Handless Doctor Hudson Ghost
Woodcroft Castle in Etton is home to a rather gruesome ghost story. It's said that in 1648, Doctor Michael Hudson was killed by Cromwell's soldiers while trying to escape the castle. But that's not the worst of it - his hands were severed as he attempted to climb down the walls. Now, his handless ghost is said to roam the grounds, a chilling reminder of the brutal events that took place here over 350 years ago.
The English Civil War was a tumultuous time, and Woodcroft Castle was caught up in the conflict. In 1648, the castle was fortified by Royalist supporters, but Cromwell's forces eventually breached the walls. Doctor Michael Hudson, a Royalist sympathiser, was caught and killed during the fighting. His body was mutilated, with his hands cut off as a gruesome trophy. Since then, numerous people have reported seeing his ghostly apparition, a handless figure wandering the castle grounds.
The English Civil War (1642-1651) was a series of conflicts between Royalist supporters of King Charles I and Parliamentarian forces led by Oliver Cromwell.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Choir
, Helpston
In the quaint village of Helpston, Cambridge, a spine-tingling phenomenon has been reported near the Exeter Arms Inn. Residents and visitors alike have claimed to hear the eerie sounds of a ghostly choir, their ethereal voices drifting through the air, sending shivers down the spines of those who have been fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to hear them. This unsettling occurrence is said to have taken place around 1950, leaving many to wonder about the origins of this paranormal activity.
Fiddling
, Helpston
Helpston's Langley Bush Road was once a spot to avoid after dark, travellers steered clear due to a very unusual haunting. The sound of a wildly played fiddle echoed through the area, making it a place of unease. This wasn't just any ordinary road, it had a grim history too - a gibbet once stood there, before being moved closer to the local inn. The fiddle's mournful tunes seemed to fill the space left by its dark past.
Romans
, Helpston
Deep in the countryside of Cambridgeshire lies Swaddywell Pit, a site steeped in paranormal history. Locals have long reported strange occurrences here, but one of the most fascinating is the eerie sounds of unseen Roman soldiers clashing in battle. The air seems to vibrate with the cries of warriors and the clash of steel on steel, yet there's no visible sign of the combatants. It's as if the very atmosphere is alive with the echoes of a long-forgotten fight.
Phantom Horse and Carriage
Sutton Heath Road, Peterborough
Sutton Heath Road in Peterborough is home to a rather unusual ghostly sighting. One evening, a man was driving along this road when he witnessed a horse and carriage emerge from a bush on the right-hand side. The carriage was being driven by a figure, who proceeded to cross the road ahead of our witness. The driver was so taken aback by what he had seen that he stopped his vehicle, hardly believing his eyes.
The Face of Castor
Unidentified house, Castor
In the quiet village of Castor, a most unsettling occurrence took place in a house that has long since been forgotten. Servants working in the residence reported hearing the unmistakable sound of footsteps and the rustling of a silken dress as it descended a staircase. They naturally assumed it was their mistress, but when they went to attend to her, they discovered she had not left her room for some time. The atmosphere in the house was already charged with an air of unease, and it was only a short while later that one of the servants exclaimed, 'Oh, I see a face!' before falling ill and dying under mysterious circumstances.
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.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Woodcroft Castle

The Bull Hotel
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

The Haycock Manor Hotel
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

The Bell Inn
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Ye Olde Griffin Hotel
March, Cambridgeshire