Haunted Rocking Horse Mansion
Spains Hall in Braintree, Essex, is home to a rather unusual ghostly inhabitant - a haunted rocking horse. The story goes that the rocking horse moves unaided during the night, a phenomenon that has been reported by those who have spent time in the mansion. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is said to have moved into the property at one point, and it was during his stay that the story of the haunted rocking horse was brought to light by the local press.
The history of Spains Hall dates back to the medieval period, but it was during the Victorian era that the mansion underwent significant changes. While there are no detailed accounts of the rocking horse's origins, it's possible that the ghostly toy is connected to a former occupant of the house, perhaps a child who left behind a beloved toy. Unfortunately, there are no concrete details about the haunting, including when the rocking horse was first reported to move on its own.
Medieval origins, Victorian renovations
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Watchful Old Lady of Finchingfield
Pump House, Finchingfield
Finchingfield's Pump House stands as a quiet sentinel in the quaint Essex village, its stone fa��ade bearing witness to the passing of time. Yet, locals whisper of a more intriguing presence - an old lady who allegedly watches from one of the building's windows. This phantom figure has become a staple of local legend, with many claiming to have caught a glimpse of her steadfast gaze. While details are scarce, the image of this mysterious woman remains etched in the village's collective imagination.
The Upset Lady of Great Bardfield
The Place, Great Bardfield
The Place in Great Bardfield, Essex, is home to a sorrowful female spirit known as the Upset Lady. This old house has been harbouring her presence for many years, but thankfully, her activity has significantly decreased since an exorcism was performed in the twentieth century. The Upset Lady was said to haunt the spare room, bringing a sense of sadness and unease to those who encountered her. Although her appearances have ceased, the legacy of this troubled spirit remains, leaving many to wonder about the story behind her unrest.
Phantom Chain Sounds
Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead
Bower Hall in Steeple Bumpstead is home to a rather unusual phantom phenomenon - the clanking of chains. This eerie sound has been reported by those approaching the cow sheds, leaving many to wonder about the origin of this ghostly noise. The chains seem to be the only indication of paranormal activity in this otherwise quiet location.
Steeple Bumpstead School Ghost
Steeple Bumpstead school, Steeple Bumpstead
Steeple Bumpstead school in Essex is home to a fascinating post-mortem manifestation. A pupil at the school witnessed his recently deceased schoolmaster, John Cook, passing through the closed school gates in 1832. This remarkable sighting has been documented as a classic example of a ghostly apparition. The fact that the schoolmaster's spirit was seen shortly after his death adds weight to the account, suggesting a possible connection between the two events.
Thaxted Ghostly Couple Sighting
Road leading into town from Saffron Walden, Thaxted
In the quaint town of Thaxted, nestled in the Essex countryside, a rather unusual and intriguing ghostly encounter took place on a spring evening in 2010. A driver, slowing down to let an elderly couple cross the road as she entered the town from Saffron Walden, was left utterly bewildered when they suddenly vanished into thin air right in front of her. This bizarre incident has left many questions unanswered, sparking curiosity and speculation among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
Thethaxted Headless Horseman
Gibbets Cross, Thaxted
Gibbets Cross in Thaxted, Essex, is a spot where the ordinary and the unexplained seem to collide. It's said that a local farmer once shared a tale with his friends about witnessing a rather unsettling sight - a headless horseman, sitting atop a white steed, passing by this very crossroads. The image must have left a lasting impression on the farmer, as he felt compelled to recount it to others. While the details of the encounter remain sparse, the essence of the story has endured, contributing to the mystique that surrounds this Essex location.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Spains Hall
Bull Hotel
Long Melford, Suffolk
Down Hall Hotel
Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
Swan Hotel
Babergh District, Suffolk
The Angel Hotel Lavenham
Babergh District, Suffolk