At a time when so many of our most familiar traditions are under threat, pubs seem to be one of the last bastions. But not all pubs are created equal.

Many have links to the criminal world. Wales’ Skirrid Mountain Inn, for instance, is haunted by a ghost who is believed to have killed people in the building’s old courtroom.

The Jamaica Inn

After her mother’s death, Mary Yellan finds herself forced to abandon her life on a farm to take up residence with her aunt Patience Merlyn and her husband Joss at the Jamaica Inn. Located on the windswept moorlands of Bodmin, this inn was once a coaching inn where travellers could stop for fresh horses, a wash and a meal, much like today’s motorway service stations.

Its spooky atmosphere and mysterious occurrences have made it a popular destination for ghost hunters who report encounters that transcend the natural world. Guests have reported hearing footsteps, seeing apparitions, and even communicating with the spirits who are said to haunt the Inn.

Guests are treated to delicious Cornish dishes in the restaurant, and can also partake in regular paranormal tours of the old wing of the Inn where the historic ambiance and Wuthering Heights vibes add to the creepy appeal. A resident little girl ghost, whose cry of distress has been heard by many a guest, is among the most well-known ghosts at the Inn.

Du Maurier’s evocative prose, paired with the headstrong protagonist Mary, make for an unforgettably compelling story. As she uncovers secrets and struggles with her own demons, Mary reveals herself as a brave and resilient young woman, and her character arc is a notable strength of the book.

The characters are distinctly and unambiguously drawn, and their motives and personalities are expertly woven into the narrative. This attention to detail and the overall pacing of the book help to maintain the tension and suspense throughout. The only real flaws in Jamaica Inn are the comparatively simple motivations of the antagonist, Joss, which sacrifice some potential for a more nuanced depiction.

The Inn has a long history of being the meeting place for military commanders and politicians, including US Generals George Patten and Dwight Eisenhower. Speculation has it that they discussed secret operations during WWII while staying at the Inn, and even met with local smugglers who were involved in the war. Visitors to Jamaica Inn can experience this history firsthand with a visit to the museum, which unearths tales of smugglers and pirates and is home to many historic artifacts from the area’s rich heritage.

Skirrid Mountain Inn

The Skirrid Mountain Inn is a pub located in the village of Llanvihangel Crucorney, Wales. The inn promises visitors a friendly welcome, comfortable rooms, and hearty meals. But what they don’t tell you is that the inn is also haunted. It’s been featured on several paranormal shows, including ”Extreme Ghost Stories” and “Most Haunted.”

One of the most interesting things about this inn is that it was once used as a courthouse for a notorious judge. The evil judge, George Jeffreys, condemned many felons to death. They were hanged from a beam in the building’s stairwell, and remnants of those rope marks can still be seen to this day. It is believed that as many as 182 people were executed at the inn under George Jeffreys’ orders.

Aside from being haunted by convicted felons, the Skirrid Mountain Inn is also home to a variety of other paranormal occurrences. Guests have reported hearing disembodied voices, feeling as if they are being choked or developing rope burn on their necks when climbing the staircase, and seeing unexplained footsteps. The inn is also said to be inhabited by the spirit of a woman who once worked there. She is known to appear in the rooms of visitors, and she has been seen wearing a wig and white dress.

According to legend, the innkeepers at the Skirrid Mountain Inn used to practice two rituals each night. They would pour a cup of beer out for the Devil, and they also placed a pwca (Welsh fairies) on the doorstep to protect them during the night.

As far as poltergeist activity goes, the Skirrid Mountain Inn has some of the most frightening reports on record. Guests have experienced glasses flying across the room without any reason, the smell of perfume, and the sighting of a ghostly white lady. It is also reported that a former landlady of the inn was able to sell her property, but she kept experiencing all kinds of poltergeist activity during viewings, including glasses being thrown and a powerful scent of perfume. The poltergeist activity even caused her to run off the road in her car.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

In a world of pubs that have been stripped of their charm and turned into rent-a-kit dingy places, with typewriters stuck to the wall, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a real gem, as is another great place like The Dolly Blue Bar Backbarrow. A true relic of the past, this famous pub is situated in the heart of the city and it feels like you’ve been transported back in time as soon as you step inside.

The pub was built shortly after the Great Fire of 1666, though there have been other pubs in this spot at least since the early 17th century. It’s tucked into the corner of a narrow alleyway called Wine Office Court. The place is a maze of rooms, steep stairways and hidden nooks. It’s possible to get lost inside the labyrinth, so make sure to bring a map and a group of friends so that you can help each other find your way back to where you started.

Located close to Fleet Street, the pub has attracted a long list of literary celebrities down the years. Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor, and even mentioned the place in one of his books. Samuel Johnson, who compiled the first English dictionary was another regular, and he often engaged in intellectual discussions with other literary figures at the bar. Oliver Goldsmith, who lived in the adjacent Wine Office Court, was also a fan of the establishment.

The tavern is well-known for its connection to the press, and journalists were known to huddle around the fireplace in the main room of the pub to exchange scoops. Journalists would also learn to keep their conversation away from Polly, the tavern’s resident parrot, as he was known to repeat gossip to other newspapers!

Polly had quite the life, and was well-known for being able to speak a wide range of words. He was a bit of an oracle as far as the news was concerned, and he was often quoted by newspaper articles. He was a popular figure, and the public loved to come to the pub just to see him and hear his wise observations.