Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
21 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
21 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
21 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
21 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Godstone Grave of the Godstone Pirate

Grave of the Godstone Pirate

A pirate is laid to rest at St. Nicholas Church.

Godstone, England

Added By
Velowulf
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The grave of the pirate, on the right of the path near the church   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
The grave of the pirate, on the right of the path near the church   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
St Nicholas Church   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
The sign for the Fox & Hounds pub   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
The Story of the Pirate   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
  Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
The alcove near the bar   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
The Fox & Hounds Pub from the front   Velowulf / Atlas Obscura User
The graveyard   Steve 55 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Grave of the Godstone Pirate can be found in an otherwise innocuous-looking church in Godstone.

John Edward Trenchman was born in London in the 17th century. At the age of 12, he left the city's docks and joined the crew of the notorious pirate Henry Morgan. After years at sea, Trenchman returned to England but did not leave his pirate ways behind. He smuggled goods along the country's southeast coast. But when a member of his crew was arrested and gave up the secret smuggling routes, customs officers put a stop to his piracy. 

Trenchman was wounded in the ambush. He escaped and made his way to the Fox and Hounds Inn in Godstone, but eventually succumbed to his wounds and died at the pub. Villagers buried him in an unmarked grave at the south end of the churchyard at St. Nicholas.

The church was the subject of several episodes of haunting after the pirate was initially buried in an unmarked grave at the back of the church until the priest and churchwardens removed the pirate’s body and reburied him with a full Christian service, opposite the church doors. From then on nothing more was seen or heard of Godstone’s pirate ghost.

More can be found about the pirate at the Fox and Hounds pub, where he died. The pub is a few minutes' drive from the church on the other side of Godstone. It can be found by heading into Godstone from the church and heading towards Godstone Farm (follow the signs). The pub is a little way past the Godstone Farm.

Related Tags

Graves Pirates

Know Before You Go

The pub is in a different location than the grave. The grave can be seen at all hours but if you want to go inside the church while you are there then you will need to visit during opening hours.

The pub can be found by heading into Godstone from the church and heading towards Godstone Farm (follow the signs). The pub is a little way past the Godstone Farm.

Community Contributors

Added By

Velowulf

Edited By

Steve 55, Chrisgledhill

  • Steve 55
  • Chrisgledhill

Published

August 21, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/4608422
Grave of the Godstone Pirate
Church Lane
Godstone, England, RH9 8BW
United Kingdom
51.246604, -0.056883
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Skaterham

Caterham, England

miles away

Ladder of Salvation of the Human Soul

Chaldon, England

miles away

'Coccolith'

Tatsfield, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Nearby Places

Skaterham

Caterham, England

miles away

Ladder of Salvation of the Human Soul

Chaldon, England

miles away

'Coccolith'

Tatsfield, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Related Places

  • Tampa Bay’s Oaklawn Cemetery is the final resting place of Jose Perfino, who’s thought to have been a pirate.

    Tampa, Florida

    Grave of Jose Perfino

    Visit the final resting place of a potential pirate at this historic burial site.

  • Bowman’s Hill Tower

    New Hope, Pennsylvania

    Bowman's Hill Tower

    This stone tower marks a lookout point over the historic Washington Crossing, and maybe some buried treasure.

  • Ironton, Ohio

    Edward Gorey’s Grave

    The final resting place of the renowned, eccentric artist doesn’t even include his name.

  • Zona Heaster Shue’s ghostly visits to her mother led to her husband’s murder conviction.

    West Virginia

    Greenbrier Ghost of Sam Black Church

    Here lies Zona, whose ghostly testimony led to her husband’s murder conviction.

  • Cannons.

    Campeche, Mexico

    The Bastion of San Carlos

    This historic, pentagon-shaped fort houses the City Museum.

  • The Aruba Pet Cemetery

    San Nicolas, Aruba

    Santana di Cacho (Pet Cemetery)

    A sprawling beachfront burial ground for Aruba's departed pets.

  • The eternal flame.

    Chennai, India

    Perarignar Anna Memorial

    The largest funeral ever held was for one of Tamil's most influential politicians.

  • “ANDREAS MORGENRØDT – Time Traveller – 1996–2064”

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    The Time Traveler's Grave

    Hidden in plain sight, a gravestone seemingly inscribed from the future stands among the cemetery’s historic tombs.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.