Highwayman of Clifton Down
Clifton Down, a scenic area in Bristol, is home to a rather intriguing ghost story. It's said that a driver and passenger witnessed a dark figure standing in the middle of the road with long arms stretched out in a 'stand and deliver' stance, around 23:00h in 1977. This eerie apparition was seen on Lady's Mile, a stretch of road with a rich history. Several days later, the driver discovered that the ghost was believed to be that of Jenkins Protheroe, a former highwayman who was hanged in the area.
The story of Jenkins Protheroe, a highwayman who operated in the Clifton area, dates back to the 18th century. Protheroe was known for his cunning and brazen robberies, which eventually led to his capture and execution. It's said that he was hanged on the very road where his ghostly apparition was seen. The 'stand and deliver' stance, a classic highwayman's pose, adds to the authenticity of the sighting. While there's no concrete evidence to prove the paranormal nature of the encounter, the coincidence between the ghostly apparition and the historical figure of Jenkins Protheroe is certainly striking.
18th-century highwayman executed in Clifton area
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Nearby Haunted Places
Clifton Bridge Jumpers Ghosts
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Clifton Suspension Bridge is a spot where the living and the dead seem to converge. This magnificent feat of engineering spanning the Avon Gorge has borne witness to the darkest moments of human despair. Over the years, numerous individuals have taken their own lives by jumping off its towering structure. It's said that the restless spirits of these tragic souls still linger, manifesting as shades that drift aimlessly around the bridge. These ghostly apparitions are thought to be the embodiment of their final moments, forever trapped in a cycle of sorrow and regret.
Ghost of Captain John Gray
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Down in the docks of Bristol, the SS Great Britain stands as a testament to the city's rich maritime history. But it's not just the ship's impressive stature that draws visitors - it's the unexplained occurrences that have been reported on board. In 1993, a young man named Sonny Graffo encountered a ghostly figure while on a work placement. The apparition was that of a middle-aged man, matching the description of Captain John Gray, who mysteriously vanished in 1872. This sighting sparked a flurry of reports from others who claimed to have heard disembodied footsteps echoing through the ship's corridors.
Ghostly Child Footsteps
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The Hatchett Inn in Bristol is said to be one of the oldest inns in the city, and it's certainly one of the most haunted. Fifteen ghosts are rumoured to reside here, including the eerie presence of a ghostly child who can be heard walking around. Imagine being in a historic pub, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Bristol's city centre, when suddenly you hear the faint sound of tiny footsteps coming from upstairs or from within the walls. It's a strange and unsettling experience that has been reported by many visitors to the Hatchett Inn.
Bristol Poltergeist Outbreak
Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Bristol
Deep in the heart of Bristol, a most unusual and intriguing poltergeist activity took place at the Kings Chase Shopping Centre back in 1976. It was a time of bustling shops and busy shoppers, but little did anyone know that several stores within the centre were about to be affected by a series of bizarre and unexplained events. Small items began moving on their own, disembodied footsteps echoed through the corridors, and the rustling of unknown origins filled the air. But perhaps the most astonishing incident was that of a kettle, which inexplicably turned itself on, leaving onlookers perplexed and bewildered.
Suicide at Old Leigh Courthouse
Old Leigh Courthouse, Abbots Leigh
Old Leigh Courthouse in Abbots Leigh was once said to be haunted by the spirit of a woman who took her own life in a rather gruesome manner, cutting her own throat. The disturbances caused by her presence were significant enough to warrant locking parts of the building at night, a clear indication that the locals took these occurrences seriously. The haunting, which reportedly took place in the eighteenth century, was marked by unexplained bangs and crashes, adding to the fear and mystery surrounding this location.
Ghostly Radiogram Music
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Sea Mills Farmhouse in Bristol has a spooky tale to tell. An estate agent and his client were exploring the old, vacant property in 2001 when a mysterious thing happened. A 1950s radiogram suddenly burst into life, playing classical music. Both men searched for a self-timer or some other explanation, but they couldn't find anything. It was as if the music had appeared out of thin air.
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Haunted hotels and accommodation near Clifton Down
