The Ostrich Inn

The Ostrich Inn

The Ostrich Inn is in Colnbrook, Berkshire, England.

Colnbrook is situated near the river Colne on a tributary called Colne Brook. Coaching inns have been a significant part of Colinbrook’s history; the first was founded by Milo Crispin in 1006 and was originally called The Hospice and later renamed to the Ostrich Inn. Colnbrook had over ten coaching inns by 1577 due to the fact that it was on the main road between London and Bath.

Colnbrook is also on the road to Windsor and it is said that King John enjoyed ale in the Ostrich Inn in 1215 on his way to sign the Magna Carta.

The Ostrich Inn is the site of a large number of murders. In the 17th century a husband and wife called Jarman ran the Inn. They fitted one of the bedrooms out with a hidden trapdoor by the bed which dropped the unsuspecting guest into a vat of boiling beer in the kitchen below.

After murdering the clotheir Thomas Cole, a guest in the Ostrich Inn, in this way they failed to explain why his horse was found wandering Colnbrook the next morning. After an investigation the authories found his body. The Jarmans admitted to over 60 murdered and were hanged for their crimes.

Hauntings

Poltergeist activity has been reported in the inn and witnessed by both staff and customers. It has been suggested that the haunting activity increased in frequency after the local council dug up the road outside to conduct repairs.

In Pure Spirit

The Ostrich Inn is open for business today. Have you been there and felt anything unusual?