PETERBOROUGH MUSEUM
Located in the heart of Priestgate, England, stands the Peterborough Museum. With its origins tracing back to 1536, this building was initially constructed by Humphrey Orme, whose family resided here for generations. Beneath its impressive facade lies ancient vaults and remnants of the original house. Over the centuries, the building has transformed from a private residence to a public infirmary, and finally, into the cultural treasure it is today. But beyond its historical significance, the museum is renowned for something far more chilling, its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in England.
The Peterborough Museum’s journey is as fascinating as the spirits said to linger within its walls. After being sold to Thomas Alderson Cooke in 1816, the house underwent an extensive Georgian makeover. After Cooke’s death in 1854, it became the city’s first hospital under Earl Fitzwilliam’s ownership. From its days as a place of healing to its current role as a hub for art, history, and archaeology, the museum has seen countless lives pass through its doors. Yet, some say not all of them have left. With apparitions, unexplained phenomena, and haunting tales passed down through generations.
HAUNTINGS OF THE PETERBOROUGH MUSEUM
The most famous spirit of the Peterborough Museum is Sergeant Thomas Hunter, affectionately known as “The Lonely ANZAC.” Hunter was a World War I soldier who was gravely injured during the Battle of the Somme. While being transported to Halifax, his condition worsened, and the hospital train stopped at Peterborough Infirmary, where he tragically passed away in 1916 at the age of 36. His spirit was first encountered in the 1930s when the caretaker’s wife reported hearing unexplained footsteps and seeing a man in a grey army uniform. Since then, his presence has been a regular occurrence, with visitors and staff often spotting him on the staircase before vanishing into thin air. His story continues to intrigue all those who visit.
Alfred Caleb Taylor, a pioneering radiographer, is another well-known museum spirit. Taylor, lived from 1860 to 1927 and was instrumental in developing one of the first X-ray services in a provincial hospital, often using homemade equipment. Tragically, his dedication to advancing medical science came at a cost, as prolonged exposure to radiation caused severe health issues, including chronic dermatitis and the loss of several fingers, ultimately leading to his death. In the late 1940s, the caretaker’s daughter, ill with chickenpox, claimed to have been visited by a kind old doctor who sat at the end of her bed. She later identified him in a photograph as Taylor, who had passed away 20 years earlier. His visit is thought to be a testament to his enduring compassion and dedication to helping others.
The second staircase of the Peterborough Museum carries a chilling story. It is said that a pregnant maid met her untimely end here, falling, or perhaps being pushed, to her death along with her unborn child. The corridor, once the servant’s quarters, is now a hotspot for paranormal activity. Women often report feeling uneasy, nauseous, or as if an unseen hand is brushing past or even trying to push them. Sudden drops in temperature, strange noises, and a disembodied female voice add to the unsettling atmosphere at the top of the staircase.
Deep beneath the museum, in the cellar and vaults that once served as a mortuary, lurks the spirit of a “scruffy-looking hooded monk,” nicknamed Baldrick. This ghostly figure is known for moving and throwing objects around the room. Visitors often report feeling unwelcome in these dimly lit spaces, with an oppressive atmosphere that seems to warn them away. Baldrick’s presence adds a feeling of unease to the already eerie vaults, making them a must visit area for all paranormal investigators.
In the art gallery on the first floor, the ghost of a little girl is said to linger. Though her identity remains a mystery, she has been fleetingly seen by staff, often appearing behind a closed glass window. Her presence, while less menacing than others, adds a curious element to the museum’s collection of ghostly tales. Who she was and why she remains are questions that continue to intrigue those who encounter her.
VISITING PETERBOROUGH MUSEUM
The Peterborough Museum holds centuries of stories within its walls. From the tragic tale of Sergeant Thomas Hunter, honoured on the War Memorial in my hometown of Adelaide and laid to rest in Peterborough Old Cemetery, to it’s vast collection of 227,000 artefacts, every corner of this building is steeped in history. Treasures like Roman pottery and Jurassic fossils fill its halls, but it’s the lingering spirits, the whispers of the past, and the unexplained phenomena that truly set it apart. The Peterborough Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, but also offers a more intimate experience with private tours and paranormal investigations available. Whether you come for the history or for the hauntings, one thing is certain, this is a place where the past refuses to stay silent.
If you enjoyed reading about the ghostly tales at Peterborough Museum you may also be interested in reading about the Rowton’s Museum and Penuel Chapel Graveyard, home to captivating paranormal and spiritual artefacts.
Thanks for reading!
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