Petworth House

This magnificent baroque mansion, ancestral seat of the Percy family and later the Wyndhams, is one of England’s finest art houses. Its long history of wealth, power, and tragedy has created multiple layers of paranormal activity.

The Percy Family Ghosts

The powerful Percy family, who owned Petworth for centuries, left behind a significant amount of reported paranormal phenomena. The 7th Duke of Somerset, known as the “Proud Duke,” lived from 1684 to 1750. His spirit is said to still walk the State Rooms, appearing as a tall figure dressed in elaborate 18th-century attire, often observed inspecting the house as if he still held ownership. He is most active within the Carved Room. Lady Elizabeth Percy, who married at the young age of twelve and was widowed three times, also haunts the family apartments. She is frequently described as a young woman in late 17th-century dress, gazing from the windows with an air of melancholy.

The Grey Lady

A classic haunting occurs in the Marble Hall. Here, a female figure dressed in grey 18th-century clothing is frequently witnessed descending the grand staircase. The identity of this spirit remains unknown; she is described as silent and stately, and she vanishes on the bottom step. Staff and visitors have repeatedly reported observing this apparition.

J.M.W. Turner’s Presence

The great artist, J.M.W. Turner, painted extensively at Petworth in the 1830s. A palpable presence is said to exist within the Turner Room, often accompanied by the scent of oil paint and turpentine. Visitors have reported seeing a figure present at dawn, during Turner’s preferred painting time, as he meticulously studied the light filtering through the windows, particularly active when storms approach, a detail reflecting his fondness for dramatic weather.

Turner loved Petworth and his patron, the 3rd Earl of Egremont. Some believe his artistic spirit lingers where he created some of his finest works.

The Phantom Servants

During the Victorian era, the phantom forms of former servants continued to carry out their duties within the house. Figures in servant livery are frequently reported walking the back stairs and corridors, often carrying invisible objects. They are most active in the old service areas, accompanied by the sounds of cleaning and work.

The White Stag

In the expansive deer park surrounding Petworth, a spectral white stag is occasionally sighted, particularly at twilight. The stag is associated with ancient folklore and is believed by some to predate the house itself, serving as an omen for the family.

The Carved Room

One of Petworth’s most magnificent rooms, the Carved Room, is known for its strong phenomena. Unexplained cold spots are frequently reported within the space, along with the sound of 18th-century music. Figures in period dress have also been observed, and the room possesses a heavy, watchful atmosphere. Notably, Grinling Gibbons’s wood carvings seem to have eyes, a detail that has particularly unnerved visitors.

The Chapel

Religious remnants continue to haunt the chapel. Phantom monks, predating the Reformation, are reported to be present, often chanting in Latin. The scent of incense and the sight of candles that inexplicably light themselves contribute to the chapel’s solemn and peaceful presence.

Additional Activity

Staff at this National Trust property routinely report a range of unusual occurrences. Footsteps are heard in empty galleries, doors open by themselves, objects are moved overnight, cold drafts are felt with no discernible source, and the sound of horses is occasionally heard in the now-absent stable yard.

The Art Collection

Some believe the magnificent art collection itself possesses supernatural qualities. Portraits whose eyes follow viewers, paintings where figures appear to move, and particularly Van Dyck’s portraits are noted as contributing to the house’s eerie atmosphere. A general sense is present that the painted subjects watch over the house.

Petworth’s combination of aristocratic history, artistic significance, and architectural grandeur has created a haunting as magnificent as the house itself. The current Lord and Lady Egremont acknowledge the ghosts as part of Petworth’s rich heritage.

Sources

• Wikipedia search: “Petworth House”
• Historic England — Listed Buildings — Register of historic sites