Located in southwest England, Gloucestershire attracts the tourists through the breathtaking Cotswold Hills and the Forest of Dean, amongst other stunning countryside locations. Another maritime county, Gloucestershire once mainly relied more on its agriculture rather than fishing, and a large portion of its 1255 square miles were covered in sheep and dairy farms. The county has a rich vein of ghost stories and hauntings, though a couple of notable legends can be found in the area.

The Blacksmith

Nether Lypiatt, Thrupp, Nr Stroud.

The main entrance to Nether Lypiatt, the Gloucestershire home of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent could not be more impressive, gated as it is by two decorative wrought iron gates.

The gates at the entrance to the house have a ghostly story to tell

But there is a sad story behind the iron creations, and it is not surprising that the creator still haunts the gates.

In 1704 Nether Lypiatt was owned by Judge Charles Coxe who presided over the case of a blacksmith who had been convicted of murder, or perhaps sheep stealing, and sentenced to the gallows.

But Judge Coxe had a little idea in mind and offered to let the blacksmith go free if he could make a perfect pair of gates.

Seeing a chance to escape execution the blacksmith worked day and night for two weeks to create the perfect pair.

But the Judge found the tiniest flaw in the gates and refused the reprieve, the blacksmith was hanged on January 25th and at midnight on this date the gates are said to fly open and the ghost of the shabbily-treated blacksmith appears riding a white horse.

Echoes of soldiers betrayed

Aust, South Gloucestershire

Many of the West Country's ghosts are linked with the English Civil War, with the ghosts of Roundheads and Cavaliers being reported at several locations.

Aust cliffs, where the soldiers met their end.

A particularly tragic tale concerns a group of Parliamentarians who were led astray by the ferryman at Aust, where the Severn Bridge has now replaced the centuries-old ferry.

The ferryman, a Royalist, was forced to take the group across the Severn, but he set them down just away from the other side on some rocks which only show at low tide.

Using his knowledge of the river the ferryman was able to get away before the incoming tide poured over the rock and swept the group away to their deaths.

Their screams and shouts can sometimes still be heard at Aust.

Romeo and Juliet

Goodrich Castle, Gloucestershire

There are always some heart-warming yet tragic tales that come out of conflicts of any kind, and the Civil War is no exception.

Two young lovers from opposing sides of the war tried to escape the horror that was unfolding around them so that they could be together.

On the one side was a young Cavalier known as Charles Clifford based inside Goodrich Castle, on the other was Alice Birch, the daughter of Colonel Birch who was leading the Parliamentary forces besieging the castle.

Through sheer will and determination Alice managed to infiltrate the castle to join her lover. When the castle was surrendered the two of them fled on horseback through the Roundhead lines to the Wye.

Unfortunately the storm that had helped them make their escape had also swelled the river that they needed to cross and they drowned in their desperate bid to get to the other side.

On stormy nights their cries can still be heard over the rushing river.

Charles I

Court House, Painswick and Chavenage House, Tetbury

The ghost of Charles I is said to haunt Court House in Painswick, where he was based when he ordered the Siege of Gloucester in 1643.

The gardens and grounds of the house have also been the location for sightings of ghostly Cavaliers who are thought to be preparing themselves for battle.

Not long after his execution, the headless ghost of the king appeared at Chavenage House near Tetbury, the home of Nathaniel Stephens, one of the county's two members in the House of Commons.

It appears that when Parliament went in to recess for Christmas 1648 they were still undecided as to whether King Charles should be put to death or put in prison.

Stephens wasn't sure what to do on his return to the house but was persuaded by a Cromwellian officer to vote for execution.

Just a month later Charles I was beheaded, and four months later Stephen fell ill and died, but not before he had expressed remorse for agreeing to the death of his king.

The mourners at his funeral at Chavenage could not in their wildest dreams have imagined what was to come.

As they assembled before church a coach drew into the courtyard pulled by black horses, the driver was dressed in attire only worn by Charles I, but they did not recognise him at first as his head was not there!

As if this wasn't scary enough, the main door of Chavenage House then opened and out stepped the ghost of Nathaniel Stephens in his shroud and climbed into the coach.

With a whip of the horses the two went off towards the outer gate, but just as they reached it they all disappeared in flames.

