Ghostly Coach of Meyton Bridge
Meyton Bridge in Norfolk is home to a rather unusual and intriguing haunting. Every year on May 19th, a ghostly coach and four horses are said to appear on this bridge, driven by the headless ghost of Sir Thomas Boleyn. This spectral procession is just one of eleven or twelve bridges that Sir Thomas is believed to visit on the night of his daughter Anne's execution. The image of a horse-drawn carriage careening across the bridge, accompanied by the sound of rattling wheels and terrified horses, must have been a terrifying sight for anyone unfortunate enough to witness it.
The story behind this haunting is rooted in English history. Sir Thomas Boleyn, the father of Anne Boleyn, was a courtier and politician who fell out of favour with King Henry VIII after his daughter's execution in 1536. According to legend, Sir Thomas was so distraught at the loss of his daughter that he was doomed to drive a ghostly coach through various Norfolk bridges on the anniversary of her execution. The haunting has been reported to occur at Meyton Bridge for centuries, with multiple witnesses claiming to have seen the ghostly procession. While the exact origin of the story is unclear, it remains a popular and enduring ghost story in Norfolk.
The haunting is linked to the execution of Anne Boleyn in 1536.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Headless Black Shuck Sighting
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Coltishall in Norfolk is home to a rather unusual ghostly apparition known as the Headless Hound. This black shuck is said to roam the general area and is instantly recognisable due to its missing head. The creature's headless appearance has sparked the imagination of locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike. While there's no recorded date or time of the sighting, the Headless Hound remains a fascinating and eerie presence in the Norfolk countryside.
Phantom Coach
Bridge, Buxton
Buxton Bridge is a sleepy spot in Norfolk, but on one night a year, it becomes a hub of paranormal activity. Every 19th of May, a ghostly coach and four horses are said to appear, rattling across the bridge with a spectral presence that's hard to ignore. This eerie spectacle is linked to a gruesome event in history - the execution of Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated wife of Henry VIII. According to legend, her father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, drives this phantom coach, headless and doomed to relive his daughter's tragic fate.
Headless Coachman's Ghostly Ride
Bridge, Hautbois
Hautbois Bridge in Norfolk is the spot where a ghostly coach and four horses make their annual appearance on May 19th. This eerie spectacle is said to be driven by the headless Sir Thomas Boleyn, a figure steeped in history and tragedy. According to legend, Sir Thomas is doomed to revisit eleven bridges on the night of his daughter Anne's execution, and Hautbois Bridge is one of them. The image of the coach and horses thundering across the bridge must be a chilling sight for anyone lucky enough to witness it.
Phantom Coach
Bridge, Coltishall
Coltishall Bridge is a sleepy spot in Norfolk but on one night of the year, it becomes a hub of paranormal activity. Every 19th of May, a ghostly coach and four horses are said to thunder over the bridge, driven by the headless Sir Thomas Boleyn. This eerie procession is part of a larger ritual where Sir Thomas is believed to visit eleven bridges on the night of his daughter Anne's execution. The image of a headless coachman and his ghostly steeds is a haunting one, and it's little wonder that this phantom coach has become a famous Norfolk legend.
River Belaugh Ghostly Apparition
River, Belaugh
The River Belaugh in Norfolk is said to be haunted by the ghost of Richard Slater, a man who met a tragic end in the very waters he now haunts. Legend has it that Slater, who worked at the local rectory, stole money, gems, and other valuables from the church and buried them in the garden, waiting for a convenient time to recover the items and safely fence them. However, Slater chose the time to do so badly, as he was caught by the rector as he dug the items up. In his haste to escape, Slater then drowned in the nearby river, weighed down by the stolen goods. It's said that Slater's spirit appears nightly, doomed to relive the moment of his death.
The Waiting Woman of Belaugh
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Belaugh's serene riverside is home to a haunting legend that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. On August 24th of every year, a ghostly figure clad in a white dress is said to appear by the river, patiently waiting for her Viking lover. The story behind this phantom woman is shrouded in mystery, but her presence has become an integral part of Norfolk's rich paranormal heritage.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Meyton bridge
