The Devil's Church Challenge
Willoughton Church stands tall in the Lincolnshire countryside, its stone walls bearing witness to centuries of history and, some say, a dash of the supernatural. An old folk tale tells of a daring test of courage, where a brave soul drops a pin through the keyhole and runs around the building seven times, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Devil himself. This Drop and Run legend has been passed down through generations, leaving many to wonder if there's truth behind the tale.
Dating back to the medieval period, Willoughton Church has seen its fair share of worshippers and visitors. While there's no concrete evidence to support the claims of a supernatural encounter, the church's rich history and atmospheric setting make it the perfect backdrop for a spine-tingling experience. The ritual, as it's come to be known, is said to require a steady nerve and a quick pair of feet. Whether or not you believe in the legend, a visit to Willoughton Church is sure to leave you with a sense of awe and, perhaps, a few chills.
Medieval church with Victorian restorations
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Hairy Jack of Willoughton
Exact location not known, Willoughton
In the quiet village of Willoughton, nestled in the heart of Lincolnshire, a mysterious figure has been terrorising locals for decades. Known affectionately as Hairy Jack, this ghostly apparition is said to be a black dog covered in pigs' hair. The legend of Hairy Jack has been passed down through generations, with one notable incident occurring in 1933 when a local man claimed to have been pushed into a gatepost by an invisible force. The man reported that he felt the presence of a dog, which had placed its paws against his shoulders, leaving him shaken but unharmed.
Mysterious Rabbit-sized Demon
Country lane, Willoughton
In the quiet countryside of Willoughton, Lincolnshire, a rather unusual encounter took place on a country lane. A sober witness was cycling along when a small, bipedal creature with horns suddenly ran out in front of him. The creature was travelling at a speed that matched the cyclist's bicycle and vanished as it hopped onto a grass verge. The witness described the creature as being rabbit-sized, leaving us to wonder what this little demon was up to on that country lane.
Dancing Devil of Hemswell
Spring in wooded area north of village, Hemswell
Tucked away in a wooded area north of Hemswell village lies a spring with a rather unusual reputation. Locals claim that if you drink from this spring, the devil himself will appear and break into dance on a nearby rock. It's a legend that's been passed down through the years, leaving many to wonder if there's any truth to it. One brave village resident did take a sip of the water, but unfortunately for them, Old Nick didn't make an appearance.
Pill-Shaped UFO Sighting
Skies above the village, Hemswell
Hemswell, a quaint village in Lincolnshire, has witnessed its fair share of unusual phenomena. One evening in 2018, a strange noise echoed through the skies, prompting a curious resident to glance upwards. What they saw was nothing short of extraordinary - three metallic, pill-shaped containers flying in formation, linked by a sturdy chord. The bizarre sighting left the witness in awe, wondering what exactly they had just seen.
Hemswell Skeleton Ghost
General area, Hemswell
Hemswell village in Lincolnshire is home to a rather unsettling spectre - a tall, black skeleton that's said to make occasional appearances around the village. Locals have grown accustomed to the sight, but it's hard to imagine it doesn't send a shiver down the spine. The skeleton's presence is a mystery, with no clear explanation for its origins or motivations. It's a chilling reminder that some mysteries are better left unsolved.
Hemswell Black Dog Haunting
Area between village and Grayingham, Hemswell
In the rolling countryside of Lincolnshire, where the villages of Hemswell and Grayingham sit quietly, a peculiar legend has locals and travellers alike on high alert. They call them Black Dogs, or more specifically, Shucks - mysterious, calf-sized canines that prowl the roads connecting these two rural settlements under the cover of darkness. One woman, caught off guard by one of these ghostly hounds, recalled her frantic attempt to defend herself, swinging her umbrella wildly only to watch in bewilderment as it passed straight through the creature's ethereal form.