All posts tagged Headless Coachman

Borley Rectory. Essex

by Ghostly Admin on January 10, 2012 in Essex, Famous Hauntings, Haunted Churches with 5 Comments
The strange unexplained phenomenon at Borley rectory during the 1920s and 1930s

The strange unexplained phenomenon at Borley rectory during the 1920s and 1930’s are probably among the most famous in England.

Built for the Reverend H.D.E Bull 1863, Borley was constructed on the site of a Benedictine Monastery. Both the Reverend Bull and his son Harry passed away in Borley’s ‘Blue room’ which was reported to be the most haunted spot in the house. Famously Harry Price leased the Rectory for a year so he could conduct his investigations with a team of researchers.

The results of his detailed and lengthy investigation were published in ‘The Most Haunted House in England’. In 1885, there were sightings of a ghostly nun at the rectory. She was believed to be the ghost of a 13th century Nun from a nearby convent who fell in forbidden love with a monk from the local monastery.

They paid a high price for their affair – the monk was hanged, and the Nun walled up inside the convent. In 1900, two sisters of the then owner Harry Bull, reportedly saw the Nun one day in the gardens. She has also appeared to many local people. A phantom coach and horses has also been seen in the vicinity of the Rectory. Mysterious footsteps, doorbells ringing have also been heard by visitors.

Poltergeist phenomena have also been experienced and recorded at the haunted building. Smashed glasses and stone throwing, mysterious writing on the walls and people being thrown from their beds by an unearthly force have all been reported. In 1939 Borley was destroyed by a fire and the ruin was finally demolished completely in 1944.

70 plus years on and Borley Rectory in Essex is once again hitting the public imagination,  specifically Ashley Thorpe’s who will be realeasing in 2012, his film The true story of ‘Borley Rectory – The Most Haunted House in England’. based upon the incidents and recorded expereinces of the renowed psychic investigator Harry Price.

Borley Rectory Teaser Trailer from Ashley Thorpe on Vimeo.

Bell Lane, Enfield. London

by Ghostly Admin on November 30, 2011 in Famous Hauntings, London with 2 Comments
Phantom Coach of Bell Lane, Enfield London - Hanging Judge jeffery's

Does the spectral coach of evil Judge Jeffrey’s recount its journey through Bell Lane in Enfield London?

Popular local story tells of the Phantom Coach of Enfield, which by all accounts, the ghostly coach travels silently down bell lane and suddenly vanishes into thin air, whilst being drawn by a team of ghostly black horses.

If the reports are to be considered factual, the coach belonged to the evil Judge Jeffrey’s, also known at the time as ‘Hanging Judge Jeffrey’s’ circa 1600’s who, it’s also speculated rides inside the ghostly coach. Interestingly enough Judge Jeffrey’s is known as Hanging Judge Jeffrey’s because of the punishment of death by hanging, he saw fit to hand out at the trials of the supporters of the Duke of Monmouth.

Seen a couple of times in the twentieth century, the ghostly passengers are said to be quite clear and distinct. A 14 year old boy who was cycling down Bell Lane during the 1940’s has said to have passed through the apparition.

The reports of the coach, however, have been commonplace for many years and it would appear sightings of it are usually observed at dusk or at night.

More information on this case can be read at the Blog of David Farrant

Kirkstone Pass Inn, Ambleside

by Ghostly Admin on August 11, 2011 in Haunted Inns with 10 Comments
At 1500ft The Inn is one of the highest Haunted Inns in England

The Kirkstone Pass Inn  is believed to be linked to an ancient 15th Century monastery

Records for the Kirkstone Pass Inn date back to 1496AD. In the early 1800’s the tall stone building at the North end was built as a coach house, the extra height was needed to take the coaches of the day.

At almost 1,500 ft, the Kirkstone Inn is the third highest pub in England. It offers wonderful views over some of the Lake District. The area is of such natural beauty that was immortalised by the poetry of William Wordsworth.

During its years the inn has had plenty of time to pick up stories of ghosts and the supernatural. Quite a few ghosts and phantoms have been spotted in and around the inn. Some are believed to be the spirits of unlucky travellers who died while making a perilous journey through the difficult mountain terrain during a heavy snowstorm.

Several other ghosts include one ghost is believed to be that of a woman who murdered her own child, a young boy that was killed by a coach outside of the building. And another, that of a 17th century coachman who once lurked around the bar, was even captured in a photograph taken by a visiting family staying at the inn in 1993. It is reported that this particular ghost followed the tourists home and now lives with them as a member of the family!

Blickling Hall. Aylsham Norwich

by Ghostly Admin on August 3, 2011 in Haunted Houses with No comments
Built in the 17th century, the Hall once belonged to Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn.

Built in the 17th century, the Hall once belonged to Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn.

It is Anne’s ghost that is said to make her presence felt at the Hall upon the anniversary of her execution. Her spectre appears without a head, dressed in white and in a carriage which is drawn by headless horses and driven by a headless coachman. Her bloody, severed head can be seen sitting in her lap. The grim spectical continues on its ghastly journey along the driveway of Blickling Hall to it’s grand entrance, where Anne’s ghost leaves the carriage and glides into the Hall.

Anne’s brother Lord Rochford also appears in spirit form on the same night. His headless ghost is dragged across the ground by headless horses.

More Information About Blickling Hall

Whitby Abbey. North Yorkshire

by Ghostly Admin on January 2, 2011 in Haunted Churches, Yorkshire with 9 Comments
Set on a headland high over the popular seaside town, Whitby Abbey is the perfect choice for a great value day trip in Yorkshire

Built in A.D. 657, the Abbey stands on top of a very tall mound and accessed by walking up a long and steep set of steps. It is haunted by Saint Hilda who founded the Abbey.

Her ghost appears in a high window wrapped in a shroud. The abbess in life used to have a habit of chasing snakes to the edge of the Cliff and then decapitate them with her whip. The apparition of a hearse like coach with a headless driver and pulled by four headless horses, races along the cliff near the Abbey then is seen to then plunge over the edge and into the sea. Continue reading →