Spooky Story Sunday: The Haunted Halls of Exeter’s St Nicholas Priory

Exeter’s St Nicholas Priory stands as the oldest standing building in the city. Founded in 1087 by William the Conqueror, it once housed Benedictine monks for over four centuries before being repurposed as a Tudor merchant’s home and, later, various other uses. Amid its centuries of layered history and architectural beauty, locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike whisper that restless spirits still roam its ancient corridoors.

1. A Building by the Ages

St Nicholas Priory was established in 1087 as a Benedictine monastery, making it Exeter’s oldest intact structure. The site was dissolved in 1536 during Henry VIII’s Reformation, and the surviving domestic wings were transformed into an Elizabethan townhouse. Today, visitors can explore the vaulted undercroft (dating to around 1100), a medieval kitchen, a Tudor parlour, the Great Hall, and more. The building’s layered past—from monastic life to Tudor domesticity and beyond—makes it a rich tapestry of Exeter’s heritage.

2. Ghosts Among the Stone Walls

The spirit world seems particularly tethered here. Reports include:

• Phantoms of hooded monks—seen gliding through the ancient cells or drifting through the old kitchen.

• Unexplained footsteps, despite no one being present.

• Objects moving on their own, and doors opening or closing without explanation.

• Cold spots and chilling presences, sensed by visitors in dimly lit corners.

• Whispers, prayers, or low murmurs heard in empty rooms.

Ghost-hunting groups like Haunted Devon have focused investigations here, even exploring mysterious “witches’ marks”—engraved symbols believed to ward off evil—carved into the stonework.

3. Encounters from Visitors

Firsthand accounts bring the spirits to life:

“Evening is when it really gets creepy... loads of people have experienced paranormal activity there and caught apparitions on camera.”

Such accounts fuel the priory’s reputation in Exeter’s ghost tour scene. Red Coat ghost tours even include links to the monks haunting the area—and St Nicholas Priory often features in themed investigations and immersive ghost shows hosted within its walls.

4. Why This Place Feels Haunted

Element	Role in the Legend
Ancient History	Over 900 years of history—monks, dissolution, Tudor life—imbue the site with depth and memory.
Atmospheric Architecture	Vaulted cellars, thick stone walls, narrow passages—these all amplify the eerie.
Haunted Lore in the Making	Actual paranormal investigations and tour feedback reinforce the spectral stories.
Witches’ Marks & Symbolism	Stone carvings meant to ward off evil add a layer of mystique.
Public Imagination	Shared stories continue to breathe life into the legends of monks and spirits.

5. Final Reflection

St Nicholas Priory isn’t just a relic of Exeter’s past—it’s a place where history, myth, and the unexplained intersect. Whether you believe in ghosts or are simply charmed by the idea, the priory holds an undeniably evocative aura that invites speculation and shivers alike.

If ever you wander through its undercroft at dusk or explore its silent chambers under candlelight—pause. You just might feel the weight of centuries brush past.

Sources

• Exeter City Council & Exeter Historic Buildings Trust – St Nicholas Priory history and ownership

• Devon Live & Visit Exeter – Architectural and historic details of the Priory

• Ghostly Nights & Haunted Devon – Paranormal reports and investigations

• Reddit first-hand accounts – Visitor experiences and local lore