A story of sex, murder and ghosts... in Surrey

Hidden away by the Thames is a seventeenth century masterpiece where behind its wonderful facade lurk dark and murderous secrets. Built in 1610 for the eldest son of James I, this is Ham House. But rumours started immediately with whispers of murder after the mysterious death of the young Prince. So, some years later, this was a suitable introduction to the new owners; the villainous Duchess of Lauderdale who while married was reputed to be the mistress of Oliver Cromwell who perhaps fathered one of her many children. Being a woman of enormous appetite she was also the lover of the Duke of Lauderdale whom she subsequently married after the death... murder? ...of her first husband. It is said that, in her old age, she can be heard tottering about the corridors with her stick tapping on the wooden floorboards on an endless search for some long lost secret.

But the “main event” so to speak occurred about 100 years later. This involved a six year old girl who was visiting the house. She awoke early in the morning to see an old crone scrabbling at the wall by the fireplace. When the old woman sensed she was being watched, she turned around and glided to the child’s bed and stared at her in a most terrifying manner. The girl’s screams brought help from the others in the house, but they saw no sign of the old woman. They then examined the wall and found papers in a hidden compartment which proved that the Duchess had murdered her husband in that very room in order to marry the Duke of Lauderdale.

On a lighter note, there is a phantom spaniel whose claws can be heard on the floorboards as it runs around. It has also been seen outside the house perhaps searching for its owner, who history doesn’t record.

Ham House is definitely worth seeing, although visitors are not allowed to stay overnight. I’m told that this is for administrative reasons, but I wonder if this is just a diplomatic ruse to keep ghosts and tourists apart?

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