Longleat House in Wiltshire is probably better known for its wildlife park than it is its ghosts
Longleat House in Wiltshire is probably better known for its wildlife park than it is its ghosts - but the house does have some history. The house was built in 1567 by Sir John Thynne on the site of a former Augustinian Priory and named after the artificial stream "leat" that was built to feed a watermill. The house is still in the hands on the Thynne family - namely Alexander George Thynne - 7th Marquis of Bath.
Grey Lady
There are several ghosts that are said to haunt Longleat - one of the most notable is said to be the "Grey Lady" said to be Louisa Carteret (Born 1714 - Died 25th December 1736) the wife of the 2nd Viscount Weymouth. It is said that the 2nd Viscount Weymouth Thomas Thynne fought a duel with an unknown man whose was believed to be his wife’s lover. A man's body was found by the 5th Viscount in the cellars of the house (Now the tea rooms) in 1903. An area of hallway in the upper house is known as the Grey lady's walk. Guides rarely venture into the area at night and if they do go they do so reluctantly. The current Marquis of Bath claims to have witnessed the apparition on more than one occasion.
Bishop Thomas Ken
Bishop Thomas Ken as born in 1637 in Little Berkhamstead Hertfordshire. He was appointed by Charles II as chaplain to Princess Mary – wife of William of Orange with whom he disagreed with over the subject of marriage with regard to a relative of the prince. He was later appointed Bishop of Bath and Wells and attended to Charles II on his death bed. Bishop Ken was committed to the Tower of London in 1688 after refusing to align with the spiritual ethics of James II.
On his release Bishop Ken became a lodger at Longleat for over 20 years resident in the upper floors of the house. He is said to haunt the Red Library where he can often be found reading before disappearing to those who have seen him.