I visited the West Midlands' most haunted castle and discovered its terrifying past

From a heartbroken mother said to wander the ruins to a witch reportedly thrown from the keep alongside her black cat, Dudley Castle has no shortage of ghostly tales.

The historic Black Country landmark has long been regarded as one of the most haunted places in Britain, with centuries of chilling stories surrounding its ancient walls.

And with Halloween approaching, the castle's reputation for paranormal activity has once again come into focus.

Dudley Castle was named the eighth most haunted attraction in the UK in research carried out by online psychic chat company Psychic World, which analysed thousands of ghost reports from across the country.

The castle received a 'spooky score' of 7.85 out of 10, placing it above the likes of Edinburgh Castle and Warwick Castle.

But it is the tragic tale of the Grey Lady that remains perhaps the most famous of the castle's many ghost stories.

Believed to be the spirit of Dorothy Beaumont, a 17th-century noblewoman, the Grey Lady is said to wander the castle grounds, particularly around the ruins of the old chapel.

According to legend, Dorothy died at the castle after being left heartbroken by the death of her new-born baby.

It is said that her dying wishes were to be buried alongside her child and for a proper funeral feast to be held in her honour.

However, neither wish was granted, and her restless spirit is believed to have remained within the castle walls ever since.

Over the years, visitors have reported seeing a mysterious woman dressed in flowing grey clothing wandering through the ruins, often around dusk.

Others have described sudden drops in temperature, unexplained noises and the unsettling sensation of being watched while exploring the castle.

And Dorothy is far from the only spirit said to haunt the historic attraction.

Another of the castle's more sinister legends dates back to the 13th century and tells of a woman believed to have been a witch.

According to the tale, the woman was put to death at the castle, although different versions of the story suggest she was either hanged or thrown from the top of the keep.

Her black cat is also said to have met the same grisly fate, with the pair reportedly thrown from the battlements together in one version of the legend.

The story has become another part of the castle's supernatural folklore, and she is believed to haunt the remains of the keep to this day, although the circumstances surrounding the woman's supposed death remain unverified.

Elsewhere, the chapel undercroft is considered by some paranormal enthusiasts to be one of the most haunted areas of the castle.

Within the undercroft is a stone coffin believed to have once held the remains of John de Somery, one of the castle's former lords.

Visitors have reportedly spotted mysterious legs standing beside the coffin, with some believing the apparition to be that of John himself.

There have also been accounts of people feeling their clothes being tugged, being prodded by unseen hands and hearing strange grinding noises coming from the chapel above.

During one paranormal investigation, a chair was reportedly overturned by an unseen force, while another investigation is said to have captured a dark, shadowy figure on camera.

Another well-known ghost story concerns a young drummer boy who is believed to have lost his life during the English Civil War.

According to legend, the boy was killed by a musket shot during a skirmish at the castle in the 17th century.

His ghost is said to remain at the site, with visitors reporting the sound of distant drumming echoing through the ruins at night.

Some even believe that hearing or seeing the drummer boy is an omen of bad luck, owing to the tragic circumstances of his death.

The castle's Civil War history has also inspired tales of a phantom Royalist soldier, sometimes described wearing a plumed helmet and cloak while patrolling the battlements.

Other reported paranormal encounters include mysterious footsteps on empty staircases, unexplained voices, doors slamming shut and the cries of an unseen child.

While there is no evidence that these encounters are supernatural, the stories have helped establish Dudley Castle as a popular destination for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators.

The castle's turbulent history has also provided plenty of inspiration for its ghostly legends.

Its origins date back to 1071, when a motte-and-bailey fortification was established following the Norman Conquest.

Over the following centuries, the castle was rebuilt, demolished and reconstructed as it passed between different owners.

During the 16th century, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, began transforming the medieval fortress into a Renaissance-style residence, although he was executed before his plans could be completed.

The castle later played a role in the English Civil War, when it was held by Royalist forces before falling to Parliamentarians in 1646.

Its fortifications were slighted the following year, leaving much of the castle in the ruined state visitors recognise today.

Now standing within the grounds of Dudley Zoo, the historic ruins continue to attract visitors fascinated by both their history and their supernatural reputation.

And whether the Grey Lady really does wander the chapel, or the sound of a drummer boy can still be heard echoing through the ancient walls, Dudley Castle's ghostly legends show little sign of disappearing.

For those brave enough to explore its ruins after dark, the castle's centuries of history provide an atmospheric backdrop to some of the Black Country's most chilling tales.