Hunting dog

Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, near Cheltenham

Although Henry VIII's last wife, Catherine Parr, was buried in Sudeley castle it is not her but Prince Rupert's favourite hunting dog that haunts the castle.

Prince Rupert had made the castle his headquarters during the Civil War when despite the majority of Gloucestershire siding with Parliament, the castle's inhabitants supported the Crown.

During the first of three sieges of the castle the dog was killed but returned to haunt the castle shortly afterwards.

His ghost, which is usually seen in the ruins of the banqueting hall, is seen as a bad omen that some misfortune is coming for the owners of the castle.

Monk in prayer

Blackfriars, Gloucester

In the remains of the Dominican priory of Blackfriars in 1870, one Alice Godfrey saw the ghostly figure of a monk in prayer.

As she stared at the apparition she saw that he had fixed staring eyes and a grey lined face.

Almost 100 years later during restoration work, the skull of a man presumed to be a friar who died from a head wound, was unearthed in the church nave.

That same year a workman on a beam over the nave saw the ghost of a monk, one of his colleagues saw a friar with blood pouring out of his head running from the nave.

The ghosts of Littledean

Littledean Hall, Forest of Dean

As one of England's oldest houses, Littledean Hall has seen its fair share of goings-on over the years.

The Pyrke family lived in the Hall for over two hundred years and in 1744 a young servant, murdered Charles Pyrke after discovering he had fathered the servant's sister's child.

The ghost of the young servant has been seen on numerous occasions since, outside his bedroom as well as outside the drawing room.

In the dining room of the Hall, a monk is said to walk from there to the library where a priest's hole led to a tunnel from the cellar to the Grange of Flaxley Abbey.

The monk would have used it to secretly visit the house to give Holy Communion.

And you won't get much sleep in the Blue Bedroom, earlier occupants said the room had a terrible atmosphere and heard the sound of a swordfight, which ties in with a story about two brothers who killed each other in a fight over a lady.

Another family that occupied the Hall for a long time was the Brayne family, Richard Brayne, who lived there in the 16th century is still said to haunt the drive in the form of a ghostly gardener.

Perhaps the Hall isn't the best place to spend a nice relaxing time!

Funeral Possession

Location: Arlington - Manor House

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: 24 May 1757

Further Comments: This funeral was said to be an ill omen for the family who owned building - exactly a year after the manifestation was seen by several people, the last male heir died.

Lurking Figure

Location: Avening - Road between village and Minchinhampton

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: Thought to be the shade of a suicide, this ghost waits alongside the road, but for what is anyone's guess.

Edward II Screams

Location: Berkeley - Berkeley Castle

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 21 September, reoccurring

Further Comments: Murdered on orders of his wife, Queen Isabella (her fate is documented elsewhere), the anniversary of the King's death is marked by his screams echoing around the castle.

Motorbike & Sidecar

Location: Bourton on the Water - Roads around Fossebridge

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: August 1997

Further Comments: Three men in a car reported being followed by this aging vehicle, ridden by a man with no crash helmet. It suddenly vanished while close behind them.

Old Man in Trilby

Location: Cambridge - Private house, Bristol Road

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: After modernising the building, the owners became aware of the presence of an old man, who materialised before the mistress of the house.

Tall Lady in Black

Location: Cheltenham - Garden Reach house, Pitville Circus Road (currently called St Annes?)

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: April 1882 - 1892

Further Comments: During the original ten year spell, the woman is black was seen dozens of times, during both daylight and night time hours. Those who could not see her, often reported disembodied footsteps walking down corridors. The ghost may have returned briefly mid twentieth century; a similar figure was seen by a man, and then again by his brother a couple of years later.

Nun

Location: Cheltenham - Former private school in the town, now flats

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 1940

Further Comments: A teacher and headmaster at the school, working late, both saw a phantom nun crossing the playground - they approached the figure to speak to it, but when their torch ran out of batteries, they ran away.

Tapping

Location: Cheltenham - Suffolk Arms public house

Type: Poltergeist

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: Heard in the cellar, this playful spirit knocks whenever anyone goes down into the darkness. As with other pub ghosts, she is blamed when items disappear.

Devil's Chimney

Location: Cheltenham - Leckhampton Hill

Type: Legend

Date / Time: Still present

Further Comments: This limestone outcrop is said to lead straight to hell.

