The Admiral Benbow inn in Penzance, Cornwall dates back to the 17th century. Located on Chapel Street, it was a popular haunt for smugglers and pirates during its early years. The inn is named after the real-life Admiral John Benbow, who served in the Royal Navy in the late 1600s.

The building’s history is intertwined with tales of smuggling operations and secret tunnels. Local legends claim that a network of underground passages connected the inn to nearby caves and coves, allowing contraband to be moved discreetly.

Several ghost stories are associated with the Admiral Benbow. One of the most prominent is the spectral figure of a man in old-fashioned naval attire, believed by some to be Admiral Benbow himself. Witnesses have reported seeing this apparition in various parts of the building, particularly on the stairs and in the bar area.

Another frequently reported phenomenon is the sound of footsteps and whispered conversations when no one else is present. Staff and guests have described hearing these noises emanating from empty rooms and corridors.

There are also accounts of objects moving on their own, especially in the kitchen and dining areas. Glasses and plates have reportedly been seen sliding across surfaces without any apparent cause.

Some visitors have claimed to feel sudden cold spots and an overwhelming sense of being watched, particularly in the upstairs rooms. These experiences are often accompanied by a feeling of unease or foreboding.

The inn’s long-standing connection to smuggling has led to stories of ghostly smugglers still guarding their hidden treasures. Some people have reported glimpsing shadowy figures darting through the building, only to disappear when approached.