The Phantom Vicar of Castle Donington
In the quaint village of Castle Donington, the Church of St Edward King and Martyr stands tall, its stone walls bearing witness to centuries of history. It's here that a remarkable encounter took place in September 1950, involving a brother and sister who had popped into the church to arrange the altar flowers. As they chatted with a vicar they didn't recognise, they had no idea they were in the presence of something extraordinary. The man claimed to have been based at the church but left in 1906, a detail that would later prove chillingly accurate.
Digging deeper into the past reveals that the church has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. The vicar in question, known as Father Dougal, seems to have made a lasting impression on the brother and sister. What makes this encounter all the more fascinating is that when the pair returned home, they discovered that the vicar had indeed passed away in 1906. This remarkable case of a ghostly apparition has been documented and remains one of the most intriguing in English hauntings.
The Church of St Edward King and Martyr has a long history dating back to the medieval period.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The Man in Green Jacket
Just past Junction 24 of the M1 Motorway, Castle Donington
Just past Junction 24 of the M1 Motorway, near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, a bizarre incident left a driver shaken. On 13 October 2009, at around 07:45, the driver spotted a man wearing a green jacket, dark trousers, and headwear standing in the middle lane. She quickly checked her rearview mirror to see if she could brake safely, then looked back at the road to realise the man had vanished into thin air. This unexplained sighting has sparked curiosity among paranormal enthusiasts and motorway users alike.
Ghostly Flight Deck Apparition
East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington
East Midlands Airport in Castle Donington has a rather eerie tale to tell. Back in the 1970s or 1980s, a retired airliner stood at the airfield's edge, serving as a training facility. One engineer, investigating lights left on in the aircraft, made a chilling discovery when he boarded the flight deck. There, in the co-pilot's seat, he spotted a figure that vanished instantly. The sudden appearance and disappearance of this ghostly presence sent a shiver down the engineer's spine. It was thought that the spectral figure might be that of the first officer who tragically lost his life in a crash.
The Headless Shade of Leicester
West Street, Leicester
West Street in Leicester has been the site of a rather bizarre and unexplained sighting. Back in 1965, several people witnessed a headless shade drifting down the middle of the road. The apparition was seen floating along, giving no indication of how it came to be without a head. This strange sighting has left many questions unanswered, and it remains one of the more unusual ghost stories to come out of Leicester.
Phantom Coach of Donington Hall
Donington Hall, Castle Donington
Donington Hall, now home to Nottingham East Midlands Airport HQ, has a long history of paranormal activity. A phantom coach is said to appear to the head of the household, signalling the impending death of a family member within a year. This eerie phenomenon was reportedly experienced in 2020, when a man and woman heard the sounds of a driven coach but couldnt see it. The hall is also said to be haunted by a disembodied hand, possibly belonging to Lady Catherine Hungerford.
The Phantom Butler of Kegworth
Thomas Moore's House, Kegworth
The Cedars in Kegworth, Leicestershire, has been home to a rather unsettling presence for centuries. This phantom butler is said to have met his demise within the very walls of the house, and his ghostly apparition has been causing a stir since at least 1812. According to reports, his bloodstain was once impossible to wash away, a grim reminder of the tragic events that unfolded here. The butler's ghost has been a long-standing companion to the house, and his presence has been acknowledged by numerous occupants over the years.
The Phantom Feline of Kegworth
42 High Street, Kegworth
In the heart of Kegworth village, a most unusual haunting has been reported at a property on High Street. The phantom cat is said to haunt this building, although it tends to be felt rather than seen. Residents and visitors have experienced unexplained sensations, as if the ghostly feline is present, but sightings are rare. The exact date and time of these events are unknown, adding to the mystery.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Church of St Edward King and Martyr
