Talking Cross Phenomenon
Dovercourt church in Essex was once home to a most peculiar phenomenon - a talking cross. It's said that so many people flocked to hear the cross speak that it became impossible to enter the building. This strange occurrence has been recorded as a legend, with many people drawn to the church to witness the talking cross for themselves. The cross's ability to speak was seemingly a major draw, with crowds gathering to listen. While there's no record of what the cross actually said, its talking abilities were apparently enough to captivate the local population.
Historical records of the talking cross are scarce, but it's clear that this phenomenon was significant enough to draw large crowds. The fact that people were willing to gather outside the church, unable to enter due to the sheer numbers, suggests that the talking cross was a well-known and intriguing event. Unfortunately, the date and time of this occurrence are unknown, leaving us to wonder about the context and circumstances surrounding the talking cross. What we do know is that the church, located in the town of Dovercourt, Essex, was the site of this unusual phenomenon, which has been passed down as a local legend.
The church in Dovercourt, Essex, has a long history dating back to the medieval period
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Dovercourt Whistling Ghost
Beach, Dovercourt
Dovercourt Beach, a stretch of coastline in Essex, is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. Residents living nearby have reported hearing a particular tune being whistled on the beach in the early hours of the morning. The strange thing is, nobody has ever been seen whistling this tune. It's as if the sound is coming from thin air. The whistling has been reported on several occasions, with the first recorded incident dating back to around 2015.
Dovercourt Playground Phantom
Adventure playground, Dovercourt
Imagine walking home on a dark night, taking a shortcut through a deserted playground, when suddenly the swings start moving on their own, the slides creak and groan, and the climbing frames shudder. That's exactly what happened to two witnesses in the 1960s, who were left shaken by the experience. The Dovercourt area has a long history of paranormal activity, with reports of a ghostly French POW who drowned while building a jetty in the 19th century.
Lady Hamilton's Harwich Haunting
Three Cups Inn Inn, Harwich
The Three Cups Inn in Harwich, Essex, has a rather intriguing and somewhat mysterious history of paranormal activity. It's said that the inn was once haunted by the spirit of Lady Hamilton, wife of Admiral Horatio Nelson. The story goes that when a wall was knocked down in the inn, the spirit disappeared forever. It's a curious case, really, as one would expect that the removal of a physical barrier might have little to do with the presence or absence of a ghostly entity.
Ghostly Marble Player Echoes
Maybush Inn Inn, Great Oakley
The Maybush Inn in Great Oakley is a hotspot for paranormal activity, with reports of ghostly occurrences that have left visitors and staff alike scratching their heads. It's said that the sound of someone playing with little glass marbles can be heard echoing through the inn's corridors, accompanied by sightings of a beautiful young woman dressed in a kimono. The atmosphere is certainly unusual here, and many have experienced unexplained events that cant be easily explained.
Witchfinder General Haunting
White Hart Inn Inn, Manningtree
The White Hart Inn in Manningtree is a place where the past lingers, and one ghostly presence is said to be that of Mathew Hopkins, the infamous Witchfinder General. Hopkins once frequented this establishment, and it's claimed that he can still be heard in the building, a chilling reminder of his dark legacy. The inn's long history and association with Hopkins have led to reports of paranormal activity, with many believing that his spirit still roams the premises.
Wix Long Legged Dog Shuck
Crossroads in the village, Wix
In the quaint village of Wix, Essex, a mystifying encounter took place on a summer evening in August 2007. A driver, travelling through the village at around 20:00h, was startled when a dark dog with remarkably long legs and drop ears suddenly materialised in front of their car. The apparition was brief, as the dog vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the driver to wonder if they had really seen it. This strange event has become known as the Long Legged Dog or Shuck sighting.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Dovercourt church

The Mistley Thorn Hotel
Mistley (near Manningtree), Essex

Seckford Hall Hotel
Woodbridge, Suffolk

The Rose and Crown
Colchester, Essex
Brook Red Lion Hotel
Colchester, Essex