Rattling Chains

Location: Cherington - Trouble House inn

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 1930s

Further Comments: Large gusts of wind were felt rushing around this public house, normally accompanied by clanking chains.

USAF Pilot

Location: Cirencester - Queen Anne's Column, in the park

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: June 1999

Further Comments: Standing against the monument, this young man has been known to talk to members of the public, only to vanish after his first sentence.

Armoured Soldier

Location: Cirencester - Torbarrow (or Tar Barrow) Hill

Type: Legend

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: A couple of local men exploring the hill discovered a secret entrance; they discovered a armour clad fighter concealed inside.

Betty

Location: Cirencester - Betty's Grave, crossroads (Poulton)left at Red Lion Pub on Fairford Road

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: Suffering execution and burial at a crossroads for being a witch, the ghost of Betty has failed to find those who killed her, and wanders lost around the area near her grave.

Old Woman

Location: Cirencester - Black Horse Hotel, Castle Street

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: 1933, signature still visible

Further Comments: An old lady who appeared in a bedroom scratched a signature into the glass window before vanishing.

Faceless Figure

Location: Cirencester - King's Head Hotel

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: Late twentieth century

Further Comments: This ghostly monk has reportedly scared one member of staff into quitting her job, and has upset several members of the public with inopportune manifestation and subsequent disappearing. Another ghost, a cavalier, has also been seen by staff members.

Butler & House

Location: Cold Ashton - Manor House

Type: Environmental Manifestation

Date / Time: 1930s

Further Comments: A lost woman driver stopped at this building and asked the butler for directions, which he gave. However, she soon found out that the house had been empty for many years, and when she returned, found it in a disused state, completely different from when she first called in.

Rider

Location: Compton Abdale - Puesdown Inn

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: A man on horseback, considered to be a highwayman, reportedly haunts this building.

Mistimed

Location: Dursley - Old Bell Hotel, Long Street

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: One witness described being woken by a voice calling out 'Its eight o'clock!', even though it was three in the morning. A phantom monk and a figure resembling a chambermaid have also been spotted within the walls

Town Witches

Location: Fairford - Poulton Crossroads

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: A small group of evil witches are said to have once plagued the town. After they died, they were buried at this crossroads, and their shades now haunt the area.

Bangs in the Upper Area

Location: Gloucester - Ruins of Greyfriars

Type: Poltergeist

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: This spirit is blamed for the slamming of furniture which is heard upstairs.

Bleeding Friar

Location: Gloucester - Blackfriars

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: Seen running down a corridor with a serious head injury, it is not known if the friar died as a result of his wound. Another more common apparition is that of a monk, and he is also blamed for locking doors which are normally left open.

Female Prisoner

Location: Gloucester - Prison

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: This ghost is thought to be a woman who was held in the cells of the nearby abbey - she now appears in the jail and mocks the prisoners. Another story says she was killed by an inmate, and returns to continue her search for him.

Helping Hand

Location: Gloucester - Bishop's House

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: Guests donning their coats as they prepare to leave have felt someone give them a hand - but no one is there as they turn to give thanks.

Hooded Figure

Location: Gloucester - 120 Westgate Street (no longer standing)

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: This ghost was said to stand in the back room of the building, scaring pets and other animals.

Teacher

Location: Gloucester - Former school along Archdeacon Street

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: The building is home to a former teacher who died after falling down a set of steps - he is seen dressed in a black gown and wearing a mortar cap.

Nun holding Child

Location: Gloucester - Former hospital along Tewkesbury Road (no longer standing)

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: The hospital was haunted by both the nun carrying a baby, and the sounds of the child crying. It is said that the woman committed suicide after blaming herself for the death of the infant.

Wispy Monks

Location: Hailes - Hailes Abbey

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: In the dead of night, it is thought that the monks return to the abbey to continue their long forgotten earthly chores. One of these jobs may be protecting their greatest relic - drops of Christ's blood that were carefully stored in a glass container.

Nun

Location: Hanham Abbots - General area

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: The roads of this small village are reportedly haunted by the shade of a nun.

Coach

Location: Horsley - Chavenage Manor, near the town

Type: Crisis Manifestation

Date / Time: During a death in family

Further Comments: The coach, driven by a headless man, arrives just after the death of the manor's owner, where his soul is said to embark. A shadowy figure has also been spotted in parts of the house, vanishing if approached.

