Myths and Legends

Weird happenings in South Oxfordshire

For those who are fascinated by weird happenings, the paranormal and hauntings, South Oxfordshire has its fair share of strange occurrences and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation.

The White Stag Inn, located near the river banks in Henley, is reputed to be haunted by spooky night time music from a harpsichord, while The George Inn in Wallingford is an old pub with many a story to tell.

The best known is that surrounding the so-called ’Tear-Drop Room’. This guest-bedroom has a wall that has been hand-decorated all over with what are either tears or pears. It is said they were painted by a landlord’s distraught daughter who had been confined to the room for her own safety. The poor girl had gone completely round the bend upon hearing of the murder of her lover. She apparently mixed soot from the fireplace with her tears and used her finger to draw the only shape she could think of on the wall.

Witnesses have spoken of being woken in the middle of the night by a ’very life-like’ young woman with tears streaming down her face, who then turned and disappeared into the teardrop wall.

In room five at the same inn, several guests are reported to have seen the ghosts of two young children standing by the washbasin. The cellars have also produced the phenomenon known as ’instant replay’ or ’delayed echo’. After having replaced all the bungs in the beer-barrels one night, the barman locked the cellar door, only to hear, from the other side, the sound of the bungs being tapped again.

The Birdcage is the oldest inn in Thame. Built around 1300 it has retained its structural character and many of the elm beams are exposed, creating the historical atmosphere inside and out. During the Napoleonic wars the Birdcage housed French prisoners who, incidentally, founded the local Masons. For many years the building was used as a holding house for petty thieves and criminals and even lepers on the upper floors! Stories handed down generations report the Birdcage to be haunted by some of these troubled souls.

At Langsmeade House in Thame, a few guests have reported seeing a young boy in old-fashioned clothing cross the corridor on the first floor. Others have reported an army officer standing next to their bed, lost in his thoughts.

Also of note is the now annual "Dusty Day", when fans of the late great Dusty Springfield gather to celebrate her birthday - her ashes were partially spread round Henley and a plaque in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church commemorates her memory.

Even Shakespeare is said to have made his way through South Oxfordshire. It is believed that he visited the High Street in Thame during his days as a strolling player.