Manchester Widow's Ghost
In the Manchester suburb of Collyhurst, a chilling encounter took place in 1972 at 35 Northern Drive. Two children were left shaken after claiming to have seen the ghost of Mrs Potter, a widow who had been murdered in the flat two years prior. According to the children's account, the presence told them to 'wait for me in this room' before touching one of them on the mouth. This unsettling experience left the children so traumatised that they were taken to hospital suffering from shock.
The story begins with a tragic event - the murder of Mrs Potter in her flat at 35 Northern Drive. It's said that her spirit lingered, seeking some form of communication or resolution. On a fateful day in 1972, two children visiting the flat reported encountering Mrs Potter's ghost. Their harrowing experience included being told to wait in the room, an unnerving request that has become synonymous with this haunting. Although the area has since been redeveloped and the original building no longer stands, the legend of Mrs Potter's ghost remains a fascinating footnote in Manchester's paranormal history.
The area was redeveloped after the original building was demolished.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Macbeth's Theatre Ghost
Colosseum Theatre, Oldham
The Colosseum Theatre in Oldham is home to a restless spirit, that of Harold Norman, a thespian who met his untimely demise on stage. It's said that Norman was accidentally killed during a mock sword fight while performing as Macbeth, and his ghostly presence is still felt to this day. Thursdays, the day of his death, seem to be the day he returns to try and make sense of the tragic events that befell him. Some claim to have seen him wandering the theatre, reliving the moments leading up to his fatal accident.
Madame Beswick's Ghostly Vigil
Birchen Bower, Oldham
In the heart of Hollinwood, Oldham, lies the site where Madame Hannah Beswick's spirit is said to roam. Though her former home, Birchen Bower, no longer stands, its legacy lives on in the form of a ghostly apparition. On clear nights, particularly every seventh anniversary of her death in 1758, the phantom of Madame Beswick is reportedly seen standing tall, clad in a black silk dress and frilly cap. Some claim she appears headless, adding to the mystique of this 18th-century haunting.
Temperance Hall Ghost Sighting
Temperance Hall, Oldham
Temperance Hall in Oldham stands as a hub for cultural and community events, yet on one particular night of the year, it is said to be visited by a rather unwelcome guest. Every Christmas Day, a grey figure of a middle-aged man has been spotted standing in doorways, sending shivers down the spines of those who claim to have seen him. This ghostly apparition is believed to be the spirit of a man who took his own life, and his presence seems to be tied to the festive period.
The Smoking Man of Oldham
Radclyffe Arms Public House, Oldham
The Radclyffe Arms Public House in Oldham is home to a rather melancholy presence known as the Smoking Man. This lonely chap has been seen sitting in the bar, nursing a glass of beer. It's thought that he took his own life in the cellar, and his spirit has lingered, perhaps finding comfort in the familiar surroundings of the pub. The Smoking Man's story is a poignant one, and his presence is a reminder of the complex and often sad histories that can be found in old public houses like the Radclyffe Arms.
Ring O'Bells Ghostly Apparitions
Ring O'Bells Public House, Middleton
The Ring O'Bells Public House in Middleton has a dark history that's said to be echoed by the forlorn ghost seen lurking about the site. Imagine walking into a pub with a lively atmosphere, only to catch a glimpse of a melancholy spirit wandering around. That's what some patrons have reported experiencing. The remains of several bodies were found under the floor of the basement, dating back to the English Civil War. It's believed that one of these corpses is responsible for the spiritual echo that's still felt today.
Rochdale's Mysterious Floods
Bungalow along Hill Top Close, Rochdale
In a quiet bungalow along Hill Top Close in Rochdale, a family experienced a bizarre and unexplained series of events in 1986. Water would flood the rooms, but no source could be found. It was as if the house itself was weeping, or perhaps, trying to tell them something. Alongside the flooding, strange sounds and smells also plagued the family - phantom coughing echoed through the halls, and the acrid smell of smoke wafted through the air.