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The Tulip Staircase Ghost: A Haunting at the Queen’s House in Greenwich

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After some tourists took a picture when visiting the Queen’s House in Greenwich, they came back with a strange image now known as The Tulip Staircase Ghost. Even today, people still debate if the ghost in the image was real or not.

If there’s one thing the British serve exceptionally well besides tea, is haunted history. And the Queen’s House in Greenwich? Oh, it serves up ghostly chills with photographic evidence. This stunning piece of 17th-century architecture might be a vision of classical elegance, but beneath its beauty lies a paranormal playground. 

There were already ghostly legends circling around the old house before the picture was taken with children laughing in the hallways, a ghostly maid mopping up blood. At the heart of its spectral reputation is one particularly famous spirit: the Tulip Staircase Ghost.

Queen’s House in Greenwich: Royal Naval College North East Building Queen Anne’s Quarter. The mansion became popular for the paranormal community after a picture allegedly showing a ghost by the stairs. // Source: Tony Hisgett/Flickr

A House Fit for a Queen… and Her Ghosts

The Queen’s House was commissioned in 1616 by Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I as an apology from him after swearing at her in public. It is worth noting though, she did just shoot his dog, although it was an accident. Designed by the revolutionary architect Inigo Jones, it was England’s first consciously classical building—a stark contrast to the Gothic styles that came before. 

The home has been inhabited by many female royals over the centuries. However, Anne never got to enjoy her royal retreat, as she died in 1619 before its completion. The house was eventually finished in 1635 under Queen Henrietta Maria (wife of Charles I), but from the get-go, it seems this regal residence was destined to be haunted.

Ghosts Haunting the House: There is said to be more than one ghost haunting the place. A lot of the paranormal activity is said to be around the grand tulip stairs. // Source: Elliott Brown/Flickr

Over the centuries, the Queen’s House has been home to royalty, naval officers, and later, the National Maritime Museum. With so many lives passing through its halls, it’s no wonder that whispers of eerie encounters began to surface. Strange voices, phantom footsteps, and inexplicable shadows have all been reported within its grand walls. But none of these compares to the chilling mystery of the Tulip Staircase.

The Ghost Caught on Camera

Let’s rewind to 1966—when the famed image of The Tulip Staircase Ghost was taken at the stairs. A retired Canadian reverend, R.W. Hardy, and his wife were visiting the Queen’s House on a casual tourist outing. Around 5.00pm Rev Hardy was taking photographs of the interior of the building. He was using a Zeiss Ikon Contina camera with a Zavar Anastigmat lens and skylight haze filter and K2 daylight film. He took a seemingly innocent photograph of the house’s famous Tulip Staircase, an architectural marvel with its elegant spiral design and delicate wrought-iron railings.

At the time there was no one there, this was according to his wife as well, standing by his side. There was also a ‘no admittance’ sign, and no one was around them. 

Ghost on the Stairs: The picture was said to be sent to experts to check the validity of the image. Although it certainly could be a classic case of double exposure, the image of The Tulip Staircase Ghost still holds a lot of credibility with some.

When the film was developed, what should have been a simple snapshot became one of the most famous paranormal images in history. The photo clearly shows a shrouded, shadowy figure ascending the staircase, gripping the railing with an almost skeletal hand. Not one, but two hands, in fact, as if someone—or something—was climbing upward. 

Experts—including Kodak in their laboratory—examined the negative, ruling out tampering or double exposure. The eerie, translucent figure remained unexplained, solidifying its place in ghost-hunting lore.

Who—or What—Haunts the Queen’s House?

Theories about the Tulip Staircase Ghost abound, but the Queen’s House doesn’t just have one restless spirit. Some believe the spectral figure belongs to a 17th-century maid who was murdered on the staircase. Legend has it that she was pushed—or fell—to her death, and her tormented soul lingers to this day. Visitors and staff have reported hearing phantom footsteps on the staircase, feeling unseen hands brush against them, and even spotting a woman in old-fashioned clothing drifting through the halls, cleaning up the pool of blood before vanishing into thin air.

Read Also: The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, another ghost allegedly caught on cam in a mansion in England.

But she’s not alone. Other ghostly residents allegedly include the sound of disembodied children laughing, the echoes of mysterious chanting, and the sudden appearance of shadowy figures that dissolve when approached. One particularly unnerving report comes from a group of restoration workers in the 1960s, who claimed to hear loud, violent footsteps following them—only to turn around and find no one there.

The Haunting Continues Through a Séance

As news of the spectral photograph of The Tulip Staircase Ghost spread, seven members of paranormal investigation organisation The Ghost Club decided to spend the night of Saturday 24 June 1967 in the Queen’s House to investigate the claims. They had to wear soft-soled shoes, synchronise their watches and carry a working torch, notebook and pencil at all times. Everything was to be noted down, from odd noises and smells to any feeling of a presence.

Séance in the Queen Anne House: held at night by members of The Ghost Club at the Queen’s House on 24th June 1967 after they saw the photo of the The Tulip Staircase Ghost.

According to some sources, they found some startling discoveries, such as bells ringing and shadowy figures. However, the vigil and séance produced no conclusive evidence of the paranormal that night, or any other night after.

A Haunting That Stands the Test of Time

Today, the Queen’s House is a part of the Royal Museums of Greenwich and what is now known as the Old Royal Naval College. While it’s best known for its art collection and architectural significance, those with an eye for the supernatural know better. The Tulip Staircase Ghost remains one of the most compelling pieces of paranormal evidence ever captured, and the building itself continues to exude an air of mystery.

Skeptics might scoff, dismissing the ghostly figure as a trick of light or an overactive imagination. But those who’ve felt the chill of unseen eyes watching them, or heard the spectral echoes of the past, know that the Queen’s House is more than just a historical landmark—it’s a place where the past refuses to stay buried.

So, if you ever find yourself in Greenwich, take a stroll through the Queen’s House. Admire its beauty, soak in its history… and maybe, just maybe, glance over your shoulder. You never know who—or what—might be following you up the Tulip Staircase.

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References:

The Tulip Staircase Ghost – Burials & Beyond 

Greenwich, Queen Anne, and the Ghost(s) of the Queen’s House – Historic Mysteries  

The Tulip Staircase, Queens House 

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The Christmas Haunting of Roos Hall of the Headless Horseman

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It is not Santa Claus with his reindeer sleigh that comes to Roos Hall for Christmas. According to legend, there is a headless horseman pulling a carriage that takes their annual visit for Christmas Eve. 

