Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Featured in Ham House ghost stories are the spirits of the Duchess of Lauderdale
(1626-1698) and her dog. Described as beautiful and smart, ruthless and greedy, she is
suspected of secretly murdering her first husband so that she could marry her lover, the
Duke of Lauderdale.
A 17
th
century Jacobean treasure trove of design and many original furnishings, the house
retains a certain aura of mystery, haunted by the ghosts of its past residents. The first re-
corded report of a ghost at Ham House was in 1879, and one of the most recent sightings
occurred in 2009 by a visiting couple claiming to have captured the Duchess of Lauder-
dale's image on film.
In her old age the Duchess suffered from insomnia and took to wandering the house at
night, carrying her silver-headed cane. On numerous occasions there have been reports of
ghostly tapping sounds coming from the corridors of the house. Some visitors have heard
growling and seen a dog running down the corridor (although no dogs are permitted in the
building). A few witnesses claim to have seen the specters of the Duchess and her dog
roaming the house.
Workers in the house have reported smelling the Duchess's rose-scented perfume and
hearing her climbing the staircase. Others tell of entering a bedchamber and noticing the
Duchess's damp footprints near the fireplace as they quickly dry and disappear.
Meanwhile, on the grounds of Ham House the ghost of a lively King Charles spaniel is
frequently seen in broad daylight.
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