Skip to main content

The Legless Monk Phantom

St Mary's Lane, Outer London: Havering, London Apparition Unknown

St Mary's Lane in Cranham, Havering, is home to a rather eerie phantom - a monk with no legs. This ghostly figure is said to float silently across the road, leaving onlookers with a chill down their spines. The monk's appearances are centred around Christmas Day, reoccurring annually, and were last reported in the 1970s. The image of this legless monk gliding across the road is a haunting one, especially during the festive season when the nights are dark and the streets are quiet.

Historical records for this area suggest that Cranham has a rich ecclesiastical past, which could be linked to the monk's apparition. Although specific details about the monk's identity or the circumstances of its haunting are scarce, the fact that it appears on Christmas Day might imply a connection to the area's Christian heritage. Witnesses describe the monk as floating, rather than walking, which adds to the mystique of this paranormal phenomenon. The lack of legs only adds to the enigma, leaving many to wonder about the story behind this ghostly figure.

Historical Context

Cranham has a long history dating back to the medieval period, with several historical buildings and landmarks in the area.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Road
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
25 December (Reoccurring) - last reported 1970s
Postcode Area
RM14

Nearby Haunted Places

Unknown 0 mi

Great Armies of London

Skies west of London Bridge, SE1

London's skies have borne witness to many an unusual sighting, but few have been as striking as the two great armies that clashed in the air west of London Bridge. On a day in March, possibly in the nineteenth century, multiple people watched in awe as these spectral forces engaged each other in a spectacular display. The battle raged across the sky, with a flame hurtling towards the city at one point, sending a shiver down the spines of those who saw it. As suddenly as it had begun, the flame fizzled out and the armies vanished into thin air.

Sky/Great Viewpoint Victorian
Read Full Story
Unknown 0 mi

Bermondsey Street Policeman Remark

Unknown house, SE1

Bermondsey Street in London's SE1 area has a rather unusual claim to paranormal fame. Back in 1909, a man named James Phillips found himself in court for breaking into a house that was allegedly haunted. During his trial, a judge made a remark that's often cited as a classic example of scepticism in the face of ghostly claims. The judge told Phillips he was more likely to find a policeman than a ghost. It's not clear if Phillips was deterred by the judge's words, but the comment has become a memorable footnote in the history of English hauntings.

Street Victorian
Read Full Story
Unknown 0 mi

The Two Ladies of Queen's Road

Unnamed residence, SE15

On Queen's Road in London's SE15 area, a rather intriguing incident took place around 1905. It started with a rumour that two ghostly white women had been spotted in an empty house. This was enough to spark curiosity among locals, who began gathering outside the residence after dark, hoping to catch a glimpse of the alleged apparitions. The situation soon drew the attention of the police, who arrived to disperse the crowd. It was later suggested that the whole affair might have been a hoax concocted by two young girls.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Grecian Villa Ghost

Grecian Villa, SE19

The Grecian Villa, perched on Beulah Hill in south London, is home to a rather melancholy presence. This grand villa has witnessed a tragic event that has left an indelible mark on its history. In 1846, Daniel Philpot, a stablehand, took his own life by hanging himself within the villa's walls, unable to cope with the weight of his mounting gambling debts. It's said that his spirit still lingers, a poignant reminder of the desperation that led him to such a tragic end.

Historic Villa Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Blackheath Vampire Encounter

Unidentified residence, SE3

Blackheath, a tranquil area in south-east London, was once home to a most unsettling haunting. In mid-1895, a team of eight spiritualists was summoned to a residence to investigate a presence that was preventing the local children from sleeping. The team, determined to rid the house of its unwanted guest, took a bold approach to communicate with the entity. However, their efforts were nearly derailed when one of their own became possessed, attempting to bite the ears off the landlady in a shocking display of the entity's malevolent nature.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

MacDonald's Haunted Crypt Dweller

MacDonald's restaurant, SE9

This MacDonald's restaurant in south east London is home to a rather unusual ghost story. Built on the site of an old United Reformed church, the fast food establishment's basement was once a crypt, and it's here that some staff have reported encountering a mysterious entity. The details of these encounters are scarce, but it's clear that something strange is going on beneath the restaurant's busy floors.

Restaurant Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near St Mary's Lane