Is Totnes Museum Haunted? My First Experiences Volunteering at One of Devon's Most Historic Buildings

I have recently started volunteering every Tuesday morning at Totnes Museum, a fascinating historic building tucked away on Fore Street in the heart of Totnes, Devon.

The museum is housed in a beautiful Elizabethan merchant's house, one of the town's oldest surviving buildings. Steeped in centuries of history, it's no surprise that the building has earned a reputation for being haunted. Whether you're interested in local history, Tudor architecture, or ghost stories, Totnes Museum is well worth a visit.

Entirely run by dedicated volunteers, the museum welcomes visitors through donations rather than an admission fee, making it an accessible and rewarding place to explore.

Will I See a Ghost at Totnes Museum?

Because I have been told that Totnes Museum is haunted, I suspect I will never actually see, hear, smell or sense anything paranormal while I'm there.

In my experience, paranormal encounters never happen when you're expecting them. They've always arrived as complete surprises, often in the most ordinary places.

That's one of the curious things about ghost sightings-they rarely occur on cue.

My Unexpected Paranormal Experiences

Over the years, I have only ever seen two apparitions, and neither appeared in places where I was looking for ghosts.

The first was a man riding a mobility scooter outside Paignton Zoo.

The second was a man wearing a blue jersey as he entered our local church.

Neither encounter was dramatic or theatrical. In fact, both were so wonderfully ordinary that they remain all the more memorable.

A Haunted Devon Pub

One place that does have a well-known ghostly reputation is our favourite local pub, The Waterman's Arms at Bow Bridge.

According to members of staff, the apparition of an elderly lady has been seen there on several occasions. I regularly sit in the very chair where she has reportedly appeared.

So far, however, she's politely declined my invitation to sit on my lap.

Visiting Totnes Museum

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, Totnes Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Devon's rich history. From its Elizabethan origins to the stories shared by volunteers and visitors alike, it's a place where history and folklore comfortably sit side by side.

As for me, I will continue turning up every Tuesday morning-not expecting to meet any ghosts, but always open to being surprised.

So rather than wishing you happy hunting, I'll simply say...

Good luck.