Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Lincolnshire

Legends / Nordic Pantheons / Pantheons

The Trent Aegir

At Gainsborough, several times a year, can be seen a phenomenon known as the "Trent Aegir". This is a large tidal bore which rolls down from the Humber. It is known to have happened since at least the Viking era, as the name Aegir is taken from the Norse god of the sea.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Scunthorpe General Hospital

Opening on 5 December 1929, Scunthorpe General Hospital was originally named The Scunthorpe and District War Memorial Hospital.

Hauntings

Observatory Tower, Lincoln Castle

On 13 April 2004 the following story was published in the Lincolnshire Echo detailing a family’s strange experience at Lincoln Castle’s Observatory Tower.

A Family got the fright of their lives when they stumbled on what they believe was a malevolent ghost in Lincoln Castle.

English Folktales / Folklore / Folktales

Bardney Abbey

If visiting the home of a Lincolnshire family, someone leaving a door open might be asked the unusual question "Do you come from Bardney?" This is said in a similar tone and meaning to "Were you born in a barn?" elsewhere in the country. The saying has its roots in an old tale about a miraculous occurrence at Bardney Abbey.

Apparitions / Hauntings / Road Ghosts / WWII Hauntings

Metheringham Lass

A phenomena has been reported by many shaken drivers who have passed the former RAF airfield at Metheringham, Lincolnshire, late at night. At first glance this appears to be a version of the "Vanishing Hitchhiker" stories which are common all over the world, but there are some deviations from the usual story.

Apparitions / Folklore / Hauntings / Road Ghosts

The Blacksmith’s Ghost

Around the year 1710 a man named Solomon Fenner lived in the village of Laceby, where he worked as the local blacksmith. Although highly skilled and successful at his work, he was not a rich man, though nor did he live in poverty.

Legends

Little St. Hugh of Lincoln

Stories of blood libel are not unfortunately unknown in Britain and like central Europe we have our antisemitic stories such as those surrounding William of Norwich, Simon of Trent, Robert of Bury, Harold of Gloucester and Little St. Hugh of Lincoln.

Legends

The Great Bell of Burgh-le-Marsh

Like many people living along the coast in times past, the people of Burgh-le-Marsh once made a handsome living from ‘wrecking’. In stormy weather, if a ship was spotted in difficulty, the local folk would light a beacon on Marsh Hill, which the poor ship’s crew would mistake for the safety of a lighthouse, steering their vessel onto the treacherous sands.

Apparitions / Hauntings / WWII Hauntings

RAF Grimsby

RAF Grimsby (Waltham) was opened in 1941 as a satellite for the larger airfield nearby at Binbrook. During it’s time as an operational bomber base three squadrons served there; 100 Squadron, 142 Squadron and 550 Squadron.