The Tragic Lady of Arbourfield
Arbourfield Hall, a once grand estate in Berkshire, now lies in ruin, but its grounds are said to be haunted by the restless spirit of a woman. Her story is one of heartbreak and tragedy. The hall's owner, it seems, had jilted her, leaving her with no choice but to take her own life. According to local legend, she met her demise under a nearby oak or yew tree, where she slit her own throat in a desperate cry for help. This sorrowful event has left an indelible mark on the site, and many claim to have seen her ghostly apparition wandering the grounds.
Digging deeper into the past, we find that there are variations of this haunting tale. Another account suggests that the woman was not just a lovelorn victim of circumstance but was actually murdered by a jealous butler. This jealous act was supposedly sparked by her intended marriage to the gardener. Whatever the truth may be, the site of Arbourfield Hall has become synonymous with this ghostly woman, and her presence is said to be felt by many who visit. While there are no concrete records of the event, the persistence of this legend speaks to the enduring power of the story.
The estate has a history dating back several centuries.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Butt Ghost of Ginge Manor
Manor House, Ginge
Ginge Manor in Berkshire is home to a rather unusual ghost known affectionately as Butt or Tubb. This phantom is said to be the spirit of a brother who lost his life in a fierce fight with his sibling. The story goes that the first Lord Ernle had a vivid dream about two men clashing, which may have been a glimpse into the paranormal activity that was to come. Although Lord Ernle never actually encountered the ghost himself, the legend of Butt has endured.
Dunn's Crossroads Ghost
Three crossroads, Kirkbean
Kirkbean's rural landscape holds a dark secret at a spot where three roads converge. Locals whisper about the restless spirit of a young stableman named Dunn, whose life was cut short in mysterious circumstances. His body was discovered at this very crossroads, sparking a heated debate about the true nature of his death. While the law concluded that Dunn took his own life, many believe he was brutally murdered by the brother of a woman he loved. This tragic event has left an indelible mark on the location, with numerous reports of Dunn's ghostly apparition and a white lady, said to be his lost love.
Molly Tape
Road between village and Hinton, Tape Lane , Hurst
Tape Lane in Hurst, Berkshire, is home to a rather eerie and intriguing ghost story. This lane has witnessed a number of unexplained occurrences over the years, but one of the most bizarre and enduring is that of the Molly Tape ghost. The story goes that a young woman, heartbroken after a disastrous romantic engagement with a local farmer, took her own life by hanging herself from a tree in the lane. It's said that she appeared to locals and travellers alike, drifting down the road, clad in very little, and this apparition became known as the Molly Tape ghost.
Ghostly Light Aircraft Sighting
Skies around Woodley Aerodrome, Woodley
The skies around Woodley Aerodrome are said to be home to a ghostly apparition - a light aircraft that materialises on foggy nights. This eerie sighting has been reported by numerous individuals over the years, leaving many to wonder about the story behind this phantom plane. The aerodrome itself has a history dating back to the early days of aviation, but it was closed in 1959, leaving behind a legacy of memories and, apparently, a lingering presence.
Searching Father Apparition
Road along Sandford Mill, Woodley
Along the quiet stretch of Sandford Mill Road in Woodley, Berkshire, a strange and poignant phenomenon has been observed. A glowing light has been seen drifting across the road and floating into the trees. This eerie apparition is said to belong to a long-dead father, forever searching for his daughter who tragically drowned in the nearby lake. The site, now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), seems to hold a deep and abiding sorrow, one that transcends the boundaries between life and death.
Pale Horse Hotel Ghost
Royal Ascot Hotel, Ascot
The Royal Ascot Hotel in Ascot, Berkshire, has a rather unusual and intriguing ghost story attached to it. Back in 1964, workmen were busy demolishing the hotel, which was eventually replaced by a roundabout along the Bracknell Road. It was during this demolition process that they reported some pretty strange occurrences. Apparently, they caught glimpses of a phantom pale horse and heard disembodied footsteps echoing down empty corridors. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, isn't it? What could this ghostly horse and those footsteps possibly be connected to?
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Arbourfield Hall

Easthampstead Park
Bracknell, Berkshire

The Bull at Wargrave
Wargrave, Berkshire

Best Western The George Hotel
Pangbourne, Berkshire
The Hind's Head
Aldermaston, Berkshire