In the countryside of Suffolk, just outside the quaint town of Beccles, stands Roos Hall—a red brick mansion among the green woodlands, shrouded in mystery and dark tales. This Grade I listed Tudor manor, built in 1583, has earned its reputation as one of the most haunted places in England and it is said that the site used to be a place for executions. 

It was built by the De Roos family, a Baron family. With its original fireplaces, paneling, and medieval parkland setting, Roos Hall is not only a historical gem but also a hotspot for paranormal activity, especially during the Christmas season.

The Headless Horseman Haunting Roos Hall

Among the myriad of ghost stories associated with Roos Hall, the legend of the headless horseman stands out as particularly chilling. This spectral figure is said to ride down the driveway of the mansion on Christmas Eve, clattering through the night with his phantom coach and two or four horses. This was coincidentally the day the family was appointed a Baron in 1264, although nothing strange is said to have happened on that day Robert De Roos was appointed. 

Read Also: The Mysterious Tale of Borley Rectory – Was it Really Haunted? for more stories about the headless horseman.

Witnesses have reported seeing the terrifying sight of a man on horseback, only to realize in horror that he has no head. The headless horseman is dragging a carriage behind him, barreling up in the driveway before disappearing right when they reach the door.

When they arrive at the door, a woman is said to get out of the carriage, looking to be of flesh and blood, and according to legend, if you meet her gaze, it will turn you mad. 

The Headless Horseman: Painted by John Quidor – The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane .

The apparition’s sudden appearance and eerie silence send shivers down the spines of those who encounter it, cementing its place in local folklore.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the Christmas season

This story was first read about in the Eastern Daily Press from January 26th in 1909. The story came from two workers of F.W.D Robinson who owned the Hall then after years of changing hands throughout the times. They claimed they saw the carriage and the woman. In this version of the story though the worker Benjamin Benns saw it four times that year, and Robert Elvin saw it a week before Christmas and again before Christmas Eve. When the legend started to only happen on Christmas Eve though is uncertain.

The Devil’s Footprints in Roos Hall

Inside Roos Hall, the haunting tales continue. Among the most disturbing are the mysterious markings known as the devil’s footprints. These strange indentations have been found in various parts of the mansion, sparking fear and speculation. 

One of these marks are said to be found on the wall of a cupboard or in a wardrobe inside one of the bedrooms. And when saying the devil’s mark, people mostly refer to it as a hoof branded  into the solid brick.

Some believe that these are the remnants of a sinister presence that once roamed the halls, leaving behind physical evidence of its malevolent visits. The origins of these footprints remain unexplained, adding to the eerie atmosphere that envelops Roos Hall.

The Gibbet on the Oak Tree

It is also said that there is the ghost of a woman in white circling the big oak tree on the front of the property. The tree is on the lawn around 100 ft from the driveway. Who she is is uncertain, but it is said she is circling the oak tree six times in order to summon the devil. This particular oak, today with a wooden fence around it, is said to be a tree where criminals were sentenced to death. 

The De Roos’ job as landowners was also to punish criminals. For this, they used a gibbet, looking almost like a gallow where they hung criminals as a way to deter people to follow in their footsteps and show what would happen to them. They were usually dead, but sometimes, hung there for many days as they were just awaiting death. 

Later they planted the three known as Nelson’s tree there instead to hang people from. In addition to the woman, there was also a man wearing torn trousers and a brown jacket. People believe that it has to be people that once were executed here. 

The Ghostly Girl in the Window

Roos Hall’s spectral residents are not limited to headless horsemen and devilish imprints. Visitors and residents alike have reported sightings of a pale young girl peering out from the windows of the mansion on the first-floor. 

This ghostly figure is often seen observing from a distance, waving at you, her expression forlorn and her presence unsettling. The identity of this apparition is unknown, but her frequent appearances suggest a tragic past tied to the history of Roos Hall.

The Oak Tree: Also known as the hanging tree. // (Image: Gerry DeFalco/Suffolk Live)

A Haunted Legacy of Roos Hall

The haunting of Roos Hall is deeply woven into the fabric of its history. Built in the 16th century, the manor has seen centuries of human joy, sorrow, and strife, each leaving its mark on the building. Over time, these emotions have seemingly manifested into the ghostly phenomena that now define Roos Hall.

Christmas, a time of warmth and family gatherings, takes on a different tone within these haunted walls. The festive season’s contrast with the mansion’s dark history makes the haunting experiences all the more jarring for those who witness them.

In the stillness of a Suffolk night, as the Christmas lights flicker and the winter wind whispers through the ancient trees, the spirits of Roos Hall are arriving in the carriage pulled by the headless horseman, ready for its annual haunting.

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References:

Roos Hall – Wikipedia 

William Ros, 1st Baron Ros – Wikipedia 

Weird Suffolk: The Christmas ghost at one of Suffolk’s most haunted houses | East Anglian Daily Times 

The haunted Suffolk hall where a headless horseman appears every Christmas Eve

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Halloween Stories: Punkie Night, A Spooky Tradition of Somerset’s Dark Past

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In Somerset, England, a local tradition called Punkie Night in October has many similarities with different Halloween traditions today. A procession of lanterns go through the villagers every year, searching for sweets.

It’s Punkie Night tonight
It’s Punkie Night tonight
Adam and Eve would not believe
It’s Punkie Night tonight

As Halloween approaches with its ghosts, ghouls, and pumpkins we see in the modern age, few are aware of much older, and eerier traditions being celebrated in other places in the world. In the West Country of England, deep in the rural villages of Somerset, an old festival takes place: Punkie Night. The name has many speculations to its origin. Some say it is an old name for lantern or timber, perhaps derived from pumpkin or even the term spunky, used in Somerset to mean the ghost of a young child.

Read Also: Halloween Traditions Across the World

The festival has been celebrated at various sites including Castle Neroche in the Blackdown Hills, Long Sutton, Drayton, Somerset and, more commonly, at Hinton St George and the neighboring village of Lopen. It seems that the celebration used to move around the calendar a bit more, but has now mostly been celebrated as the last Thursday in October. But what is this local tradition really, and how is it connected with the Halloween celebration of today?

