Mad Jack Mytton's Ghost
The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel in Atcham, Shropshire, is home to a most intriguing spectre - that of John 'Mad Jack' Mytton. This eccentric local character lived a life of unbridled excess, surrounded by 2000 dogs and 60 cats, and drinking six bottles of port per day. His lavish lifestyle eventually caught up with him, and he died in a debtors' prison. Yet, his spirit refuses to rest, and every year on his birthday, 30 September, his ghost is said to revisit the hotel that now bears his name.
Born into a life of luxury, John Mytton quickly developed a taste for the finer things. His antics as a local eccentric have become the stuff of legend, and it's little wonder that his spirit is drawn back to the hotel that now stands on land once familiar to him. While there are no documented witness accounts of Mad Jack's ghostly visits, the hotel's reputation for paranormal activity on 30 September is well-known among locals. It's a date that marks not only Mytton's birthday but also the anniversary of his death, a poignant reminder of the transience of life and the enduring power of the human spirit.
John Mytton lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time of great social change and excess in England.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Ghostly Bride at The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel
The Mytton and Mermaid, Atcham
The Mytton and Mermaid Hotel has a long history of paranormal activity, with many claiming to have spotted the ghostly figure of a woman known as the Black Lady of Atcham. According to local legend, she was a jilted bride who took her own life by jumping into the nearby Severn River.
The Owd Scriven of Brompton
Area once known as Banky Piece, Berrington
In the quaint village of Berrington, Shropshire, a centuries-old wooden effigy sits proudly within the local church. This remarkable relic is known as Owd Scriven o' Brompton, a knight who allegedly battled a ferocious lion in the area now known as Banky Piece. The story goes that the brave knight emerged victorious, but not without sustaining a significant scar on his face, which is eerily captured in the effigy's wooden likeness.
The Seventeenth Century Boy
Road leading through the village, Enchmarsh
In the sleepy Shropshire village of Enchmarsh, a most unusual encounter took place on a road that leads through the heart of the village. It was April 1965 when two men, driving through the quiet village, were startled to see a 'colourless' horse and rider standing in the middle of the road. The rider was dressed in clothing reminiscent of the 17th century, a sight that was both unexpected and intriguing. The horse, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of the car, then galloped away across a nearby field, leaving the two men to wonder if they had really seen what they thought they had.
Rich Buried Well Legend
Buried well near Bell Brook, Wroxeter
Tucked away near Bell Brook in Wroxeter, Shropshire, lies the intriguing legend of Well Rich, a buried well shrouded in mystery. An old local poem hints at its existence, stating 'Near the brook of Bell, there is a well, which is richer than any man can tell'. The poem's cryptic message has sparked curiosity among locals and paranormal enthusiasts alike, leaving many to wonder what secrets lie beneath the surface.
Edgmond Wagon Driver Ghost
Lane between Edgmond and Adeney, Edgmond
The lane between Edgmond and Adeney in Shropshire is said to be haunted by the ghost of a wagon driver who met a tragic end. It's believed that around 1868, a drunk wagon driver lost control of his cart and was run over, resulting in his death. Locals claim that his spirit has returned to the scene of the accident, doomed to relive the moment of his demise. The haunting is characterised by reports of a phantom presence, with some witnesses claiming to have seen the ghostly wagon driver wandering the lane.
Mermaid of Dairy Pit
Dary Pit, Little Wenlock
Dairy Pit, a pool at the foot of the Ercall, has a rather unusual history. It's said to have been home to an inland mermaid, a creature not typically associated with Shropshire's landscape. The pit's reputation also extends to being a spot where troublesome spirits were laid to rest. While there's no concrete evidence to support these claims, the site's mystique has endured.