I visited a ruined Shropshire priory that sheltered a king – and may be hiding a ghost

White Ladies Priory, near Boscobel House just off the West Midlands border, is a centuries-old religious site which once provided sanctuary to a king on the run – but its atmospheric ruins have also become associated with tales of the supernatural.

Dating back to the 12th century, the priory was once home to a small community of Augustinian canonesses, religious women who lived a life devoted to prayer and worship.

Its unusual name is thought to have originated from the white robes worn by the women who lived there.

Today, only parts of the original church remain, with its weathered stone walls and striking medieval arches offering visitors a glimpse into a very different period of English history.

The priory's religious life came to an end in 1536, when it was dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII as part of his sweeping closure of monasteries and religious houses across England.

But perhaps its greatest claim to fame came more than a century later, when it became a refuge for one of Britain's most famous monarchs.

Following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in September 1651, the future King Charles II fled south in a desperate attempt to escape Parliamentarian forces.

He arrived at White Ladies Priory in the early hours of September 4, where he was helped by Royalist supporters and exchanged his clothing for a disguise.

The fugitive king subsequently concealed himself in the surrounding woodland before making his way to nearby Boscobel House, where he famously hid in an oak tree to avoid capture.

His extraordinary escape eventually took him to safety in France, before he returned to England and was restored to the throne in 1660.

Yet it is not just the site's royal connections that make White Ladies Priory an intriguing destination nowadays.

The secluded ruins have also developed a reputation for being haunted, with ghostly tales adding another layer of mystery to the medieval site.

Stories associated with the priory include suggestions of a mysterious female apparition, sometimes described as a nun or a lady dressed in white, although there is no verified evidence of a supernatural presence.

With its ancient stonework, isolated setting and centuries of history, it is perhaps little surprise that the ruins have inspired such stories.

Whether visitors are drawn by the remarkable tale of a king fleeing for his life, an interest in medieval history or simply the possibility of encountering something unexplained, White Ladies Priory remains one of the region’s more unusual historic landmarks.

The ruins are now cared for by English Heritage and can be visited free of charge.