Coventry has its fair share of legends and fascinating tales that have been created over the years. If you’re looking to find something to scare you and intrigue you, where should you start looking?
The Pirate Who Was Buried with His Treasure in Wyken
St Mary Magdalene’s church in Wyken has to be one of the most unlikely spots in the country for finding hidden pirate treasure. Yet, generations of locals have told others the story that the gravestone with a skull and crossbones marks the spot where a rich pirate was buried. Some people even claimed that running around it three times and throwing a stone would bring him back to life.
Current sources suggest that this symbol was widely used on graves across the UK and may have actually marked a plague death. Nevertheless, the story gives us an excellent opportunity to visit a pretty church and to take a look around places of historic interest, such as the Poets’ Corner area where Wyken House once stood.
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Haunted Houses and Hotels All Over the City
Every town or city needs a few haunted houses to send chills down our spines, and Coventry is no exception. There are several buildings around the city whose history has given rise to stories of ghosts and other mysterious characters who go bump in the night. Coombe Abbey Hotel was a monastery in the 12th century and is now said to be haunted by an Abbot called Geoffrey. This hooded monk has been spotted wandering the grounds and causing chaos in the kitchens.
The Golden Cross Pub was built in the 16th century and has gained a spooky reputation thanks to the inexplicable noises and strange shadowy figures seen here. People have seen doors open and close on their own, with objects being moved in the kitchen and cellar by unseen hands.
The Old Mill Hotel in Baginton is a former watermill that’s been converted into a hotel, but is still said to be haunted by a grey lady who drowned here a long time ago. Meanwhile, the Ettington Park Hotel was the setting for the 1963 movie The Haunting and Aston Court Hotel is another local spot with a rich history of paranormal activity.
Whether you believe the stories or not, visiting these places gives you an excuse to see some of the most interesting historic locations in and around Coventry. From buried pirate treasures to the ghosts of monks, understanding these stories lets you get a glimpse of the past and appreciate some of the area’s most interesting spots even more.
Submitted article written by Ben Spencer