Jack o’lantern: The Halloween pumpkin, commonly known as a “jack-o’-lantern,” traces its origins to ancient Celtic traditions. Originally, turnips and other root vegetables were hollowed out and carved with grotesque faces to ward off evil spirits during Samhain, a festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. When Irish immigrants brought this tradition to America in the 19th century, they found that the native pumpkin, larger and easier to carve, was a perfect substitute. Over time, the pumpkin became synonymous with Halloween, symbolizing the spooky spirit of the holiday.

The Tradition of Punkie Night

The tradition of Punkie Night dates back centuries, rooted in local lore and shrouded in mystery. On this night, children and adults alike carry carved turnip or a type of beet called mangel wurzels lanterns, called “punkies,” through the streets, often wearing costumes. Today the pumpkin lantern has perhaps taken over, but there are still contest of and prizes of the best punkie.

Punkie Night Lanterns: Today we are more used to see lanterns being carved from pumpkins. But on punkie night the lanterns is carved from a beet called Mangelwurzel, were developed in the 18th century as a fodder crop for feeding livestock. // Source: Punkie Night/Facebook

The eerie glow from the hollowed-out turnips casts ghostly shadows as they sing the traditional Punkie Night song, demanding small offerings from their neighbors. Over the centuries, the tradition of Punkie Night has mellowed, becoming a quirky local celebration, with children dressed in costumes going door to door, punkie lanterns in hand, reciting their chilling rhyme:  

“Punkie Night tonight,  
Give us a candle, give us a light,  
If you don’t, you’ll get a fright!”

This compares and possibly relates to the custom of Trick or Treat most known from modern Halloween celebrations in the US today. The sight of the procession is enough to make one’s skin crawl, as these turnip-faced ghouls wind their way through the villages, keeping an unsettling link to the past alive.

The History Behind Punkie Night

But Punkie Night is more than just a quaint, local celebration—it carries a dark history according to local lore. Some claim that the night is an ancient one, but is it really? The most popular legend traces its origins to a group of men from the village of Hinton St George, who ventured to a nearby fair in the neighboring village Chiselborough. This is said to have happened at the start of the 1800s. The organized way of celebrating though didn’t really happen until the first decades of the 1900s.

After a night of drinking and revelry, the husbands of the village became lost on their way home, although only a few miles away. The cold October night was dark and treacherous, the countryside devoid of light, and the men, without lanterns, found themselves wandering aimlessly, unable to get home. 

Their wives, worried and frustrated, took to the streets, carving punkies out of turnips or mangelwurzels because of the windy night and setting out to find their wayward husbands. The very word Punkie is sometimes thought to be an old English word for a lantern. When the men first saw the lanterns they thought they were will o’the wisps and were scared. Some also said that they thought they were “goolies” which are the restless spirits of children who had died before they were baptized, and they reportedly fled in terror. It’s also said that the flickering lights from these punkies were the only thing that guided the men back home.

But some say there’s a more sinister side to the tale.

Cross at Hinton St. George: The start of Punkie night is often said to have started when the women of Hinton St. George lit up lanterns to guide their husband safely home. // Source: Nick Chipchase/Wikimedia

The Older Punkie Night

The custom has been seen in the last century, and the mangel-wurzel was introduced in England in the late 18th century. But it seems that the concept of Punkie night has existed long before the story of the wayward men. 

According to older, whispered versions of the legend, Punkie Night marks a time when the veil between the living and the dead thins, and those lost souls who have wandered too far from the world of the living come back to find their way home as a local continuation of the Samhain celebrations. There is a similar Irish celebration called Púca Night, ‘púca’ meaning fairies or sprites with a similar tradition, so possibly the tradition comes from the same Celtic folklore. 

The turnip lanterns were not just to guide the living, but also to ward off the spirits of the dead who roam the dark countryside. The sight of a “punkie” lantern, glowing in the hands of a child, is said to keep these spirits at bay—or at least confuse them into thinking they’ve found their way back to the afterlife. They were also said to be placed in the windowsill to ward off evil spirits, much like the jack-o’-lanterns of Halloween today.

So, if you find yourself in Somerset on the last Thursday of October, beware of the glowing turnips and the haunting songs that fill the night. You might just stumble upon an ancient tradition where the line between the living and the dead blurs, and the past reaches out to touch the present.

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References:

https://web.archive.org/web/20061122224220/http://halloween.monstrous.com/punkie_night.htm

‘punkie (lantern)’ | ‘punkie night’ | word histories 

British Folk Customs, Punkie Night, Somerset

The Mythology of Punkie Night | The York Historian

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Halloween Stories: The Apples for Allantide in Cornwall

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The first day of winter is called Kalan Gwav in Cornish and their version of Halloween. The celebration is called Allantide and the main focus is the big Allan Apple and trying to predict the future. 

Allantide, known as “Kalan Gwav” in Cornish, is the traditional Cornish celebration of Halloween, which marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. Cornwall is one of the Celtic nations in South West England from the Atlantic Ocean to Devon and the English Channel.

Taking place on October 31, it shares similarities with Samhain and other Celtic festivals like the Welsh Calan Gaeaf or the Hop-tu-Naa on the Isle of Man of it being a beginning of winter festival. But one thing that differs is how much they focus on the dead, the spooky, the otherworld and ghosts. Allantide is much more harvest focused than what we think of Halloween today, although it has some of the same games and customs as its more spooky counterparts. 

Read Also: Halloween Traditions Across the World

The Christian name, Allantide or Feast of St Allan comes from the bishop of Quimper in modern day France, in the sixth century, if he ever existed at all. He is venerated in Brittany and his name lives on in this holiday, although for obscure reasons. This has also made the celebration very christian as an important part of the festival is ringing the church bells. 

Apple Harvest for Allantide: The apples are said to have been brought to the British Isles by the Romans, and soon, celts cultivated them on their own. Traditionally they have been seen as a sign of love and fertility as well as symbols for the gods and goddesses of the otherworld.

The Allan Apples From Harvest

A notable feature of Allantide is the gifting of large, bright apples called “Allan apples,” which symbolize good luck for the coming winter. In this sense, this version of “Halloween”, as it were, is a much brighter version with focus on apples, harvests and predicting the future. Other Halloween versions have often had a more supernatural and spooky atmosphere with ghosts, witches and monsters coming at night. 

