Spirited tales from 500 year old haunted Caernarfon Pub

GLASSES flying through the air, a little boy crying and an old lady sitting on the end of residents’ beds.

You have more than a ghost of a chance of picking up a spirited tale at one of Caernarfon’s oldest pubs.

The 500 year old Black Boy set within the town walls next to Caernarfon Castle has long been the haunt of many a soul – both living and dead.

But for sceptic landlord John Evans who has run the popular pub and restaurant for about 20 years nothing he hears is surprising anymore.

He has heard scores of ghostly tales from the staying guests, bar customers and staff at his historic pub.

The bar area is one where they say much of the paranormal incidents happen. It is thought to be the regular haunt of a mysterious man.

John said: “We do hear quite a few stories about ghosts in the Black Boy.

“It is rumoured to be full of them, it has often been a popular topic discussed in the bar over the years.” John said.

“There are lots of people who have said they have had experiences they couldn’t explain.

“There has been many funny things reported to us. One of the most often told ghost tales I have come across involves an old lady.

“We have had quite a few residents come down and tell us they have woken up to see her sitting on the end of their beds.

“Others who say they are susceptible to such things, say they are able to sense something others have talked about hearing a little boy crying.

“Lots of bar staff have also reported strange noises, voices, bangs and knocks, glasses have been known to fly off the shelf and pictures moved.

“I suppose it is inevitable an old building like this that is over 500 years old would get a reputation for being full of ghosts.”

One member of staff who has worked for a number of years said:

“I know about glasses falling down, lots of the bar staff have experienced that, and you do get a funny feeling or hear noises in certain areas of the pub, especially the bar, when you are by yourself.

“One time, there was someone taking a photo of a family group, when they pointed the camera at the scene there was no spaces where they were sitting but when the picture came out there there was a gap.

“It did freak them out a bit.”

Built circa 1522, the pub which is in Northgate Street, is thought to be one of the oldest inns in North Wales.

Back in history, it was thought to be at the centre of the town’s red light district and known as ‘Stryd Pedwar a Chwech,’ in Welsh.

That translates as ‘Four and Six Street’ according to the pub’s website information.

It was also formerly known as the ‘King’s Arms’ and the ‘Fleur de Lys’, one landlord bought the other out and created the Black Boy Inn as it is today.

Prior to 1828, the ‘King’s Arms’ was also known as the ‘Black Boy’.

“Nuns also feature in the Black Boy’s ghost stories, some have suggested that the pub is actually on an area where nuns used to pass through.” John added.

“You can still see in the arch of the stone work where there was a blessing area and the place where the holy water was located.

Some years ago, the remains of a body was actually found in the car park – but minus the feet.

“Now, if we do anything to the car-park, any digging up or any alterations there, we have to get archaeologists in and other experts just in case there is anything else down there.” He said.

The pub is also above a network of secret tunnels dating back centuries.

“We do know where they are located but they are blocked off now and not accessible any more.”

Although sceptical John says he is willing to keep an open mind.

“I have never seen anything myself, but who know you just never know do you?!”

During restoration work at the Black Boy Inn, workmen uncovered a range of items underneath the dining room floorboards including a child’s shoe, clay pipes and animal jaw bones.

A mural outside of the inn also features characters from the ghostly tales

Pic: Hotels.com