Ham House is a historic house, situated beside the River Thames. It is claimed by the National Trust to be "unique in Europe as the most complete survival of 17th century fashion and power."
The house is designated as a Grade I listed building, with the park and gardens are listed at Grade II*. It is cared for by the National Trust.
The house was reputedly haunted by up to 15 ghosts, depending on the source. These include the ghost of an old lady (the Duchess of Lauderdale) who was allegedly seen standing by the fireplace in one of the rooms, but this was later regarded as unfounded.
Other apparitions that have been witnessed include that of a woman in a black dress ascending the staircsae; a ghostly young man walking on the terrace; an "attractive young woman... in eighteenth century dress"; and a King Charles Spaniel, whose associated padding paws have also been heard scampering around. Other audible phenomena include a "blood-curddling scream" on the anniversary of a suicide that occured at the house. The smell of rose scent and wafts of tobacco have been reported here. An uncomfortable feeling is reported in the presence of a portrait of the Duchess of Lauderdale.
Pictured left is the south face of Ham House courtesy of James Long.
Ham Street,
Ham,
Richmond,
Surrey, TW10 7RS.
For further information, please read Haunted Britain by Antony D. Hippisley Coxe; Ghosts: Mysterious Tales from the National Trust by Sian Evans and Haunted Britain and Ireland by Richard Jones.