Hauntings

Dorothy Vernon and the Ghosts of Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall, near Bakewell

Hall 11th to 17th century; Dorothy Vernon married 1563; ghost reports undated

Haddon Hall has origins in the 11th century, with building from the 13th to the 17th centuries. Wikipedia says the Vernon family held it for centuries, until Dorothy Vernon, daughter and heiress of Sir George Vernon, married John Manners, second son of the first Earl of Rutland, in 1563. A legend grew up in the 19th century that the two eloped, which has been the basis of novels and stage works. Wikipedia treats it as legend.

A Derbyshire Times list of Derbyshire's five most haunted places in 2014 said Dorothy Vernon is believed to haunt the hall, along with a blue woman, a young boy and a monk.

No dated sighting or named witness is given for any of the figures. The ghost of Dorothy follows the elopement story, which makes it likely that the ghost is as much literature as local tradition. It is recorded here as a long-standing reputation. The hall is a visitor attraction, and a separate record covers the vision said to have appeared to Prince Arthur.

Open seasonally; check the hall's website.
Evidence
Long-standing local tradition
Access
Open, admission charged
Location
53.194, -1.650 (Sited to the building or field)

Sources: Derbyshire Times, "Derbyshire's most haunted" (2014) [other]; Wikipedia, "Haddon Hall" [other]

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