In the days leading up to Allantide, Allan Markets were held to buy the big apples. These apples were often used in games of divination, predicting future romances or fortunes. Women would place the apples under their pillows in hopes of dreaming of their future husband. 

Snap Apple: A cross with four candles were put on and Allan apples would hang down was a game they played. The goal was to catch the apples in your mouth. The hot wax from the candles was penalty when it fell down on you.

Bonfires and Jack-o-lanterns

In the past, families would light bonfires, gather together, and use various forms of divination to foresee the winter ahead. The most popular future was of course to do with your love life. If you threw walnuts into the fire you could predict how faithful your partner was. 

Stories told during these gatherings often involved ancestors and spirits, emphasizing the thinning of the veil between worlds. As with the other Celtic celebration, this was the time the dead and passed loved ones were closest to the living. 

Melting of metal was also a way to predict the future. They melted it down to a liquid before throwing it in cold water and reading the shape of it, showing future partners or the future husband’s job. 

There were also jack-o-lanterns made, but of the local turnip growing there. Although if it had the same spooky connotation 

The End of Allantide Festivities

Today, Allantide has largely merged with modern Halloween celebrations, and the traditional Allan markets are gone. But traces of its ancient customs remain alive in Cornwall, where the gifting of the apples is still a central thing to the celebration and bonfires are lit to create community.

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References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allantide

Alain of Quimper – Wikipedia

Allantide | Cornwall For Ever! 

Allantide Cornwall 2023 

Halloween in Cornwall: Allantide and Allan Apples | The Regency Redingote 

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The Cursed Sailor’s Stone in the Devil’s Punch Bowl

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In Surrey, England, there is a woodland area by Hindhead Commons called the Devil’s Punch Bowl. It is said the Devil himself created it out of spite and many local legends and superstitions exist. Years later an unknown sailor was brutally murdered there and is believed to be haunting the area. 

Sometimes during the Middle Ages, the Devil himself, vexed by the many churches in Sussex, embarked on a diabolical plan. Intent on flooding the area, he commenced digging a channel from the English Channel through the South Downs. As he dug, he cast up colossal lumps of earth, each metamorphosing into local landmarks such as Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring. The Devil’s ambitious project was disrupted in the village of Poynings, now known as the Devil’s Dyke, when the crowing of a vigilant cock thwarted his efforts, or so the story goes. 

Another tale speaks of the Devil used to jump between the hills called Devil’s Jump, annoying Thor, the Norse God so much he tried to strike the Devil down with his thunder and lightning. As retaliation, the Devil started hurling earth at Thor, leading to the creation of the Punch Bowl. 

Devil’s Punch Bowl: As seen from below in the valley.//Source

What is the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey?

The Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey, England, is a large natural amphitheater and beauty spot with a unique geological formation. It was created through a combination of natural processes, including the erosion of the soft, sandy rocks that form the basin. 

The name “Devil’s Punch Bowl” is associated with local folklore and legends that attempt to explain its formation. In reality, the Devil’s Punch Bowl is a result of a combination of water erosion and freeze-thaw processes. 

It is now a protected nature reserve and a popular destination for walkers and nature enthusiasts. The site offers stunning views, diverse flora and fauna, and a rich geological history.

It is also known as the site of a gruesome murder that put a stain on the area, as well as a curse on the dead man’s grave. 

The Murder of the Unknown Sailor

On 24 September in 1786, The Unknown Sailor walked into the Red Lion Inn in Thursley Village. He was walking to London to board a ship and was having drinks with three other sailors: James Marshall, Michael Casey and Edward Lonegon. 

According to witnesses The Unknown Sailor paid for all of their drink and food before leaving Hindhead Hill together with the. This was the last time anyone ever saw him alive as they killed him and took his clothes. He was close to being decapitated and left him naked in the valley. 

The murderers were arrested only hours later when they tried to sell his clothes at the Sun Inn in Rake, or Rogate as it is now. Six months later they were tried and two after they were convicted, they were hanged close to where they had committed the murder in Hindhead. 

The Cursed Sailor’s Stone

The Unknown Sailor was buried where he was killed by the help and money from the villagers. No one knew his name, and no one ever found out. It is speculated in the book Who was the Sailor murdered at Hindhead 1786 from 2000 by Peter Moorey that his name was Edward Hardman, born in 1752 in Lambeth, London.

Sailor’s Stone: Photo of reverse side of Sailor’s Stone on Gibbet Hill, where the curse is written.// Source: Wikimedia

Another stone, The Sailor’s Stone was put up near Cosford Mill, close to where the murder had happened. When it was put up, it had an inscription that said:

THIS STONE
was Erected
by order and at
the cost of
James Stilwell Esqr.
of
Cosford
1786
Cursed be the Man who injureth
or removeth this Stone

This made the local people superstitious about the stone as well as the surrounding area. Was this truly the devil’s place? Was the sailor haunting it, or perhaps even the murderers that were hanged just up on the hill?

They tried to put up a Celtic Cross on Gibbet Hill where the scaffold the hanged murderers had been that said: “Light after darkness. Peace in passing away. Hope in light. Salvation after death.” They did this to put an end to the legends and superstitions that the villagers were convinced of. But did this help at all though? After all, people still sometimes claim to see something that looks like a lonesome wanderer where the nameless sailor died. 

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References:

Featured Image: Wikimedia

Devil’s Punch Bowl – Wikipedia 

Unknown Sailor – Wikipedia 

The History of Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl 

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Veiled Spectres in the Waterfalls at Lydford Gorge

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By the cascading waterfalls at Lydford Gorge in Dartmoor, England, it is said that the White Lady is haunting the place, ready to save anyone unfortunate enough to almost drown. Right by the ghost at Kitt’s Step can be seen as well, one that didn’t make it. 

On the outskirts of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England is Lydford Gorge, a 1.5-mile-long abyss carved by the relentless forces of the Lyd River that shrinks and swells with the rainfall. 

Maintained by the National Trust, Lydford Gorge whispers tales of spectral encounters and ethereal apparitions, casting an otherworldly veil over its cascading waters with more than one ghost said to be haunting the waters in the deepness of the gorge.

