The Ghosts of Dunster Castle, Somerset

Perched dramatically atop a tor in Exmoor, Dunster Castle in Somerset is steeped in nearly a millennium of history and haunted legend. Managed by the National Trust, the castle and its grounds have earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most haunted sites.

The Man in Green

Often referred to simply as the Green Man, this apparition is the most frequently reported at the castle's old 17th-century stable block (now the gift shop). Staff and visitors describe:

• A tall figure in period green clothes walking through the shop and disappearing into walls.
• A flickering green light drifting nearby.
• Unsettling energy, fallen merchandise, and mysterious green slime spoiling boxes.

Phantom Foot & Spectral Voices

In the Blue Kitchen, several visitors have witnessed a disembodied human foot floating just above the floor, a sight so startling it left them shaken. Elsewhere in the castle, ghostly male voices, echoing footsteps, and occasional murmurs have been heard in silent corridors.

️Civil War Soldier

A cleaner encountered a figure dressed in 17th-century military garb in a corridor later identified as a dormitory for Royalist soldiers, an apparition she couldn't have known historically, adding to the mystery.

The Giant Prisoner & Dungeon Echoes

Beneath the old gatehouse lies an oubliette where the skeletal remains of a seven-foot-tall prisoner, chained by wrists and ankles, were discovered. Since the 19th century, visitors report chilling experiences around this spot: dogs refusing to enter, sudden cold spots, and distant cries from the pit.

The Grey Lady

Also called the “Grey Lady” or “old woman in 17th-century garb,” this spectral female figure haunts staircases and corridors. Many claim to have glimpsed her on landing stairs, noting a pervasive chill and uneasy feeling. Some believe she was a servant who met a tragic end.

Marching on the Tor & Hidden Rounds

In 1951, tourists atop the hill heard marching, boots approaching across the higher ground, then vanishing mysteriously. Additionally, ghostly clinks of medieval coin, echoes perhaps from the de Mohun minting are sometimes heard on moonlit nights.

Why Dunster Castle Haunts

Layers of history: From Saxon origins through Norman sieges and Civil War battles, countless tragedies add depth to its ghost lore.

Residual vs. intelligent ghosts: The Green Man and sitting soldier appear reactive, interacting with the living while stairwell apparitions and footsteps may reflect residual energy.

Atmospheric setting: Narrow corridors, deep dungeons, and a dramatic hilltop heighten dread and expectation.

Participate in the Unknown

Each October, the National Trust hosts ghost tours of Dunster Castle, inviting visitors to explore its most haunted areas the shop, castle corridors, gatehouse, guided by chilling tales and eerie ambiance.

Final Thoughts

Dunster Castle’s blend of vanished soldiers, abducted prisoners, spectral women, and disembodied limbs creates a rich tapestry of ghost stories rooted in real history. Whether you attribute these to psychological suggestion, atmospheric resonance, or true supernatural presence, the castle continues to fascinate and haunt.