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The Dolphin Tavern

Penzance, Cornwall

16th century (over 500 years old) Historic Inn 3 rooms Rooms 3 Ghosts

The Resident Spirits

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The Dolphin Tavern is reputed to host a trio of ghostly residents that have been reported by visitors over time. According to the enhanced description, the first figure is known as ‘George’. He is described as a man wearing a tricorn hat and laced ruffles, and he is often seen wandering the upstairs corridors at night, especially near the bar area. Some speculate that George could be Judge Jeffries, a sea captain, or an old smuggler who met a grim fate in the harbour, but the exact identity remains uncertain. The second apparition is a woman dressed in Victorian clothing who has been spotted strolling through the pool room, sometimes appearing to walk through a wall. The third figure is a young man with fair hair who is said to wake landlords and guests by sitting or standing at the foot of their beds. Visitors have also reported strange whispers, footsteps and an unexplained sensation of being touched on the shoulder. These sightings have been documented by multiple witnesses, and the stories have become part of the tavern’s folklore. The combination of the building’s historic maritime setting and the reported paranormal activity creates a compelling narrative that attracts those interested in ghost stories and the supernatural. The tales of George, the Victorian lady and the young man continue to be shared by those who visit, adding to the mystique of the Dolphin Tavern.

Known Ghosts:

George, Victorian lady, young man with fair hair

The Dolphin Tavern’s reputation as a haunted site is built on a series of consistent reports that have been collected over the years. The first apparition, commonly referred to as ‘George’, is described in detail by visitors who claim to have seen him in the upstairs corridors during the night. He is said to wear a tricorn hat and laced ruffles, a look that evokes the image of a sea captain or a smuggler from the Victorian era. George is often seen near the bar area, drifting slowly along the corridor as if he is searching for something or someone. Some observers have suggested that he might be Judge Jeffries, a figure who was allegedly hanged for a petty crime, but there is no definitive evidence to confirm this identity. The second apparition is a woman in Victorian clothing who has been seen walking through the pool room. In some accounts she appears to pass through a wall, a phenomenon that has been described as a ghostly manifestation of her presence. The third figure is a young man with fair hair who is reported to wake both landlords and guests by sitting or standing at the foot of their beds. Witnesses describe a sudden chill, the feeling of a touch on the shoulder, and the sound of footsteps that seem to come from nowhere. In addition to these visual sightings, visitors have reported auditory phenomena such as whispers and footsteps that echo through the tavern’s corridors. The combination of visual and audio activity has led many to classify the Dolphin Tavern as a site of both visual and audio hauntings. The stories of George, the Victorian lady and the young man have been passed down through generations of locals and tourists alike, and they continue to be a focal point for those who seek to experience the supernatural in a historic setting. The persistence of these reports over time suggests that the Dolphin Tavern remains a place where the past and present intersect, creating an atmosphere that is both intriguing and unsettling for those who enter its doors.

Meet Each Spirit

George

Intelligent Haunting 17th-18th century

The most frequently sighted spirit at The Dolphin Tavern, George appears as an old sea captain in period dress, wandering the upstairs corridors at night

Most Active Areas:

Upstairs corrid... Bar area Main staircase
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The Victorian Lady

Residual Haunting Victorian era

A mysterious woman in Victorian dress who glides through the pool room and appears to walk through solid walls at The Dolphin Tavern

Most Active Areas:

Pool room Main bar area Stone walls
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The Fair-Haired Young Man

Intelligent Haunting 18th-19th century

A mysterious young man with fair hair who appears at the foot of beds, startling landlords and guests with his silent nocturnal visits

Most Active Areas:

Guest bedrooms Landlord quarte... Foot of beds +1 more
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Historical Background

Building Age

16th century (over 500 years old)

Original Purpose

Historic Inn and Maritime Headquarters

Historical Significance

The Dolphin Tavern stands as one of Cornwall's most historically significant buildings, its granite structure having endured over 500 years on Quay Street, Penzance. In 1585, it served as headquarters for Sir John Hawkins during his recruitment of Cornishmen to fight the Spanish Armada, marking its first role in national affairs. The building later became infamous as Judge Jeffreys' courthouse during the Bloody Assizes of 1685, where the notorious 'Hanging Judge' conducted brutal trials following the Monmouth Rebellion, reportedly converting the basement into a dungeon for suspected rebels. Sir Walter Raleigh is alleged to have smoked the first pipe of tobacco in England within its walls, though this remains a matter of historical debate. For centuries, the tavern served as both courthouse and maritime hub, witnessing the transformation of Penzance from a pirate-plagued settlement to a prosperous trading port. The building's granite construction reflects traditional Cornish building methods designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions, whilst its strategic harbourside location made it a natural gathering place for naval officers, merchants, and seafarers. This remarkable history encompasses triumph and terror, justice and injustice, creating one of England's most extraordinary examples of a building that has witnessed the full sweep of maritime and legal history.

Architecture

Tudor/Georgian (16th century granite construction with later modifications)

What Guests Experience

Reported Activity

Visual, Audio, walking along upstairs corridors, seen near bar area, seen in pool room, sitting or standing at foot of beds, whispers, footsteps, sensation of being touched on shoulder

Most Active Areas

upstairs corridors, bar area, pool room, foot of beds

Witness Accounts

Visitors have reported seeing ‘George’ wandering upstairs corridors at night, a Victorian lady strolling through the pool room, and a young man with fair hair waking landlords and guests by sitting or standing at the foot of their beds.

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Price Range: To be determined
Rooms: 3 rooms
Spirits: 3 Ghosts

📅 Sample dates:2025-08-28 to 2025-08-30 • 2 adults
Dates and guest count can be changed on booking sites

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Paranormal Tip: Book rooms near upstairs corridors for the best chance of supernatural encounters!

Contact Details

Address:
Quay Street, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4BD, United Kingdom

Status: Operating

Special Packages

Traditional pub accommodation with B&B, historic atmosphere

Accessibility

Historic building with limited accessibility

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The Dolphin Tavern & Surroundings Legend

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