Mysterious Turning Headstone
Standing tall on the windswept landscape of Hallam Moors is a six metre high stone, affectionately known as Turn Around or Stump John. This ancient monolith has garnered a reputation for its alleged supernatural ability - it supposedly turns over when it hears the crowing of a cockerel. The stone's unusual behaviour has sparked curiosity among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike, who are drawn to its mystique and the eerie atmosphere of the moors.
The origins of the stone and its peculiar legend remain shrouded in mystery. While there's no concrete evidence pinpointing the exact date of its construction or the source of its mythical power, the stone remains a fascinating piece of Derbyshire's folklore. Its ability to turn, if indeed it does, would make it a remarkable example of a supposedly animate object reacting to a specific auditory stimulus. The stone still stands today, a testament to the enduring nature of local legend and the human fascination with the unexplained.
The stone's history is intertwined with local folklore.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Phantom Farmer of Bamford
Bridge, Bamford
Bamford Bridge in Derbyshire is home to a rather unusual ghostly resident. A phantom farmer carrying a lantern has been spotted here, although it's been a good hundred years since the last reported sighting. The story goes that this spectral farmer just appears, lantern in hand, with no clear explanation as to what he's doing or where he's headed. Some think he might be a lost soul, searching for something or someone, while others believe he could be a residual haunting, a kind of psychic imprint left on the location.
The Hairy Man of Ladybower
A57, Ladybower Reservoir
Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire is known for its stunning scenery and tranquil atmosphere but it also has a strange reputation thanks to a bizarre sighting. In 1991 a family claimed to have seen a creature standing almost two and a half metres tall and covered in long brown hair. They were watching from the roadside when a passing car scared the figure off and it vanished into the nearby woodland. This creature has become known as the Hairy Man and its appearance has been likened to a mythical beast.
Phantom Horse and Cart
A6013, Ladybower Reservoir
Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire is home to a rather unusual ghostly sighting. A motorcyclist had a close encounter with a phantom horse and cart on the A6013 road that runs alongside the reservoir. The cyclist saw a horse pulling a cart with a high back and sides being led by a man holding a large whip. As the cyclist slowed down to overtake the cart, he was momentarily blinded by an approaching car. When his vision returned to normal, the cart had vanished into thin air.
Ghostly Horse and Rider
Fields around Brookfield Manor, Hathersage
In the rolling hills of Hathersage, Derbyshire, a peculiar sighting has been reported on misty autumn mornings. The fields around Brookfield Manor seem to be the haunt of a ghostly horse and rider, which appear to gallop across the landscape on atmospheric mornings. The exact nature of this apparition remains a mystery, but its presence is said to be weather-dependent, only manifesting when the mist is thick and the air is crisp.
The Pale Woman of Moorseats
Moorseats Hall, Hathersage
Moorseats Hall in Hathersage is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. This Derbyshire country house has been witness to the strange apparition of a pale woman who is said to roam the orchard. What's fascinating about this spectre is that she reportedly takes on the form of whoever is currently residing in the hall. Imagine catching a glimpse of a ghostly figure that looks uncannily like the current owner or occupant - it's a chilling thought. The hall has also been associated with another phantom that haunts a bedroom, often asking guests in the darkness if everything is okay.
The White Lady of Hathersage
Vicarage, Hathersage
In the quaint village of Hathersage, nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, a mysterious phenomenon has been observed for centuries. The vicarage, a seemingly ordinary residence, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a white lady. Although it's been around a hundred years since the phantom was last seen, locals still whisper about the unexplained occurrence that takes place on one night each year, on February 28th. On this evening, a single door in the vicarage is said to open by itself, a strange event that has been documented for years.