Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Lancashire

Apparitions / English Folktales / Folklore / Folktales / Hauntings / Occult / Occult Traditions / Witchcraft

Meg Shelton the Fylde Witch

Meg Shelton (Mag Shelton or Margery Hilton) the Fylde Witch (Fylde Hag) who died in 1705 is said to be buried beneath a large boulder in the grounds of St Anne’s Church, Woodplumpton. She was buried in a vertical position, head first with the boulder placed on top to prevent her from digging herself out of the grave, which apparently she had done twice previously.

Ancient Sites / Apparitions / Burial Mounds / Folklore / Hauntings

Weeton Cairn Boggart

In the 1876 book entitled ‘History of the Fylde of Lancashire’ by John Porter, reference is made to an extensive barrow or cairn near Weeton Lane Heads which was accidentally opened. This burial chamber had the reputation of being haunted by a boggart or hairy ghost.

Apparitions / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

The Sun Inn, Chipping

The 18th century Sun Inn is said to be haunted by the apparition of Lizzie Dean, a scullery maid that ended her own life in the attic of the pub on the day her lover married her best friend.

Occult

St Leonards, Walton-le-Dale

St Leonard’s Church in Walton-le-Dale was according to folklore the location that Edward Kelly and Dr John Dee chose to famously summon a spirit, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

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Articles / Folklore / Tall Tales

The Feytin’ Ape

Here’s a tall tale I collected from a local character when I was researching folklore in Oldham, Lancashire. While the tale is purely fictional it does include some half truths and was ‘doing the rounds’ of the local pubs.

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English Fairies / Fairies / Folklore

Boggart

The Boggart is most commonly found in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, its name appears in places such as Boggart’s Clough and Boggart’s Hole in Lancashire. Boggarts were mischievous spirits responsible for mishaps and poltergeist activity within the home and in the countryside.

Apparitions / Hauntings

The Green-faced Ghost

An article by Melanie Warren, first published in Poulton Life Magazine, winter 1996

In December 1936, the Blackpool Evening Gazette carried an article which began excitedly; ‘Carleton Ghost? A Layton taxi-driver claims he has seen a ghost with a green face, near the gates of Carleton Crematorium..’

Apparitions / Hauntings / Poltergiests

Smithills Hall, Bolton

The hall – one of the oldest in Lancashire – has a footprint in its flagstones said to have been created when a protestant martyr was interrogated at the hall. The footprint is said to become bloody on the anniversary of his martyrdom.