The Bowler Hat Ghost
The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery in Bedford is home to a rather stylish ghost - a man dressed in 1930s attire, complete with a bowler hat. This phantom is just one of several entities said to haunt the building, which also includes another man in a dark suit and a stable boy who likes to walk around the library. The gallery has a reputation for minor poltergeist activity, making it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the paranormal.
Built in the late nineteenth century, the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery has a rich history that may be connected to its ghostly inhabitants. The building has undergone several transformations over the years, but its past as a museum and art gallery has remained a constant. While there arent many details about the specific sightings, the presence of multiple ghosts suggests that the gallery may have been a hub of activity in the past. The fact that the ghosts are seen in different parts of the building, including the library, adds to the mystery.
The Cecil Higgins Art Gallery was built in the late nineteenth century and has served as a museum and art gallery.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Nun's Ghostly Apparition
Sister's House, Bedford
Sister's House in Bedford has a reputation for paranormal activity, centred around a former nunnery adjacent to St Luke's church. The building is now owned by Pilgrim's Housing Association. In 1997, a male staff member had a startling experience. He was woken in the middle of the night as someone sat on the end of his bed. Raising his head to see who had entered the room, he was shocked to see a nun sitting at the end of his bedcovers. The nun then stood up and walked through the bedroom wall, leaving the staff member stunned and bewildered.
Ghost of the King's Arms
King's Arms Public House, Bedford
The King's Arms Public House in Bedford is home to a rather intriguing ghost. This young looking spectre is said to roam the premises, leaving many to wonder about its identity and the story behind its haunting presence. Built on the site of a former morgue, it's little surprise that the pub is haunted by the ghost of a young man. With several potential candidates for the source of the haunting, the mystery remains unsolved.
Lady Snagge Ghostly Apparition
Ladies Walk, Kempston
Ladies Walk in Kempston is a tranquil spot with a dark history. The ghostly Lady Snagge is said to haunt this lane, her ethereal form gliding effortlessly along the pavement. Some believe she's not alone; the phantom of a young woman is also reported to roam these parts, mourning the loss of her boyfriend during the tumultuous Civil War. The exact date of these sightings remains a mystery, but the enduring legend of Lady Snagge continues to fascinate locals and visitors alike.
Kempston Manor Ghostly Coach
Kempston Manor, Kempston
Kempston Manor, a grand Bedfordshire estate, is said to be haunted by the ghostly sounds of a tragic Christmas past. Every year on Christmas Day, the sound of horse's hooves and a child's screams echoes through the manor's empty halls. This unsettling phenomenon is said to commemorate the anniversary of a young child's fatal accident. The child, eager to meet his parents who were returning home for Christmas in a horse-drawn coach, ran out of the manor and was tragically struck by the horses.
The Witch of Wilden
Road between Wilden and Ravensden, Wilden
The road between Wilden and Ravensden in Bedfordshire is home to a phantom old woman, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the ghost of Willesden. This spectral figure, dressed in black, is said to haunt the route that connects her former village to the neighbouring one. Her face is described as pure malevolence, striking fear into the hearts of those who claim to have seen her. The last reported sighting was by a mother and daughter, who spotted her gliding along a grass verge.
The Heavy Horse of Thurleigh
Field along Thurleigh Road, Milton Ernest
Imagine walking down a deserted country road on a dark night, the only sound being the crunch of gravel beneath your feet. This was the experience of a lone hunter who was out searching for rabbits in a field along Thurleigh Road, Milton Ernest. Armed with just a torch, he was startled to hear and feel the thunder of hooves approaching. The air seemed to vibrate with the weight of a horse's pounding, yet when he shone his light in every direction, there was nothing to be seen. The horse appeared to run right past him, but the hunter was left with an unsettling sense of mystery.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Cecil Higgins Art Gallery

The Knife & Cleaver
Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire

The White Hart
Ampthill, Bedfordshire

Flitwick Manor Hotel
Flitwick, Bedfordshire

Cromwell Hotel
Stevenage, Hertfordshire