Hylton Castle, is most famous for its ghost called the "Cauld Lad o' Hylton". This ghost is said to be the spirit, of a stable boy who was slain by a baron of Hylton in the sixteenth century. The unfortunate young man had been caught napping by the temperamental lord, who in a fit of rage brutally struck the boy with a pitch fork killing him instantly. The ghost who may or may not carry his head under his arm, was occasionally seen and often heard by the domestic servants of Hylton Castle. Like all good poltergeists the Cauld Lad's favourite passtime was throwing dishes, plates and pewter, but this only happened if the Hylton kitchen had been left in a tidy state. Curiously if the servants left the kitchen untidy, the Cauld Lad would tidy it up. Naturally the servants took advantage and always left the kitchen untidy.