Norfolk Ghosts, Folklore and Forteana
Shuck Attack
Location: Wells-next-the-Sea - Lane leading to marshes between Wells & Stiffkey
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Local legend says a man was attacked by a shuck down a lane between Wells and Stiffkey. Author Christopher Marlowe was allegedly chased by the same creature a little short time later, while out looking for the beast.
Glowing Owls
Location: West Bilney - West Bilney Hall
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: 1897, 1908
Further Comments: Barn owls observed throughout Norfolk were reportedly glowing in the dark, as if they were large fireflies.
Turquoise Light
Location: West Harling - Woodland near the church
Type: Other
Date / Time: July 2014, 23:00h-00:00h
Further Comments: Five people metal detecting at night near Mickle Moor Hill watched an illuminous turquoise green light which moved rapidly out of the wood. One of the witnesses said that it moved like no other light, at great speeds and turning at irregular angles. It made no noise, did not flicker, and they all experienced a strange negative feeling. After watching the light for a few minutes, the five witnesses ran away.
Dropped Tower
Location: West Walton - St Mary's Church
Type: Legend - Old Nick
Date / Time: Church still present
Further Comments: Attempting to steal the bell tower, the Devil dropped it shortly after flying off. The tower landed a few dozen metres away, where it still stands.
John Smythe
Location: Weybourne - General area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A locally renown smuggler, John can still be heard whistling to attract the attention of his fellow tax evaders.
Dissatisfied Soldiers
Location: Weybourne - Muckleborgh Collection, Weybourne Camp
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Late twentieth century
Further Comments: A private collection of military vehicles and weapons, the former secret location is besieged by cold spots and thumping, disembodied footsteps heard at night.
Coach and Four
Location: Weybourne - Road through village
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: It was once said that a ghostly coach pulled by four horses and driven by a headless figure would pass through the village and vanish into the church wall.
Four Figures
Location: Whitlingham - Ruined church
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Figures move at midnight, but not known if still present
Further Comments: Only visible to unmarried people, the four stone figures which stood around the ruined church tower would animate at midnight, moving around and shaking each other's hands.
Petrified Knight
Location: Wickhampton - Church
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Still present
Further Comments: For the crime of tearing his brother's heart out bare handed, the knight was turned to stone by God - the fighter now rests in the church, still holding the heart. Another version of the story says each brother tore out the heart of the other, and both are present in the church.
Coach
Location: Wicklewood - General area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Emerging from an unknown pit, this ghostly coach tours the neighbourhood before returning to the ground.
Footsteps
Location: Wiggenhall St Peter - Haunted House (demolished 1954)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Circa 1930s
Further Comments: A large house which stood here had the reputation of being home to a ghost and was listed on the 1901 census as 'Haunted House'. One witness heard footsteps and spotted a doorknob turning, but upon investigation, found no one present. The witness moved out soon after.
White Lady Forewarning Death
Location: Wolterton - Wolterton Hall, 3 miles northwest from Blickling
Type: Crisis Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown - possibly 1894?
Further Comments: Appearing to warn of trouble or a death in the family, the white lady is said to be a member of the Scamler family who once owned the hall.
Coach
Location: Woodrising - General area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown, likely to be pre-twentieth century
Further Comments: A coach which manifested here was said to glow from the windows and lamps with a light as bright as day. Witness accounts varied to whether it was pulled by invisible horses or headless horses.
White lady
Location: Worstead - Church
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 24 December (reoccurring), photographed 1975
Further Comments: Legend says this lady has scared to death at least one young bell ringer, although she is now said to have a healing effect. Poltergeist activity has also been reported, around the 1950's. A photograph taken in 1975 by Peter Berthelot appears to show a misty white lady sitting behind his wife on a pew.
Phantom Coach
Location: Wroxham - Bridge
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 19 May (reoccurring)
Further Comments: A ghostly coach and four passes over this bridge once a year. It is said to be driven by a headless Sir Thomas Boleyn and is one of eleven bridges that he passes over on the night of his daughter Anne's execution.
Roman Legion
Location: Wroxham - Broads near Wroxham
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Varies, see below
Further Comments: The sounds of marching troops, described as a roman legion, have been heard in this region. Chas Sampson, a dubious source, said this is most likely to occur on the following dates: 13 & 16 April; 7 & 21 May; 1, 4 &11 June; 5, 13 & 19 August; 13, 15, 22 & 26 September; and 7 & 9 October.
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