Lady Jane Grey Haunting
Bradgate Park, a sprawling green space in Leicestershire, is home to a haunting associated with Lady Jane Grey, the so-called 'Nine Days' Queen'. Raised within these grounds as a child, Lady Jane's tormented spirit is said to roam the mansion and surrounding parkland. On Christmas Eve, a ghostly procession is rumoured to make its way through the ruins of Bradgate Park, with Lady Jane's spectral form arriving in a coach pulled by four black headless horses. This eerie spectacle is a reoccurring phenomenon, fueling the park's reputation as a hub of paranormal activity.
Delving into the history books, Lady Jane Grey's life was marked by turmoil and tragedy. Proclaimed Queen of England at just 15 years old, her reign was short-lived, lasting only nine days in July 1553. Eventually, she was deposed and executed in 1554. It's little wonder that her spirit is said to haunt Bradgate Park, where she spent her formative years. While there are no concrete records of Lady Jane's ghostly appearances, the enduring legend has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. On 24 December each year, a sense of anticipation settles over the park, as people gather to catch a glimpse of the phantom coach and horses.
Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days' Queen, was a claimant to the English throne in the 16th century.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Lady Jane Grey's Phantom Coach
Bridge near the ruins of Bradgate House, Newtown Linford
Near the crumbling ruins of Bradgate House in Newtown Linford, a spine-tingling spectacle is said to unfold on a specific date each year. On 23 January, a phantom coach is reportedly seen passing over a nearby bridge, its ghostly presence stirring a mix of fascination and unease. This eerie apparition is linked to Lady Jane Grey, a figure from English history who was born at Bradgate House. While the exact reason for this date remains unclear, the persistence of this folklore suggests a lasting impact on the local imagination.
The Man with No Face
Fields along Anstey Road, Anstey
In the fields along Anstey Road, a rather bizarre and unexplained encounter took place back in the late 1920s. A woman was out playing in the fields when she stumbled upon a figure without a face, dressed in black. She described seeing a circular 'hut' behind him, but by the time she ran to get her father, who was sleeping in a nearby field, both the hut and the man had vanished into thin air. This strange incident has been interpreted as either an early alien encounter or a ghostly apparition, leaving us to wonder what really happened on that day.
Bottled Child Spirit
Old Hall, Hinckley
Old Hall in Hinckley is said to be haunted by the spirit of a child who met a tragic end. The youngster was allegedly flogged to death within the building's walls, and it's believed that this brutal treatment sparked a malevolent energy that refuses to rest. Several parsons, moved by the child's plight, managed to bottle the spirit and dispose of it in a nearby moat. However, the water in the moat would vibrate with anger for a considerable time after the spirit's containment, a sign that the child's presence still lingered.
Crying Child of Old Hall
Old Hall, Hinckley
Old Hall in Hinckley, Leicestershire, is said to be haunted by the spirit of a child who met a tragic end. The story goes that the youngster was flogged to death within the hall's walls, and it's believed that the trauma and pain of their demise have bound their spirit to the site. Over the years, locals have reported strange occurrences, including the sound of a crying child. It's said that several ministers attempted to banish the spirit, eventually trapping it inside a bottle which was then cast into a pond on the grounds.
Headless Battle Ghost
Lanes of village, Market Bosworth
In the quiet village lanes of Market Bosworth, a chilling apparition is said to roam, searching for a vital part of his being. This headless soldier, a fighter who lost his head in the Battle of Bosworth Field, is doomed to wander the roads and lanes, hoping to find his missing head. The battle, which took place in 1485, was a pivotal moment in English history, marking the end of the Plantagenet dynasty and the rise of the Tudors. It's little wonder that the soldier's restless spirit lingers, unable to move on.
Rothley Railway Ghosts
Railway Station, Rothley
Rothley Railway Station in Leicestershire is home to a trio of ghostly residents. A ghostly porter was spotted at the station by a member of the public returning from a party at 2am one Sunday morning. This sighting took place back in the early 1980s. The station also plays host to a phantom woman in blue who appears in the waiting room, particularly during the winter months. Her appearances have been reported as recently as the 2000s. Adding to the station's paranormal reputation is the spirit of a ghostly dog and its owner, who were killed on the line a short distance away prior to the start of the Second World War.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Bradgate Park
