Warwick Castle worker lifts lid on untold haunting tales

A staff member at Warwick Castle has turned ghost hunter after hearing so many eerie tales from colleagues that he decided to investigate them himself.

James Bryan, living in Coventry, has launched a podcast featuring never-before-told stories from staff who claim to have experienced strange happenings behind the walls of one of the Midlands' most famous historic attractions.

"It got to the point where I thought, if so many people are saying the same thing, what is going on here?" he said.

Bryan was inspired to start The Hauntings of Warwick Castle podcast after feeling what he described as someone tugging at his clothing while he was working in the castle's dungeon.

He said his colleagues also told him stories about other strange happenings "behind the walls" that "guests do not know about".

"When I spoke to other staff members, they told me they'd had similar experiences," he said.

Byran said he worked with Warwick Castle and a history team to decipher any historical links to create the three-part podcast.

It features more than 30 accounts from staff, performers and visitors, all captured via Bryan's second-hand portable microphone.

Among the stories explored is the Almana Room in the castle dungeon, where people have reported feeling as though they have been touched, prodded or had their clothing pulled.

Another hot spot is the Kenilworth Bedroom in the castle's state rooms, where visitors have claimed doors have mysteriously slammed in their faces and where sightings of a Victorian maid have been reported.

One of the creepiest tales centres on a young girl, said to be about 10 years old with long blonde hair, who has allegedly been spotted by staff and guests in the dungeon area.

"I've heard some really hauntingly terrifying stories from people who say they've seen her," Bryan said.

Since releasing the podcast, Bryan, who has worked as a performer at the castle for the past two years, said a lot of people have contacted him with their own stories and experiences.

"The response has been huge," he said. "There are so many more stories from Warwick Castle and across Coventry, Warwick and Leamington.

"For people who have listened and want more, don't worry, I'm already planning what comes next."

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