The Dashing Woman of Peterborough
On a clear day, just north of Peterborough on the A1, a driver and his wife were overtaking a lorry at 70mph when they saw a woman in 1950s clothing dash in front of their car, carrying a bag, and make a beeline for the central reservation. The driver didn't have time to slow down but miraculously didn't hit the woman. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. This bizarre incident happened back in 1995 and has left many questions unanswered.
Historically, the A1 has been a major route for decades, and it's not uncommon for roads to have ghostly apparitions. The dashing woman seems to be a classic case of a residual haunting, where the spirit appears to relive a moment over and over. Witness accounts like this one, though rare, provide valuable insight into the paranormal activity that might be occurring in an area. The fact that there were two witnesses adds credibility to the sighting.
The A1 has been a significant route since the 1950s.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Cowgate Body Snatchers Haunting
Cowgate, Peterborough
Cowgate in Peterborough is a street with a dark history. Once the site of a cemetery, it's said that body snatchers removed earthly remains from the area. Some people claim that the spirits of those whose bodies were taken still linger. They are often referred to as the Snatchers. While not many people report paranormal activity, those who do share similar stories of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences. The area's history is steeped in tragedy and loss, which may contribute to the reported hauntings.
Bull Hotel Ghosts in Peterborough
The Bull Hotel, Peterborough
The Bull Hotel is said to be haunted by residual energy. In the bar, visitors have reported feeling cold spots and experiencing an eerie presence as if someone brushed past them. Some staff members claim to hear keys jangling even when no one is there. One room in particular has been reported to have muddy pawprints on the bedding - a strange phenomenon considering it's built above where a pet dog was run over and killed years ago.
Peterborough Cathedral Ghostly Choir
Cathedral, Peterborough
Peterborough Cathedral is home to a multitude of paranormal activity, with reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained sounds. The cathedral's choir is said to be haunted by the sounds of an invisible choir, while phantom monks have been spotted in the graveyard. One particularly intriguing account tells of a monk who vanished through a closed side doorway. The atmosphere is thick with history and an air of mystery, making it a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts.
Peterborough Poltergeist Haunting
House along Mayor's Walk, Peterborough
On Mayor's Walk in Peterborough, a most unsettling series of events took place back in 1891. It started in December of that year and carried on until January 1892. People living in the house experienced bedsheets being thrown onto the floor, doors being violently shaken, and loud crashing sounds that made it seem like parts of the house were falling down. Yet, when they checked, everything seemed to be in order. It was as if the house itself was protesting, but in a way that left no visible damage.
Giggling Child Ghost
Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough
Deep in the heart of Peterborough, the Queensgate Shopping Centre stands as a hub of modern retail and commerce. Yet, as the crowds dissipate and the centre closes its doors, an unsettling atmosphere settles over the empty corridors. It's here, in the still of the night, that the unmistakable sound of a young child's giggles echoes through the deserted halls, sending shivers down the spines of those who've been lucky ��� or unlucky ��� enough to hear it. The laughter is often accompanied by the faint, disembodied sound of footsteps, as if the child is playfully wandering the empty centre.
The Pale Lady of Orton Hall
Orton Hall Hotel, Peterborough
Orton Hall Hotel has stood for many years, silently bearing witness to the hustle and bustle of Peterborough. It's here that a rather intriguing sighting has been reported - a phantom white lady, seen wandering the building by both staff and visitors. The lady in question appears as a ghostly figure, dressed in white, and her presence is as elusive as it is captivating. While details of her appearances are scarce, the consistency of these sightings suggests there may be more to this ghostly figure than mere rumour.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near A1 north of Peterborough

The Bull Hotel
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

The Bell Inn
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

The Haycock Manor Hotel
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Ye Olde Griffin Hotel
March, Cambridgeshire