The Tall Stalking Man of Greenstead
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.
Historical records of Greenstead Woods reveal a complex network of ancient pathways and woodland areas that have been traversed by locals and travellers for centuries. While there's no concrete evidence linking the Tall Stalking Man to a specific historical event or era, the fact that multiple witnesses corroborate the sighting lends credibility to the account. The lack of facial features on the entity is particularly intriguing, leaving many to speculate about the nature of this ghostly apparition. Whatever the explanation, the encounter has become an integral part of local folklore.
Greenstead Woods have been a woodland area for centuries, with various pathways and routes crisscrossing the landscape.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Phantom Penny Farthing Cyclist
Boundary Road, Colchester
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.
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.
Ghostly Choir at Colchester Community Centre
Wilson Marriage Community Centre, Colchester
The Wilson Marriage Community Centre in Colchester seems like an unlikely place for paranormal activity, but hospital radio staff based there have reported some strange occurrences. They've often heard a choir singing, footsteps running across the loft, and a voice that seems to call out the listener's name. It's a pretty unusual combination of sounds, and it's hard to explain where they're coming from. The centre's a hub for local activity, but it appears that it might not be entirely human.
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.
Colchester Cavalier Ghost
East Street around Siege House, Colchester
East Street in Colchester seems like an ordinary street but it has a rather extraordinary secret. A ghostly cavalier has been spotted walking down this street, vanishing into thin air when he reaches Siege House. Its quite a surreal experience for anyone who catches a glimpse of him. The cavalier has been seen on various occasions, with reports dating back to the 1990s. Some areas of Siege House are said to be particularly haunted, with staff preferring to work in pairs for safety.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Greenstead woods

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