Skip to main content

The Monk of Guisborough

Road just outside of town, Guisborough, North Yorkshire Apparition Unknown

On a dark road just outside Guisborough, nestled by the moors, a chilling encounter took place in 1985. Four people travelling by car were startled to see a figure standing in the middle of the road ahead, illuminated by the headlights. The driver swerved to avoid what they thought was a person, but as they passed by, they realised it was a monk with a hood covering his bent head. The sudden appearance of this spectral figure left the occupants with a lasting impression of the strange and unexplained.

Historical records of the area reveal little about a specific connection to monks, but the moors surrounding Guisborough have a rich history dating back to medieval times. The haunting manifestation of the monk remains a singular event, with no further details on subsequent sightings. The witness accounts from the four travellers lend credibility to the event, though further investigation is needed to uncover any potential links to the local history or a possible historical basis for the apparition.

Historical Context

The area has a medieval history with the Guisborough Priory established in the 12th century.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Road
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1985
Postcode Area
TS12

Nearby Haunted Places

Apparition 0 mi

The Rector's Ghostly Wrath

High Trees house, Aston

High Trees house in Aston, Yorkshire, is home to a malevolent spirit known as The Rector. This vengeful ghost is said to roam the building's walls, forever trapped in a cycle of rage and sorrow. Legend has it that The Rector brutally murdered his wife after discovering her affair with a manservant, and now his restless spirit is doomed to relive that fateful moment. The bedroom where the tragedy occurred still bears the stain of his wife's blood, a grim reminder of the rector's deadly wrath.

Former Rectory Victorian
Read Full Story
Legend 0.8 mi

The Lost Town of Hood Grange

Gormire Lake, Hood Grange

Gormire Lake lies shrouded in mystery, its serene waters reflecting the surrounding Yorkshire landscape. Legend has it that a town once thrived here, but a devastating earthquake swallowed it up as punishment for the inhabitants' ungodliness. They say the old church bell still rings out across the lake, and the sound of a blacksmith at work can be heard echoing through the trees. It's a haunting reminder of what lies beneath the surface.

Lake Medieval
Read Full Story
Apparition 1.5 mi

Whitestone Cliff Witch Ghost

Whitestone Cliff, Hambleton Hills

Perched on the rugged edge of Whitestone Cliff in Hambleton Hills, a tragic tale of persecution and desperation unfolds. Abigail Carstair, a woman accused of witchcraft, met her untimely demise here, leaping to her death rather than face the brutal hands of her tormentors. Her spirit, they say, still roams these windswept moors, a melancholy apparition searching for solace. Some claim to have spotted her ghostly form, attempting to hide from the prying eyes of those who pursued her in life.

Cliff Pre-Victorian
Read Full Story
Dragon 2.6 mi

Dragon of Scaw Wood

Scaw Wood, Handale

Deep in Scaw Wood, a legendary beast once roamed, striking fear into the hearts of locals. This was no ordinary creature, but a fire-breathing dragon that lived off the land, preying on unsuspecting maidens and the occasional monk. Its lair, hidden somewhere within the wood, was said to be a place of dark terror. The story goes that a brave knight, clad in heatproof armour, finally brought an end to the dragon's reign of terror by stabbing it through the neck. As a reward for his heroism, he married the surviving maiden found in the lair.

Woods Medieval
Read Full Story
UFO 2.6 mi

Byland Abbey Silver Disc Haunting

Byland Abbey, Byland

Byland Abbey has witnessed some strange occurrences over the centuries. In the late 13th century, the monks were enjoying their meal when a large, radiant silver object flew overhead, causing quite a stir. This event was documented as happening in 1290. Fast forward to 24 December 1850, a passing farmer reported hearing phantom plain chant while watching a ghostly form move around the gravestones. It's intriguing to consider whether these events are connected or simply two separate incidents that have become etched in the history of Byland Abbey.

Historic Monastery Medieval, Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 3 mi

White Lass Beck Haunting

Stream in the area, Thirsk

White Lass Beck, a small stream in the Thirsk area of North Yorkshire, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman in white. Legend has it that she was a maid who met a tragic end, her body discovered buried in a gravel pit near the stream. Locals believe that her spirit, known as White Lass Beck, roams the area, often manifesting as a woman in white, but also reportedly taking the form of a white dog or white heifer. The exact date of her death is unclear, but it's thought to have occurred sometime in the nineteenth century.

Stream Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near Road just outside of town