Hackney Marshes Bear Sighting
Hackney Marshes has long been a place of fascination for locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. This sprawling area of wetland has witnessed its fair share of strange occurrences, but one incident that still sends shivers down the spines of many is the reported sighting of a bear. It was a chilly winter's day, 27 December 1981, when four children claimed to have seen a bear roaming freely in the marshland. What makes this sighting even more intriguing is that investigators found large paw prints in the snow, but despite their efforts, they were unable to track down the mysterious creature.
Fast forward to May 2012, and it seems that the marshes still hold secrets. A student named Helen Murray took two photographs of a large, black-haired creature in the same area. These images have sparked intense debate and curiosity among cryptozoology enthusiasts. While some have questioned the authenticity of the photos, they remain a significant part of the bear sightings' history in Hackney Marshes. The fact that these sightings have occurred over three decades apart raises questions about the possibility of a long-standing, unexplained presence in this seemingly ordinary London location.
The Hackney Marshes have a long history dating back to the 14th century, with various uses including agriculture and recreation.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Hackney Churchyard Ghostly Gathering
Hackney Churchyard, E9
Hackney Churchyard on Mare Street was once the scene of a most unusual and unruly haunting. It started with a rumour, no doubt spread by word of mouth, that the churchyard was haunted. Before long, a crowd of around two thousand people had descended upon the place, causing quite a commotion. The local authorities struggled to maintain order, with at least one man being arrested for being drunk and disorderly. The gravestones, sadly, did not escape the chaos, sustaining damage at the hands of the rowdy crowd.
The Sleeping Nurse Ghost
Mothers Hospital, E8
Mothers Hospital in Hackney, London, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a nurse who tragically fell asleep on duty, resulting in the death of an infant. The nurse, overcome with grief and guilt, took her own life. Since then, her spirit has been blamed for a strange phenomenon where nurses on the verge of falling asleep would feel a light tap on the shoulder. This gentle warning is thought to be the ghost's way of ensuring that no one else makes the same fatal mistake. The hospital is no longer operational, but the legend of the sleeping nurse lives on.
Spring Heeled Jack Attack
House along Bearhind Lane and/or in Old Ford, E3
Bearhind Lane in Old Ford, London, was once the scene of a terrifying encounter between Jane Alsop and a figure who would become infamous in Victorian folklore - Spring Heeled Jack. On the night of 20 February 1838, Alsop opened her front door to what she believed was a policeman, only to find a sinister figure clad in a helmet and tight-fitting white clothing. His eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire and his hands were claw-like. The figure attacked Alsop but her screams alerted her sister, who came to her rescue, and Jack leapt away into the darkness.
The Shhh Hospital Ghost
New property on the site of the old St. Andrews Hospital, E3
Imagine waking up in the dead of night to a loud 'shhh!' - it's a sound that one property owner in East London won't soon forget. This eerie occurrence happened in a new property built on the site of the old St. Andrews Hospital. The owner reported that an entity, seemingly fond of quiet, would turn down the TV volume and even woke someone up from snoring with a sudden, sharp 'shhh!'. It's a strange and unexplained phenomenon that has left many wondering about the presence of a mischievous ghost.
Teesdale Street Poltergeist
132 Teesdale Street, E2
In the heart of London's East End, at 132 Teesdale Street, a most unusual poltergeist haunting took place in February 1938. It started with the usual signs - tapping sounds and cries being heard, furniture moving on its own - but quickly escalated into a media sensation. The haunting attracted a massive crowd of around 2000 people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the paranormal activity. The sheer scale of public interest was unprecedented, and many have since questioned whether the whole affair was a clever hoax.
Sutton House White Lady
Sutton House, E2
Sutton House in London's East End is home to a phantom woman, or possibly multiple women, known as the White Lady. This ghostly presence isn't solitary; she's often accompanied by the unsettling sound of a wailing hound and disembodied voices that seem to emanate from empty rooms. The haunting manifestations here have been reported from the late twentieth century, leaving many to wonder about the history and identity of these restless spirits.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Hackney marshes

Fox Connaught
Newham, London

The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel
Dartford, Kent

The Green Man
Harlow, Essex