The Old Woman of Cold Ashby
On a stormy night in 1999, a driver was heading home from a late shift, travelling eastbound from Long Buckby towards Cold Ashby. As he rounded a bend, his headlights illuminated a figure walking towards him - an old woman, bent over as if she had a bad back, clutching a shawl to her head. Her clothes seemed to be from the eighteenth century, a time long past. The driver felt a shiver run down his spine as he passed her, and when he glanced in his rearview mirror, she had vanished. He pulled over, drove up and down the road a few times, but there was no sign of the woman.
Historical records for Cold Ashby reveal a village with a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book. While there's no direct connection to an old woman from the eighteenth century, it's possible that the driver encountered a restless spirit from a bygone era. The witness's account remains one of the most compelling, with no obvious explanation for what he saw. His credibility is high, given the detailed description of the woman's appearance and his obvious distress.
Cold Ashby has a history dating back to the Domesday Book.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Battle of Naseby Ghostly Reenactment
Sky over site of the Battle of Naseby, Naseby
The sky above Naseby Battlefield is said to be the site of a most unusual and intriguing haunting. On June 14th of every year, locals and visitors alike have reported witnessing a ghostly reenactment of the Battle of Naseby, a pivotal conflict that took place on that very date in 1645. For over a century after the battle, people would gather on the nearby hills to watch the spectral clash of arms, complete with the sounds of men screaming and cannons firing. Although this phenomenon has been reported less frequently in recent times, its history is well documented and continues to fascinate those interested in the paranormal.
Navvies of Kilsby Tunnel
Railway tunnel ventilation shaft, Kilsby
Deep in the Northamptonshire countryside, the Kilsby tunnel ventilation shaft stands as a haunting reminder of the tragic events that unfolded during its construction. Three drunken navvies lost their lives in this very shaft, and it's said their restless spirits still linger in the area. The tunnel itself was a major engineering feat of the Victorian era, but it's the human cost of its construction that has led to reports of paranormal activity.
The Ghost of Madeline Smith
Roads around the area, Scaldwell
Scaldwell's rural roads are said to be haunted by the ghost of Madeline Smith, a woman who was acquitted of murdering her boyfriend but succumbed to the stress of the trial shortly after. Locals claim to have seen her grey form wandering the lanes, a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of the trial. The exact circumstances of her death are unclear, but it's said that the strain of the proceedings proved too much for her. Her spirit is now a familiar sight in these parts, a fleeting glimpse of which can leave a lasting impression on those who catch a glimpse of her.
Althorp Park Ghostly Apparitions
Althorp Park, Althorp
Althorp Park, the stunning Northamptonshire estate, has a darker side to its beauty. Several ghostly entities have been spotted here, leaving visitors and staff with a chill. One of the most intriguing sightings was of a horse groom who appeared standing over a bed, holding a bright lamp, just two weeks after his untimely death in the 1820s or 1830s. This post-mortem manifestation was a shocking event, no doubt, for those who witnessed it. The park has been home to the Spencer family, including Princess Diana's family, for centuries, and it's possible that the groom's spirit lingered, unable to rest.
The White Lady of Harrington
Tollemache Arms Public House, Harrington
The Tollemache Arms Public House in Harrington is home to a spine-tingling presence known as Lady Jane Stanhope, a ghostly apparition shrouded in tragedy. This spectral white lady is said to haunt the fields behind the building, her ethereal form appearing to those whose time on this earth is drawing to a close. According to local lore, Lady Jane was condemned to roam these very grounds after committing a heinous crime - the murder of her gardener, who had accidentally killed one of her prized plants. It's said that her restless spirit manifests as a harbinger of doom, a crisis apparition that strikes fear into the hearts of those who cross her path.
Fading US Airmen Apparition
Road leading to Lamport, Harrington
On a stretch of road leading to the old Lamport area, a strange phenomenon has been reported by multiple witnesses. Travellers heading towards the former USAAF airfield have witnessed a car full of military personnel slowly fade from view as it travels along this rural road. The apparition seems to vanish into thin air, leaving observers with a lasting sense of unease and curiosity. This eerie event has become a popular topic of discussion among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near East bound from Long Buckby towards Cold Ashby

