A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Smarden, Pluckley & Environs

The village of Smarden, home to the haunted Chequers Inn, is an excellent base for exploring some of Kent’s most famous ghostly locations.

Pluckley Village (approx. 8 miles): A must-visit for any ghost enthusiast. Pluckley offers a wealth of hauntings, including the Screaming Woods, the phantom coach and horses at Elvey Farm, the Red Lady at St Nicholas’s Church, and the prankster ghosts at The Black Horse pub. Guided ghost walks are often available in Pluckley.

Smarden Village: Besides The Chequers Inn, Smarden Church is said to have its own ‘Green Lady’ ghost drifting among the tombstones. The village’s history as a smugglers’ haven in the 1700s adds a layer of intrigue to local tales.

Tenterden (nearby town): The White Lion Hotel in Tenterden also has its own ghost stories.

Leeds Castle (approx. 12 miles): Features legends of ghostly black dogs and other apparitions.

Detailed Location Guide

The Chequers Inn, Smarden: Your Haunted Base

Your journey begins at The Chequers Inn itself, a remarkable 14th-century coaching inn that has served travellers for over 600 years. With three distinct ghostly residents—a murdered Napoleonic soldier, a mysterious man in green velvet (possibly Dick Turpin), and a French prisoner of war—the inn provides an excellent introduction to the area’s paranormal heritage.

The inn’s location in the heart of Smarden village makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider region. The building’s ancient timber frame and atmospheric interiors perfectly capture the essence of England’s haunted heritage, whilst the modern amenities ensure comfortable accommodation for ghost hunters and casual tourists alike.

Pluckley: England’s Most Haunted Village

Just eight miles from Smarden lies Pluckley, officially recognised as England’s most haunted village with at least twelve documented spirits. This picturesque Kentish village has achieved legendary status among paranormal enthusiasts worldwide.

The Screaming Woods form Pluckley’s most notorious haunted location. Local legend speaks of a highwayman who met his end amongst these ancient trees, pinned to an oak by a sword thrust through his body. Visitors report unexplained screams echoing through the woodland, particularly on moonless nights. The woods also harbour the spirit of a colonel who took his own life after losing heavily at cards, and locals claim his ghostly figure still wanders the pathways in search of redemption.

Elvey Farm represents one of Pluckley’s most active paranormal sites. The phantom coach and horses that thunder along the Smarden Road towards Elvey Farm have been witnessed by countless locals over the centuries. The spectral coach appears most frequently during stormy weather, its ethereal horses pounding along roads that once formed part of the ancient coaching route between London and Dover.

St Nicholas Church houses the infamous Red Lady, believed to be Lady Dering who was buried in the church in 1580. Her ghostly figure, clothed in brilliant red, drifts amongst the tombstones and has been photographed on several occasions. The church itself dates back to the 12th century and contains several Dering family tombs, creating an appropriately gothic atmosphere for paranormal encounters.

The Black Horse pub adds a lighter note to Pluckley’s ghost stories with its resident prankster spirits. Staff and patrons report glasses being moved, taps being turned on, and general mischievous behaviour that never seems malevolent, merely playful.

Smarden Village: Beyond The Chequers Inn

Smarden itself offers additional paranormal interest beyond its famous inn. The village gained its Royal Charter from Edward III in 1333, making it one of Kent’s most historic settlements. This long history has inevitably accumulated its own collection of ghostly residents.

St Michael the Archangel Church stands as Smarden’s spiritual heart and reputedly houses the Green Lady, a spectral figure who glides amongst the ancient tombstones. Unlike many churchyard ghosts, the Green Lady appears benevolent, often seen tending to flowers on forgotten graves. The church’s Norman origins and medieval additions create an atmospheric setting where the boundary between past and present seems particularly thin.

The village’s smuggling heritage from the 18th century adds another dimension to its paranormal reputation. Smarden’s position along ancient trackways made it attractive to smugglers moving contraband inland from the Kent coast. Local folklore suggests that ghostly figures in period dress occasionally appear along these old routes, perhaps spirits of smugglers still conducting their clandestine trade in the afterlife.

Tenterden: The White Lion’s Spirits

Twelve miles from Smarden, the market town of Tenterden offers additional haunted accommodation at the White Lion Hotel. This Georgian coaching inn has its own collection of ghostly residents, including a Victorian lady who appears in the upstairs corridors and the spirit of a coachman who still tends to horses that no longer exist.

The town’s High Street itself has witnessed numerous paranormal encounters, with several shops and businesses reporting unexplained phenomena. The combination of Tudor and Georgian architecture creates an atmospheric backdrop for ghost walks that operate during the winter months.

Leeds Castle: The Legendary Black Dogs

No exploration of Kent’s paranormal landscape would be complete without visiting Leeds Castle, approximately twelve miles from Smarden. Known as the “loveliest castle in the world,” Leeds Castle harbours several ghostly legends, most notably the phantom black dogs that guard the grounds.

These spectral hounds, much larger than normal dogs, appear during times of crisis or change. Local legend suggests they serve as protectors of the castle’s ancient secrets. The castle’s 900-year history provides ample opportunity for supernatural accumulation, and guided tours often include references to its ghostly residents.

Practical Visitor Information

Ghost Walks: Pluckley offers seasonal ghost walks, typically running Friday and Saturday evenings from October through February. Advance booking is essential as these tours are extremely popular.

Photography: Many visitors report unusual phenomena in photographs taken at these locations, particularly orbs and unexplained mists. Digital cameras seem particularly effective at capturing anomalous images.

Best Times to Visit: Autumn and winter evenings provide the most atmospheric conditions for paranormal encounters. The months between October and March see increased spiritual activity across the region.

Transport Links: The area is well-served by country lanes suitable for car travel. Public transport is limited, making a car essential for visiting multiple locations in a single trip.

This haunted corner of Kent offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore England’s paranormal heritage within a compact geographical area, with The Chequers Inn serving as your atmospheric base for these ghostly adventures.