Phantom Pedestrian of Ravenshead
Ravenshead, a small village in Nottinghamshire, is home to a rather puzzling ghost story. It was a chilly winter evening in 1984 or 1985 when a distressed motorist phoned the police, claiming she had hit a pedestrian on the A60. Rushing to the scene, two police officers found fresh skid marks on the road, and a set of footsteps leading from and to the spot where the driver's door would have been. But there was no sign of a victim. It was as if the pedestrian had vanished into thin air.
The incident took place near a stone commemorating Bessie Shepherds, a local figure of some significance. While we dont know much about Bessie, her memorial suggests a connection to the area's history. The police officers' discovery of skid marks and footprints indicates that something - or someone - was indeed present on that winter's night. The lack of a body or any other evidence has led to speculation about the nature of this apparition. Was it a ghost, a hallucination, or something else entirely? The incident remains a mystery, leaving us to wonder what really happened on that dark road.
The incident occurred in a rural area with a long history dating back to the medieval period
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Newstead Abbey White Lady
Newstead Abbey House, Ravenshead
Newstead Abbey House (Rooms), Ravenshead, is a place where history and the paranormal intertwine. This location, primarily a museum, offers limited accommodation and is famed for the 'White Lady' of Newstead. She is believed to be the jilted lover of the renowned poet Lord Byron. Visitors and staff have reported sightings of this ghostly figure, particularly around Byron's former apartments and the cloisters.
Byron's Ghostly Encounter
Newstead Abbey, Linby
Newstead Abbey, a majestic country house in Nottinghamshire, is said to be haunted by the ghost of none other than the famous poet Lord Byron. Byron, who once lived in the abbey, is rumoured to have met a ghostly black friar that haunted the building for nearly 500 years. Today, it's said that Byron's own ghost sits in a corridor near his picture, a spectral presence that's as intriguing as it is unsettling. But Byron's not the only ghostly inhabitant of Newstead Abbey; reports also abound of a white lady with a sweet, rose-petal scent, Byron's beloved pet dog Boatswain, and a mysterious woman in black who's considered unlucky.
Robin Hood's Fight Site
Fountain Dale, Blidworth
Fountain Dale in Blidworth is steeped in legend, said to be the very spot where the infamous outlaw Robin Hood and his mate Friar Tuck first clashed. This Nottinghamshire woodland has been the subject of local lore for centuries, with many claiming to have caught glimpses of the ghostly duo locked in combat. While there's no concrete evidence to support these claims, the area's rich history and atmospheric setting make it a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts. As you wander through the trees, it's easy to imagine the sound of clashing swords and the eerie feeling that you're being watched.
Bessie Shepherd's Ghostly Apparition
Road from Mansfield to Nottingham passing by the area, Harlow Wood
On a stretch of road in Harlow Wood, Nottinghamshire, a chilling apparition has been spotted by numerous people. This ghostly figure is said to be that of Elizabeth 'Bessie' Shepherd, a young woman who met a tragic end over two hundred years ago. According to local legend, Bessie was robbed and murdered along this very road, her life cut short in a senseless act of violence. Her killer, Charles Rotherham, was eventually caught after attempting to sell her shoes, a move that would ultimately seal his fate.
Legend of Alan A' Dale's Wedding
St James' Church, Papplewick
St James' Church in Papplewick stands serene and quiet, its stone walls bearing witness to centuries of history. It is here that legend has it Alan A' Dale, one of Robin Hood's trusted men, exchanged vows with his beloved. While there's no concrete evidence to confirm the exact date or details of the wedding, the story has become an integral part of the church's folklore. Visitors to the church can't help but wonder if the spirit of Alan A' Dale still lingers, celebrating his union with joy and merriment.
The Arrow-Shaped Grave of Will Scarlet
Churchyard, Blidworth
Blidworth Churchyard in Nottinghamshire is home to a rather unusual grave, said to be the final resting place of the legendary outlaw Will Scarlet. This grave stands out from the rest, not just because of its unique shape, but also due to the enduring legend surrounding the man buried within. Will Scarlet, a name synonymous with the tales of Robin Hood, is believed to have been laid to rest in a grave fashioned in the shape of an arrow, a poignant symbol of his prowess as an archer and his association with the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest.
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Haunted hotels and accommodation near A60
