Lady Jane Grey's Phantom Coach
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.
Delving into the historical context, Lady Jane Grey was a claimant to the English throne and a prominent figure of the Tudor period. Born at Bradgate House, her life was marked by turmoil and tragedy, ultimately leading to her execution in 1554. The connection between her life and the phantom coach sighting is intriguing, with some speculating that the date 23 January may commemorate a significant event or anniversary related to her life or death. Although witness accounts are scarce, the enduring nature of this folklore underscores the profound influence of Lady Jane Grey's story on local legend and culture.
Lady Jane Grey was born at Bradgate House in 1537 and later became a claimant to the English throne.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Lady Jane Grey Haunting
Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford
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.
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.
Markfield Grey Phantom Sighting
Graveyard, Markfield
Deep in the heart of Leicestershire lies the sleepy town of Markfield, home to a graveyard where the restless spirits of the past are said to roam. It's here, among the weathered gravestones, that a ghostly apparition has been spotted by several witnesses. The grey phantom, as it has come to be known, is reported to have been seen walking past the gravestones, its presence felt by those who have caught a glimpse of it. The year was 1918, and the atmosphere was tense, but what could have caused this spectral entity to manifest in such a way?
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Bridge near the ruins of Bradgate House
