The Ancient Ram Inn is a 600-year-old inn in the sleepy town of Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, England.
It is one of the oldest surviving inns in Europe and is one of the most haunted buildings in the UK.
| Date Built | 12th Century (1154) |
| Resident Ghosts | Witch, Cavalier, Incubus and Succubus, Monk, Roman Centurion, Blue Lady, Shepherd and his dog |
| Paranormal Activity | Apparitions, Unexplained lights, poltergeist, disembodied voices |
| Fear Factor | 👻 👻 👻 👻 👻 |
The Ancient Ram Inn History
Built in the 12th century, the Ancient Ram Inn has had a long and exciting history. Originally erected as a priest’s house, it has served many other purposes, including a public house, a courthouse, and a bed and breakfast.
John Humphries, who dedicated his life to preserving the Ram, purchased the inn in the 1960s. He lived amidst the frightening paranormal activity until he died in 2017.
John believed the inn had been a hotbed of devil worship and child sacrifice. Daggers and small, child-like bones were uncovered under his staircase, and the grave remains open today.
With that in mind, it is no surprise the inn has many legends and stories surrounding it. The most famous, perhaps, is that two sex demons reside within its historic stone walls.
A 500-year-old mummified cat and bible, believed to have been placed to ward off evil spirits and protect the Ancient Ram, were also found in the chimney of the Bishop’s Room and remain on the property.
Ghosts at the Ancient Ram Inn
The Ancient Ram Inn is teeming with ghosts, and guests have experienced all the classic hallmarks of a haunting while within the building.
Shadowy figures lurk in the corridors, strange noises emanate from the walls, and electronic voice phenomena have been captured regularly.
When the building operated as a bed and breakfast, guests were often attacked by unseen forces and fled in terror to the safety of their vehicles in the dead of night.
There have also been reports of poltergeist activity and objects moving independently.
John’s daughter Caroline, who now owns the building, reportedly witnessed a chest of drawers levitating above her bed before crashing onto the floor.
Much of this violent activity is attributed to Ram’s lustful sex demons. It is claimed that an incubus and succubus reside in the building, and John claimed to have been assaulted by them on numerous occasions while alone there.
Perhaps the most chilling account is that of Rev John Yates, the former Bishop of Gloucester. He unsuccessfully attempted to exorcise the pub and labelled it the “most evil place” he had ever visited.
A witch, two monks, a cavalier and a Roman centurion are also said to haunt the Ancient Ram Inn.
Since his passing, paranormal investigators have also claimed to have made contact with John and believe a series of intelligent responses on a K2 (Electromagnetic Field) meter may be evidence that he is still present in the building he loved so much.
Witchcraft and Ley Lines
The Ancient Ram Inn was built atop an ancient pagan burial ground, and a ley line is said to run directly under the property and through to Stonehenge.
Occultists are believed to have used the ley line to summon the dark forces and evil spirits that still reside at the Ram. It is also widely accepted that ley lines can naturally fuel paranormal activity.
The Ancient Ram Inn is the holy grail for ghost hunters, who travel far and wide to experience paranormal activity.
While John is sadly no longer with us, the Ram is still, without question, one of the world’s most haunted and atmospheric buildings.
Many paranormal groups hold overnight investigations at the Ancient Ram Inn. You can find more information about upcoming guided tours and ghost hunts on the Ancient Ram Inn Facebook Page. You can also book historical tours and overnight visits on Groupon.
Address: 8 Potters Pond, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7HF
Haunted locations nearby
The Ancient Ram Inn is not the only haunted location in the area. The nearby town of Gloucester is home to several other haunted places, such as the Black Cat Inn, a 17th-century pub said to be haunted by the ghost of a former landlord.
Another must-visit for ghost hunters is Woodchester Mansion, which is about 7 miles away from the Ancient Ram Inn. This spectacular, unfinished, gothic mansion is considered by many to be one of the most haunted places in the country despite the fact it was never lived in! Reports of strange noises, ghostly apparitions, and even poltergeist activity have been experienced in this genuinely terrifying location!
You can also read about the history and ghostly residents of other Haunted locations in the UK here.