The Woman in White and the Haunted Waterfall

Following the route of the river through the gorge, you will find the tallest waterfall in Dartmoor of 30 meters, the White Lady. Aptly named after the ghost said to haunt the place. Whether the name or the name or the ghost story came first is unknown though, but a haunting legend has lingered. 

According to local lore, the ghost of the Woman in White by the waterfall can be seen with flowing tresses, standing amid the frothy veil of the waterfall. This is said to be a rather helpful ghost though, and those who see her can be counted as very lucky. 

It is said that if you are so unfortunate to fall into the water, the current of the stream can quickly become a deadly one, especially after heavy rainfall. It is said though, if you see the white lady, she will help you and rescue you from the deadly waters.

The Ghost at Kitty’s Steps

The White Lady of the Waterfall is not the only thing haunting this area though, and one can say that she perhaps didn’t save everyone. Right by the waterfall is a pool of water that has been named Kitt’s Steps. The pool was possibly a venerated water in ancient times. 

Kitt’s Step or Kitt’s Hole is pretty far up the river by Kitt’s Rock between Winney’s Down and Cut hill and is a place where people usually cross the river. Kitt’s Step is a name that is found elsewhere in the country as well, but it has become synonymous with the apparition of a woman, often described as old wearing a red kerchief on her head. 

According to the stories told about this place, there was once a woman called Kitty, Catherine or simply Kitt, that tried to jump over the gorge at this place on her horse when the water of the river was swelling. They both fell and although the horse made it safely back, Kitt got tangled up in the surrounding trees and her dead body was found many days later.

The first accounts from this accident is from 1804 when it was written about a market woman and her pony was taken by the current. 

In some version of the legend she survived. In an account from 1846, she had been at a feast in Lydford to sell her goods and is said to have maybe fallen asleep on her way home. She woke after the fall and spent the rest of the night trapped before her husband came in the morning and saved her. 

The rest of the accounts of these legends end more tragically though and by 1972, Ruth St. Ledger-Gordon wrote about the ghost of Old Kitty that is haunting the pool at the bottom of the waterfall further down the river.  

The Waterfall Ghosts Down by Lydford Gorge

Lydford Gorge, cradled by the arms of Dartmoor National Park, is not merely a geological wonder but a realm where the boundaries between the natural and supernatural blur. The haunting echoes of the old woman at Kitty’s Steps and the ethereal Woman in White at the waterfall add layers of mystery to this already enchanting landscape. 

Who knows, perhaps the ghost from these legends are one and the same? Some unfortunate soul that got taken by the current and spends the rest of the afterlife trying to help others that are about to suffer the same fate?

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References:

Lydford Gorge

Kit Steps, Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park

Kitts Steps – Legendary Dartmoor   

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The Haunted Mystique on the Cliffs of Wenlock Edge

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From the cliffs rising above the green landscape in Shropshire, England, the Wenlock Edge houses more than one ghost story etched into the limestone of bandits, soldiers and buried treasures. 

A limestone escarpment draped in deciduous woodlands in Shropshire in England and holds the secrets of centuries past—the infamous Wenlock Edge. It is an 18 mile escarpment of grasslands and woodlands with old quarries and lime kilns from the past along the way and is considered one of the wonders of the English midlands because of its important geology as remains to when the midlands had a warmer climate near the Seychelles.

The Wenlock Edge has also been the site of many legends and ghost stories. Immortalized in A. E. Housman’s poetic verses and steeped in legends, this enchanting forest conceals tales of bandits, lost treasures, and spectral echoes that beckon intrepid visitors to tread with caution through its shadowed glades.

Ippikin’s Stolen Fortune

One of the legends told about this place is a ghost who is rumored to guard the buried treasures of a notorious bandit named Ippikin and one of the outcrops of the cliff is called Ippikin’s Rock.

Apparently he was a 13th century knight, and he spent his days raping and pillaging had a base in a cave on Wenlock Edge. A character etched into local lore, Ippikins stolen wealth of gold and precious stones is said to lie concealed beneath the earth, waiting for those bold enough to seek it out. 

The Ghostly Warning of Ippikin

For those who dare to tempt fate, a chilling encounter with Ippikins ghost awaits. Some of the legends also claim that he had the ability to renew his youth every 70 years as well. But one fateful day a bolt of lightning struck the cave and both him, his band of bandits and his treasure came crashing down, trapping their spirit for an eternity. Other versions says it was a rock that came tumbling down and blocking the entrance to the cave. 

A local superstition warns that if a traveler stands upon Wenlock Edge, repeating the incantation “Ippikin, Ippikin, keep away with your long chin,” they risk the spectral intervention of the outlaw. The consequence? A forceful push off the escarpment by the unseen hand of Ippikin himself, ensuring that visitors tread cautiously in this woodland realm.

Ippikins Rock: Thought to be the place were the buried treasure and the bandits hideout cave is located. The Main Crag at Ippikins Rock Ippikins Rock is the name applied to several outcrops of coralian limestone along the length of Wenlock Edge.Source: Richard Law/Wikimedia

Major Thomas Smallman’s Fateful Leap

Wenlock Edge is not only shrouded in the legend of Ippikin but also bears witness to the ghostly presence of Major Thomas Smallman. A Royalist officer during the English Civil War between 1642 to 1651, Smallman faced a dire predicament as Parliamentarian troops closed in while he carried a crucial dispatch to Shrewsbury. 

Rather than surrender, he made a daring choice—to ride his horse off a cliff. The horse met its demise, but miraculously, Smallman survived, caught by the branches of an apple tree and he made his way on foot to Shrewsbury to deliver the despatches. 

Although he survived the fall in the legend, it is said he returned to Wenlock Edge and his dead horse when he did die. The site of this audacious leap is forever known as Major’s Leap, and it resonates with the lingering spirit of a courageous officer and his steed.

The Cliffs of Wenlock Edge

Wenlock Edge stands dappled sunlight and shifting shadows, with the surrounding forest guarding its secrets, allowing the legends of Ippikin and Major Thomas Smallman to echo through the ages. 

Perhaps even hiding hidden treasures as well as stones and fossils of the truly ancient past.

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References:

BBC – Shropshire – places – Legends: Ippikin, the robber knight of Wenlock Edge 

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Anne Boleyn’s Ghost Haunting the Great Wood at Blickling Estate

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It is said that every year, on the anniversary of her death, the ghost of Anne Boleyn returns to her birthplace at Blickling Estate where you can meet her wandering through the haunted Great Woods.