Monk

Location: Leonard Stanley - Churchyard

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: Face concealed under a large hood, this shade frequents the graveyard.

Two White Ladies

Location: Littledean - Field near the village bridge

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: This duo of ghostly women were seen walking together on the field, until two buried bodies were accidentally discovered by workmen fixing a nearby road.

Footfalls

Location: Maisemore - White Hart public house

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 1980s

Further Comments: Footsteps have been reported all over the building, though the cellar appears to be the hub of the haunting, with reported banging and the phantom outline of a person seen there.

White Figure Sitting

Location: Nailsworth - Roads east of area

Type: Haunting Manifestation (Kenny Taylor Old Tramp)

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: Perched on a bench (it is unknown whether it is also spectral), the figure waits by the roadside.

Figures in White

Location: Naunton - B4068 near the town

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Woman in 1998, Monk in 2000

Further Comments: This area would appear to be quite haunted; the phantom woman with dark hair seen here vanished after waving to a driver, while a ghostly monk walked out in front of a car travelling at the speed limit - the figure passed straight through the vehicle. More reports exist of a car just losing power along the road, with the occupants claiming invisible water ran over their feet...

Woman in Sleeveless Dress

Location: Naunton - B4068 near town

Type: Unknown Ghost Type

Date / Time: Summer 1998

Further Comments: A Doctor driving down this road pulled over to help a woman who waved his car down, but she vanished without trace as he climbed out of his vehicle. He searched the area but found nothing.

Queen Margaret of Anjou

Location: Owlpen - Owlpen Manor

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 1940's

Further Comments: Last seen by a group of children during World War 2, the wife of Henry VI pines for her dead son Edward. More recently, poltergeist like effects and the sounds of phantom footsteps have been reported, as have the sounds of phantom children.

The Black Abbot

Location: Prestbury - Church and churchyard

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Christmas and Easter (reoccurring)

Further Comments: Keeping to the same route every year, this ghost materialises in the church, before crossing the churchyard and disappearing through a wall in the High Street. It was photographed in 1990 by a Mr Stafford.

Charging Horseman

Location: Prestbury - Shaw Green Lane

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 04 May (reoccurring)

Further Comments: Killed by a Lancastrian arrow in the 1400's, this glowing messenger is doomed to carry his cargo forevermore. Another story says he was decapitated by a thin wire that was placed across the road.

Strangler

Location: Prestbury - Cleeves Corner

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: This ghostly figure supposedly loiters around the area, ready to choke anyone who it takes a disliking to.

Little Old Lady

Location: Prestbury - High Street and Mill Street

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: Several witnesses have seen strange figures drifting in and around these roads, and though differ slightly in appearance, it is suggested that they are all the same entity.

Rising Woman

Location: Redbrook - Swan Pool

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Unknown

Further Comments: A local story says a woman and her young child were murdered near here, and the bodies thrown into the pool. Her shade now rises from the water, holding a crying baby.

Whispering

Location: Shipton Oliffe - Frogmill Inn

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 1940/50

Further Comments: Still considered haunted today, though to a much lesser degree, the inn was home to strange mist and whispering voices. Three ghostly card players once appeared to a guest in one of the rooms.

Footfalls of Charles

Location: Snowshill - Snowshill Manor

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: 1950's onwards?

Further Comments: This building was donated to the National Trust in 1951 by Charles Wade; staff believe that the sounds coming from behind closed doors are those of the former owner, though some think that the haunting predates his death.

Hooded Figure

Location: Snowshill - Snowshill Arms, and priory

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: Haunting both these locations, the figure is widely believed to be a monk. Its presence is believed to upset passing animals.

Pianist

Location: Stow on the Wold - Old Stocks Hotel

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: Twentieth century

Further Comments: The sounds of the piano can sometimes be heard in the building, though the instrument isn't present. The ghost of an aged vicar is also reported here.

Pools of Water

Location: Stow on the Wold - House along Chapen Street

Type: Poltergeist

Date / Time: 1963 - 1964

Further Comments: This pesky entity would create large pools of water throughout the house, with plumbers unable to find any physical cause. It also took to writing on the wall and tearing off the wallpaper.

Outline of Coach

Location: Stroud - Rodborough Common

Type: Haunting Manifestation

Date / Time: