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 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 following 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 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 following 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.