Headless Horseman of Angledown
Deep in Hampshire's countryside lies Angledown Barrow, a site steeped in paranormal legend. This ancient earthwork has been the reported location of a bizarre and terrifying apparition - a headless horseman, eerily clutching his severed head under one arm. The story goes that this ghostly figure materialised when a group of treasure hunters attempted to excavate the barrow, rumoured to contain a golden image. Their quest for riches was abruptly halted by the unsettling manifestation, a stark warning to leave the site and its secrets undisturbed.
The origins of the haunting are tied to an attempted treasure dig at Angledown Barrow. While the exact date is unknown, the incident has become a local legend, symbolising the consequences of meddling with the past. The headless horseman, a figure often associated with folklore and mythology, here serves as a guardian of sorts, protecting the barrow and its supposed contents from those who would disturb them. This type of haunting, centred around a specific location and event, offers a fascinating glimpse into the folklore and supernatural traditions of the area.
Angledown Barrow dates back to the prehistoric era, a period of significant earthwork construction in the region.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Grampus Churchyard Encounter
Church, Highclere
Highclere Church in Hampshire was once home to a most unusual and intriguing presence - a Grampus, a water-loving creature akin to a dolphin. This strange being had made its abode in a tree within the churchyard, much to the dismay of the locals. It seems the Grampus had a penchant for harassing the teenage daughters of the community, causing quite a stir. The situation eventually called for the intervention of a priest, who took it upon himself to banish the creature for a thousand years.
The Rolling Barrel Ghost
White Hart Public House, Basingstoke
The White Hart Public House in Basingstoke, Hampshire, has a rather curious ghost story to tell. Successive landlords have been woken up in the dead of night by the unmistakable sound of barrels being rolled outside, only to find nothing amiss when they investigate further. It's as if the night-time atmosphere is being pierced by a fleeting echo from the past, leaving one wondering what could be causing such a strange occurrence.
Jane Austens Ghostly Coach - Oakley Hall Hotel
Oakley Hall Hotel, Basingstoke, Basingstoke
The Oakley Hall Hotel has a fascinating history as the former home of Jane Austen's friends. It's said that their spirits are still present in the grand building. One of the most intriguing tales surrounding this hotel is the ghostly coach that reportedly arrives at the front entrance, carrying an ominous message - bad news for those who encounter it.
Basingstoke Purple UFO Sighting
Skies over the town, Basingstoke
Basingstoke's evening sky turned into a scene from a science fiction film on August 4, 2007, when a purple pear-shaped object was spotted hovering above the town. Kris Reed, a keen observer from his home, was the first to witness this unusual sighting. The object lingered for a bit before moving away, leaving behind a noise that was likened to the hum of a washing machine. Interestingly, another resident reported seeing a large red ball moving slowly across the sky on the same night, adding to the mystery of the sightings in Basingstoke.
The Searching Woman of Oakley
Sheardown Lane, Oakley
Sheardown Lane in Oakley, Hampshire, is where you'll find the haunting of the Searching Woman. This ghostly apparition has been known to appear to horse riders, running up to them with an unnerving intensity. She stares carefully at her victims before suddenly turning and vanishing into thin air. Although she was once a more frequent sighting, reports of her appearances have dwindled over the years.
Guilty Rector of Vernham Dean
Chute Causeway & Fosbury Camp, Vernham Dean
High up on the rolling hills of Hampshire, near the tiny village of Vernham Dean, a haunting takes place that's steeped in tragedy and betrayal. The story goes that a local rector, driven by a misguided sense of piety, convinced the villagers suffering from the plague to leave their homes and set up a camp on a nearby hill, Fosbury Camp, promising to bring them supplies. But once they'd abandoned their homes, he callously forgot about them, leaving the villagers to starve to death. Now, it's said that his ghost walks towards the top of the hill, always fading from view just before he reaches the site of the former camp.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Angledown Barrow
The Hind's Head
Aldermaston, Berkshire

Warner Hotels - Littlecote House
Near Hungerford, Wiltshire (on Berkshire-Wiltshire border)

Best Western The George Hotel
Pangbourne, Berkshire