The Victorian Boy of Bakewell
St Anselm's School in picturesque Bakewell, Derbyshire, is home to a most intriguing ghostly presence. During a social event at the school, a group of guests were photographed by a master on the steps in the garden. But when the photograph was developed, a surprising and unexplained figure appeared. A boy dressed in Victorian clothing was standing with the guests, although no one could recall him being there at the time of the photo. The identity and origins of this phantom boy remain a mystery.
The mid-twentieth century was a time of great change and upheaval, but it's unclear exactly when this photograph was taken. What's certain is that the image has become a famous example of a ghostly apparition in British paranormal folklore. The fact that multiple people were present when the photo was taken, yet none of them remember the boy being there, adds to the enigma. While we can't say for certain what connection the boy has to the school, his presence in the photograph has been the subject of much speculation and debate.
St Anselm's School has a long history in Bakewell, serving the local community for generations.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Bakewell Castle Hill Ghost
Castle Hill, Bakewell
Castle Hill in Bakewell is home to a boarding house with a dark history. It's said that Jim Marlowe, a butler, took his own life one Friday night in the very building. He couldn't take the nagging from his wife anymore and chose a drastic way out, shooting himself in a room upstairs. Now, locals claim to hear his footsteps every Friday, coming from the pantry and heading up the stairs to the room where he died. It's a haunting that happens every week, like clockwork.
Lavender Lady Ghost at Rutland Arms Hotel
Rutland Arms Hotel, Bakewell, Bakewell
The Rutland Arms Hotel in Bakewell, Derbyshire, is a historic hotel with a long history of paranormal activity. Guests have reported encountering the spirit of a well-dressed lady who appears to be connected to the early 19th century. One of the most common reports is the sudden and inexplicable scent of lavender perfume.
Phantom Tobacco Smoke Haunting Rutland Arms Hotel
The Rutland Arms Hotel, Bakewell
The Rutland Arms Hotel in the charming town of Bakewell has a mysterious reputation for phantom tobacco smoke. Staff and visitors have reported catching whiffs of cigarette smoke even when no one is around to light up. The strange odour seems to be just that – an apparition without any visible source. It's as if the spirits of former smokers are still clinging to their beloved habit, leaving behind a ghostly reminder of times past.
The Twelve Pallbearers of Ashford
Shady Lane, Ashford in the Water
In the sleepy village of Ashford in the Water, nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, a chilling apparition has been spotted by locals and travellers alike. The ghostly procession, known as the Twelve Pallbearers, is said to make its way along Shady Lane, near the historic Thornbridge Hall. This eerie sighting features twelve men, eerily headless, carrying an empty coffin - a spectral entourage that seems to be waiting for any brave soul who dares to bear witness.
Mysterious Lamb Killings Yorkshire
Farms in the area, Denby Dale
Denby Dale in Yorkshire was the scene of a bizarre series of events in the summer of 2000 when several sheep were savaged on local farms. A large black cat was blamed for the killings after one farmer spotted the big feline skulking around on his land. The incident left many in the rural community shaken and wondering what kind of animal was responsible for the brutal attacks.
Twelve Headless Men of Great Longstone
Shady Lane, Great Longstone
Shady Lane in Great Longstone is a rural road that winds its way through the picturesque Derbyshire countryside. It's here that a rather unsettling ghostly procession is said to take place. The apparition consists of twelve headless men who carry an empty coffin through the lane. According to local legend, the coffin is ominously intended for whoever crosses paths with the ghostly entourage. The origins of this haunting are shrouded in mystery, but the image of these headless men and their empty coffin has become an enduring part of local folklore.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near St Anselm's School
