Spring Heeled Jack Attacks
North Camp, a part of Aldershot Garrison, was the scene of a series of bizarre and frightening incidents back in 1877. It started in March and continued through to April and then again in September of that year. Several sentries reported being attacked by a figure with cold, corpse-like hands. The really extraordinary thing about these encounters was that bullets fired at the attacker seemed to have no effect whatsoever. This led to the suggestion that the culprit might be none other than Spring Heeled Jack, a notorious figure from local legend known for his seemingly supernatural abilities and his penchant for violence.
These incidents took place during the Victorian era, a time when folklore and superstition were very much a part of everyday life. The idea of Spring Heeled Jack, a mythical figure with superhuman strength and agility, was well-known in the area. The attacks on the sentries were widely reported and remain a fascinating footnote in the history of paranormal activity in England. The fact that multiple witnesses came forward with similar descriptions of the attacker adds credibility to the accounts. While we can't say for certain what really happened, it's clear that these events had a profound impact on those who experienced them.
The Victorian era was a time of great change and upheaval in England, with rapid industrialization and urbanization leading to increased concerns about crime and public safety.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Grey Lady of Aldershot
Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot
Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot is home to a spine-tingling legend. They say a phantom woman, known as the Grey Lady, roams the halls. According to the story, she was a nurse during the Boer War who took her own life after a tragic accident involving her lover and a dose of Laudanum. Staff members have reported catching glimpses of her, a solid silhouette that vanishes into thin air. It's said that around 1995, a nurse and two other members of staff spotted her, leaving them shaken.
The Robed Figure of Bishops Waltham
Recreation ground, Bishops Waltham
Bishops Waltham Recreation Ground, a spot now home to nature research, has a rather eerie past. It was here, back in 1987, that a startling encounter took place. A person flying a kite on the site suddenly heard a loud crack behind them, like a large branch had fallen. Turning around, they were met with a fast-moving, hooded figure gliding through the trees. The figure then turned to face the witness, but what they saw was anything but ordinary - a black hole where a face should have been.
The Running Man of Alma Lane
Alma Lane, Aldershot
Alma Lane in Aldershot is a quiet spot, nestled between the town centre and the barracks. But dont be fooled by its peaceful atmosphere - this lane has a rich history of paranormal activity. Residents and visitors have reported hearing the sound of running footsteps, echoing through the lane, particularly in the 1940s and again in 1972. The story goes that these disembodied footsteps are the ghost of a messenger who was tasked with delivering news of the victory at Waterloo to officers based at Aldershot. Tragically, he was attacked and killed by robbers en route, and his frantic footsteps have been immortalised in local folklore.
The Farnborough Hat Phantom
Farnborough Place, Farnborough
Farnborough Place, a former research and development building in Hampshire, is home to a curious ghostly presence. Night workers in the mid twentieth century would sometimes hear strange footsteps echoing through the quieter areas of the building. One former housekeeper reported a particularly unsettling encounter, claiming to have seen a figure dressed in brown, sporting a large hat, glide silently past her before vanishing into thin air.
The Aldershot Ghostly Woman
Road between Tweseldown and Aldershot, Aldershot
On a stretch of road between Tweseldown and Aldershot in Hampshire, a rather eerie sighting has been reported. This area seems to be haunted by the ghost of a homeless woman, often referred to as The Bag Lady. According to accounts from November 1990, she was allegedly hit by a car and her spirit has lingered. What's particularly chilling about this encounter is that a car full of witnesses didn't realise she was a phantom until much later. It seems they had seen her, but it wasn't until afterwards that they understood she wasn't of this world.
Little Green Men Encounter
Basingstoke Canal, Aldershot
Basingstoke Canal in Aldershot is known for its serene waters and picturesque surroundings but on one fateful night it played host to a rather unusual encounter. An elderly man had set up his gear for a spot of night fishing when he was startled by the appearance of two little men clad in tight green outfits. Their faces were obscured by visors and they seemed to be beckoning him towards a UFO that was hovering nearby. The old man was invited aboard where a light was shone at him and he was told he was 'too old'. He was then returned to his fishing rod, left to ponder the surreal experience he had just had.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near North Camp
Easthampstead Park
Bracknell, Berkshire
Macdonald Berystede Hotel
Sunninghill, Berkshire
Great Fosters Hotel
Egham, Surrey
The Bull at Wargrave
Wargrave, Berkshire