Derbyshire Ghosts, Folklore and Forteana
Entrance to Hell
Location: Eldon - Pothole near the village
Type: Legend - Old Nick
Date / Time: Still present
Further Comments: This hole is said to be bottomless and used by Old Nick to travel between this world and his own.
Galloping
Location: Elvaston - Alvaston Lane
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Summer 1989, around 01:00h
Further Comments: The sounds of horses and rattling riding equipment was heard by a witness, but nothing could be seen, though a gust of wind was felt as if the creatures were quickly passing.
Maria
Location: Elvaston - Elvaston Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Women unknown, man in rags in 2010, others in 2004 and 2012
Further Comments: Maria, former wife of the 4th Earl of Harrington, is said to manifest as a white lady who gazes from a window or walks around the area with a pale dog. A grey woman is also said to haunt the area, and in 2010 it was said that a family spotted a man in ragged clothing in nearby woodland who suddenly vanished. Two years later, two witnesses heard sounds close to the castle which they initially thought to be a party. When unable to see a party nearby, the witnesses realised the sounds comprised of men fighting, muskets discharging, and horses. Around 2004, a witness exiting the castle witnessed apparitions of horse-pulled carriages containing men who shouted and chanted.
Speeding Car
Location: Eyam - Between Eyam and A6 Chapel en le Frith bypass
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 01 June 2013, 00:10h
Further Comments: A driver was tailgated along a country road by a dark, older model sports car. The sports car overtook the driver once the A6 was reached, only to suddenly vanish a short distance ahead. There were no turn offs.
Isabel
Location: Eyam - Bradshaw Hall
Type: Crisis Manifestation
Date / Time: Prior to death
Further Comments: The phantom of Isabel Bradshaw is said to appear to the lover of anyone who is currently in the process of dying.
Old Man
Location: Eyam - Eyam Hall
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Said to haunt the upper area of the building, the old man could be one of the many plague victims from 1665. A white horse also haunts the grounds.
With a Spade
Location: Eyam - Hanging Flatt Mine
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Overground, underground, this elderly phantom carries a spade slung over his shoulder. He is said to mumble to himself. A lady living close to the mine reported hearing picks at night once everyone had left the mine.
Emily & Sarah
Location: Eyam - Miner's Arms public house
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: These two playful spirits have been heard playing in the pub, opening and closing doors, and hiding small items. Also haunting the pub is an old woman who dresses completely in black.
Catherine Mompesson
Location: Eyam - Rectory
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Mid twentieth century
Further Comments: Author Wayne Anthony reports that Mompesson may have died in the 1665 plague but was still reported to inhabit the rectory. One maid encountered her on the back staircase, while visitors to the building heard doors opening and closing, and the sound of footsteps along corridors which should have been devoid of life. Even the rector recalled hearing the rustling of an invisible dress.
Speeding Cyclist
Location: Eyam - Road between Eyam and Stoney Middleton, and dales in the area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Mid twentieth century
Further Comments: A squeaky bicycle with a ringing bell has been heard approaching various witnesses at speed - they move out of the way and turn to see where the sound is coming from, but nothing can be seen. A few people have reported spotting the phantom cyclist, who quickly vanishes from view.
Wish
Location: Farhill - Wishing Stone (aka Ashover Rock, aka Faybrick)
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Stone still present
Further Comments: Anyone who sat upon this rock and made wished three times would have that wish fulfilled.
Children
Location: Foxhole Plantation - General area in the woods
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1956
Further Comments: A motorcyclist who paused at the woods to have a cigarette spotted two children walking along a muddy and water covered pathway. Concerned that they were alone and lost, the man tried to follow them, noticing their clothing was perfectly clean despite the muddy conditions. As he approached, the children both vanished.
Hobnail Boots
Location: Fritchley - Mount Pleasant Farm
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown, thought to be seasonal (but time of manifestation always 21:00h)
Further Comments: The sound of these heavy boots would be heard approaching the front door where they stopped abruptly. A farmer grew so frustrated with the footsteps, he would wait by the door with a shotgun, but was never able to see the cause of the sound.
Man in Donkey Jacket
Location: Glapwell - Mine - Number Three pit
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1964
Further Comments: A figure wearing a donkey jacket was seen within this mine - he walked through a piece of machinery before disappearing.
Child with Blonde Hair
Location: Glossop - Co-Op food store, town centre
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1997
Further Comments: After this young girl was seen by staff in the building, she quickly faded away. The figure may be the same entity spotted in the Norfolk Arms public house. Another ghost, a more shadowy figure, is also reported to haunt the food store.
Malevolent Shadow
Location: Glossop - Former Woolley Bridge Inn, now a private home
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The lounge area of this public house was said to be home to an apparition who never made itself fully visible. Former landlords of the building also claim the upper part of the building was haunted by a child whose talking would wake them up at night.
Young Girl with Golden Hair
Location: Glossop - Norfolk Arms public house
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1990s, 2020
Further Comments: One of two ghosts sighted here, the jolly spirit of a young girl with golden hair runs and plays in the bar area. She was last heard laughing in 2020. The other entity, a former coachman, was observed in two places during the 1990s - sitting in a corner near the bar and standing by the side entrance.
Man with Thinning Hair
Location: Glossop - Pickering buildings - no longer standing
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Late twentieth century
Further Comments: Dressed in 'old fashioned' clothing, this ghost only managed to scare a former worker at the plant once the witness realised the ghost's legs ended at the knees.
Old Man
Location: Glossop - Private residence along Queens Drive
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1980s - early 1990s
Further Comments: The family here experienced several strange occurrences, including seeing a large old man smoking in the bedroom, the sound of footsteps running up the stairs, and loud bangs.
Rocking Man
Location: Glossop - Private residence along Talbot Road
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1977-1986
Further Comments: An occupier reported several paranormal occurrences here, including a stained glass crucifix which shattered, balls flying off the snooker table, and tapping on windows. Another witness spotted a man sitting on a rocking chair in the bedroom. The site was eventually blessed by a priest, although it is not clear whether this service was successful.
Murdered Priest
Location: Glossop - Rectory
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The appearance of a phantom man in black robes caused the family cook to hand in her notice. Around the same time, a thin woman wearing a dark dress with an indistinct face was seen several times by the parson, his wife, and other witnesses. The ghostly man was thought to have been a former priest murdered by his wife, who in turn also returned to haunt the building.
Flying Square
Location: Glossop - Road between Glossop and Chapel-en-le-Frith
Type: UFO
Date / Time: August 1962
Further Comments: Teacher Michael Valance encountered a flying box hovering over the moors. He reported the UFO as glowing and having four bright windows. The craft vanished after several minutes.
Marching Soldiers
Location: Glossop - Road between Glossop and Hayfield
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Early twentieth century?
Further Comments: A small group of spectral soldiers were once said to march between Glossop and Hayfield, their presence marked by beating drums.
White Horse
Location: Glossop - Simmondley Hall
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: It was once said that a phantom white horse haunted a spot at the hall where a former owner had concealed a cache of riches.
Hilda Knight
Location: Glossop - Theatre
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1989
Further Comments: A great theatre lover, Hilda died in 1958. However, it is widely believed her ghost remains at the building, playing with lighting rigs and sometimes manifesting in the form of a butterfly.
Records 176 - 200 of 252
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