English history is woven with tales of love, betrayal, and tragedy, none more poignant than the life and death of Anne Boleyn. Though her earthly journey was cut short by the executioner’s blade, Anne’s spectral presence endures, with Blickling Estate in Norfolk, England, standing as a haunting backdrop to her restless afterlife.

Within the sprawling expanse of Blickling Estate covering around 4600 acres, the Great Wood conceals secrets that transcend centuries. Towering trees and ancient pathways cradle the whispers of history, and it is here that a pyramidal mausoleum, erected in 1793 to honor the 2nd Earl of Buckingham, becomes a gateway to the spectral realm.

The History of Blickling Hall Estate

The Blickling Hall Estate is a Jacobean stately home and has had many famed British people passing through it. The estate we see today is built upon the ruins of the Tudor style building that once belonged to the Boleyn family and it is said that Anne Boleyn together with her siblings were all born here. 

Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in English history. Born circa 1501, she captivated the Tudor court with her intelligence, charm, and striking beauty. 

Anne played a pivotal role in the English Reformation, as her marriage to Henry marked the break from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. However, her failure to provide a male heir led to her tragic downfall. 

A statue and portrait of Anne may be found at Blickling Estate which carry the inscription, “Anna Bolena hic nata 1507” (Anne Boleyn born here 1507). Although, we don’t really know the exact year she was born and it was probably a bit earlier.

It is also deemed to be one of the most haunted properties of the National Trust and every year the people of Norfolk come to the estate to look for the UK’s perhaps most busy ghost.

Anne Boleyn’s Ghostly Resonance:

Every 19th of May, a spectral figure is said to materialize within the Great Wood — none other than Anne Boleyn herself. Accused of adultery, incest, and treason, Anne Boleyn was executed by beheading on May 19, 1536, at the Tower of London. Her life and death continue to be the subject of fascination and speculation, with tales of her ghost haunting sites associated with her dramatic and tumultuous journey.

Read More: Check out all haunted forests around the world

It is said she appears at midnight, It is as if time itself pauses, and the ethereal veil between past and present becomes permeable, allowing Anne’s ghost to revisit the grounds of Blickling Estate.

People say she is dressed in all white and is carrying her severed and bloody head under her arms. She comes by a coach pulled by four headless horses as well as a headless horseman.

She comes through the forest before entering the big halls, roaming the corridors until the sun rises before disappearing until next year.

The Many Hauntings of Anne Boleyn

In addition to the Great Wood at Blickling Estate, the ghost of Anne Boleyn is rumored to haunt the Tower of London, where she was imprisoned before her execution. Reports suggest that her restless spirit roams the Tower’s corridors and grounds, perhaps searching for solace or retribution. 

Read Also: Unveiling the Dark History of the Tower of London and its Ghosts 

The historic Hever Castle in Kent, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, is also believed to be visited by her ghost. Visitors and staff at Hever Castle have reported sightings and eerie encounters, contributing to the enduring legend of Anne Boleyn’s haunting presence across various locations associated with her tumultuous life.

Read Also: A Royal Haunting at Christmas

A Cursed Legacy

The haunting tale extends beyond Anne to encompass the Boleyn family’s tragic legacy. Sir Thomas Boleyn, Anne’s father, is believed to suffer from a curse, condemning him to eternal unrest. 

Failing to prevent his daughter’s execution, and even perhaps pushing her into the life as a king’s mistress, Sir Thomas’s spirit is said to wander the grounds ceaselessly, a specter burdened by the weight of history and a father’s sorrow.

The Walk in the Great Woods with Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn’s ghostly apparition, forever tethered to the anniversary of her tragic demise, transforms the woodland into a canvas where past and present converge for one night of the year. 

Amidst the ancient trees and the pyramidal mausoleum on the ground, the haunting echoes of history persist, inviting those who venture into the Great Wood to contemplate the enduring legacy of Anne Boleyn on Blickling Estate, only one of the few places her ghost is said to haunt.

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References:

Blickling Hall – Wikipedia 

Behind the scenes at Blickling Hall, the birthplace of Anne Boleyn | Britain Magazine 

Discover Blickling Hall, Anne Boleyn’s Haunted Home  

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The Endless Hauntings of Epping Forest in England

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Epping Forest is an ancient forest filled with history and haunting. The big area it takes up houses countless ghosts, legends and paranormal mystery as well as being the dumping ground for murder victims as well as a cozy Sunday picnic spot. 

Epping Forest, a sprawling expanse in Essex, England, holds within its ancient boughs a tapestry woven with threads of history, crime, and whispers of the supernatural. The almost 6000 acre ancient woodland holds tons of streams, bogs, ponds and grassland as well as thick woodland. In addition, it holds more than one ghost story. 

As sunlight filters through the dense canopy, shadows cast by the forest’s towering trees seem to conceal untold secrets. In the veiled history of Epping Forest, tales of crime and haunted echoes beckon those willing to delve into the enigmatic depths of this woodland.

Read More: Check of all stories from Haunted Forests

It used to be a royal forest where only the monarch had the right to hunt, although the land was used by the common people. But it later became known as the Peoples Forest as it was used by all. Queen Victoria said herself: “It gives me the greatest satisfaction to dedicate this beautiful forest to the use and enjoyment of my people for all time” in 1882, but the forest has been used for more sinister things than Sunday picnics. 

A Historical Tapestry of Crime

Epping Forest’s history is not without its dark chapters. Once a royal hunting ground, the forest became a haven for outlaws and criminals during the medieval period. Infamous highwaymen and ne’er-do-wells sought refuge beneath its leafy cover, preying on unsuspecting travelers along the forest’s ancient paths. The legends of notorious figures like Dick Turpin, who allegedly used the forest as a hideout, still linger in the whispers of the rustling leaves.

Read More: Check of all stories from Haunted Forests

Because of it being so close to London, the London gangsters known as the Kray twins used this forest to dump the body of their victims. Unsolved murders as well as unidentified bodies have been found in the forest the following decades as well into recent times with a few years between them. 

