Phantom Penny Farthing Cyclist
Colchester's Boundary Road is home to a rather unusual ghost sighting. In the spring of the 1990s, a child travelling with her grandmother in a car spotted a man cycling alongside them on a penny farthing bicycle. The cyclist was dressed in a light brown shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark brown trousers, and his hair was also brown. What's intriguing is that the grandmother didn't seem to notice the apparition, leaving us to wonder if the child was the only one who caught a glimpse of this spectral cyclist.
Historically, penny farthing bicycles were popular during the Victorian era, which might give us a clue about the identity of our phantom cyclist. Although we don't have any specific details about the cyclist's age or any other distinguishing features, the fact that he's riding a penny farthing suggests a strong connection to the past. The witness, a child at the time, was travelling with her grandmother, which adds a sense of credibility to the account. Unfortunately, we don't have any further information about the cyclist's origins or how he might be connected to Colchester's history.
The Victorian era saw the rise of penny farthing bicycles, which were popular among enthusiasts and collectors.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Tall Stalking Man of Greenstead
Greenstead woods, Colchester
Deep in Greenstead Woods, a sense of unease settles over those who venture into this eerie landscape. It's here that a chilling encounter took place back in 1983, when two children claimed to have seen a tall, imposing figure with a wide-brimmed hat, but no discernible facial features. The witness reported that the entity kept pace with them as they ran away, its presence lingering long after they'd fled the scene. This unsettling experience has left a lasting impression on those who've heard the tale.
Darting Light Sighting
Sky over Titania Close, Colchester
Over the sky of Titania Close in Colchester, a strange and intriguing event took place back in 1976. A group of children were engrossed in a game of football when they noticed a light zipping around the sky at an incredible speed. The light moved so swiftly, it was almost mesmerising. For a brief moment, it hovered in mid-air before darting off once again, this time in the direction of the A12 road. But that wasnt the end of the sighting - the light later returned to the area, and more people got a glimpse of it.
The Headless Nun of Colchester
Area close to Birch Brook, Colchester
Deep in the Essex countryside, near Colchester, lies a spot where locals and travellers alike have caught a glimpse of a rather unsettling apparition. This eerie entity, known as the Headless Nun, has been described as a figure clad in nun's attire, but with one glaring and terrifying difference - its head is missing. One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted a harrowing experience where he spotted the ghostly figure while taking a shortcut across the area at night. The encounter was brief, as the figure suddenly stopped and vanished into thin air right in front of him. What's more, this wasn't an isolated incident, as the witness later shared his story with a friend, who revealed that his own brother had also had a run-in with the Headless Nun.
The Black Cat of Mersea Road
Mersea Road, Colchester
Mersea Road in Colchester has been the site of a mysterious and intriguing haunting. From January 1996 to 1999, multiple witnesses reported seeing a large black cat along this stretch of road. The creature was described as being unusually big, with no other distinguishing features noted. It's unclear what the cat's presence might signify, but its impact on local residents and travellers has been lasting.
Mersea Road Ghostly Passenger
Mersea Road, Colchester
Mersea Road in Colchester has a spine-tingling secret. A driver travelling along this stretch of road caught a glimpse of a teenage boy sitting in the backseat of her car through the rear-view mirror. She turned her head to see who the unexpected passenger was, but there was no one there. As she turned back to face the road, the figure reappeared in the mirror, leaving her with a frightening and unexplained experience.
The Beast of Essex Sighting
Outside police station, Wivenhoe
Wivenhoe's High Street was the scene of a bizarre encounter in the early hours of 27 January 2009. A police officer on duty claimed to have spotted a large black cat, which has since been dubbed the Beast of Essex. The creature was seen fleeing down the side of the police station, leaving the officer and subsequent search teams baffled. Despite a thorough search of the area, no sign of the mysterious feline could be found.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Boundary Road
The Rose and Crown
Colchester, Essex
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Colchester, Essex
The Mistley Thorn Hotel
Mistley (near Manningtree), Essex
The Blue Boar Hotel
Maldon, Essex