Experience the Thrills of Spooky Ghost Tours in Pilgrim’s Rest

Imagine stepping back in time to the enchanting gold mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest, nestled along Mpumalanga’s mesmerizing Panorama Route. Now, picture immersing yourself in a unique adventure: a ghost tour that will send shivers down your spine.

As I took my first step into the eerie Alanglade House, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Suddenly, the door of a teak wardrobe creaked open, causing a collective gasp from the room’s occupants. I’ll never forget the last person’s startled shriek! But I assure you, there were no hidden hands at play. This was just the beginning of a bone-chilling experience.

My heart raced as we explored the grand double-storey home, originally built in 1915 for the mining manager. Alanglade House, now a museum, held secrets of the past, and we were privileged to uncover them. Throughout the tour, we discovered tales of spirits and wandering souls who once called this place home.

The guide led us to the children’s room, where a sense of anticipation hung in the air. All eyes were drawn to a doll’s pram, but something was amiss. It had mysteriously moved from its designated spot. Our guide chuckled and revealed that it often shifted on its own accord. Legend had it that the ghostly presence of one of the Barry daughters, who tragically succumbed to meningitis at the tender age of 10, still roamed the premises.

As we delved deeper into the rich history of Pilgrim’s Rest, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Every corner had a story to tell, and every whisper of a ghostly encounter sent a tingle down my spine.

If you’re seeking an extraordinary adventure that combines history, mystery, and spine-chilling tales, then a ghost tour in Pilgrim’s Rest is an absolute must. Be prepared for a journey that will thrill and captivate your imagination, leaving you with unforgettable memories that will linger long after your visit.

‘Welcome to this fascinating house,’ she exclaimed, as we began our tour while the sun dipped below the horizon. ‘Nothing is ever certain, but it’s common for people to experience sudden rushes of cold or warmth, catch glimpses of glowing orbs in photographs, or detect the aroma of cooking, despite the fact that this place has been uninhabited for years.’ Sherry, our guide, elaborated that orbs are spectral energy manifesting as floating spheres, rather than full-fledged apparitions, often observed after nightfall.

The house remains adorned with furniture from the Barry family’s era and is notable for being the first residence in the mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest to feature a flush toilet. Built exclusively for Gladys Barry, the wife of the mining manager, this grand mansion was constructed as a response to her dissatisfaction with the cramped, corrugated iron houses prevalent in the village. The mansion boasted a butler’s pantry adjacent to the expansive dining room, where guests were treated to sumptuous banquets rivaling the elegance of those in London.

As I stood on the veranda, gazing out at Mrs. Barry’s rose garden, I couldn’t help but feel a mysterious energy in the air. Her presence was palpable, with her hat and secateurs lying next to a single, fresh rose. It sent a shiver down my spine.

This family had been struck by tragedy, their sorrow imprinted in every corner of Alanglade. Sadly, all three sons met an untimely demise in their twenties, leaving behind a void that could never be filled. And when Mrs. Barry passed away, her heart shattered from the weight of her grief, only one of the daughters managed to survive to old age.

Leaving Alanglade behind, we ventured into the darkness, grateful that it was Sherry’s responsibility to turn off the lights and not one of ours. Our next destination was the cemetery, where a row of hurricane lanterns patiently waited for us. It was time to take them for a solemn stroll among the silent headstones.

“You won’t believe what I just learned,” Sherry exclaimed as she handed each of us a glass of sherry, as if to fortify us for what she was about to reveal. “During the gold rush in the 1870s, countless young adventurers flocked to Pilgrim’s Rest, most of them arriving with barely a penny to their names. They had spent everything to get here, and their only hope was to strike it rich. But if they couldn’t find gold quickly, they faced a grim fate – starvation or succumbing to fever. Some even became so desperate that they resorted to taking their own lives.”

Sherry paused, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and somberness. “There was one young man, in particular, who stands out in my mind. He tried to end his life by slitting his own throat. It was a failed attempt, and his friends, who were carrying him to the makeshift hospital up the hill, stopped to rest right outside the cemetery. That’s when he made a chilling request – he asked them to leave him there. When they refused, he did something unimaginable. He reached into his own wound, tearing out his own jugular, right in the very spot where we now stood, sipping our sherries.” Her words hung heavy in the air, and we found ourselves eager to leave the scene behind as we followed Sherry into the darkness, careful not to step on any graves along the way.

When Sherry took us on that eerie journey, she introduced us to more buried individuals who had interesting stories to tell. She shared tales of the little graveyard above the village, where these people found their final resting place. One of them was Teddie Blacklow, a person who was so kind to others that they all chipped in to put up a tombstone in his memory. Another was the boozer who, with his last bit of money, bought a cask of rum and set it up in his tent so that he could lie beneath the tap and let the drink trickle down his throat. And then there was the unnamed thief who met his end and was buried facing north, forever unidentified.

As we stood together, beyond the reach of the lantern’s light, we heard something strange. A rustling noise, almost like a whisper. “What is that?” we all asked in a collective scream. Could it be a ghost? An orb of light? We strained our eyes but saw nothing in the darkness. Was it just a cow grazing on the hillside, or perhaps the angry spirit of a thief seeking to clear his tarnished name? On tours like these, you never know what secrets the night may hold.

Information about Pilgrim’s Rest Ghost Tours

If you want to know the latest prices for the ghost tours, you can contact Brummer Tours at the Pilgrim’s Rest Information Centre. Just give them a call at 082-522-1958 or visit their website, www.krugerlowveld.com.

Useful tips for visiting Pilgrim’s Rest

The Up Town area of Pilgrim’s Rest can get really crowded with tour buses. If you want to escape the crowd, I recommend heading to Down Town. There are a few places I really enjoyed there. First, I had lunch and a pint with my friend Johnny Reinders at The Vine restaurant. You can reach them at 013 768 1080. Next, I tried the incredible cappuccino at Pilgrim’s Pantry. It’s a must-try! You can find them at 013 768 1129. While I was there, I also stopped by Ponieskrantz Arts & Crafts to find some unique gifts made by the talented locals. You can reach them at 082 885 1780.