The Cross Keys Hotel - Cromwellian Soldier Apparition
The Cross Keys Hotel in Saffron Walden has a long history of paranormal activity. One of the most famous stories is about a spectral man who runs down a dead-end passage on Christmas Eve. According to some versions of the tale, he is a Cromwellian soldier. His footsteps are said to make the ceiling shake, causing quite a commotion in this historic inn. Visitors have reported seeing all sorts of ghostly apparitions, including a black shadow, flashing lights, and even a cavalier.
The Cross Keys Hotel has its roots dating back to the medieval period. During the English Civil War, it's said that Oliver Cromwell himself visited Saffron Walden. While there's no concrete evidence of this visit, it's possible that his presence still lingers in the hotel. The building itself has been renovated and expanded over the centuries, but its original charm remains intact. Today, visitors can experience the hotel's rich history while enjoying a relaxing stay or a spooky encounter with the paranormal.
The Cross Keys Hotel has its roots in the medieval period, with possible connections to Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Mysterious Large Cat Sighting
Near Capel Hill Golf Course, Braintree
Deep in the Essex countryside, near the popular Capel Hill Golf Course in Braintree, a bizarre sighting has left many scratching their heads. In May 1996, a group of walkers stumbled upon a large cat roaming freely in the area. The creature's appearance was unmistakable, and its presence has sparked curiosity among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. While there's no concrete evidence to explain the cat's origins, its impact on the community has been significant.
Cressing Church Organ Music
Church, Cressing
The quaint village of Cressing in Essex is home to a rather intriguing haunting at its local church. During the winter months of 1949 and 1950, several locals reported hearing the church organ playing, despite the church being locked and dark. The eerie music seemed to emanate from within the church, leaving many to wonder about the identity of the phantom musician. This unexplained phenomenon has become a fascinating footnote in the village's history, with the church's organ music continuing to captivate the imagination of locals and visitors alike.
Ghostly Cyclist of Braintree
Road near Faulkbourne Hall, Braintree
On the winding roads near Faulkbourne Hall, south of Braintree, a rather unsettling apparition has been spotted by cyclists. This ghostly rider, described as cycling like a madman, charges at mortal cyclists and tries to knock them over. It's a peculiar and somewhat alarming encounter, especially for those who enjoy a peaceful ride through the Essex countryside. The cyclist's behaviour is aggressive, but thankfully, it seems to be a harmless manifestation, not causing any physical harm to those it encounters.
Hitchhiking Cyclist of Rayleigh
Blinking Owl cafe, Rayleigh
The Blinking Owl cafe, situated in the Lychgate Industrial Estate in Rayleigh, Essex, is the focal point of a rather eerie and intriguing haunting. This spot has been associated with the ghostly apparition of a female cyclist since the 1950s. According to reports, she and her boyfriend had set off from the cafe on their motorbike, heading out into the night, but their journey was cut short when they crashed on the A127, resulting in both of their deaths. Now, motorists travelling along this stretch of road have reported encountering the female cyclist, who flags down cars and asks to be taken to the Blinking Owl cafe, in search of her boyfriend. She vanishes into thin air just as the cafe comes into view.
Ghostly Girls of Braintree
Alleyway behind Freeport, Braintree
In the quaint town of Braintree, Essex, there's a rather unsettling tale of two ghostly girls that has left one witness scratching their head. It was a chilly December evening in 2013 when the witness first spotted the girls, who were leaping over concrete posts in an alleyway behind Freeport. As the witness walked away, they heard a blood-curdling scream and turned to see one of the girls had fallen to the floor. Rushing to help, the witness was shocked to find that both girls had vanished into thin air. A month later, the same witness caught a glimpse of one of the girls skipping under a lamppost in the same alleyway, only to disappear once again when they approached.
Mysterious Stubbs Lane Mist
Stubbs Lane, Braintree
Stubbs Lane in Braintree, Essex, is usually a quiet route for locals, but one evening it was the scene of a bizarre sighting. A woman walking her children between Stubbs Lane and Millennium Way spotted a strange mist with a vague human outline suspended around three meters in the air. The mist was noticed in 2009, and while it may have been a trick of the light, the witness's account remains an intriguing one.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near The Cross Keys

The Blue Boar Hotel
Maldon, Essex
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Colchester, Essex

The Rose and Crown
Colchester, Essex

Down Hall Hotel
Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire