Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Dorset

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Book Review / Hauntings / Other Mysteries / Review

Paranormal Purbeck: A Study of the Unexplained by David Leadbetter

Ghosts, moving objects, displacements in time, near death experiences, synchronicities, out-of-body experiences – these things are happening all the time. A new book just published by Roving Press entitled Paranormal Purbeck: A Study of the Unexplained features nearly 70 locations in Purbeck, Dorset, with first-hand, matter-of-fact accounts from more than 100 people.

Hauntings

John Daniel’s Apparition, Beaminster

The following 18th century experience which concerns Beaminster School and the Grade I listed 15th century St Mary’s Church, appeared in the Gentleman’s Magazine (1774) and reprinted in John Ingram’s ‘The Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain’ (1897). It is an interesting case and if the Gentlemans Magazine is to be believed a very singular story that comes well authenticated.

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Book Review / Hauntings / Review

Haunted Weymouth by Alex Woodward

Welcome to Weymouth, location for the London 2012 Olympic sailing competitions and home to it’s fair share of ghosts and paranormal activity – which I think should add to the attraction! Alex Woodward has written the latest book in the Haunted series published by The History Press, Haunted Weymouth, which takes us on another spine-chilling journey around the town and local area.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Durdle Door

In ‘Mysterious Places of Dorset’ by Robert Westwood a story is recounted of some ghosts being seen at Durdle Door. The original account appeared in ‘Mysterious Dorset’ by Rodney Legg, who was sent this story in the nineteen thirties. A sailor who was anchored at Durdle Door claimed to have heard a scream coming from the shore.

Apparitions / Featured Sites / Folklore / Hauntings / Vampire

Eastbury House

The remains of this once grand house has a reputation of being haunted and associated with a vampire legend. The property is private and you cannot gain access but the story of Eastbury House and its past owners is certainly interesting.

Festivals / May

Abbotsbury Garland Day

13 May – Is Abbotsbury Garland Day a celebration of the old May Day from the Julian calendar. Flowers are woven into frames and carried about the town by children.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Bagley House

In Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain, By John H. Ingram, he mentions a paper by Miss Billington contributed to Merry England in 1883 concerning Bagley House near Bridport. The same article I am led to believe also appeared in the Dorset County Chronicle, August 1883. Her tale concerns Squire Lighte and his death.

Apparitions / Hauntings / WWII Hauntings

Bovington Tank Museum

The tank museum is home to a German Tiger Tank that saw service during World War II. A figure in WWII era German military uniform was once seen looking at the tank through the museum windows. It has been speculated that the figure is the ghost of a one time occupant of the tank. This is maybe the last remaining operational Tiger Tank.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Athelhampton Manor

There are still parts of this manor dating back 500 years, it was occupied early in its history by the Martyn family from 1350 to around 1600. The Martyn family were devoutly catholic and may have hidden priests within the house during the time England was under protestant rule. Priest holes, which are small secret recesses within walls, have been found which attest to this.