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Introduction

I visited The Ancient Ram Inn in Wotton Under Edge in Gloucestershire to conduct a paranormal investigation with a few members of Birmingham Investigators of the Unknown (BirminghamIU). I will now be writing a short series of posts about the reputedly haunted location. I will later include a short report about the paranormal activity we experienced and I will share some of the most interesting evidence we have obtained from our overnight visit.

Many people believe that the Ram has more than it’s fair share of evil spirits or even possibly demons (I’m however sceptical about the existence of demons). Because of the Ram’s well known reputation for frightening off even some of the most experienced paranormal investigators where there’s been numerous accounts of visitors literally being lifted up, thrown and/or punched to the floor, we preliminarily assessed the location as potentially too dangerous for our newest team members until they’ve received additional training in safer haunted locations first.

History & The Spirits That Allegedly Haunt The Ram

The Ram Inn was built around 1145 AD, allegedly on a 5,000 year old Pagan burial ground, but it’s thought that a building stood here for literally thousands of years even before this. The beautiful grade II listed building sits on an intersection of 2 Ley Lines, one of which also goes through Stone Henge. Many people believe buildings built on Ley Lines have a special spiritual significance and that they’re often particularly paranormally active. There is a long ‘bloody’ historic past at The Ram including alleged satanic worship, ritual child sacrifice (various old human remains were discovered, some had a broken dagger within their skeletal remains, it’s believed that some remains are still to be uncovered), murder, suicide, witchcraft (one witch was allegedly burned at the stake and is said to still haunt the Witches Room) and much more. It was thought that the property once housed masons and slaves including children that built the nearby St Mary’s church which is on the same Ley Line and is also thought to be haunted. The Ram has had various uses during it’s long history from a public house to a mortuary, it’s also been visited by some very famous historical figures over hundreds of years.

The entire building is reputed to be extremely haunted, but The Bishop’s room on the 1st floor is allegedly the most haunted room of all in The Ram. With tradition, John will only let visitors enter this room by formally inviting them in first. He will bang the closed door with a stick asking if we can come in. When the door is opened for the 1st time in a while, it’s allegedly very common to see light anomalies (orbs). I caught an incredible light anomaly on camcorder while it was still daylight and my colleagues saw the large anomaly float and disappear with their naked eye. The very nature of this anomaly made us believe that it couldn’t have just been caused by a draft when the door opened, but I’ll be writing a lot more about this later in this series when the video evidence will be available for public analysis.

There’s so much history to The Ram Inn that I could literally fill a large book on the subject. John Humphries, the currently owner since 1968 kindly showed me a large collection of his books that all refer to the Ram Inn including a copy of The Doomsday Book. Rather than repeating numerous articles throughout the Internet explaining all the history and alleged hauntings of this incredible old building, I’ll instead link to another good site that gives a good summary, this site also has a list of the some of the better known spirits and/or ghosts that are said to haunt the Ram:

Please see: http://www.theancientraminn.com for more details.

Help Save The Ancient Ram Inn From Collapse!

John Humphries has been the owner of The Ancient Ram Inn since 1968 when he brought the building in an abandoned and dilapidated condition for just £2,500. When he moved in, most of the building was saturated in water which was pouring through what was left of the roof. Despite the building’s derelict condition, John fell in love with the property and has lived there ever since. He discovered the property to be haunted on his first ever night when he reported being thrown out of bed.

Throughout John’s residence at the Ram, he’s been actively working against all odds to keep the building from ultimate collapse. Unfortunately John is now long retired and even though he still does everything in his power to repair the property, it’s now very sadly in a dangerous state of repair, this should be considered before visiting the property yourself as it’s at your own risk.

The stairs to the attic from the 1st floor have already collapsed so obviously this area is now completely out of bounds. In certain parts of the 1st floor one has to be very careful of the ageing floor boards as some are lose while a few others creek loudly and don’t appear too safe. We ensured only 1 person at a time was standing in the same place so not to put unnecessary strain on the floor. Later I sat downstairs briefly when I witnessed the old beams bend down considerably above as my colleagues walked upstairs, we later discovered how extensive and urgent the repairs are as many of the 1st floor is held up using very old pillars, crumbling stones and even some temporary jack supports. The stairs up to the 1st floor are also showing signs of age and we tread very carefully one person at a time.

The whole building desperately needs serious money spending on it urgently, otherwise this historic building will eventually collapse. A building as old and historic as The Ram cannot be replaced, it will be lost forever unless something is done to save it soon. I was surprised to be told by John that he’s been refused grants to help him repair the property from English Heritage and other charitable organisations he’s applied to. What complicates repairs even further is the fact that the property is Grade II listed which means that the building must be restored under very strict guidelines and this makes repairing the property extremely expensive and awkward indeed. In short, the very rules that are supposed to protect historical buildings in the UK could eventually cause the final demise of The Ancient Ram Inn.

If anyone can help or would like to donate towards helping John repair this amazing building, please write to him at The Ancient Ram Inn, Potters Pond, Wotton under Edge, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL12 7HF as he desperately needs help before it’s too late. If you wish to attend The Ancient Ram Inn on a paranormal investigation, please donate as much as you can afford and give generously.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 >>>

  (The rear of the Ram Inn)

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