Home News The Rudd, a house full of history and chills

The Rudd, a house full of history and chills

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Rudd House, situated at 5 Loch Road, Belgravia, is a house full of history and mystery.

Rudd House. Pictures: Danie van der Lith

WHO SAID that there is nothing to do in Kimberley?

For those who have a taste for, or an interest in, the supernatural, the Rudd House in Kimberley is a popular attraction for those looking to experience some paranormal activity, and can be visited on request on the Kimberley Ghost Tour.

When I personally visited the house a couple of years ago during one of those ghost tours, I could definitely sense that there was a presence in the house. I have to add that what I sensed was that it was not a presence of evil, it was just a presence.

I can clearly remember standing in one of the rooms next to an old piano when suddenly there was a very noticeable drop in temperature. I can definitely say that it was not a little bit cooler, in fact, it was decidedly chilly. I had to look around to see if there were any doors or windows open, but no, there were none.

I tried to look inconspicuous but I must have looked like a waddling penguin as I moved to a different part of the room; I didn’t want anybody to see that I had almost made a ‘boo boo’ in my pants.

There is a lot to see, even though you feel as if you want to walk with your eyes covered, you still want to see everything, history locked away in one house. At one time the tour guide walked along one of the passages and stopped. Then he bent down and opened up a door in the floor to reveal a stairway that led to a basement area where there was enough old furniture and sculptures to give you the chills.

In fact, Rudd House is very well known for having many doors that lead to nowhere, and getting lost is easier than trying to figure out Eskom’s Stage 2 load shedding schedule … or is that Stage 4?

The house is internationally known and is considered one of the most iconic houses in the world. Built in the 1880s, Rudd House originally had only four bedrooms, but the structure has undergone renovations to become the largest home with a veranda in the modern era.

In 1896, it was sold to mine manager Charles Dunnell Rudd, who passed it on to his son Henry Percy Rudd in 1898. It was Henry who renovated and added on, mainly during the 50 years of his residence.

In 1971, the home was donated to the McGregor Museum by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. and it was restored to its former glory after it had fallen into disrepair.

As far as the creepy side of things are concerned, however, it’s well known that people who have visited The Rudd have heard and seen all kinds of things. When taking photos inside the house, round orbs are visible, and they are said to be balls of energy left behind there over the years.

Some have heard the cries of children, the sound of falling dishes, the sound of broken glass, and some will swear to have seen a full-body apparition of a ghost, both in the red room as well as in the formal dining room.

So, if by any chance you get the privilege of going for a tour through the old Rudd House, remember to be open-minded. Take a camera with you and take lots of photos. Who knows, you might just just have the privilege of having either Charles Dunnell, or Henry Percy Rudd striking a pose for you.

The famous tree in the yard of the Rudd House that has rooted itself into ground for as long as the house has been there.
Some history of the house on a board that is inside the yard.
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