Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Specific Location: Highgate

English Folktales / Folklore / Folktales

Whittington Stone

At the foot of Highgate Hill can be found the Whittington Stone, so named after Dick Whittington, who, according to tradition sat here and heard the bells of Bow Church which he thought were saying "Turn again, Whittington, Lord Mayor of London." The following account of the story of Dick Whittington and his cat was published in ‘English Fairy and Other Folk Tales’ (1890) by

Hauntings

Highgate High Level Station

The disused High Level Station at Highgate is reputedly haunted by the sounds which it is said have been heard by the local residents. However, without any actual witness accounts I cannot be sure whether this reputation unfounded or not.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Swains Lane

Dating from at least 1492 when it was referred to as Swayneslane, it was one of four old parallel pathways leading up to Highgate village. (The others being West Hill, Bromwich Walk (now disappeared) and Dartmouth Hill). Also known for a long time as Swines Lane, it passed between agricultural land giving access to the farms on either side of it.

Other Mysteries

Elizabeth Siddal’s Grave

Elizabeth Siddal was an artist and a model, who posed for many of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. A mystery arose following her death, as her grave in Highgate Cemetery was opened and her body, though dead for seven years, was said not to have decomposed at all, which has even led to speculation in some quarters that she was undead.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Pond Square Chicken, Highgate

Pond Square in Highgate has the reputation of being haunted by the apparition of a chicken. Not just any fowl though, this chicken is rumoured to be the worlds first frozen chicken which participated in the final fatal experiment of Sir Francis Bacon, Viscount of St.

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Gatehouse, Highgate

There were three main entrances each with a tollhouse leading into the Bishop of London’s Park of Haringeye and The Gatehouse was the tavern at the Highgate entrance. (The Spaniards Inn ,Newgate and East Finchley being the others).

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Flask Tavern

The Flask Tavern dates back to the 17th century and has served the likes of Karl Marx (born 5 May 1818 – died 14 March 1883), William Hogarth (born 10 November 1697 – died 26 October 1764) (painter) and Dick Turpin (born 1705 – died 7 April 1739) (highwayman) who is said to have been hidden there for a while.