The Ghost of the Notorious Dick Turpin

As mentioned the Epping Forest is notorious for being a place of crimes, and many of the ghost stories are woven into this. Dick Turpin was a highwayman that allegedly had a hideout inside of the forest. He was born in Hempstead around 1705 and throughout his life it was said he was dumping the bodies of his victims in the forest. He did at least murder one man there as he was tried and hanged in York in 1739 for it.

Richard Turpin: Illustration of Turpin who shoots dead Thomas Morris, outside his cave at Epping Forest

It is also said that Turpin is haunting the forest, especially around Traps Hill. The very name of the nearby road is said to come from the fear of being robbed in their sleep by him. 

According to these rumors about him haunting Epping Forest, he is seen on his horse named Black Bess and is often said to be dragging a woman behind him. Although Black Bess never actually existed, he was accused of stealing horses. This is most likely connected to the crime of the widow Shelley that lived on Traps Hill farm and victim for one of his heinous crimes in 1734, and that he seems to revisit in his afterlife. 

He broke into her house and threatened to roast her over the open fire if she didn’t tell where he could find her wealth. Her son eventually told them, but they didn’t leave immediately. They stayed and drank her wine, ate her food before going over to her neighbors as well to rob them too. 

Ever since his death, his life has been readapted in books, movies and tv series, even trying to mold him into more of a Robin Hood character than the ruthless robber and gang member he was. And ever since his legacy has grown, people have claimed to have seen his ghost coming storming down Traps Hill on a horse, still a menace in the forest. 

Dick Turpin is also said to haunt St. George’s Field in York were he frequented as well as the York Novotel Hotel and a path close to the River Ouse among other things. 

The Ghost of the Celtic Queen Boudicca

At Loughton Camps you find a hill fort from the Iron Age that local legend claims was used by the Celtic Queen Boudicca. The hill fort is from around 500 BC and is a type of earthwork used as a refuge og defended settlement and can be found just northwest of Loughton town.   

Boudicca was the leader of the British Iceni tribe and most known for her uprising against the Roman Empire and is seen as a national heroine for the British. Her husband had gifted their kingdom to their daughters, but after he died, it was ignored and his kingdom was annexed. Boudicca were flogged and her daughters were raped so that they would be seen as tainted. 

Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni: Illustration by Charles Hamilton Smith from 1821.

This caused her to rally her soldiers in an uprising against the empire in year 60. She was defeated the following year though and died. She is said to have died in either battle, of her injuries later or by suicide. 

Another hill fort connected to the Celtic queen is at Ambresbury Banks. This is believed to be the site where Boudicca were defeated by the Roman Empire in 61. Eighty thousand men and women were said to have lost their lives to her crusade against the empire, although the story lacks archaeological evidence. Most likely this site was a bit further north.  

These hill forts we know for sure were used by the warring Celtic tribes of Trinovantes and Catuvellauni before the Roman invasion. 

Although much of the historical facts remain unverified, the legend of her ghost roaming the forest still linger. Some claim to have seen the ghost of Boudicca herself though, coming through the mist on her chariot. 

The Suicide Ponds of Epping Forest

Inside the forest you will find many lakes and ponds. There is a place said to draw people to it to take their life and it has a sinister reputation. Although there are over 100 lakes and ponds in the forest, it could be many places of course. 

This place in the woods is a pond where according to legend was two young lovers who drowned themselves around 300 years ago in one of the ponds in the forest, many believing it to be this.  The tragedies since then have seemingly just been piling on.

So bad is it apparently that people have tried to get a petition going in 2021 to close the pond off and get 24 hour surveillance because of the darkness surrounding this particular pond.  

Lindsey Pond

Another pond in the forest is the pond close to Lindsey Street. In the 1960s, stories started pouring in about ghostly figures coming from the pond on horseback. According to the stories, they rode toward town before suddenly disappearing. 

Many of the waters close to the forest are said to have a ghost or two in them. A young girl drowning close to the Kings Oak pub has also been seen here, as well as sightings of a headless horseman. There are also more than one story about a woman drowning her child and herself in these ponds and have ever since been haunting the waters of Epping Forest.

The Hangman’s Hill Mystery

One particular site, known as Hangman’s Hill, adds to the eerie mystique of Epping Forest just past Avey Lane. Legend has it that this location was once used for public executions, with the spirits of the condemned lingering in the hushed stillness of the night. 

Source

According to legend that is probably the most talked about and most tried. People have heard screams coming from the hill and even called the police to the site without them finding anything. 

Some visitors claim to experience strange phenomena on Hangman’s Hill, where gravity seemingly defies its own rules, prompting vehicles to roll uphill—a phenomenon that only deepens the forest’s reputation for the unexplained.

The only thing is put your car in neutral and feel the shift as the hangman pulls you up towards the hill. 

The Bad Omens

Some of the animals you see inside of Epping Forest are apparently more than they seem. There are stories about a White hard or stag seen in the forest that signifies death or at least trouble if you see it.

The same goes for seeing a Black Shuck, or the ghost dog that is found everywhere in Essex as well as England for that matter. Some say it is a harbinger of bad luck or just a companion of the devil. 

It is mostly in the High Beech where sightings of the haunted hound have been seen. 

Modern-Day Hauntings of Epping Forest

As night descends upon Epping Forest, stories of modern-day hauntings persist. Witnesses recount chilling encounters, from ghostly shapes moving among the trees to unsettling sounds that echo through the darkness. 

Even after all these years people still claim to see headless horsemen in the forest, at Wake arms roundabout there is allegedly a man who runs out in front of the cars. When the cars stop however, he only stares into their eyes before he fades away. 

Around these parts reports about the ghost of a biker as well as a horse-drawn coach have been seen in the night. 

Epping Forest, with its ancient trees and hidden pathways, stands as a living chronicle of England’s past. Beyond the rustling leaves and dappled sunlight, the forest harbors tales of crime and spectral echoes, inviting those brave enough to explore its shadowy recesses. As day turns to night, the secrets of Epping Forest come alive, beckoning the curious and daring to unravel the mysteries that continue to weave their spell upon this enchanted woodland.

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References:

The haunted history of Epping Forest | This Is Local London 

Is Epping Forest Haunted? 

