Cornwall is a land of rugged cliffs, ancient ruins, and picturesque villages, but beneath the surface lies a darker world of supernatural legends and eerie tales. From haunted mines to witches’ curses, the county is steeped in a rich history of myths and mysteries that have captured the imagination of generations.
One of the most intriguing stories is that of Dorcas of Polbreen Mine, whose mischievous spirit is said to haunt the abandoned mine to this day.
Meanwhile, the Railway Inn Hotel is home to a witch’s spirit that continues to spook visitors with its ghostly presence.
Join us as we delve into the dark and eerie world of Cornwall’s haunted past and uncover the secrets that lurk beneath the surface of this beautiful county.
Polbreen Mine Spirit
The spirit of Dorcas still inhabits Polbreen Mine in St. Agnes. She’s known to cause havoc among the miners, but some believe she’s trying to protect them. Others think she distracts them from their work on purpose. One man was once lured away by an unrecognized voice. No sooner had he left his workstation than a huge rock fell, landing on the very place where he had been standing. Was it Dorcas who saved him from death, or caused the rock to fall in the first place?
Despite her mischievous nature, the miners still respect and fear her. They know she’s always watching them and has the power to take their lives at any time. Some claim to hear her whispering in their ears, while others say they’ve seen her ghostly figure walking around the mine. Whatever the truth may be, there’s no denying that Polbreen Mine is haunted by a supernatural presence.
Dorcas’s Mischief
Surprisingly, Dorcas has a mischievous spirit. Her pranks distract the miners so much that they end up digging in the wrong direction for hours. She would play with their tools, making them disappear or moving them to different places. Sometimes, she would even move the lamps, making it hard for the miners to see where they were going.
But her pranks weren’t always harmless. On one occasion, Dorcas’s voice called out to a miner, convincing him to leave his post. Moments later, a massive rock fell from the ceiling, landing on the exact spot where he had been standing. It was as if Dorcas was trying to protect him from harm, but her methods were unpredictable and dangerous.
The miners at Polbreen Mine learned to be wary of her tricks, never knowing when they might lead to disaster.
The Railway Inn Witch
Interestingly, guests at The Railway Inn Hotel in St. Agnes have reported seeing a spirit emerging from a nearby mine shaft and moving pictures on the wall.
The spirit is believed to be that of a witch, who may have met a tragic end in the mine. The sight of the ghostly figure sends shivers down the spine of anyone who witnesses it, and some guests even refuse to stay at the inn after hearing the terrifying stories.
Legend has it that the witch’s spirit is seeking revenge on the townspeople, who accused her of practicing witchcraft. Her presence may also be linked to the spirit of Dorcas, who committed suicide by jumping down a mine shaft near the inn.
Whatever the reason for the haunting, the ghostly witch’s presence is a reminder of the supernatural legends that pervade Cornwall’s history and culture.