Belvoir Castle garden, Knipton

Belvoir Castle stands tall in the Leicestershire countryside, its grand estate shrouded in mystery and intrigue. It's here, in the castle's sprawling gardens, that two dog walkers stumbled upon a bizarre and unsettling encounter in April 2013. As they strolled through the grounds with their canine companions, the dogs suddenly began to bark furiously, alerting their owners to the presence of another figure. About twenty-five metres away, they caught sight of a woman clad in a dark gown, her head covered by a hood, gazing in their direction. The fleeting apparition lasted only a few seconds before she vanished behind a tree, leaving the witnesses with a sense of bewilderment and unease.

Road from Belvoir castle towards village, Knipton

On a stretch of road in Knipton, heading towards the village from Belvoir Castle, a strange encounter has been reported. In 1994, a car driver and passengers witnessed a ghostly figure with no legs, clad in a long coat, thumbing a lift at a junction. The driver initially intended to pass by, but the apparition suddenly stepped out in front of the car, forcing the driver to brake hard. As the vehicle screeched to a halt, the mysterious figure vanished into thin air.

Belvoir Castle rally track, Knipton

Belvoir Castle's rally track in Knipton, Leicestershire, is said to be haunted by a ghostly figure on horseback. This spectral presence, clad in a grey coat, has been known to appear to drivers, standing in the way of oncoming traffic. Interestingly, only the driver can see him, and in one instance, the last known witness only saw the man, not the horse. The apparition's ability to seemingly interact with or at least be perceived by drivers has sparked curiosity among paranormal enthusiasts.

Church, Bottesford

Bottesford Church stands quietly in the Leicestershire countryside, its ancient stones bearing witness to centuries of history. Among the impressive collection of Rutland family monuments that fill the chancel, one tomb holds a chilling distinction - it is the only known grave in England to officially blame deaths on witchcraft. The monument to Francis Manners, 6th Earl of Rutland, bears the haunting inscription about his two young sons Henry and Francis, who died "in their infancy by wicked practises and sorcerye". The boys are depicted on the tomb carrying skulls, a stark reminder of their untimely deaths that so shocked their parents they ensured this accusation would be carved in stone for eternity.

Holy Cross Priory, Leicester

Holy Cross Priory in Leicester has been home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. Shortly after his death around 1931, Reverend Norbert Wylie began appearing to the living. His ghostly form was spotted at the altar, outside the confessional box, and strolling through the cloisters. One notable encounter was between Father Fabian Dix and the Reverend's spirit, where Wylie asked Dix to 'pray for me', a message that was then passed on to the congregation. This eerie yet poignant request has been remembered for years.

The Belvoir Hotel, Widmerpool

The Belvoir (Vale) Hotel in Widmerpool is said to be haunted by the ghost of a highwayman who met his demise on the premises. According to legend, this coach robber was caught and executed at The Belvoir (Vale) Hotel. His spirit is believed to appear as an apparition in the evening hours.