The original Wilton Castle was constructed during the 13th-century. The building we see today is the result of a detailed restoration of Harry Alcock’s incarnation of the castle which dates to 1840. Under his tenure, the renowned architect, Daniel Robertson, added an additional wing and fashioned a variety of ornate embellishments to the castle structure. But all this was seemingly lost when the great house was torched by rebels on the 5th of March 1923.

After decades of abandonment, the property was fully restored by a local man and the Castle now operates as a private hotel.

A ghostly horse and carriage with Harry Alcock himself on board is said to pull away from the fine house on the anniversary of his death each year as the sun sets. While there is no specific day recorded for this spectacle, Harry died on the 3rd of December 1840. At one point, locals were known to gather each year to catch a glimpse of this sombre sight. According to a local story, one even claimed to have spoken to the man himself. Workers were also startled on one occasion when a phantom carriage pulled by four white horses crossed the courtyard at speed and headed out through an impossibly narrow passageway at the other end.

Strange lights have also been spotted in the castle tower. These are attributed to the spirit of a former actress who accidentally set her dress alight with an oil lamp and was tragically engulfed by the flames. Tales of a phantom dog have been recalled, with his howls heard on the darkest of nights.

Another story associated with the castle concerns a brutal local magistrate, Archibald Jacob. Jacob was a deeply unpleasant, ill-tempered brute who struck fear into the hearts of locals, dishing out the harshest punishments for the smallest of misdemeanors. He was also captain of the local militia during the rebellion and was not afraid to abuse his additional power in this position. In 1836, he had attended a function at the castle and was returning to his home when he fell from his horse. The fall resulted in a broken neck and his death was instantaneous. His agitated spirit, complete with an evident and gruesome neck injury, was often seen pacing the road from the castle toward Clough Mills where the fated incident occurred. He also caused disturbances in the castle itself, so much so that an exorcism was requested. It was said that he even appeared in front of a fireplace during the ritual itself. The presiding priest made the sign of the cross, and the angry magistrate’s ghost disappeared in a puff of smoke.