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Juliet Tewsley

Residual Haunting • 11th century (Died 1050 AD)

A young woman from the 11th century who died by suicide on 17 March 1050 after a tragic love affair. She is buried beneath the inn’s bar.

👻 Residual Haunting 📅 11th century (Died 1050 AD) 🏰 The Old Ferry Boat Inn

The Story

Juliet Tewsley was a young local maiden in the 11th century who tragically took her own life on March 17th, 1050, after her love for a forester named Tom Zoul went unrequited. She is said to be buried beneath what is now The Old Ferry Boat Inn, with a granite slab in the bar marking her grave. Her spirit supposedly re-enacts its sorrow each year on the anniversary of her death. On this night, she may appear as a forlorn, pale, greyish-white apparition of a young woman in archaic, medieval-style clothing, rising from the area of her grave and drifting through the pub. Guests have reported sudden coldness, seeing a faint female figure, or hearing sobbing around March 17th. Outside of this date, her presence is subtler – perhaps a gentle touch on a shoulder or a fleeting shadow in the corner of one’s eye near the bar. Often her features are indistinct, as if shrouded in mist or candlelight.

Historical Evidence

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Legend holds that Juliet’s body was interred on unhallowed ground by the riverbank (now under the inn) because suicide victims couldn’t be buried in a churchyard. The inn’s foundation directly over her resting place is said to bind her spirit here. The granite grave slab embedded in the floor is a tangible reminder of her story. Patrons are playfully warned not to stand on it.

Where to Encounter This Spirit

🔥 Most Active Areas

  • Main bar area (above her grave)
  • Adjoining snug
  • Area by the old fireplace

👁️ Common Sightings

  • Wispy/translucent female form, especially on March 17th
  • Sudden unexplained chills
  • Soft sobbing sounds
  • Pale face glimpsed in upstairs window
  • Gentle touch on the shoulder
  • Fleeting shadows

Paranormal Investigations

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The Old Ferry Boat Inn's haunting is a well-known piece of local folklore, often featured in paranormal books and media. Ghost hunting groups sometimes visit, especially around the anniversary of Juliet's death. The consistency of reports every March lends some credibility to the tale, maintaining the tradition of “Juliet’s Night” at the pub.

🏰 Stay at This Haunted Hotel

The Old Ferry Boat Inn

Holywell, St Ives, Cambridgeshire

Experience Juliet Tewsley's haunting firsthand by staying at this historic Allegedly founded 560 AD (with a 17th-century structure) hotel.

👻 Quick Facts

Type: Residual Haunting
Era: 11th century (Died 1050 AD)
Active Areas: 3
Hotel: Allegedly founded 560 AD (with a 17th-century structure)

Other Hotel Spirits

🕯️ Paranormal Tips

Best time for encounters: Late evening or early morning hours
Bring: Digital camera, voice recorder, and an open mind
Be respectful: These are believed to be real spirits with their own stories
Ask hotel staff: They often have their own encounters to share

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