Skip to main content

Card Players of Holbeach

All Saint's Church, Holbeach, Lincolnshire Apparition Pre-Victorian

Deep in the heart of Lincolnshire, the village of Holbeach is home to a most intriguing haunting at All Saint's Church. Legend has it that a group of men, caught by Satan himself, were playing cards in the churchyard. Their reckless behaviour was swiftly punished, and now their ghostly forms are said to appear in the church porch, a chilling warning to anyone who would dare follow in their footsteps. The four ghostly card players are a fascinating sight, and their story has become an integral part of local folklore.

Historical records suggest that this haunting dates back to a time when card playing was considered a sinful activity. The ghost of Sir Humphrey Littlebury is also said to haunt the church, adding to the rich history and paranormal activity of this sacred site. While the exact date of the card players' misdeed is unknown, their ghostly presence has been reported by numerous witnesses over the years, leaving many to wonder if they are indeed being watched by restless spirits.

Historical Context

Medieval church with 14th-century tower

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Church
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
PE12

Nearby Haunted Places

Poltergeist 0.1 mi

The Holbeach Ghostly Lady

The Mansion House Hotel, Holbeach

The Mansion House Hotel in Holbeach has a reputation for being haunted by a ghostly lady. Guests and staff have reported a range of paranormal experiences, including sightings of a woman aged around 35. She has been seen looking out of one of the hotel's windows, and in some cases, she has been spotted standing over guests in rooms 2, 3, and 5. The activity seems to be centred around these rooms, with reports of doors opening and closing on their own, and toilets flushing without being used. In one instance, painters took a break to find that their tools had been moved, with paint pots opened and brushes inside.

Hotel Unknown
Read Full Story
Shuck 0.4 mi

Shuck Sighting at Belle Hole Farm

Belle Hole Farm, Kirton

Belle Hole Farm in Kirton, Lincolnshire, is home to a rather unusual paranormal resident. A shuck, a type of ghostly hound, is said to have made its lair in a hole in the stream bank near the farmhouse. The farmer's wife reported a particularly unsettling encounter when she saw the creature enter the kitchen. She was too frightened to move, and had to wait until the shuck left of its own accord before she could breathe a sigh of relief.

Farm 20th Century
Read Full Story
Legend 4.8 mi

King John's Lost Treasure

King John's Hole, Long Sutton

King John's Hole, a spot midway between Long Sutton and King's Lynn, holds a captivating tale of lost riches. This former pool of water, now possibly drained, is steeped in legend as the final resting place of King John's treasure. The story goes that some of the treasure was recovered when the area was partly drained, fuelling imaginations about what still lies hidden. It's a mystifying tale that draws you in, making you wonder what secrets lie beneath the surface.

Natural Feature Medieval
Read Full Story
Poltergeist 5.6 mi

The Butler Poltergeist

Farmhouse in the area, Surfleet

In the quiet village of Surfleet, nestled in the heart of Lincolnshire, a most unusual haunting took place back in 1966. A farmhouse in the area was said to be plagued by a mischievous poltergeist, affectionately nicknamed 'The Butler'. This ghostly entity was reportedly responsible for a series of strange occurrences, including unexplained tapping on walls and the banging of a gong. The locals were quite taken aback by these events, but not everyone was convinced that the cause was paranormal.

Private Residence Mid-20th Century
Read Full Story
Poltergeist 5.9 mi

Spalding Poltergeist Haunting

Flat above Hepworths, Spalding

In the quiet town of Spalding, Lincolnshire, a most unusual and intriguing haunting took place in a flat above Hepworths in February 1971. The phenomenon began with doors that fitted tightly to their frames suddenly and inexplicably opening on their own. It wasnt just a gentle creak either - these doors were swinging open with a force that was hard to ignore. Alongside the doors opening, loud unexplained bangs could be heard, adding to the sense of unease that was settling over the occupants of the flat. Even the normally playful dog that lived there wasnt immune to the strange happenings, as it would whimper at the base of the staircase, as if it too sensed something was off.

Private Residence Modern
Read Full Story
Apparition 6.2 mi

Queen Maude's Ghostly Procession

Queen Maude Hole, Santon

Deep in the Lincolnshire countryside lies Queen Maude Hole, a mysterious depression in the land shrouded in legend. Every night at midnight, the ghostly figure of Queen Maude is said to emerge, walking the perimeter of the hole that bears her name. Some locals refer to her as Queen Mab or Empress Maude, but the identity remains the same - a spectral presence haunting this rural spot. The exact nature of her haunting is unclear, but the consistency of reports suggests a long-standing and intriguing phenomenon.

Natural Land Feature Medieval
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near All Saint's Church