Site of a former plantation on the River Stour, Christchurch

The River Stour in Christchurch, Dorset, is a place of eerie tranquility, its serene waters and lush surroundings belying a strange occurrence that took place back in 1931. It was here, in a marshland area roughly a mile north of the town, that people began to hear the unmistakable sound of oars dipping into the water. The odd thing was, the shallow water made it impossible for any boat to navigate the area, let alone row through it. The sound seemed to emanate from the marshland itself, leaving many to wonder what could be causing it.

Area around Place Mill, Christchurch

Christchurch's Place Mill area has a reputation for being haunted, and at the heart of it all is the ghostly apparition of a lady wearing a long, old-fashioned dress with a bonnet. This eerie sighting has been reported near the mill and the adjacent quay, leaving many to wonder about the story behind this phantom woman. Some believe the tale may have originated from an old photograph featuring a woman blurred by a long exposure, but the image has become synonymous with the area's paranormal activity.

Millhams Lane, Bournemouth

Millhams Lane and the surrounding Longham area are said to be haunted by a ghostly presence, known as the White Lady. This phantom is reportedly a woman who was killed in a tragic accident involving a horse and trap along the road. The story goes that she appears as a white or grey figure, and some claim she tries to entice men to jump off the nearby bridge. The exact circumstances of her death are unclear, but her spirit is said to reappear every February, a sighting that has been reported for many years.

Skies above and off coast, Christchurch

Christchurch has long been associated with a terrifying legend from the medieval period. In the early 12th century, a monstrous creature emerged from the sea and took to the skies, wreaking havoc on the town. The beast, described as a five-headed dragon, was said to have destroyed the local church and many surrounding houses, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The event was documented by the third abbot of Saint Martin of Tournai, providing a rare glimpse into the town's paranormal history.

Pokesdown area, Bournemouth

Pokesdown, a suburb of Bournemouth, has a name that hints at a mystical past. The area was once known as Puck's Down or Fairy Down, a name that has been corrupted over time. While the reason for this name has been lost to history, it's clear that the area has a unique and intriguing heritage. The name Puck, after all, is associated with mischievous spirits in English folklore, often linked to the supernatural and the fae.

Billsdown Poultry Farm, St Ives

Billsdown Poultry Farm in St Ives, Dorset, is home to a rather unusual ghostly sighting. Back in 1976, a farmer or farmhand made a startling discovery on the wall of an asbestos hen house. The grey stains on the wall had formed an uncanny image - the head and shoulders of Christ on a cross. It's not clear who exactly spotted the apparition or what their reaction was, but it's certainly a strange and intriguing phenomenon that has been documented as a paranormal occurrence.