The ghost beneath the bar
The Old Ferry Boat Inn in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, is said to be one of England's most haunted pubs. Its reputation comes from the tragic tale of Juliet Tewsley, a young woman from the 11th century whose grave now lies beneath the bar floor. Juliet was just 17. She fell deeply in love with a forester named Tom Zoul. When her feelings were not returned, she is believed to have taken her own life on March 17, either by hanging herself near the inn or drowning in the River Ouse.
Because of the stigma of suicide at the time, she was buried in unconsecrated ground close to the inn. Over centuries, as the pub expanded, her simple grave became part of its interior. Legend holds that her restless spirit still haunts the premises. She is said to appear each year at midnight on the anniversary of her death, making her presence felt through strange sounds, flickering lights, and a palpable chill that unsettles guests and staff alike.
Modern accounts from employees and patrons reinforce the pub's eerie reputation. Former manager Jamie Toms described mysterious happenings—lights refusing to turn off until someone says "Goodnight, Juliet," menus scattered across the floor, and the sound of unseen doors creaking open. Guests report sleepless nights, sudden cold spots, and a sense of being watched, particularly near the flagstone marking Juliet's resting place. These disturbances peak the week before March 17, leaving visitors unsettled as they unknowingly pass over her grave.
