Witch in Poke Bonnet Haunting
Canewdon's eerie landscape is home to a most unsettling spectre - a faceless witch clad in a poke bonnet. This ghostly figure is said to emerge on moonless nights, making its way through the west gate towards the river. The witch's ability to traverse the water with an otherworldly gait only adds to the mystique of this haunting. Locals have long been fascinated by this apparition, which seems to be connected to the village's darker history.
Interestingly, a local legend states that a stone falls from the church tower every time a witch from the area passes away. This strange phenomenon could be linked to the witch in the poke bonnet, suggesting a deeper connection between the ghostly apparition and the village's ecclesiastical past. While details about the witch's identity and motivations remain scarce, her nocturnal wanderings continue to captivate those drawn to Canewdon's paranormal legacy.
The area has a rich history dating back to the medieval period, with Canewdon Church being a significant landmark.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Canewdon Witch Village
Entire area, Canewdon
Canewdon, a sleepy village in Essex, has a dark and intriguing history that has earned it the nickname 'Village of Witches'. For centuries, locals have whispered about the alleged coven of witches who supposedly resided here, with some stories claiming as many as thirteen witches lived in the village at any one time. This reputation has stuck, and Canewdon remains a fascinating destination for those interested in the paranormal and the history of witchcraft in England.
Black Mist of Canewdon
Gardeners Lane, Canewdon
Gardeners Lane in Canewdon, Essex, is home to a rather unusual and unexplained phenomenon known as the Black Mist. This strange occurrence is characterised by a small patch of black mist that is said to dart out in front of cars as they travel along the lane. The mist is reported to appear suddenly and without warning, causing a mixture of confusion and alarm among those who have witnessed it. While the mist is generally harmless, its unexpected appearance can be quite startling. The Black Mist has been observed during the summer and autumn months of 2008, but the exact timing and frequency of its appearances remain a mystery.
The Woman in Blue Apparition
Church, Canewdon
Canewdon Church in Essex is home to a fascinating and eerie legend. On 31 October, a woman in a blue dress has been reportedly seen by numerous people since her first appearance in 1987. According to eyewitnesses, she vanishes quickly when startled. One intriguing aspect of this haunting is the claim that if you run around the church three times anti-clockwise on 31 October, you'll travel through time. While this sounds like an urban myth, it adds to the mystique of this already captivating ghost story.
Canewdon Vicarage Ghost Girl
Vicarage, Canewdon
The quiet village of Canewdon in Essex is home to a mysterious and unexplained presence at the local vicarage. A previous vicar's wife reported seeing a young girl at the end of the driveway, but little else is known about this enigmatic apparition. The lack of information only adds to the intrigue, leaving many questions unanswered. What is the origin of this ghostly presence? Is she a former resident or a lost soul? The vicarage, with its rich history, provides a fascinating backdrop for this paranormal enigma.
Devil's Haunting on Wallasea Island
Tile Barn, Wallasea Island
Tile Barn on Wallasea Island has a dark history that's still whispered about today. This spot was once believed to be a favourite haunt of the Devil himself. One poor soul recalled a terrifying encounter with a demon that had large glowing yellow eyes, which tried to persuade him to take his own life. Although the barn is now nothing more than a memory, having been washed away by the tides of time, the marshes surrounding the area have inherited its notorious reputation.
The Faceless Monk of Great Stanbridge
Country lane, Great Stanbridge
In the sleepy village of Great Stanbridge, nestled in the Essex countryside, a chilling apparition has been spotted by multiple witnesses. On a single evening in March 2003, three people reported seeing a cowled figure slowly making its way along the side of a country lane. The figure was adorned with a large wooden crucifix around its neck, an unsettling sight in itself. But it was what lay beneath the hood that left the witnesses shaken - a gaping hole where a face should have been. The Faceless Monk, as it has come to be known, is a baffling and terrifying entity that has left many questions unanswered.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Between church and river

The Blue Boar Hotel
Maldon, Essex

The Shurland Hotel
Eastchurch, Kent
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Colchester, Essex

The Rose and Crown
Colchester, Essex