Whitfield Highwayman Ghost
Barrock Hill near Carlisle is home to a rather unsettling ghost story. They say that back in the day, a notorious highwayman named Whitfield met his demise in a most unfortunate way. He was hanged for murder, but the rope wasn't tight enough to finish him off. For several days, poor Whitfield was left dangling, crying and moaning in agony. It was only when a passing coachman heard his pleas and put him out of his misery with a shot that the suffering finally ended. But it seems that Whitfield's spirit didn't rest even then. People claim to still hear his cries for help echoing through the hillside.
Historical records confirm that Whitfield was a real person, a highwayman who operated in the Carlisle area. His crimes were serious enough to warrant a hanging, but it seems that the execution didn't quite go as planned. The fact that he was left to suffer for several days before being put out of his misery by the coachman is a grim reminder of the harsh realities of justice in the past. As for the ghostly apparition, while there's no concrete evidence to prove its existence, the story has become a popular part of local folklore. Visitors to Barrock Hill have reported hearing strange noises, which some believe to be the ghostly cries of Whitfield.
18th century highwayman executed for murder
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Haunted hotels and accommodation near A6