Ghosts of Epping Forest 

Halloween: Epping Forest’s haunted houses revealed 

Epping Forest – Wikipedia 

THE SPIRIT OF DICK TURPIN – ghostwalkbrighton.co.uk 

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Inside of Dering Woods Nicknamed the Screaming Woods

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Dering Woods in Kent, England holds many ghostly tales. Many ghosts have been seen through the foggy landscape and blood curdling screams of those haunting it are still heard to this day, giving it the charming nickname, the Screaming Woods. 

In the idyllic landscape in Kent in England, Dering Woods, also known as “the Screaming Woods,” conceals a tapestry of haunted tales that echo through its ancient trees between the small villages of Smarden and Pluckley. The small village of Pluckley, an old village found in the Doomsday book of 1086 is said to be one of the most haunted villages in the UK with as many as 12-14 ghosts. Some claim it is even over 40 ghosts. 

Entrance to Dering Woods: Source

This was an entry in the Guinness Book of Records in 1989, but alas, they don’t have this category anymore as it is not easy to verify these claims. 

But here, we are limited to stories concerning the forest, not the village itself. Because who is said to be heard, screaming for their life in the dead of night inside of the Dering Woods?

Read More: Check of all stories from Haunted Forests

Dering Woods has earned its spine-chilling moniker for a reason, as reports of blood-curdling screams emanating from its depths have become a staple of the local lore. Visitors, expecting a serene family camping trip, have been startled by the unnerving cries that pierce the night. Although today you can also join the ghost walking tours that have become popular here as the area is mostly known for being, “very haunted”.

Footsteps and mysterious whispers on foggy days add an extra layer of mystery to this already haunted enclave. It is said that the Dering Woods is filled with those that got lost inside of the forest and never got out. The place is the site of several neolithic sites that people claim bring a sort of haunted energy to it according to British Isles myths and legends. 

The Highwayman’s Lament

One of the enduring legends associated with the Screaming Woods involves an unnamed highwayman from the 18th century whose spectral presence is said to haunt the Dering Woods and the nearby road. 

According to local lore, this highwayman was captured and met a gruesome end at the hands of vengeful villagers. He was chased through the Screaming Woods when the villagers, or so called peacekeepers got a hold of him, pinned him to one of the old oak trees and decapitated him. 

This is said to have taken place close to the Smarden Bell Road that has been nicknamed the Fright Corner and is also the place were people have reported about seeing his ghost. 

The blood-curdling screams are often attributed to his tormented spirit, suggesting a lingering grudge that transcends the boundaries of the afterlife and seems to have given the forest its name. 

The Ghost of the Colonel

Another ghost said to haunt the grounds of the Dering Woods is the ghost of an army officer that in the 18th century ventured into the forest and committed suicide in one of the trees in the former Park Wood that used to be an adjacent forest.

The trees are no longer there but It is said that the ghost of the 1700 soldier is still seen hanging from the trees, or some even claim he is still marching through the woods still wearing his uniform. 

No one really knows his rank, however the locals have dubbed him the Colonel. 

The Halloween Massacre of Dering Woods

Delving deeper into the annals of Dering Woods’ haunted history, another tale emerges—the mysterious Dering Wood Massacre of 1948 found on many of the high ranking paranormal blogs as well as most haunted lists in magazines like Conde Nast Traveler. But how many of these more recent tales are actually true? 

The first story goes like this: On the morning of November 1, a dog walker was out in the woods where he made a horrifying discovery. Locals were left in shock as 20 lifeless bodies were reportedly discovered in a pile inside of the Screaming Woods. Eleven of the dead victims were children. They were all identified as villagers from the nearby Maltman’s Hill area. 

The previous night, Halloween, had been marked by strange lights emanating from the woods, creating an eerie backdrop to the unfolding tragedy. 

Haunted Forest: Many ghost stories have started circulating around the so called screaming forest. Dering Woods have even gotten a couple of urban legends viral. //Source: David Anstiss/Source

Autopsies failed to determine a cause of death, adding to the mystique surrounding the event. There were no wounds og signs of struggle that could point to what they died of. What they did settle on though after a few weeks was that they had all died of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

The public were not satisfied with these answers though and there have been many questions and speculations after it all. One of them was the possible involvement of the police forces as they closed the case down too quickly. 

In 1964, there was a private investigator that did a deep dive into the mystery. Robert Collins interviewed and speculated that it could be an unknown religious cult in Smarden village close to the Dering Woods. 

His investigation became inconclusive though as he died in a car accident that year. 

The Missing Students

The Halloween Massacre was not the last time something strange and tragic happened inside of the forest. On a Friday on November 6th in 1998 the residents of Pluckley reported about some strange strange lights coming from the Screaming Woods. It was described as “Figures of light resembling a spider’s web.”

That night, four university students went missing after they went camping in the woods. They were never found.

Creepy Pasta Lore that Evolved

But how real are these stories really? Both of them are, according to sources and those taking a deeper dive into the stories, said to have originated on the internet as creepy pasta in 2015 or around then. 

The stories have both been made to scare and amuse people, but many seem to have taken them to heart and as actual events. With the in depth “sources” the creepy pasta have used with pictures and everything, it could fool many. And with the rate bloggers keep copy and pasting things without further investigations, these stories have often been passed around as real events.

But when looking closer to the supposed news articles confirming the stories, we see many things that points to this being fake. The British newspapers use American spelling, as well as adding a website to it. 

The image used as a source of the Smarden Post news article about the massacre is actually a picture of Lithuanians and Soviet Union officers standing together after the first excavations of 20 murdered Jewish men in Utyan in Lithuania in 1944. Source to original picture and its history.

The picture used for the 1998 case with the missing students is actually a photograph from an 2008 article in The Telegraph about Puckley being one of England’s most haunted villagers. 

To read the creepy pasta in its full form, head over to CreepyPasta.

A Tapestry of Unresolved Spirits in the Screaming Woods

Dering Woods, with its intertwining narratives of spectral highwaymen and a chilling 1948 massacre, has become a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts and those intrigued by the unknown. 

The Dering Woods ancient trees stand as silent witnesses to the enigmatic occurrences that have unfolded beneath their branches and continue to spark the imagination of new stories.

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References:

A Journey Into The ‘Screaming Woods’ Of Pluckley | Spooky Isles 

Pluckley Screaming Woods – Essex Ghost Hunters 

Uk’s Most Haunted – The Screaming Woods – GhostHunt Uk 

The Dering Woods | Creepypasta Wiki | Fandom