The Woman in Long Gown
Woodside Cottage in Broadstairs, Kent, is home to a rather elusive ghost. The Woman in Long Gown has only been seen a couple of times, but her presence is far from a rare occurrence. It's much more common for her to be heard, with footsteps echoing through the upper part of the building. It's as if she's going about her daily routine, completely unaware of the living inhabitants who share her home.
Historically, Woodside Cottage dates back to the Victorian era, a time when women's fashion often featured long, flowing gowns. One can't help but wonder if there's a connection between the era and the ghostly apparition. Although details of the Woman in Long Gown's identity and story remain a mystery, her auditory manifestations have been documented since the 1970s. The fact that she's primarily heard rather than seen suggests she may be a benign presence, perhaps a former occupant who hasn't moved on.
Woodside Cottage was built during the Victorian era, a time of significant growth and development in Broadstairs.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Blithe Spirit Theatre Ghost
Playhouse, Broadstairs
The Playhouse on Westcliff Road in Broadstairs, Kent, has a reputation for being one of the town's most haunted locations. Back in 1947, during the run of the play Blithe Spirit, strange occurrences began to plague the theatre. Cast members reported hearing unexplained footsteps outside their dressing room doors on the upper floor, but whenever they went to investigate, there was no one there. It was as if an invisible presence was wandering the corridors, watching the actors as they prepared for their performances.
The Bloated Face of Broadstairs
Boarding School, Broadstairs
Broadstairs boarding school, run by Mr and Mrs Hester, was once the site of a bizarre and unexplained encounter. It's here that author Dennis Wheatley claimed to have seen a man with a white, bloated face, which he initially thought was a burglar. A search of the premises ensued but the figure had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind. The incident was later attributed to an elemental, supposedly summoned by the Hesters themselves.
Monstrous Fish of Broadstairs
Sandy area, Broadstairs
Broadstairs' sandy shores have seen their fair share of unusual occurrences, but one event that still captures the imagination is the mysterious washing up of a gigantic fish-like creature in 1574. This enormous beast, reportedly twenty-two yards long, made a significant impact on the local community. Its roar was loud enough to be heard over a mile away before it succumbed to the tide. The creature's massive eye was said to be so large that it couldn't be pulled by a cart and six horses. While it's highly likely that this 'fish' was actually a whale, the event remains an intriguing footnote in the town's history.
The Stooping Man of Thanet House
Thanet House, Broadstairs
Thanet House stands tall in Broadstairs, Kent, its grandeur a testament to a bygone era. But it's not just the house itself that's steeped in history - it's also home to a rather curious phantom. Locals have reported sightings of a stooping figure, seemingly searching for something, standing over a small lake on the grounds. The image is a haunting one, and it's little wonder that this ghost has captured the imagination of so many.
Running Woman Ghost
Disused rail tunnel, Auchendinny
Deep in the Lowlands of Scotland, near the small town of Auchendinny, lies a disused rail tunnel where a tragic tale of love and loss has unfolded. This phantom female, known as the Running Woman, is said to haunt the tunnel and surrounding area, her ghostly form seen running along the tunnel before vanishing suddenly. Her story begins with a heartbreaking end, as she took her own life in the nearby river after a painful breakup with her lover.
White Nurse of Kingsgate
Kingsgate Castle and beach below, Broadstairs
Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop, Kingsgate Castle in Broadstairs, Kent, has a reputation for paranormal activity. In December 2010, artist Malcolm Baker captured a photograph that appears to show a white figure moving through foliage just outside the castle. The figure, believed to be a nurse in 1950s uniform, is seen carrying a tray in front of her. This intriguing image sparked interest in the castle's ghostly legends.