The Stone Carrying Cat of Leyland
St Andrews church in Leyland, Lancashire, is home to a rather unusual legend. It seems that back in the twelfth century, locals from the nearby village of Whittle-le Woods wanted to build a church of their own, but they were having some trouble finding the right spot. Night after night, their carefully collected stones would vanish and reappear in Leyland. Two brave villagers decided to stand guard one evening to get to the bottom of the mystery. What they witnessed was both astonishing and terrifying - a large black cat, with eyes glowing like lanterns in the dark, began picking up the stones and carrying them away with ease.
Historical records suggest that the church in Leyland was indeed built in the twelfth century, and it's likely that the legend of the stone carrying cat has been passed down through the centuries as a way of explaining the church's unexpected location. According to the legend, one of the villagers tried to fight off the fearsome feline, but unfortunately, he lost his life in the encounter. The villagers, understandably, decided to give in and build their church where it stands today, in Leyland. While there's no concrete evidence to support the supernatural events, the story remains a fascinating part of local folklore.
The church was built in the twelfth century.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Leyland Kitchen Ghost
LG Kitchens, Leyland
Deep in the heart of Leyland, a strange occurrence has been captured on CCTV at LG Kitchens. Manager Leo Tommony was reviewing the footage when he stumbled upon a bizarre image - a silhouetted man standing in a ring of light. The eerie scene was quite unsettling, especially since there was no one else in the building at the time. Footsteps have also been heard in the upper part of the building after hours, and lights have been known to turn themselves on, leaving staff and visitors alike wondering if they're truly alone.
Ley Inn Poltergeist Haunting
Ley Inn Inn, Leyland
The Ley Inn in Leyland, Lancashire, is a hotspot for paranormal activity. In December 2007, a ghost hunting group captured compelling evidence of a haunting when they videoed a table moving violently as they attempted to contact the inn's resident spirits. The group successfully made contact with a spirit named Arabelle, who claimed to have been murdered by James Silcock. What's more, Arabelle reportedly revealed that she wasn't the only one with a grudge, as her father had subsequently killed James Silcock in revenge.
Monochrome Woman of Runshaw House
Runshaw House, Nixon Hillock
Runshaw House in Nixon Hillock is home to a rather intriguing presence - an old woman dressed in black and white clothing. She's been spotted roaming the upper part of the building, leaving residents and visitors alike to wonder about her story. The woman's monochromatic attire has led to her being dubbed the Monochrome Woman, a fitting title for a ghostly figure that seems to be stuck in time. While details about her identity and past are scarce, her appearances have been reported throughout the twentieth century.
Leyland's Mysterious Buckshaw Beast
Buckshaw area, Leyland
In the quiet Lancashire town of Leyland, a sense of unease settled over the Buckshaw area in late 2009 and early 2010. Residents began reporting sightings of a mysterious animal prowling the streets and countryside. The creature, which came to be known as the Buckshaw Beast, was said to be responsible for the deaths of several deer in the area. While a photograph taken on a camera phone did little to shed light on the mystery, with suggestions ranging from a boar to a big cat, one thing was certain - something unusual was afoot in this normally tranquil part of Leyland.
The Lady with the Lamp Ghost
Armetriding Farm, Euxton
Armetriding Farm in Euxton, Lancashire, is home to a rather poignant ghostly apparition known as the Lady with the Lamp. This spectral woman, described as pallid, has been seen carrying a storm lamp within the farm's premises. Her appearances are closely tied to a specific and serious event - the illness of one of the farm's occupants with pneumonia, which occurred back in the 1940s. The image of this woman, lamp in hand, is a powerful and evocative one, suggesting a scene of care and concern.
Titmouse Brown Tree Ghost
Trees in the local area, Croston
Deep in the trees around Croston, a strange entity known as Titmouse Brown has been spotted leaping from branch to branch. This ghostly figure, described as a cross between a fairy and a ghost, is said to roam the local woods, warning people of impending danger. One story tells of a young lad who owes his life to Titmouse Brown, who apparently saved him from a speeding lorry. With other names like Shrewfoot and Marsantos, this mysterious being is a local legend.