Quote from Angela on March 26, 2020, 5:19 pm

Majestically overlooking the city it has dominated for over nine centuries stands Carlisle Castle, also known as Castle Luguvalium. Built on ancient Roman forts by William the Conqueror as a defence against the Scots, this Norman-esque castle has certainly stood the test of time.

Dating back to 1093 Carlisle Castle is home to an extremely violent past and some truly dark history. There have been thousands of unexplained phenomena sighted here including full body apparitions, piercing cries and dark shadow people described as 'darker than the dark'.

The castle has previously been used as a barracks and also a prison.

The most famous ghost is that of The Phantom Lady.  During 1823 a soldier witnessed an apparition and became so frightened that he ran towards her with his bayonet and was horrified wen the bayonet went straight thru her ghostly body. The soldier duly fainted with shock but was later revived by supporting comrades.

Inside the Captains Tower area a skeleton was found bricked into the walls, it was a female holding a baby with remnants of what appeared to be a tartan garment. The skeleton even had three golden rings on its fingers, she is known as 'the Lady of Carlisle' and many believe this is the same lady the soldier encountered. Many believe that her spirit haunts the castle to this day, and that she is perplexed at being excavated and disturbed.

Back in 1992 the alarms in the Kings Regiment Museum spontaneously sounded for three consecutive nights, this event is still unexplainable to this day.

There are underground dungeons where many have encountered woeful cries and moans and even clanking and dragging chain sounds.

It is here that Mary Queen of Scots was held captive in one of the towers! One guest reported to seeing a black shadow figure walking beside her as she walked down to the cellar area, later disappearing into thin air. Staff believe this apparition to be none other than Mary herself, as she residually haunts the building today.

Many have reported that there are spirits of malevolent monks who roam the dark hallways at nightfall and some claim they have heard their chilling mysterious chanting.

If you are ever in the area around November 5th the castle hold a spectacular Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night display.