The Red Head Servant Girl
Church Row in Hampstead is home to a rather unsettling apparition known as the Red Head. This ghostly figure is that of a servant girl who is said to walk down the street, heading towards the church, carrying a carpet bag. The contents of the bag are reportedly the remains of a child's body, which the maid had killed, and she is en route to dispose of the pieces in the churchyard. The image of this troubled soul is said to appear in the early morning hours, leaving onlookers with a lasting sense of unease.
The story behind this haunting dates back to the Victorian era, a time when Hampstead was a popular residential area for the wealthy. It's believed that the servant girl, driven by desperation or malice, committed a heinous crime. The entity is not only seen on Church Row but also in an unnamed building along the road, suggesting that her spirit may be trapped between these locations. While the exact details of the crime and the girl's identity remain a mystery, the legend of the Red Head has become a chilling part of Hampstead's paranormal folklore.
Victorian era residential area
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Hampstead Sighing House Ghost
Church Walk, NW3
Church Walk in Hampstead is home to a house with a dark history and a very unsettling presence. Loud sighing sounds have been reported coming from within its walls, sending shivers down the spines of those who have heard them. The house is said to be situated on a site where a mother is believed to have murdered a young child, a tragedy that has left an indelible mark on the property. It's little wonder that the air is thick with an eerie atmosphere, and the sighing sounds are thought to be a manifestation of the immense sorrow and tragedy that occurred here.
Hampstead White Shroud Apparition
King William IV, Hampstead
The King William IV Pub in Hampstead is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who was brutally murdered by her husband. According to reports, a girl in a white shroud has been seen staring out of one of the windows, adding to the pub's already eerie atmosphere. Locals claim that strange noises such as rattling windows and slamming doors are also common.
Ghostly Rider of Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath, NW3
Hampstead Heath, a sprawling green oasis in north London, has long been a hotspot for paranormal activity. As dusk falls, locals and visitors alike have reported encountering a ghostly figure on horseback, believed to be none other than the infamous Dick Turpin, a 18th-century highwayman. This phantom rider is said to gallop across the heath, his jet black horse pounding the earth. But Turpin's not the only ghostly presence said to haunt this common land. A second apparition, that of a 19th-century Member of Parliament, is identified by his top hat and is rumoured to have swallowed poison nearby. Then there's the mysterious old man, spotted by two boys digging a hole that seemed to vanish into thin air overnight.
The Old Man in Brown
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East Heath Road in London's NW3 area is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. This smiling old man, dressed in a brown overcoat, has been known to follow people along the road. What's intriguing is that he quickly fades into thin air if challenged or approached. It's as if he's a fleeting apparition, only visible for a brief moment. His harmless nature has been confirmed by multiple witnesses, who describe him with a gentle smile.
The Woman in White of Finchley Road
Close to the corner of Finchley Road and Frognal, NW3
On the bustling corner of Finchley Road and Frognal in north London, a ghostly apparition has been spotted by locals for centuries. The Woman in White is a mysterious figure who appears to passersby, her presence adding a touch of intrigue to this busy urban spot. Although details about her identity and motivations are scarce, her white attire and fleeting appearances have captured the imagination of many.
Boudica's Legendary Grave
Barrow known as Boadicea's Grave, NW3
Hampstead Heath is home to a mysterious barrow known as Boadicea's Grave, a spot steeped in local folklore. This ancient mound has been linked to the legendary queen of the Iceni, Boudica, who led a fierce rebellion against the Romans in 1st century AD. While it's uncertain whether this really is her final resting place, the site has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike for centuries. The barrow itself is a Bronze Age burial mound, and it's possible that it has no connection to Boudica at all.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Church Row

Fox Connaught
Newham, London

The Ostrich Inn
Colnbrook, Berkshire

Great Fosters Hotel
Egham, Surrey

The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel
Dartford, Kent