. There are some websites displaying photographs actually capturing the event
The Old Bridge & River Wye
Ghost apparitions are seen walking alongside the footpaths. Horses have been heard galloping over the old bridge when the bridge has been empty. A medium picked up on the stabbing of a person along the riverside walk, which was later verified in detail. But maybe the saddest story is of an desperate apparition that is seen when conditions are right hurling herself from the bank of the river. When sighted she is always seen as being in a destressed manner just prior. Is this a replay of a suicide?
Shire Hall
Once stood the Hereford Gaol on what is now one of Hereford's most well known landmarks. There have been numerous accounts of paranormal activity, cold spots an unusual lights have been experienced by visitors and staff alike, where their accounts match each others. Investigations have been successful, where many have felt a sensation of a young girl holding their hand, pulling at clothing, and moving objects. During a vigil it is reported a dark figure was seen, in accordance with staff accounts.
Did You Know?
The Hereford Paranormal Group to hold a public investigation at the Shire Hall? The event was to raise money for charity and was opened up to anyone who wished to be sponsored to attend the investigation. A Hereford Times Journalist attended the event and made a video to support the event.
The HPG paranormal investigators also returned again several years later for another invetigation to assist another local team with a further charity event. Once again the general public were invited with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.
Now the Shire Hall appears to be regularly booked by both non-profit making organisations and commercial paranormal teams who are hoping to encounter some of the reports of ghostly tales for themselves.
Cathedral & St Peter's Square & Church
It is said that during December a monk is seen to move from the area of a war memorial to the Cathedral, vanishing at the oak door. Apparently witnessed by two policemen in the 1930s, there are reports of the figure dressed in either white, or black. Some years ago, during the Three Choirs Festival, many visitors were reported to be amazed to see the ghost of a monk standing at the north eastern side of the Cathedral, near Lady Chapel, shortly before midnight. Allegedly this is the ghost of a monk who was killed at the Cathedral in 1055 by a Welshman. Walter De Lacy, infamouse architect and landowner, fell from the tower of St Peter's Church when he was working on it. back int he 13th Century. His spirit is often sensed around buildings associated with him. A monk has also been seen walking through closed doors of the church itself.
The Old House Museum
In 2006 a charity paranormal event was held here. Most who attended didn't feel much happened during their vigils, but the medium who attended this investigation reported particular spirits. John Payne being one, who was said to belong to the year 1712. Many have reported noises, doors closing, objects moving and apparitions in the building away from this said investigation.
The Orange Tree
A psychic once claimed a man named John was murdered there in 1863. Another, rightly picked up on several fires there, despite being from another area. Poltergeist activity is regularly reported, and there was one account of a dog being seen towards the back in the building, close to the bar. With the occasional report of objects appearing to move , the Orange Tree has been investigated several times.
The Town Hall
The architect was H.A. Cheers of Twickenham, builder W.J. Bowers of Bath Street, Hereford. Alderman E.E. Bosley originated the plans through the Town Hall Committee, which lasted from 6th March 1900 to 23rd October 1906. Unfortunately he died the day before Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Battenberg laid the foundation stone. Still in official use today, relics of it`s past remain. There have been sightings of figures in the main hall on a balcony, light anomalies in photographs, and strange bangs, scrapings heard as if to be following people.
Did You Know?
The HPG were once again the first team to investigate one of Hereford's most well known buildings due to the accounts of paranormal tales and ghost encounters.
The Hereford Times chose the Town Hall to photo the group's co-founders as the Hereford Paranormal Group had,at the time, entered into its 8th year of investigating the paranormal.
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White Cross
Around 200 years ago Old Taylor struck fear upon the residents of Whitecross road, while pacing the pavements. It was, a reign of terror in that neighbourhood where only the hardiest ventured into Sally Walk after dark. It is said that no one ever answered a knock on the door. Word spread that `Old Taylor' was even more troublesome in the flesh than he could ever be in spirit, allegedly with no thought/morals. Laying claim for ridding Whitecross of the pest was a regular from the Nag's Head. It was, perhaps, known as `Dennis the Liar'. Old Taylors spirit was said to have been placed in a bottle banished beneath the Wye, with his return feared by many.
Is this area active due to the fact that during the plague years, it was the safe drop off point for provisions that needed to enter the city? What hightened emotions would have existed knowing this? A plague cross was often erected in the area to warn people and this often became a permanent structure.
Ring-a-ring-a-roses,
A pocket full of posies;
Ashes! Ashes!
We all fall down
Many historians believe the famous nursery rhyme is associated with the plagues of the UK.
The word "Ashes" eventually mutated to "Atishoo" (The sound of sneezing). It is considered that "Ashes" could refer to the colour of the plague victims skin becoming darker or the huge amount of burning of corpses that took place.
