The Monk of Chesterton
On the winding road between Chesterton and Weston on the Green in Oxfordshire, locals claim to have encountered a rather unsettling apparition - a monk with a penchant for chasing travellers. This eerie figure is said to be the ghost of a monk who, according to local legend, had a scandalous affair with a woman known as 'Mad Maude' from Weston on the Green. The circumstances of his death are shrouded in mystery, but one thing is certain - his spirit is believed to roam these rural roads, seeking out those who dare to venture forth after dark.
Historical records are scarce, but the tale of the monk and 'Mad Maude' has been passed down through generations of locals. While the details of their illicit affair are largely speculative, it's clear that the monk's actions were considered shocking and perhaps even sinful by the standards of his time. The fact that his ghost is said to haunt this particular stretch of road may suggest a lingering sense of guilt or unrest. Witnesses describe the monk as a menacing figure, hell-bent on chasing down anyone who crosses his path. Though there are no documented dates or times for these sightings, the legend has become an integral part of local folklore.
Medieval monastic scandal
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Mad Maude of Weston Manor
Weston Manor Hotel, Weston on the Green
Weston Manor Hotel, a place steeped in history and paranormal activity, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Mad Maude. This tragic figure met a grisly end, burnt at the stake for her illicit affair with a monk. The hotel, once a convent, seems to be the perfect setting for Maude's restless spirit to roam free. Guests and visitors have reported strange occurrences, including the eerie sounds of an invisible horse and coach making its way around the courtyard.
Mad Maude's Oak Room Haunting in Oxfordshire
Weston Manor Hotel, Weston-on-the-Green
The Weston Manor Hotel has a long and storied history that dates back to its days as a monastery. One of the most fascinating tales associated with this hotel is the haunting of the Oak Room (No.7), said to be home to the ghost of Mad Maude, a nun who fell in love with a monk and was subsequently burnt at the stake for her dalliance. According to reports, people have complained of excessive heat during the night, as well as coldness too! Lights switching on and off has also been known to occur in this area.
Dark Form Encounter RAF
RAF Weston on the Green, Weston on the Green
RAF Weston on the Green in Oxfordshire is home to a chilling encounter that has left many questions unanswered. It was a warm night in 1995 when an officer, taking part in a night exercise on the airfield with a group of ATC cadets, came face to face with the unexplained. The air quickly turned icy cold as several dark shapes materialised out of nowhere. One of these dark forms ran towards the officer who managed to sidestep it, and it vanished as it passed him. This bizarre incident was corroborated when the officer later mentioned his experience to a colleague, and it was overheard by a nearby airman who had a similar encounter in the past.
Kirtlington Pond Ghost
Village pond, Kirtlington
Kirtlington Village Pond has been the site of some pretty strange goings-on, centred around the ghost of James Dashwood. This spirit caused quite a stir locally, but was eventually bound to the pond. The story goes that if the pond ever dries up, Dashwood will be released from his watery prison. It's a fascinating tale that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike.
Gala Bingo Ghost
Gala Bingo, Oxford
Gala Bingo in Oxford has a reputation for being haunted, although details are scarce. This site was once the Regal cinema, a popular entertainment venue that operated for many years. In the 1990s, reports began to surface of paranormal activity within the building. While the exact nature of these occurrences is unclear, they were apparently significant enough to earn the location a spot on the list of Oxfordshire's most haunted sites.
Shipton Smoking Train Ghost
on, Shipton
Shipton in Oxfordshire is home to a rather eerie ghostly sighting known as the Smoking Train. On a chilly winter's evening, 22 December 2009, at around 21:30, a lone angler was fishing beside a railway bridge when he witnessed a steam train materialise seemingly out of thin air. The train glided silently past him, its carriages giving off an ominous appearance as if they were engulfed in flames, with black smoke billowing out of the windows. What made this sighting all the more unsettling was that the train vanished into thin air as it continued down the track, leaving the witness stunned and bewildered.