North side of A13 near Fanton Hall, North Benfleet

Screeching Boy's Wood, a small woodland on the north side of the A13 near Fanton Hall in North Benfleet, Essex, is home to a haunting that has been reported since 1734. The wood takes its name from a tragic event in which a ploughboy was allegedly murdered by his master. The ghostly presence, known as the Screeching Ploughboy, has been seen and heard by numerous people over the years. Some claim to have heard the blood-curdling screams of the ploughboy, while others have caught glimpses of the phantom figure. The haunting has become a well-known legend in the area, with many believing that the ploughboy's spirit still roams the wood, seeking justice or revenge.

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.

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.

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.

All Saints Church, 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.

Conservative Club, Benfleet

The Conservative Club in Benfleet's High Street is home to a most intriguing spectre, known affectionately as Lady Hamilton. This ghostly presence has been reported to patrol the corridors and rooms of the club, ever vigilant and still waiting for the arrival of her beloved Lord Horatio Nelson. It's said she ensures he hasn't turned up, a poignant reminder of her enduring devotion. The haunting, which began in the late twentieth century, has become a fascinating aspect of the club's history.