With villagers enjoying pints by its crackling open fires, it seems like one of Oxfordshire's least frightening places.

But beneath its welcoming appearance as a traditional country pub, The Trout in Wolvercote hides a dark secret – a ghostly figure believed to roamthe building late at night.

Rosamund the Fair, who lived in Godstow Nunnery just across the river from the pub, was thought to be the mistress of King Henry II.

Historians believe the King would meet her in a secret garden protected by a labyrinth and with Rosamund joined by a thread to one of his knights.

But his wife, Queen Eleanor, was said to be so jealous she killed the knight, grabbed the thread and murdered her rival.

Because of her violent death, Rosamund is said to haunt the pub seeking revenge.

Travis Sapienzaok, a barman at the 17th century pub, said many people believed the spine-tingling tale, despite few having ever seen the apparition themselves.

Mr Sapienza, originally from Sydney, Australia, said: "I have worked here seven months and I have never seen it. The ghost is said to haunt the older parts of the restaurant.

"Her feet apparently appear below the floor level because it used to be lower than it is now.

"Glasses sometimes fall over for no reason when there are no windows open and no external ventilation.

"On one particular occasion a few glasses shattered and one of my colleagues came upstairs screaming."

Professional ghosthunter Bill Spectre, of Witney, said Oxford was one of the UK's most haunted cities.

He said other tales included that of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, who were burned at the stake in Broad Street in the 16th century.

The Old Bank Hotel, in High Street is also said to be haunted by former resident Prudence Burcote, whose heart was broken in the English Civil War when her Royalist lover deserted her.

Mr Spectre said: "There are so many stories in and around Oxford. There are many ghosts to be discovered."