Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Specific Location: Henley on Thames

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Bull and Butcher, Turville

Situated in Turville, a village well known for the filming of ’Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ ‘Midsomer Murders’ and ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, the Bull and Butcher dates from 1550 and is a grade II listed building. In 1942 another film was shot here in Turville called ‘Went the Day Well‘, when the village was portrayed as being under German occupation.

Folklore / Hauntings

St Bartholomew’s Church, Fingest

St Bartholomews Church is a Grade I listed building and dates back to the 12th century. There is a folk good luck custom associated with weddings at St Batholomews, where the groom is expected to lift his bride over the church gate after the ceremony. To ensure this is done the church gate is usually kept locked on such occasions.

Black Dogs / Hauntings

Fingest Lane Black Dog

A phantom Black Dog is said to haunt Fingest Lane between the village of Fingest and Skirmett

Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Usual Suspects

Park Place, Remenham

Park Place is a Grade II listed building which in 2011 became the most expensive home sold in Britain with a huge £140m price tag. Dating from the early 18th century it is not surprising that there are also a few ghosts and legends attached to the site.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Poltergiests / Usual Suspects

Kenton Theatre, Henley on Thames

The Kenton Theatre in Henley on Thames dates from 7 November 1805 and is thought to be the fourth oldest working theatre in Great Britain. With a 234 seat capacity the theatre is small and run by a group of volunteers. It is also a location where haunting like activity has been reported.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Occult Biographies / Usual Suspects

Mary Blandy

Mary Blandy (Born 1720) was executed on 6 April 1752 outside Oxford Castle for murdering her father, Francis Blandy at the request of her lover, Captain William Henry Cranstuon.  As with Mary Queen of Scots, Oliver Cromwell and several other famous ghosts, Miss Blandy reputedly haunts at numerous locations over several counties.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Mary Blandy / Usual Suspects

Town Hall, Henley on Thames

It has been suggested that the ghost of Mary Blandy was witnessed by a number of people at a re-enactment of her trial at the Henley Town Hall sometime prior to 1969. Her actual trial took place on 3 March 1752 at the Oxford Assizes held in the hall of the Divinity School.