Goodrich, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6HU, UK
Standing on a high rocky sandstone outcrop overlooking an ancient crossing point of the river Wye, Goodrich Castle is considered to be the most impressive in the county and one the best examples of military architecture. A castle has stood here since the 11th century, but most of what we see today dates back to the late 13th century. It is indeed one of the region's most picturesque (and visited) ruins, and the subject of many paintings and poems.
Goodrich is also one the most haunted places in Herefordshire. At least, three ghosts are rumored to be its permanent residents.
One of them is the Irish chieftain who was held prisoner at The Great Keep tower, also known as the "Macbeth Tower". The legend says that he died attempting to escape and his ghost has been haunting the tower ever since. Beware the dark corners!
The events of the English Civil War also have left their mark. Local stories tell that Colonel Birch's niece, Alice Birch, fell in love with a handsome royalist, Charles Clifford. According to these stories, when the castle was under siege the two attempted to escape but died while trying to cross the river Wye. Reunited in the afterlife, the lovers still live on the site and are sometimes seen on the castle grounds, and sometimes - riding their horse in the waters of the river.
“During the siege, Alice Birch, the niece of a Parliamentarian officer, took refuge in the castle with her Royalist lover, Charles Clifford. When it became apparent that the fortress would not be able to withstand the bombardment for much longer, Clifford and his young lover mounted his horse and, under cover of darkness, spurred the beast out of the castle and managed to break through the Roundhead ranks. Unfortunately, when they arrived at the muddy banks of the River Wye, they didn’t realize that heavy rains had swollen its waters. As they attempted to cross the raging torrent, their horse lost its footing, and they were swept away to their deaths. Such was the trauma of their desperate bid for freedom that their bedraggled earthbound wraiths have been seen on stormy nights, urging a phantom horse into the wild waters of the River Wye. On other occasions, passersby late at night have seen their poignant specters staring sadly from the ruined ramparts.” (Haunted Castles of Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones).
Sources: Wikipedia, https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/goodrich-castle/, Haunted Castles of Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones, New Holland Publishers Ltd 2003
Photo: Evgenia Lopukhova
