The Protection Cross Haunting
Maiden's Walk in Dilston sets the scene for a rather unusual and intriguing encounter that took place in the early 18th century. It's said that James Radclyffe, the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater, had a phantom visitor the evening before he was to join the Jacobite rising. As he rested under some trees, a woman in grey appeared to him. She handed James a crucifix, telling him it would protect him against harm from bullets and swords. This apparition, often referred to as the Protection Cross, is a story that has been passed down through the years, leaving many to wonder about its significance and the identity of the mysterious woman.
The year was circa 1715, a time of great turmoil in England as the Jacobite rising of 1715 was about to unfold. James Radclyffe, a key figure in the rebellion, was preparing to take part in the fighting. The story of the phantom woman and the protective crucifix she provided has been documented as part of the historical accounts of the era. While the exact nature of the apparition remains a mystery, the event is often cited as an example of the kinds of supernatural experiences reported by those involved in or affected by the conflicts of the time. The fact that this story has endured suggests it had a profound impact on those who heard it, including perhaps Radclyffe himself.
The Jacobite rising of 1715 was a real historical event, also known as the Fifteen Rebellion.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Phantom Woman with Pram
River Tyne, Corbridge
Along the banks of the River Tyne, near the charming town of Corbridge in Northumberland, a rather unsettling sight has been reported by locals and travellers alike. A woman, dressed in a blue dress and pushing a pram, has been seen walking at speed along the riverbank, her presence seemingly centred around the spot where, in the past, the lifeless bodies of a woman and her baby were discovered. The image of this phantom woman, hurrying along with her pram, is a haunting one, leaving many to wonder about the story behind her restless spirit.
Phantom of Blanchland
Old Hexham Road, Blanchland
Old Hexham Road in Blanchland is home to a rather intriguing haunting. The phantom in question is that of Dorothy Forster, a ghost who's said to drift down this very road, heading towards the Lord Crewe Arms public house. It's here that she allegedly haunts, leaving locals and visitors alike to wonder about her story. While details of her life and death are scarce, her ghostly presence seems to be a well-known phenomenon in these parts.
Wellington Hotel Ghost
Wellington Hotel, Riding Mill
The Wellington Hotel in Riding Mill, Northumberland, is home to a rather unsettling presence. Anne Armstrong, a notorious witch hunter, met her untimely demise within these very walls. Her story begins with the capture of five pagans who were allegedly practicing 'black magic' in the hotel. Although it's unclear if the witches escaped execution, Anne's own fate was sealed when she was found hanged in the hotel, with suspicions of foul play. It's said that Anne's ghost haunts her favourite bedroom to this day, leaving many to wonder if her spirit is still searching for justice or closure.
Riding Mill Terrifying Entity
Former mansion, Riding Mill
Riding Mill in Northumberland was once home to a mansion built by the Orde family, but it was abandoned after the house became inhabited by an entity so terrifying that no one could live on the site. The house was eventually demolished, leaving behind only memories of the malevolent presence that drove its occupants away. This terrifying figure has become a part of local legend, with many believing that it still haunts the area where the mansion once stood.
Healey Vicarage Ghostly Music
Vicarage, Healey
In the quiet village of Healey, Northumberland, a most unusual haunting took place at the local vicarage. It was here, in 1933, that the new vicar was forced to take drastic action to rid the property of a very unusual ghostly presence - one that manifested as eerie, unexplained music. The vicar, understandably keen to restore a sense of peace and normality to his new home, performed an exorcism to banish the phantom sounds.
Lady Derwentwater's Longing Spirit
Dilston Hall and nearby woods, Dilston
Dilston Hall stands amidst a tranquil yet eerie landscape in Northumberland, its stone fa��ade bearing witness to centuries of history. Here, the spirit of Lady Derwentwater is said to reside, eternally waiting for the return of her beloved husband. Her ghostly presence is often marked by a flickering lamp in one of the hall's windows or a fleeting glimpse of her gazing out into the distance. The nearby woods, where she is also believed to roam, add an air of mystery to this haunting. As the story goes, when Lord Derwentwater met his demise at the Tower of London in 1716, a local stream ran red with blood, forever linking the hall to a tragic past.