Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Monthly Archive: August 2015

Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Golden Pheasant, Biggleswade

The Golden Pheasant at 71 High Street is a Grade II listed building dating from the 18th century. There have apparently been reports of the sound of singing coming from the bar when it is empty and footsteps again from an area with nobody present to make them.

Dragons / Legends

Bignor Hill

According to Sylvanus Urban’s ‘Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Chronicle (1816)‘The old inhabitants of the place have a tradition now nearly lost that a large Dragon had its den on Bignor Hill and that marks of its folds were to be seen on the hill a relick of remote antiquity and of Celtic origin.’

English Folktales / Folklore / Folktales

St Andrew’s Parish Church, Alfriston

St Andrew’s Parish Church is a Grade I listed building dating back to 1370. It was built in a cruciform shape and is referred to as The Cathedral of the Downs. There is a siting legend attached to St Andrews Church dating back to its original construction.

Apparitions / Haunted Hotels / Haunted Wedding Venue / Hauntings

Deans Place Country Hotel

Dating from the 17th century and formerly being the moated manor house of a large farm estate, the Grade II listed Deans Place has been a hotel since the start of the 20th century. The building has a reputation of being haunted by a female figure in a long blue dress or robe.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

A23 Pyecombe

According to the BBC News Website ‘The UK’s most haunted road is listed as the A23 between London and Brighton, where ghostly figures include a small girl with no hands or feet, a figure in a white trench coat and a figure in cricketer’s clothing.’

At Pyecombe apparently a strange figure has been seen scampering across the road.

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

Ye Olde Smugglers Inne, Alfriston

Partially dating from 1358, and originally known as The Market Cross Inn or Market Cross House, this public house changed its name in the 1920’s and now reflects its association with Stanton Collins, the leader of the Alfriston gang and their smuggling activities.

Anniversary Ghosts / Apparitions / Black Dogs / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

The White Way, Alfriston

The White Way is a road running between Alfriston and Seaford, which according to local legend has a reputation for being haunted. According to tradition, one Midsummers Eve, a young man, who was the heir to the Chowne* estate was killed with his dog (possibly a white terrier) near Dean’s Place and quickly buried in a shallow grave.