The Paranormal Database

Pit and Colliery Ghosts, Folklore and Forteana

Old Man

Location: Stoney Middleton (Derbyshire) - Sallet Hole Mine
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Wayne Anthony, in Haunted Derbyshire and the Peak District, writes that an elderly gentleman in flat cap and long coat takes his dog for a walk around the mine. The apparitions quickly vanish when seen.

Dead Miners

Location: Swansea (West Glamorgan) - Morfa Colliery
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1890
Further Comments: As if attempting to warn against the incoming disaster that killed 87, the days leading up to the event bore witness to screams and cries coming from the mining tunnels, and visual reports of miners who had previously lost their lives.

Cap Lamp

Location: Teversal (Nottinghamshire) - Silverhill colliery
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: An Inspector travelling underground alone spotted a cap lamp in the distance which remained always just ahead of him. Later, while sawing planks for the gate end team, the man said his job suddenly became easier when it felt like someone was helping him saw by pulling and pushing the other end of his equipment. Startled, he let go of the handle only to see the saw complete another two strokes by itself.

Screaming

Location: Weardale (Durham) - The North of England Lead Mining Museum - formally the killhope lead mine
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 2003
Further Comments: Three ghost hunters wanting to raise money for charity tried to spend the night here, only to be scared off by screaming of a ghostly woman from a nearby wood.

Tapping

Location: Wharfedale (Yorkshire) - Greenhow Lead Mines
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The sounds of mining could often be heard here, even when no miners were down the shafts.

Glowing Light

Location: Ysbyty Ystwyth (Dyfed) - Llwyn Malees mine
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 14/15 (or 7/8) July 1884
Further Comments: A glowing light which appeared to flit around an office was witnessed by several people after dark. The following night, the light returned even brighter, and this time a woman and two men could be seen moving around the building. Nothing occurred on the third night. It was debated whether the 'ghosts' were paranormal entities or three people playing a joke.