Phantom Headless Coach
In the sleepy Essex town of Audley End, a spine-tingling spectacle has been reported by locals and travellers alike. A phantom coach, eerily driven by a headless coachman, is said to depart from the Lions Gate and rattle its way through the local streets until it reaches the B1383. This ghostly procession has been a part of local folklore for years, leaving many to wonder about the origins of this bizarre apparition.
Historical records show that the area around Audley End has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The phantom coach is just one of many reported paranormal sightings in the area. While there's no concrete evidence to explain the phenomenon, witnesses consistently describe the coach and its headless driver. The route taken by the phantom coach is said to be a regular one, suggesting a possible connection to a past event or location.
17th century history
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Cromwell's Ghostly Footsteps
Cross Keys Public House, Saffron Walden
The Cross Keys Public House in Saffron Walden is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. On Christmas Eve, around 23:00h, patrons and staff have reported hearing the sound of heavy footsteps marching up and down a passageway. The noise is said to be quite loud and can be unsettling for those who aren't expecting it. According to local legend, the footsteps belong to a soldier of Oliver Cromwell's army. It's a strange and intriguing phenomenon that has been occurring for years, leaving many to wonder about the history behind it.
The Shrinking Woman of Saffron Walden
Bridge in South Road, Saffron Walden
Imagine walking across a quiet bridge in Saffron Walden on a dark night, only to be confronted with a bizarre and unsettling sight. That's exactly what happened to two friends in September 2002. As they strolled along South Road, they noticed a woman standing at the top of the bridge. She appeared to be an unusual 3 metres tall, but as she began to walk towards them, something strange occurred - she started to shrink before their very eyes. Within seconds, she had diminished to a more normal height of about 1.6 metres. The witnesses didn't stick around to find out what would happen next, quickly making a run for it.
Ghostly USAAF Pilot Sighting
B1052, Saffron Walden
On a quiet stretch of road in Essex, a rather unusual ghostly encounter took place back in November 1993. A woman driving along the B1052 between Saffron Walden and Hadstock reported a very unexpected passenger in the back seat of her car. It was the ghost of a USAAF pilot who had died fifty years earlier in a flying accident. The pilot's plane had crashed on that very spot, and it seems his spirit lingered, manifesting exactly five decades after his tragic death.
Nelly's Chilling Hill House Haunting
Hill House in the High Street, Saffron Walden
Hill House in Saffron Walden stands as a testament to the town's rich history, but it's also home to a rather unsettling presence. A teenage maid named Nelly is said to have met her untimely demise within these very walls back in the mid-1800s, freezing to death in the cold. Her spirit, however, seems to have lingered, with reports of her ghostly form wandering the corridors, accompanied by a sudden chill in the air. Those who claim to have encountered Nelly describe a sharp drop in temperature whenever she's near, as if the very presence of this young maid sends shivers down the spines of those around her.
Cockatrice of Saffron Walden
Exact location unknown, Saffron Walden
In the quaint town of Saffron Walden, Essex, a legendary creature known as the Cockatrice was said to have taken up residence. This medieval beast, with its deadly gaze, was rumoured to have been roaming the countryside, striking fear into the hearts of locals. According to folklore, the Cockatrice was eventually defeated by a brave man clad in mirrored armour, cleverly turning its deadly stare back on itself. While the exact location of this encounter remains a mystery, the tale has become an integral part of Saffron Walden's rich history.
Saffron Walden Poltergeist
Farm of Big Bill Campbell, Saffron Walden
In the quaint town of Saffron Walden, Essex, a rather unusual poltergeist was said to have made its presence known at the farm of Canadian entertainer Big Bill Campbell. This entity, which was reportedly friendly, had a peculiar habit of slamming doors, much to the surprise of those living on the farm. According to Campbell's seven-year-old daughter, the phantom meant no harm and was quite harmless. The entity was known to roam the site, slamming doors as it went about its business.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Audley End Road & Chestnut Avenue.

Down Hall Hotel
Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire

The Green Man
Harlow, Essex

Cromwell Hotel
Stevenage, Hertfordshire