The Angry Nun of Chelmsford
All Saints Church in Chelmsford, Essex, is home to a rather unusual legend. They say that if you're brave - or foolhardy - enough to walk around the church thirteen times at midnight, you'll be met with a rather angry phantom nun. It's not clear where this story came from, but it's been circulating locally for a while. The challenge is to complete the circuit without, well, being confronted by the nun. Presumably, it's not a pleasant experience.
Historical records about the church date back to the 13th century, and it's possible that the legend of the angry nun has its roots in the Victorian era, a time when such stories often seemed to flourish. While there's no concrete evidence to support the claim, there have been numerous reports of strange occurrences at the church, although these are largely anecdotal. The specifics of the legend - the midnight deadline, the thirteen circuits - suggest a ritualistic or superstitious element to the haunting.
13th century church
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Ghostly Horse and Cart
Road leading to East Hannington, Rettendon
Rettendon road is said to be haunted by the ghost of a farmer riding his horse and cart. This eerie apparition has been spotted by motorists and locals alike, often at dusk or in the dead of night. The ghostly horse and trap are thought to be a harbinger of doom or a spectral messenger from beyond the grave. Some claim to have seen the ghostly farmer urging his horse on, as if in a great hurry to reach a destination. Others report hearing the sound of horse's hooves and rattling cart wheels, even when no one is around.
Ghostly Residents of Hyde Hall
Hyde Hall, Chelmsford
Hyde Hall in Chelmsford has a reputation for being haunted by two friendly spirits. Richard de Foe, a former owner, is said to haunt the guest room, while a little girl is often seen wandering other parts of the house. The house was once owned by singer Suzi Quatro, who claimed to have experienced paranormal activity during her time there. The ghostly residents are believed to be benevolent, and their presence has been reported by multiple witnesses over the years.
Hornchurch Copse Phantom
Copse near river close to St George's Hospital, Hornchurch
Deep in the heart of Hornchurch, a eerie presence lurks within a copse near the River Roding, close to St George's Hospital. Locals have whispered about a phantom old man who emerges from the trees, beckoning people towards the river. His intentions are unclear, but his actions are said to be luring, as if trying to entice the living into the water. The atmosphere is tense, and those who have caught a glimpse of him cant help but feel an unsettling sense of unease.
Ghostly Coach and Horses
Runwell Hall, Wickford
Runwell Hall, a once grand estate in Wickford, Essex, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who travels in a spectral horse and carriage. On New Year's Eve, the eerie vehicle is reported to stop at the top of the driveway, and a woman climbs out, making her way to the hall's door. There, she is greeted by a long-dead butler, a sight that has been witnessed by many over the years. This ghostly encounter is a reoccurring event, happening every year on December 31st.
Scratching Shadows of Wickford
Moat Field, Wickford
Moat Field in Wickford is a place where the ordinary and the unexplained seem to collide. It's here that numerous people have reported catching glimpses of moving shadows, always just out of sight, as if the darkness itself was shifting and twisting. One particularly unsettling encounter involved a tractor driver who, after a close encounter with a shadow, found his vehicle covered in scratches. This incident left him shaken and added to the local legend that the Devil is waiting in this field for the soul of a knight who made a clever, yet ultimately binding, promise.
The Man in Grey Coat Apparition
Outside Smugglers Den Public House, Hullbridge
Outside the Smugglers Den Public House in Hullbridge, a rather unsettling encounter took place in February 2019. A visitor to the pub was out for a stroll when they spotted a man dressed in a grey coat. The figure was clearly visible, but before the witness could process what they were seeing, the man vanished into thin air, leaving the onlooker shaken. The sudden disappearance of the apparition has left many questions unanswered, and the incident remains a fascinating example of a haunting manifestation.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near All Saints Church

The Blue Boar Hotel
Maldon, Essex

Down Hall Hotel
Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire

The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel
Dartford, Kent