Skip to main content

The White Swan Airman

Roads around the White Swan Pub, Newbury, Berkshire Apparition World War I

On the roads around Newbury in Berkshire, a rather eerie encounter took place back in 1955. A driver and his passenger were driving along when they spotted a First World War airman walking by the roadside. He was dressed in his uniform and looked like he had just flown in from a mission. The driver, being a kind soul, stopped to offer the airman a ride but when they looked again, he had vanished into thin air. They were so shaken by the experience that they decided to pop into the nearby White Swan Pub to gather their thoughts and share their story with the locals.

Historical records show that the White Swan Pub has been a staple in Newbury for centuries, and it's possible that the airman's ghost has been a regular visitor for just as long. The locals seemed to know more about the airman than they were letting on, but they weren't keen to share any information. This has led to much speculation about the airman's identity and how he died. Some believe he might have been a pilot who crashed in the area during the war, while others think he might have been a local hero who died on his way home from a mission.

Historical Context

The White Swan Pub has been a Newbury landmark for centuries, dating back to the 16th century.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Public House
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Circa 1955
Postcode Area
RG14

Nearby Haunted Places

Legend 0.6 mi

Cursed Barrows of Whitchurch

Unidentified barrows, Whitchurch

Deep in the Berkshire countryside lies the mysterious site of Whitchurch's ancient barrows, a place steeped in local legend and shrouded in an aura of unease. For generations, it's been said that earthworks here, once believed to have supported a castle, are cursed and can't be levelled. This eerie reputation has persisted, leaving many to wonder if there's truth behind the whispers. What we do know is that these barrows have stood the test of time, their earthworks still visible, though their current state remains a mystery.

Ancient Barrows Victorian
Read Full Story
Cryptozoology 1.1 mi

Mysterious Creature of Curridge

Passageway behind the Women's Institute Hall, Curridge

Deep in the heart of rural Berkshire, a bizarre sighting took place in the sleepy town of Curridge. It's here, in a nondescript passageway behind the Women's Institute Hall, that a rather unusual creature was spotted by a local resident. Don Prater, out walking his dog in October 2012, caught a glimpse of something that left him scratching his head. He described it as a sixty centimetre tall, long-necked creature with a deer-like head, a swan-like neck, and a bushy tail. The whole thing was quite dark or grey in colour, and rather surprisingly, it bore a resemblance to an alpaca - although none were known to be in the area.

Public Passageway Modern
Read Full Story
Apparition 1.9 mi

The Distort Girl of Chieveley

Village well, Chieveley

Deep in the heart of Chieveley village lies a well with a dark and tragic history. This ancient well has been the site of a heartbreaking tale of love, loss, and ultimately, a devastating act of despair. A young girl, overcome with grief, took her own life in the well after learning of the tragic fate of her lover and father, both killed in a brutal Civil War battle. To this day, the sound of her sorrowful cries can still be heard echoing from the well, a haunting reminder of the devastating consequences of war.

Village Well Civil War
Read Full Story
Environmental 2.4 mi

Edwardian Dinner Party Ghosts

Unnamed Georgian House, Hare Hatch

Imagine walking into a room and finding yourself in the midst of a bygone era. This is what happened to a woman staying in a spare room on the ground floor of an unnamed Georgian house in Hare Hatch, Berkshire. She was suddenly face to face with a dinner party, complete with guests dressed in Edwardian attire. The diners looked at her in surprise, and then vanished into thin air. It turned out that the spare room was once part of the dining room, adding a poignant layer to the encounter.

Private Residence Edwardian
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.7 mi

The Drifting Figure of Hampstead Norreys

Churchyard, Hampstead Norreys

Hampstead Norreys Churchyard is a place where the veil between worlds seems remarkably thin. This tranquil spot has been home to a most unsettling phenomenon - a figure known as Old Tanner. Described as drifting amongst the gravestones, this ghostly presence has left many a visitor with a lasting impression. The exact date and time of these sightings remain a mystery, but one thing is certain: those who have encountered Old Tanner have not forgotten the experience.

Churchyard Medieval
Read Full Story
Apparition 3.2 mi

The Woman in Silk Haunting

Old Rectory, Yattendon

The Old Rectory in Yattendon, Berkshire, is home to a rather intriguing ghost story. A phantom woman, dressed in a black or grey silken dress, would materialise during house parties, causing quite a stir among the guests. This ghostly apparition became a regular feature of social gatherings at the rectory, until she was eventually exorcised. The woman in silk remains a fascinating figure, with her presence adding a touch of the unknown to the rectory's history.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Roads around the White Swan Pub