The Black Shape of A442
On a stretch of road between Telford and Bridgenorth in Shropshire, a rather eerie encounter has been reported not once but twice, twelve years apart. In 2009, a couple driving along the A442 were startled when they spotted a black human shape clad in a long coat standing by the side of the road. They thought the figure would step out in front of their car, but it vanished into thin air just in time. The couple were left shaken, wondering if they had really seen what they thought they had.
Fast forward to 2021, and another pair of travellers had a similar experience on the same stretch of road. This time, it was 19:30h on a November evening when they too saw a dark figure in a long coat. As with the previous encounter, the figure disappeared as oncoming headlights lit up the scene. These two incidents, separated by over a decade, raise questions about the nature of this black shape. Is it a ghostly apparition, a prank gone wrong, or something else entirely? The fact that multiple witnesses have reported similar experiences lends credibility to the claims.
The A442 road has connected Telford and Bridgenorth for decades, with the area surrounding it having undergone significant changes over the years.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Phantom Funeral Procession
Road towards village, Ratlinghope
In the rolling hills of Ratlinghope, a strange and unsettling sight has been reported by locals and travellers alike. A large group of people, said to be following a horse-drawn hearse, has been seen making its way swiftly along the road towards the village, which winds its way through the picturesque Long Mynd hills. The procession is notable for its speed, moving much more quickly than one would expect from a traditional funeral cortege.
The Headless Monk of Madeley
Mount Hill, Madeley
Mount Hill in Madeley is home to a rather unsettling presence - a headless monk. This decapitated entity was said to have terrified a teenage girl back in the 1970s to such a degree that she never returned to the area. The location of this haunting is particularly interesting as it's situated next to the old Courthouse. It's hard not to wonder if there's a connection between the two, perhaps a tragic event that took place in the Courthouse that led to the monk's untimely demise.
The Woman in White Apparition
Arleston Road, Telford
Arleston Road in Telford, Shropshire, is home to a rather unsettling ghostly encounter. A driver and his passenger were travelling along this road circa 2008 when they spotted a white glowing figure crossing the road ahead of their car. The figure seemed to break apart like it was made of dandelion seeds. The driver described the figure as a woman in her mid-20s, while the passenger had a rather different take, describing her as looking old and evil. This stark contrast in descriptions adds to the mystique of this paranormal sighting.
The Yellow Eyed Cat of Telford
Silkin Way, Telford
Silkin Way in Telford is a spot where walkers and nature lovers often come to enjoy the outdoors. But on one evening in early 2011, a walker got a fright when they heard rustling in the nearby bushes. As they cautiously approached, they were startled by loud cat-like screeching. Backing away slowly, they caught a glimpse of a large black cat with piercing yellow eyes. The sudden encounter left the walker shaken, wondering what they had just seen.
The Candle Lady of Broseley
Ruined churchyard, Broseley
In the quaint village of Broseley, Shropshire, a haunted churchyard has been the site of a mystifying encounter. The ruined churchyard, once a place of worship and community, now stands as a testament to the passing of time. It was here that three witnesses claimed to have seen a ghostly figure, a woman dressed in a poke bonnet, carrying a candle. The apparition was said to have appeared before them, only to vanish into thin air. This eerie sighting has left many questions unanswered, and the identity of the woman remains a mystery.
The Friendly Swan Hotel Ghost
Swan Hotel, Dawley
The Swan Hotel in Dawley, Shropshire, is home to a friendly phantom known as Humphrey. He's said to appear in the hotel's corridors, wearing a long coat with untanned leather trousers. Guests and staff have reported seeing him walking up and down the hallways, and he's often heard outside bedrooms. Despite being a ghost, Humphrey seems to be a welcoming presence, and his appearances are more likely to delight than disturb.