The Wooden Legged Man of Church Stretton
The Bottle and Glass Inn in Church Stretton is home to a rather unusual ghostly presence. Locals and visitors alike have reported hearing the unmistakable sound of a man with a wooden leg making his way around the pub. The creaking and thumping of the wooden limb on the floorboards is said to be quite audible, leaving many to wonder about the story behind this phantom patron. What could have led to this man's untimely demise, and why does his spirit still linger in this Shropshire pub?
Historical records of the Bottle and Glass Inn are scarce, but it's believed to date back to the Victorian era. During this time, wooden legs were not uncommon for those injured in accidents or during military service. One theory is that the ghostly man with a wooden leg may have been a soldier or a local resident who met with an accident. While there's no concrete evidence to support this claim, the fact remains that the sound of his wooden leg has been a long-standing mystery for those who frequent the inn. The haunting manifestation is categorised as an audio experience, with no reported visual sightings.
The Bottle and Glass Inn has been a local landmark in Church Stretton since the Victorian era.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Wild Edric Ghostly Hound
Hills around the town, Church Stretton
The rolling hills around Church Stretton in Shropshire are said to be haunted by the ghostly apparition of a large hound, known as Wild Edric. This spectral creature is described as having eyes that glow red like hot coals, striking fear into the hearts of those who claim to have seen it. According to local legend, Wild Edric is a manifestation of a local hero and protector of Britain, who has been watching over the area for centuries.
The Falling Girl of Halzer Hill
Halzer Hill, Church Stretton
Halzer Hill, a site of eerie legend in Church Stretton, Shropshire, is home to a haunting that has left locals and visitors alike with a chill down their spines. Deep within an old, abandoned copper mine, a tragic accident claimed the life of a young girl who fell to her death down an open shaft. It's said that her blood-curdling screams still echo through the mine's tunnels, a heartbreaking reminder of the fatal accident that took her life. The mine, now a hotspot for paranormal activity, attracts those drawn to the unexplained and the eerie atmosphere that pervades this site of sorrow.
Major Smalman's Ghostly Escape
Area around Wilderhope Manor, Church Stretton
Wilderhope Manor, nestled in the rolling hills of Shropshire, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Major Smalman, a diehard Royalist who lived there during the English Civil War. His home was once besieged by Roundheads, and it's said that Smalman managed to escape on horseback. Locals claim that his ghost can still be seen galloping away from the building, reliving that desperate bid for freedom. But that's not all - the manor is also reportedly haunted by the shade of a young girl who smiles at any witnesses before screaming horribly.
The Rustling Woman of Copper Hole
Area once known as Copper Hole, Church Stretton
Deep in the Shropshire countryside, near the village of Church Stretton, lies the area once known as Copper Hole. It's a spot where the ordinary and the unexplained seem to intersect. In 1882, a man walking from Church Stretton towards Hope Bowdler reported a most unsettling encounter. As he strolled along the road, he noticed a woman moving slowly behind him. He stopped to let her catch up, expecting her to draw level, but despite appearing to walk, she never closed the gap. The rustling of her dress was audible, yet there were no footsteps to be heard. This eerie scenario played out several times, with the man pausing to allow the woman to catch up, only for her to remain at a distance.
Legendary Arrow Haunting
Robin Hood's Butts, Church Stretton
Robin Hood's Butts, a series of ancient round barrows, stands quietly in the Shropshire countryside. This unassuming spot is steeped in legend, for it's said that the outlaw Robin Hood himself once stood here, firing an arrow at Ludlow church, several kilometres away. The story goes that his aim was off, and the arrow missed the steeple, embedding deep into the roof instead. It's a tale that's been passed down through the ages, leaving behind a haunting that's as intriguing as it is little-known.
Hyssington Church Bull Exorcism
Hyssington church, Hyssington
Hyssington Church in Shropshire is home to a rather unusual ghost story. A ghostly bull, said to be the animalistic manifestation of an evil squire, was once believed to haunt a local farmhouse. The locals were so afraid of this phantom creature that a group of brave clergymen decided to take matters into their own hands. They lured the bull into the church, where they performed a fierce exorcism. The ritual was said to have been so intense that it cracked the church wall, but did it really banish the spirit or just relocate it?