The Tree of Death
Green Park in London was the setting for a tree that was alleged to be saturated with evil. It was known as the Tree of Death due to the large number of tragic events that unfolded beneath it.
In the 18th century, duels were fought there, and it was said that the sound of musket fire and heavy breathing could be heard beneath the tree at dawn. The area around the tree was also the scene of murders, rapes, robberies, and suicides.
In 1820, a young man shot himself by the tree after his wife and children were killed in a fire. After this, a figure in black was seen standing near the trunk. It always vanished if anyone approached it. Sinister sounds were also heard, including groans, mocking laughter, and whispering.
In the 18th century, duels were fought there, and it was said that the sound of musket fire and heavy breathing could be heard beneath the tree at dawn. The area around the tree was also the scene of murders, rapes, robberies, and suicides.
In 1820, a young man shot himself by the tree after his wife and children were killed in a fire. After this, a figure in black was seen standing near the trunk. It always vanished if anyone approached it. Sinister sounds were also heard, including groans, mocking laughter, and whispering.
Old Wives' Tales
Touch a toad, and you'll get warts!
Want to rid yourself of a wart? Try rubbing it with a piece of potato and then burying the potato in your garden. The wart will vanish as the potato rots.
Pick a dandelion, and you'll wet the bed.
Biting your tongue during a meal means that you've recently told a lie.
Want to rid yourself of a wart? Try rubbing it with a piece of potato and then burying the potato in your garden. The wart will vanish as the potato rots.
Pick a dandelion, and you'll wet the bed.
Biting your tongue during a meal means that you've recently told a lie.
Haunted Dallinghoo in Suffolk
A legend has it that under a certain gatepost in Dallinghoo lies a hidden treasure. The ghost of the former owner also haunts the site to protect his hoard; even the efforts of twelve clergymen failed to send him on his way!
Attempts to locate the treasure are now fruitless, as no one can remember where the gatepost stood!
Another ghost also haunts the area. A widow by the name of Shawe cut her throat and was later seen haunting the lanes around the village. She is always seen without her feet!
It could be that her spirit is simply a recording, and she's walking on an earlier ground level.
Attempts to locate the treasure are now fruitless, as no one can remember where the gatepost stood!
Another ghost also haunts the area. A widow by the name of Shawe cut her throat and was later seen haunting the lanes around the village. She is always seen without her feet!
It could be that her spirit is simply a recording, and she's walking on an earlier ground level.
Haunted Bungay, Suffolk
The ruins of the Norman castle can be found in the town centre. The former owners, the Bigods, were said to be notorious for their wickedness and were doomed to haunt the castle as a penance for all their naughty goings-on.
On certain nights, they are supposed to appear in a coach drawn by four horses - the beast's mouths and nostrils issuing flames and smoke. It is driven by the obligatory headless coachman with his head under his arm. And to cap it all, the hooves of the horses strike fire as they hit the ground. Shades of Hammer Horror this one!
The coach travels from the town to Geldeston in Norfolk, past the church, down Lover's Lane into Bigod's Hill Lane and then back home to the castle. The coach is never both seen and heard. You either see it or just hear it rumbling by.
Is this the same ghostly coach that is supposed to ride from Bungay to Ditchingham and forces motorists off the road by driving at them?
One of the Bigod family, Hugh, is also said to haunt the castle grounds as a black dog. Or is it just Black Shuck up to his tricks again?
The Three Tuns pub is also reputed to be haunted. In 1969, it was claimed to have 24 ghosts, including an 18th-century highwayman, Tom Hardy, who used the pub to plan his robberies. He was later executed. Another ghost is that of Rex Bacon. He supposedly hanged himself in the building after killing his wife's lover in 1682.
It should be pointed out that the above information was obtained by a landlady who used an Ouija board. Checks of local records can find no trace of either man. During one seance there, a Mr Beckett claimed to have seen a white figure standing in the corner of a room. And a former assistant manager, a Mr Blakeway, said he had witnessed a window open and close.
No ghosts have been reported since the removal of a wall dating back to the 1500s.
The nearby King's Head can boast of at least one ghost. Strange sounds have been reported, including creaking floorboards. One staff member puts that down to natural causes - it is an old building.
