If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise...
Well maybe for these woods anyway as they are said to be some of the UK’s spookiest! If you’re feeling brave why not go for a walk in one of these haunted forests this Halloween?
A shadowy hound, said to be slightly larger than a Saint Bernard dog, was reported to haunt this area. The creature has never been seen directly, it is rumoured to only be visible from the corner of the eye. Witnesses of the hound have also reported hearing scraping sounds resembling claws on concrete coming from behind them.
This wood is also home to a ghoulish hound in the form of a large black dog who watches people from the cover of the trees. The dog isn't the only spooky resident of Bourne Wood, it is also rumoured to be haunted by a man and woman in grey.
The spectre of an elderly gentleman is said to wander around the picnic site in the forest. He is reported to be so life-like that people have spoken to him only to stare open-mouthed a he vanishes in to thin air.
Several black dogs are said to roam Savernake Forest, bringing ill fortune to all who witness them. Other fiendish four-legged residents include a ghostly white deer who darts between the trees as if still alive, a horse carrying a headless woman and horses drawing a coach which leaves the forest, heading for a nearby farm.
Lud’s Church is actually a rock chasm although it has been fabled that it was carved out by the devil with his own bare hands! It became known as a church by early Pagans who believed it to be sacred and worshipped there. It is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of Alice Lollard who was killed by soldiers for practicing the banned religion of paganism in the 1400s.
Clapham Common is infamous for its spooky activities after the press reported on dogs which had vanished without a trace. There have also been several UFO sightings reported here and many people report feeling nauseous or the sensation of being pushed while others report a strange grey mist appearing suddenly.
This ancient yew wood has trees which are over 2000 years old, and what tales they can tell! In 894AD marauding Vikings raided Chichester and a great battle took place. The woods are said to be haunted by the Vikings who are buried where they fell in the wood. Others believe the wood to be haunted by the ghosts of Druids sacrificed at a single oak amidst the yews.
Gibside is rumoured to be haunted by ‘the unhappy Countess’, Mary Eleanor Bowes who died unhappily after she married a cruel man who wasted her inheritance. The Countess loved her home and when she died her ghost refused to leave and has been spotted wandering around the great oak trees near the orangery. A ghost of a figure dragging a sack has also been spotted near the stables. It is not known what is contained in the bag.
Since the 19th century there have been reportings of the ‘Grey Lady’ wandering through Warley Woods at the site of the former Warley Abbey. It is believed the Grey Lady is the ghost of either Lucy Galton, the murdered daughter of the Birmingham gunmaker Hubert Galton, or an heiress who hung herself from a tree after being jilted by her lover.
Lucy’s killer is also believed to haunt these woods after dying filled with regret at his crime. He was a Chinese servant and is spotted wearing oriental dress.
Rumour has it that the slain men of Bonnie Prince Charlie's rebel army wander these moors with visitors reporting seeing ghosts at the memorial cairns placed there to commemorate the 1746 battle. Now you can visit the visitor centre and discover the gruesome history of Scotland's clan wars before braving a dusk wander around the moors.
Legend has it that the witch of Leanachan fled to the hills of Aonach Mor in the 1800s. The world famous Witch's Trails continue to keep her fear factor alive for mountain bikers!
Lednock is home to the Deil's Cauldron (Devil's Kettle) waterfall which is believed to be haunted by a brownie or water elf who entices unsuspecting victims down in to the huge natural pothole.
This ancient forest is cloadked in mystery and alive with tales of hermits, dragons, and demons thought to reside amongst the crags. Take a wander amongst the trees to discover works of art and carved tree trunks that conjure pictures of these myths and legends.
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