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Dover Castle is the inspiration for a new ghost story commissioned by English Heritage, Eight Ghosts

It’s not every day you get to stay at Dover Castle after dark – but then, how many people would want to?

Author Stuart Evers took up the challenge and boldly went where no one had gone before after being commissioned by English Heritage as one of eight authors to write its first ever book of fiction – about ghosts.

Stuart, who stayed in the grounds with his wife, said: “It was wonderful – very still and peaceful. It was really interesting because we got access to the castle after everyone had left and it felt like we were the only people there. It was really beautiful and a bit eerie.

Author Stuart Evers has written a new ghost story about Dover Castle, Kent's most haunted castle, for English Heritage Picture: Jim Holden
Author Stuart Evers has written a new ghost story about Dover Castle, Kent's most haunted castle, for English Heritage Picture: Jim Holden

“We went into the town and got a taxi back later and the driver couldn’t believe we wanted to go to the castle at that time of night – he’d never had anyone ask that before!”

The site is said to have several ghosts, including a headless drummer boy, who has appeared banging a drum at times, and a woman in a long, flowing red dress.

During his evening at the castle, he mulled their existence while looking at the castle late into the night.

“I started to think: I wonder if the ghosts are in there now and what they’re doing? “ he said. “Would they be talking to each other? Would the ones who have been there thousands of years talk to the ones who have arrived recently? I decided to create ghosts from different eras with different egos – I’m the writer so I can just make this stuff up!

Illuminated Dover Castle
Illuminated Dover Castle

“There is something wonderfully hopeful about ghosts; there is a comfort within them. They do also point to a life after death. They are likeable in some respects. There is always going to be something creepy about it. But I find plenty of things way more terrifying than ghosts.”

Stuart, who used to visit family in Dover, also took inspiration from hearing that some scenes from Mel Gibson’s Hamlet were filmed inside the castle.

The stories in Eight Ghosts were each inspired by – and set within the walls of – an English Heritage property.

Stuart said: “It is a really nice blend of writers. Short story writers usually write what they like, but this was specific, so a bit more of a challenge.”

Bronwen Riley from English Heritage said: “The castles and stately homes of England have long inspired ghostly myths and legends – after all, white ladies and headless apparitions all need somewhere fitting to haunt. We wanted to challenge today’s writers to use these buildings and come up with a new twist on the English ghost story. Our writers have risen to this challenge magnificently.”

DETAILS

Eight Ghosts: The English Heritage Book of New Ghost Stories is published this month by September Publishing. All proceeds will go towards vital conservation work at English Heritage sites across the country. For more details visit english-heritageshop.org.uk

THE BOOK

Dover Castle is one of more than 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites that English Heritage cares for.

They range from world famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, and from Roman forts to a Cold War bunker. Stuart Evers’ work on Dover Castle joins seven other authors’ takes on sites.

Dover Castle, Kent's most haunted castle
Dover Castle, Kent's most haunted castle

Kate Clancy has written about Housesteads Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland; Mark Haddon has written about the York Cold War Bunker in North Yorkshire; Andrew Hurley wrote about Carlisle Castle in Cumbria; Sarah Perry about Audley End House and Gardens in Essex; Max Porter Eltham Palace and Gardens in London; Kamila Shamsie about Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden in Warwickshire and Jeanette Winterson wrote about Pendennis Castle in Cornwall.

It is the first time English Heritage has commissioned creative writing and the collection has partly been inspired by its new role as a charity and a desire to look at the buildings in its care in new ways.

Eight Ghosts: A Book from English Heritage includes a new ghost story set at Dover Castle by Stuart Evers
Eight Ghosts: A Book from English Heritage includes a new ghost story set at Dover Castle by Stuart Evers

Stuart’s first book, Ten Stories About Smoking, won the London Book Award in 2011 and his most recent collection, Your Father Sends His Love, was shortlisted for the 2016 Edge Hill Short Story Prize.

Stuart will be hosting a special author event inside the castle on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31. It runs from 6.30pm to 9pm and is suitable for adults. Tickets are £36 and include a copy of the book and light refreshments, and need to be booked in advance.
Visit english-heritage.org.uk and search Dover Castle events.

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