Finally, the ruined Greyfriars priory in the grounds of St Mary's has an auditory haunting. The sounds of chanting and the ringing of bells have been reported at night from time to time. A ghostly black dog has also been seen in the churchyard.
On certain nights, they are supposed to appear in a coach drawn by four horses - the beast's mouths and nostrils issuing flames and smoke. It is driven by the obligatory headless coachman with his head under his arm. And to cap it all, the hooves of the horses strike fire as they hit the ground. Shades of Hammer Horror this one!
The coach travels from the town to Geldeston in Norfolk, past the church, down Lover's Lane into Bigod's Hill Lane and then back home to the castle. The coach is never both seen and heard. You either see it or just hear it rumbling by.
Is this the same ghostly coach that is supposed to ride from Bungay to Ditchingham and forces motorists off the road by driving at them?
One of the Bigod family, Hugh, is also said to haunt the castle grounds as a black dog. Or is it just Black Shuck up to his tricks again?
The Three Tuns pub is also reputed to be haunted. In 1969, it was claimed to have 24 ghosts, including an 18th-century highwayman, Tom Hardy, who used the pub to plan his robberies. He was later executed. Another ghost is that of Rex Bacon. He supposedly hanged himself in the building after killing his wife's lover in 1682.
It should be pointed out that the above information was obtained by a landlady who used an Ouija board. Checks of local records can find no trace of either man. During one seance there, a Mr Beckett claimed to have seen a white figure standing in the corner of a room. And a former assistant manager, a Mr Blakeway, said he had witnessed a window open and close.
No ghosts have been reported since the removal of a wall dating back to the 1500s.
The nearby King's Head can boast of at least one ghost. Strange sounds have been reported, including creaking floorboards. One staff member puts that down to natural causes - it is an old building.
Finally, the ruined Greyfriars priory in the grounds of St Mary's has an auditory haunting. The sounds of chanting and the ringing of bells have been reported at night from time to time. A ghostly black dog has also been seen in the churchyard.
George Orwell and haunted Walberswick in Suffolk
The church in Walberswick has been haunted for many years by the figure of a small, stooping man.
George Orwell claimed to have seen him on the 22nd July 1931. He was sketching when he noticed a small man dressed in brown enter the churchyard and head towards the church. Orwell followed him but found that he had vanished through a locked door! No one knows who the ghost could be.
The common is haunted by a phantom dog and the sound of galloping horses. The old railway line has a sinister reputation. Strange moaning sounds have been heard along the overgrown track. Locals claim that dogs and horses are reluctant to walk there.
George Orwell claimed to have seen him on the 22nd July 1931. He was sketching when he noticed a small man dressed in brown enter the churchyard and head towards the church. Orwell followed him but found that he had vanished through a locked door! No one knows who the ghost could be.
The common is haunted by a phantom dog and the sound of galloping horses. The old railway line has a sinister reputation. Strange moaning sounds have been heard along the overgrown track. Locals claim that dogs and horses are reluctant to walk there.
Churchyard Folklore
You would expect graveyards to be full of ghosts. However, this is not the case!
There is a tradition that only the spirit of the first person to be buried there is destined to haunt the place. Legend claims it has to protect the graves of all those who are buried after them.
It is also said that flowers will grow on a grave if the person led a good life. Weeds growing on a grave point to the person being wicked in life.
It is supposed to be bad luck to meet a funeral procession heading towards you. If this can't be avoided then hold onto a button until it passes and that should prevent any bad luck coming your way. A funeral procession should never return from the graveyard the same way it came. This is to prevent the spirit of the deceased from following the living home.
There is a tradition that only the spirit of the first person to be buried there is destined to haunt the place. Legend claims it has to protect the graves of all those who are buried after them.
It is also said that flowers will grow on a grave if the person led a good life. Weeds growing on a grave point to the person being wicked in life.
It is supposed to be bad luck to meet a funeral procession heading towards you. If this can't be avoided then hold onto a button until it passes and that should prevent any bad luck coming your way. A funeral procession should never return from the graveyard the same way it came. This is to prevent the spirit of the deceased from following the living home.
Castle Rising, Norfolk
The 12th century Norman keep is said to be haunted by Queen Isabella, mother of Edward III. She was the lover of Roger Mortimer and had her husband, Edward II, murdered to secure power for herself and Mortimer.
