Skip to main content

Gibbeted Ghost of Threlkeld

Sawrey Casey, Threlkeld, Cumbria Apparition 17th Century

Sawrey Casey in Threlkeld, Cumbria, is a spot where the dark history of the area comes alive in a rather unsettling way. It's here that Thomas Lancaster, a man found guilty of poisoning several members of his wife's family along with a servant, met his grim end. In 1671, Lancaster was hanged from his own doorway at Hye Wrey, and then his body was gibbeted at Sawrey Casey. The gruesome display of his corpse was meant as a warning, but it seems his presence didn't fade away even after his body was taken down. People started reporting sightings of him still hanging from the gibbet, a haunting spectacle that has become a part of local folklore.

The story of Thomas Lancaster is one of the more notorious cases of poisoning in English history. His crimes were committed in the late 17th century, a time when the penalties for such acts were severe. The fact that Lancaster's body was gibbeted - a form of post-mortem punishment where the corpse is left hanging in a metal cage as a deterrent - indicates the seriousness with which his crimes were viewed. Even so, it seems his spirit didn't rest. The reports of his ghostly apparition at Sawrey Casey suggest that his presence still lingers, a chilling reminder of the brutal fate that awaited those who committed such heinous crimes in the past.

Historical Context

Late 17th century England, a time of severe penalties for crimes

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Historic Gibbet Site
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1671 onwards
Postcode Area
CA12

Nearby Haunted Places

Legend 0 mi

The Teleporting Skull of Threlkeld

Threlkeld Place, Threlkeld

Threlkeld Place in Cumbria is home to a rather unusual legend about a skull that just wouldn't stay away. The story goes that the property owners, at some point, decided to get rid of the skull but it kept coming back. They tried disposing of it several times but it somehow always managed to return to its spot. Eventually, they gave up and bricked it up behind a wall, presumably hoping that would put an end to the strange occurrences. But what makes this skull so special that it refused to be parted from its home?

Private Residence Unknown
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.4 mi

The Radiant Boy of Corby Castle

Corby Castle, Corby

Corby Castle stands tall in the Cumbrian landscape, its ancient stones bearing witness to centuries of history and, some say, a healthy dose of the paranormal. It's here that the ghostly figure of the Radiant Boy has been spotted, a child with golden hair who glows like an angel. He's a morning apparition, usually seen at the crack of dawn, and his presence is said to bring a mixed blessing - those who see him are allegedly granted wealth and power, but also cursed with a violent death. It's a pretty unnerving prospect, and one that's understandably captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

Castle Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 2.4 mi

The Gilsland Boy Apparition

Triermain Castle, Gilsland

Triermain Castle stands as a haunting reminder of a tragic past, its stone walls bearing witness to the fleeting presence of a young boy who met his demise on the snow-covered common nearby. The boy's spirit is said to manifest as a shivering form, often seen near the castle walls, and on rare occasions, he'll reach out and grab unsuspecting passersby. This chilling encounter is believed to foretell the witness's impending death, with the area of the body touched being the primary site of fatality. It's a poignant and unsettling phenomenon that has left many to ponder the circumstances surrounding the boy's untimely death.

Castle Pre-Victorian
Read Full Story
Poltergeist 2.4 mi

Kendal Castle Dairy Poltergeist

Castle Dairy, Kendal

Castle Dairy in Kendal has a reputation for being one of the town's most haunted locations. This building, now a restaurant, has been the site of numerous paranormal occurrences. Footsteps echo through the staircase, picture frames fall from the walls, and heavy doors swing open unaided. Customers have reported some pretty frightening experiences, including a butter knife being thrown at one diner and another being grabbed around the neck by an unseen force. The Roman Road Room seems to be a hotspot for activity, where the ghostly apparitions of three men smoking have been spotted.

Historic Restaurant Unknown
Read Full Story
Legend 2.4 mi

Mysterious Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick

Castlerigg Stone Circle stands shrouded in mystery, its ancient stones bearing witness to the whispers of the past. This Neolithic circle, nestled in the rolling hills of Cumbria, has a peculiar reputation - its stones seem to defy accurate counting. Some claim there are 32, others 34, but the true number remains elusive. As you wander through the circle, the atmosphere is palpable, and the stones seem to loom over you, their secrets locked within their weathered facades.

Ancient Monument Neolithic
Read Full Story
Unknown 2.9 mi

Sleeping Place

, Blencathra

Blencathra, also known as Saddleback, is a mountain in the English Lake District with a legend that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. Concealed under its peak, a story has been passed down through the ages that King Arthur and his troops lie sleeping, waiting for the day when Britain needs them most. This mythical tale has become an integral part of the region's folklore, drawing in those interested in the paranormal and the rich history of Cumbria.

Mountain Medieval
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Sawrey Casey