The Spread Eagle
In the window of this 17th century building is said to be seen the apparition of a lady looking outwards. In the nearby passageway/patio there is known to be a presence causing negative feelings to those staying in a particular area for too long.
Belle Vue Terrace
There were regular accounts of particularly an audible nature said to occur in one of the homes in Belle Vue Terrace. Many of the noises have been associated with the sound children may make when running or playing. Once one resident would often find the front door open after they had awoke from sleep when they were positive it had been locked prior to going to bed.
St Owen's Chambers
Once a brewery and two seperate buildings, St Owens Chambers stands quite impressively in St Owen Street. An apparition of a young girl has been spotted near the stairs as well as dark shadows from the upper floors. There has also been reports of poltergeist type phenomena coming from the cellar.
Conningsby Museum
Originally known as Red Coat Hospital, the Coningsby is renowned, for Nell Gwyn knew the hospital and its inmates very well so she persuaded her lover Charles II to found a similar hospital in Chelsea with the same uniforms and to create the Chelsea pensioners. The founder of the building was Sir Thomas Coningsby of the great Hampton Court, Herefordshire. Puddles of water mysteriously appear in the Chapel, loud bangs and footsteps are often heard and Monks have been seen in the gardens with their heads down and hoods up, by both locals and tourists.
A skeleton was discovered under the floorboards of the museum. It is said to belong to a lady and mediums have said to believe she died in childbirth.
Aubrey Street
Aubrey Street is considered to be in Herefords most medieval part of the city. The building has had reports of poltergeist type activity and various sightings of shadow type figures particularly present on the top floor of the current office suites. One employee, who worked in the premises when it was a solicitors practice, claimed that she felt the spirit of a man to be there to quite malevolent and reported coming in one morning to find the glass broken on the photocopier despite being last to leave the building and see the equipment as it should have been.
East Street
This poppet or cursed doll is said to originate from the 19th Century. It is currently housed in Hereford's Museum. It was found in the crevice of some brickwork at 21 East Street. What is particularly sinister was that inside the folds of the dolls dress contained the narrative of the curse itself. It reads "Mary Ann Ward. I act this spell on you from my holl heart wishing you to never sleep the rester part of your life. I hope your flesh will waste away and I hope you will never spend another penny I ought to have. Wishing this from my whole heart."
The Green Dragon Hotel
There are many tunnels which actually run under Broad Street where the current largest hotel in Hereford City is situated. Many of these tunnels are thought to lead directly to the Cathedral not far away. There are many gruesome tales of the past associated with this building including a beheading and perhaps even murder. One particular floor is supposed to be particular active with many residents feeling a sense of unease when they stay. With noises and shadows reported that cannot be explained, it is hardly surprising a building that dates back so far has tales to tell within its fabric.
Belmont Abbey
Belmont Abbey was established in 1859 following the rule of St Benedict. It currently houses about 18 practising monks that belong to a 45 strong community. Someone was once visiting the kitchens belonging to the monastery. It was around 5am in the morning when he saw the spectral form of a monk walking behind a lorry prior to disappearing.
High Street
In 1970 a lady went into an upstairs office very close to what is now Boots and currently a sports shop. This was at the time an insurance brokers. She had dealt with a gentleman and when the business was completed returned home. It was only then that she realised a mistake had been made. The next day she returned and spoke this time to a young lady who became rather perplexed when the story of the mistake was told because she insisted the premises had been closed the day before. The lady described the gentleman in depth. She mentioned how he had taken her money, was drinking tea and even signed the document. At this point the young worker turned white and indicated that this man had actually died 3 years previously.
The Old Masquerade Shop
On visiting Herefords main party and fancy dress hire shop, you may think it could be the last place that those from the past may want to frequent. However, staff have, for some time, acknowledged the presence of a ghost amongst them. Poltergeist type phenomena is also a common occurrence here. They appear completely at ease with their guest. But who really is the guest? The current occupiers or the original ones still present?
The Booth Hall/Ye Olde Booth Hall/Bothe Hall
The Booth is one of Herefords most popular pubs and nightlife premises. It is steeped in history including once being used as a Jail and operated by the freemasons. One medium who visited there picked up accurately how a chimney breast came crashing to the ground and felt that this had a significant part to the story of the frequent haunting. One of the previous owners of the establishment can also be linked to another apparent haunted location in Hereford (See The Green Man). He was the infamous Hereford Boxer Tom Spring. Again, also like the other location this one too was used as a court house. There is an array of current tales of glasses/objects moving and shadows being seen without any possible source. What is fascinating is the small tunnel type cellar area that anyone who visits will feel an eerie claustrophobic sense in.
Drawing of Tom Spring
Did You Know?
There is a seperate page, on this website, dedicated to some of the most historical facts about Hereford and the County.