Edward III eventually seized power from his mother and had Mortimer executed. It's claimed that he then had Isabella imprisoned in the castle. She eventually went mad and supposedly died there in 1358. Since then, her tortured screams have been reported echoing from the upper rooms of the keep.
Sadly, much of the legend surrounding this tale is untrue! Isabella did indeed live at the castle but was free to travel to her other properties and died in Hertford in 1358. She was buried in Greyfriars by Newgate in London. Her ghost is said to haunt the site of the graveyard, holding the heart of Edward II in her hands.
However, people still claim to hear screams and maniacal laughter coming from the castle in the early hours of the morning. So if not Isabella, who or what is behind the terrifying sounds?
Edward III eventually seized power from his mother and had Mortimer executed. It's claimed that he then had Isabella imprisoned in the castle. She eventually went mad and supposedly died there in 1358. Since then, her tortured screams have been reported echoing from the upper rooms of the keep.
Sadly, much of the legend surrounding this tale is untrue! Isabella did indeed live at the castle but was free to travel to her other properties and died in Hertford in 1358. She was buried in Greyfriars by Newgate in London. Her ghost is said to haunt the site of the graveyard, holding the heart of Edward II in her hands.
However, people still claim to hear screams and maniacal laughter coming from the castle in the early hours of the morning. So if not Isabella, who or what is behind the terrifying sounds?
The ghosts of Barsham, Norfolk
Barsham's main claim to fame is that Lord Nelson's mother, Catherine Suckling, was born here in 1725. It can also boast a haunted church!
Footsteps have been heard in the chancel and the apparition of a lady dressed in Georgian clothes has been seen in the building. Lights have also been known to switch themselves on and off by themselves. Some claim the phantom to be the ghost of Nelson's mother. Why she should haunt the church - if it is indeed her - has yet to be explained.
The churchyard is also haunted by the figures of people in medieval dress. A nearby plague pit is held to be the reason why these spirits still linger here.
The nearby rectory has a room with a priest hole. It is claimed to be haunted by ghostly lights and footsteps. A poltergeist has been known to move objects in other parts of the rectory.
Finally, a phantom coach and horses - headless of course - is said to appear in the village every Christmas Eve. It makes for Hassets Tower in Norwich and is said to carry members of the Blennerhassett family. The coach returns to the village before sunrise.
Footsteps have been heard in the chancel and the apparition of a lady dressed in Georgian clothes has been seen in the building. Lights have also been known to switch themselves on and off by themselves. Some claim the phantom to be the ghost of Nelson's mother. Why she should haunt the church - if it is indeed her - has yet to be explained.
The churchyard is also haunted by the figures of people in medieval dress. A nearby plague pit is held to be the reason why these spirits still linger here.
The nearby rectory has a room with a priest hole. It is claimed to be haunted by ghostly lights and footsteps. A poltergeist has been known to move objects in other parts of the rectory.
Finally, a phantom coach and horses - headless of course - is said to appear in the village every Christmas Eve. It makes for Hassets Tower in Norwich and is said to carry members of the Blennerhassett family. The coach returns to the village before sunrise.
St Mark's Eve
It was believed that the spirits of those destined to die in the parish over the coming year appeared on St Mark's Eve - 24th April. You had to sit in the porch of the church for three hours from 11 pm if you wanted to see the ghosts. You had to do this for three successive nights. The third night would see the spirits come up the path and enter the church.
Those fated to die first would be at the front of the procession and those destined to live out most of the year would be last to enter the church. Stories were told of watchers sometimes seeing themselves in the procession!
It was considered dangerous to fall asleep during the vigil - to do so would invite death within a year!
Those fated to die first would be at the front of the procession and those destined to live out most of the year would be last to enter the church. Stories were told of watchers sometimes seeing themselves in the procession!
It was considered dangerous to fall asleep during the vigil - to do so would invite death within a year!
Strange Customs
Never sweep a chimney with holly, as it will bring bad luck to your home!
A bride feeding a cat on her wedding day was always considered lucky, as it would bring happiness to her marriage. And the cat, no doubt, would be content too!
In some parts of the UK, it is considered unlucky to see a dead pigeon.
It is regarded as lucky to keep your hat on in church - but only if you are female!
To dream of coal is a sign that one day you will be rich.
A bride feeding a cat on her wedding day was always considered lucky, as it would bring happiness to her marriage. And the cat, no doubt, would be content too!
