Wailing Children of Wayland Woods
Deep in Wayland Woods, a haunting tragedy is said to have unfolded centuries ago. An uncaring uncle, having inherited two young children from his brother, callously abandoned them in the forest, leaving them to perish. Locals claim that on moonless nights, the heartbreaking cries of these two lost children can still be heard echoing through the trees, a chilling reminder of the brutal fate that befell them. This sorrowful tale is believed to have inspired the classic children's story 'Babes in the Woods', a haunting legacy that continues to captivate and unsettle people to this day.
The story of the wailing children of Wayland Woods dates back to a time when family dynamics and social circumstances were vastly different from those of today. The fact that an uncle could so callously dispose of his young relatives speaks volumes about the harsh realities of life in rural England during the Victorian era. While the exact date of the incident remains unknown, the haunting manifestation has been reported by multiple witnesses over the years, with the majority describing the sound of despairing cries and wails on dark, moonless nights. The woods, now a popular spot for walkers and nature enthusiasts, are said to be at their most eerie during the evening hours when the children's ghostly voices are most audible.
The haunting is linked to the classic children's story 'Babes in the Woods'.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Breckles Hall Ghostly Coach
Breckles Hall, Breckles
Breckles Hall stands tall in the Norfolk countryside, its grandeur a testament to a bygone era. Yet, locals whisper of a haunting that has nothing to do with grandeur, but everything to do with a curse. They say Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, is doomed to drive his headless horses and coach across Norfolk, with Breckles Hall being one of the stopping points. The story goes that a poacher, once brave enough to trespass, was scared to death by the ghostly apparition. Another version claims the poacher's constant law-breaking led to his demise, taken by the Devil himself.
Glowing Phantom Coach of Watton
Place near Breccles Hall, Watton
Near Breccles Hall in Watton, Norfolk, a strange and frightening encounter took place in the early nineteenth century. A group of poachers had gathered secretly in the area, but when one of their number failed to arrive, they grew concerned. They assumed he had been caught by a gamekeeper, but then a glowing phantom coach came dashing past their hiding place with the missing poacher inside. His screams stopped abruptly as the coach vanished in a bright flash, leaving the poachers stunned and bewildered.
Ghostly Coach of Woodrising
General area, Woodrising
Deep in the Norfolk countryside, near the village of Woodrising, a bizarre and intriguing haunting has been reported. A ghostly coach, said to be pulled by either invisible or headless horses, has been seen manifesting in this rural area. The coach itself is described as glowing brightly from its windows and lamps, shining with a light as bright as day. This eerie apparition has sparked the imagination of locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike, with many trying to make sense of this inexplicable phenomenon.
The White Reaper of Hockham
Woodland alongside roadside between Hockham and Wretham, Great Hockham
Deep in the Norfolk countryside, near the villages of Great Hockham and Wretham, a chilling apparition has been spotted by numerous locals and travellers. This ghostly figure, described as resembling the Grim Reaper but clad in white, has been seen by those passing through the woodland area alongside the roadside. The first reported sighting was in 1995 by a bus passenger, who was shaken by the encounter. What's intriguing is that this phantom figure seems to be connected to a local chapel, although the exact nature of this link remains a mystery.
Shipdham Pond Maid Ghost
Pond near Blackmoor Road, Shipdham
In the quiet Norfolk village of Shipdham, a small pond near Blackmoor Road is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of a young maid. Her story begins in the eighteenth century when she worked in the nearby area, but after a brief and perhaps ill-fated relationship with her employer, her life took a tragic turn. Shortly after leaving her place of work, her body was discovered floating in the pond, a tragic end to what must have been a young and promising life. It's said that her presence still lingers, a haunting manifestation of her untimely death.
Phantom Coach of Letton
Road through village, Letton
The Shipdham Road that winds its way through the Norfolk village of Letton has borne witness to a most peculiar and intriguing haunting. A female witness recalled seeing a phantom coach being pulled by invisible horses along this very road back in the 1830s. The coach was said to be so bright it lit up the night as if it were day. It's a sighting that has left many questions unanswered and has become a fascinating footnote in the annals of Norfolk's paranormal history.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Wayland Woods

Lower Bell
Thetford, Norfolk

The Scole Inn
Scole, Norfolk

The Maid's Head
Norwich, Norfolk