John Naden's Ghostly Procession
In the rolling countryside around Leek, a rather eerie presence is said to roam. This area was once home to the gallows where John Naden met his untimely demise, hanged for murder. What's fascinating, or perhaps unsettling, is that the very gallows used for his execution were later dismantled and repurposed as stiles in the surrounding countryside. It's believed that Naden's spirit has formed a sort of emotional bond with these pieces of wood, leading him to haunt the area where they now stand.
Historically, the reuse of execution gallows as stiles was not uncommon, but it does add a layer of poignancy to Naden's haunting. His execution took place just before the gallows were repurposed, suggesting that his spirit may have lingered, attached to the physical structures of his death. While details of the haunting are scarce, the manifestation of Naden's ghost is reportedly tied to the stiles made from the gallows. This type of haunting, often referred to as a 'procession' or 'restless spirit', indicates a possible unfinished business or a lingering emotional connection to the site of death.
The area around Leek has a rich history, with many historical sites and landmarks. The haunting of John Naden adds to the complex tapestry of local folklore.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Phantom Jacobean Carriage
Moors near to Blakemere Pond, Leek
Deep in the Staffordshire moors, near Blakemere Pond, a chilling sighting took place on a dark November evening in 2013. Three friends, gathered for a vigil on the windswept moors, reported seeing a stunning Jacobean style carriage, seemingly without horses, speeding across the landscape. For five minutes, the coach remained visible, its elaborate design a stark contrast to the rugged, natural beauty of the moors. At its closest point, it passed about two hundred metres from the awestruck witnesses, leaving them shaken and wondering if they'd really seen what they thought they had.
Jacobites' Black Hound
Leek to Ashbourne road, Swinscoe
On the windswept Leek to Ashbourne road in Staffordshire, a spine-tingling legend has taken hold. Locals whisper about a massive black hound said to roam the stretch of road where three Jacobite rebels are buried. This eerie canine guardian is believed to ensure the graves of the rebellious men remain undisturbed. The hound's presence is shrouded in mystery, with no one certain when it appears or what its intentions are. Some say it's a harbinger of doom, while others believe it's a loyal protector of the fallen rebels.
Phantom Coach of Leek
Ashbourne Road, Leek
On Ashbourne Road in Leek, Staffordshire, a strange and unexplained phenomenon has been reported by locals and travellers alike. The phantom coach is a haunting manifestation that can be heard travelling through the area, its presence felt but not seen. The sound of rattling wheels and horses' hooves echoes through the night air, leaving many to wonder about the origins of this ghostly apparition. Some believe it may be the spirit of a long-forgotten carriage, doomed to roam the roads for eternity.
Mysterious Bone-Spewing Well
Well in the Wall, Tean
In the quaint village of Tean, Staffordshire, lies a well with a rather bizarre reputation. Willy Wall's Well, or Willy Waugh's Well as it's also known, has been spitting out small bones for as long as anyone can remember. Most of the year, that is, except for July and August when it seems to keep its secrets to itself. The bones, likely from birds, have been a source of fascination for locals and visitors alike, leaving many to wonder what's behind this strange phenomenon.
Mermaid of Blakemere
Blakemere, Leek
Blakemere's eerie waters are said to be home to a legendary creature - the Killer Mermaid. This fish woman surfaces at midnight to comb her hair, but beware, for anyone venturing too close risks being dragged down into the deep waters with her. The mermaid's pool has been a source of fascination for locals and visitors alike, with many claiming to have caught a glimpse of this mystical being.
Dieulacres Abbey White Figure
Area of Dieulacres Abbey, Leek
Dieulacres Abbey, a once majestic presence in Leek, Staffordshire, now lies in ruin, its grandeur lost to the passage of time. Yet, it's here that a rather intriguing sighting took place in 1894. Several people claimed to have spotted a white-robed figure wandering the grounds where the abbey once stood. The story quickly gained traction, with many believing it to be a ghostly apparition. However, the explanation turned out to be far more mundane, yet no less fascinating. The 'ghost' was identified as a Canon, a member of the clergy, who was visiting old religious sites, clad in the traditional white robes of his order.
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Haunted hotels and accommodation near Countryside around the town