In some parts of the UK, it is considered unlucky to see a dead pigeon.
It is regarded as lucky to keep your hat on in church - but only if you are female!
To dream of coal is a sign that one day you will be rich.
Epping Forest Ghosts
The ancient woodland of Epping Forest is said to be the home of several ghosts.
Queen Boudica and her daughters haunt Ambresbury Banks, an Iron Age fort near Loughton. Tradition states that it was the site of her last battle against the Romans in AD 61. On certain nights, drumming and mournful groans have also been heard.
The Wake Arms roundabout is a notorious accident black spot and has a selection of ghosts, ranging from phantom horsemen to headless bikers. One phantom is said to run out in front of cars and then vanish!
Dick Turpin, the notorious highwayman, used Epping Forest as a hideout, and his ghost has been seen riding through the trees. Traps Hill is said to be a good place to spot him - if you are so inclined!
A certain pool in the forest was the scene of a murder over 300 years ago. Two young lovers used to meet there in secret. The father of the girl was against the relationship and murdered his daughter by the pool in a fit of anger. Her grief-stricken lover couldn't face life without her and killed himself at the very spot where she was murdered. Following this, the waters turned black, and wildlife shunned the area. It was said that the pool had the power to make people commit suicide after the tragedy.
Rumours of witch covens gathering in the woods for pagan rites persist.
Queen Boudica and her daughters haunt Ambresbury Banks, an Iron Age fort near Loughton. Tradition states that it was the site of her last battle against the Romans in AD 61. On certain nights, drumming and mournful groans have also been heard.
The Wake Arms roundabout is a notorious accident black spot and has a selection of ghosts, ranging from phantom horsemen to headless bikers. One phantom is said to run out in front of cars and then vanish!
Dick Turpin, the notorious highwayman, used Epping Forest as a hideout, and his ghost has been seen riding through the trees. Traps Hill is said to be a good place to spot him - if you are so inclined!
A certain pool in the forest was the scene of a murder over 300 years ago. Two young lovers used to meet there in secret. The father of the girl was against the relationship and murdered his daughter by the pool in a fit of anger. Her grief-stricken lover couldn't face life without her and killed himself at the very spot where she was murdered. Following this, the waters turned black, and wildlife shunned the area. It was said that the pool had the power to make people commit suicide after the tragedy.
Rumours of witch covens gathering in the woods for pagan rites persist.
The Ghost of Newbury Church
This is considered to be one of the most intriguing photos ever taken of an apparition.
In 1963, the Reverend K.F. Lord took this picture of the altar of his church in Yorkshire. When the photograph was developed, he was shocked to discover a shrouded figure standing in front of the altar.
The photo and negative were thoroughly examined by photographic experts, who confirmed that the figure had not been caused by double exposure. There were also no signs that the photo or negative had been tampered with. Further analysis showed the figure to be at least nine feet tall. However, it should be noted that the figure may have been standing on the top step with the lower part of the robe hanging over the lower step.
The Church of Christ the Consoler had been built as a memorial to Frederick Vyner, who was captured and murdered by brigands in Greece. His mother used the money collected for his ransom to commission the architect William Burges to build the church (constructed between 1871 and 1876) in the grounds of her home at Newby Hall.
The church did not have a reputation as a haunted building prior to the photo being taken. Nor had it been built on the site of an earlier church or religious building. The apparition has not been seen or photographed since.
In 1963, the Reverend K.F. Lord took this picture of the altar of his church in Yorkshire. When the photograph was developed, he was shocked to discover a shrouded figure standing in front of the altar.
The photo and negative were thoroughly examined by photographic experts, who confirmed that the figure had not been caused by double exposure. There were also no signs that the photo or negative had been tampered with. Further analysis showed the figure to be at least nine feet tall. However, it should be noted that the figure may have been standing on the top step with the lower part of the robe hanging over the lower step.
The Church of Christ the Consoler had been built as a memorial to Frederick Vyner, who was captured and murdered by brigands in Greece. His mother used the money collected for his ransom to commission the architect William Burges to build the church (constructed between 1871 and 1876) in the grounds of her home at Newby Hall.
The church did not have a reputation as a haunted building prior to the photo being taken. Nor had it been built on the site of an earlier church or religious building. The apparition has not been seen or photographed since.