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Hulme Hall
There are several buildings known as Hulme Hall including one in Allostock, a Grammar School in Cheadle Hulme and a hall of residence for Manchester University. However, the long lost Hulme Hall which was the seat of the Prestwich family is thought to have a hidden treasure protected by occult powers. Read More »
Kersal Cell
The Grade II listed Kersal Cell which dates from 1563 is the second oldest building in Salford and was the home of the English poet John Byrom (also known as John Byrom of Kersal and John Byrom of Manchester) (Born 29 February 1692 – Died 26 September 1763). Read More »
Mancunium Roman Fort, Castlefield
The remains of the Roman fort named Mancunium date from AD79 and can be found at Castlefield in Manchester. Read More »
Riding The Black Lad (Black Knight Pageant), Ashton-under-Lyne
In 1911, the following description of this ancient Ashton custom appeared in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 4. Read More »
Saddleworth Rushcart
Rushbearing dates back to the middle ages and is a festival where rushes were collected to be strewn out over the floors of churches, back when the floors were just earthen. The tradition died off when church floors started to be flagged by the 19th century, though in some villages and towns it was revived as a folk custom. Read More »
St Michaels Parish Church, Ashton-under-Lyne
St Michaels Parish Church is thought to have been founded by Sir John Assheton (died 1428), Member of Parliament and soldier. Read More »
Alderman Hill and Alphin Pike
In legend the rolling boulder-strewn hills of Alphin Pike and Alderman Hill were the abodes of the giants Alphin and Alderman, after whom the peaks were named. Alphin and Alderman were at first on friendly terms, until they both became enamoured with a beautiful water nymph called Rimmon, who lived in the valley below them in the bubbling waters of Chew Brook. Read More »
The Bill o' Jacks Murders
On April 2nd 1832 a landlord and his gamekeeper son were violently murdered at a remote pub on the edge of the bleak moorland above Greenfield near Saddleworth. Reported at the time as “one of the most diabolical murders ever committed” (1), the murders were never solved and have become a fascinating, if dark, part of the local lore of Saddleworth. Read More »
Black Magic Ritual Site Discovered
This tale was sent in by one of our visitors, it recounts the discovery of the remnants of a dark ritual deep within the Pennine hills. Read More »
Boggart Hole Clough
The clough was in former times, said to be haunted by a boggart, and there are a number of stories attached to it. Some of these tales probably became attached to the area after they had been written about other similar boggart infested places. Read More »
Cairo Mill
A security guard at Cairo Mill In Waterhead Oldham witnessed a UFO lit with a blue light after hearing a humming noise outside the mill. It was described as 30 metres in diameter, saucer shaped with a large window. After about 5 minutes the UFO turned and shot away into the sky. The factory cat also disappeared at the same time. There have been other UFO sightings in the area. Read More »
Castleshaw Roman Camp (Rigodunum)
The original fort dates to the Flavian period, and was probably erected during the governship of Agricola (AD77 to AD83), when new Roman roads were being constructed in the Pennines as an aid to Roman expansion in the North. The larger fort became a smaller fortlet in the Trajanic era. Read More »
Clegg Hall
Clegg Hall is a Grade II listed building dating from the 17th century. Some time between 1910 and 1920 the Hall fell into ruin and remained so until recently. It was put up for sale in 2011 and is a private residence. The Hall is of interest for it has Boggart story associated with it. Read More »
The Feytin' Ape
Here’s a tall tale I collected from a local character when I was researching folklore in Oldham, Lancashire. While the tale is purely fictional it does include some half truths and was ‘doing the rounds’ of the local pubs. Read More »
Godley Green
Said to have been haunted by a phantom hound with a yellow coat. It was as big as a bull. The hound was once attributed to being a phantom lion from a local game park. Most phantom hounds of folklore seem to be black in colour, although a few such as this one appear in different colours.
Golborne
The streets of this town were said to be haunted by a White Lady who floated around, generally scaring passers by out of their wits, the spirit is also alleged to have drifted in front of cars so that they crashed when trying to avoid her.
Greenacres Lodge
This building owned by the local authority is reputedly haunted by a white lady. A few former employees have mentioned to me experiences they have had in Greenacres Lodge. Read More »
Hannah Beswick of Birchen Bower, Hollinwood
There used to be a large manor house (now demolished) called Birchen Bower in Hollinwood in Oldham, which was famous for its alleged haunting by a Grey Lady called Hannah Beswick. Read More »
Hartshead Pike
Hartshead Pike serves as a focal point in the Oldham landscape, visible from miles around with unbroken views across 4 counties. This has been a beacon hill through antiquity. Read More »
Ince Hall, Ince-in-Makerfield
John Roby in his 'Traditions of Lancashire' (1872) relates the following tale which he entitled 'The Haunted Manor House', which he identifies as being Ince Hall in Wigan. As Roby acknowledges, there are a few buildings known as Ince Hall which leads to confusion when trying to identify the exactly where this tale is said to be based. Read More »
La Pergola Hotel, Saddleworth
According to Haunted Sites of Oldham by Janette Quinland and Shaun McGrath the 18th century La Pergola Hotel (now the Clough Manor Hotel) was haunted by the veiled apparition of a woman wearing a Victorian crinoline style dress. Read More »
Mab's Cross
The remains of this 13th century (earliest known mention 1277) stone cross can be found on Standishgate and is thought to have been a medieval waymarker between Chorley and Wigan. It was moved from its original position on the other side of the road in 1922 when the road was widened. The cross’s name is derived from its legendary association with Lady Mabel Bradshaw. T Read More »
Manchester’s Headless Black Dog
In 1825 a man reported being seeing a large headless phantom hound leap at him whilst he was in the vicinity of Manchester Cathedral.
Marple Hall
The hall was said to be haunted by King Charles the I, and the daughter of a Roundhead, who was murdered by her father when she fell in love with a Cavalier during the English Civil War. Read More »
The Old Original
Haunted by an amorphous shape, thought to be a woman called Eliza Jane MacKay who committed suicide by drowning herself in the well of New Inn Farm, which is situated nearby. She is said to have been an alcoholic who drank at the inn and was buried in the orchard at New Inn Farm. Read More »
