The Flitting Woman of Dallinghoo
In the quiet lanes around Dallinghoo, a small village in Suffolk, a peculiar and unsettling phenomenon has been reported for centuries. Locals claim to have seen the ghostly apparition of a woman, known as the Flitting Woman, who is said to haunt these rural roads. According to legend, she was a widow named Shawe who, in a fit of despair, took her own life by slitting her throat. But it was what happened next that has led to her enduring presence in these lanes. Without visible feet, she is said to flit about, a fleeting and eerie sight for those unfortunate enough to cross her path.
This haunting dates back to the nineteenth century, a time of great social change and personal hardship for many. The story of the Flitting Woman has been passed down through generations, with various attempts to explain her restless spirit. While the exact circumstances of her death are unclear, it is thought that her spirit was unable to rest due to the tragic nature of her passing. Witnesses describe her as a fleeting presence, often seen out of the corner of their eye, and her ability to seemingly defy the laws of physics by moving without feet has led to much speculation about her ghostly state.
The haunting is set in rural Suffolk during the Victorian era, a time of significant social and economic change.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Skeletal Figure in Black Robes
Potsford Wood, Wickham Market
Deep in Potsford Wood, a sense of unease settles over travellers, particularly those who venture here at night. It's a place with a dark history, marked by the site where Jonah Snell was hanged, though it's unclear if he's the malevolent presence felt by visitors. In the 1980s, a truck driver stopped to answer nature's call near a plaque commemorating the event. As he walked into the woods, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning, he was face to face with a skeletal form, hooded and dressed in black robes. The shock was too much, and he quickly ran back to his vehicle and drove away.
Widow Shawe's Ghostly Apparition
Churchyards in the area, Boulge
In the rural churchyards of Boulge, Suffolk, a phantom woman is said to roam on stormy nights. This ghostly apparition is believed to be the spirit of a widow who took her own life by cutting her throat. Locals have reported strange sightings of a woman in a flowing white gown, often seen wandering between the gravestones. The exact location of these sightings is unclear, but it's thought that she haunts several churchyards in the area.
Midnight Phantom Coach
Boulge Hall, Boulge
Boulge Hall, a long-standing Suffolk landmark, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Mrs Short, infamous for her fiery temper during life. On the stroke of midnight, locals claim her phantom emerges from the hall's gates in a coach pulled by headless horses, a sight both eerie and fascinating. Some accounts suggest the ghostly occupant is actually a Mr Fitzgerald, adding a layer of mystery to this spectral event. The hall itself no longer stands, but the area around its former site remains a hotspot for paranormal activity.
Phantom Hanging at Letheringham Mill
Watermill, Letheringham
Letheringham Watermill stands as a testament to the tragic events that unfolded within its ancient walls. In the 17th century, miller John Bullard and his son met a gruesome fate at the hands of their hired helper, Jonah Snell. Their bodies were brutally hung from the rafters, a horrific act that would forever taint the mill's history. Even though the original building has been replaced, the restless shades of the victims are said to still appear, reliving the moment of their tragic demise. In 1994, a chilling sight was reported - the ghostly figures of John Bullard and his son, hanging from the beam, a haunting spectacle that continues to send shivers down the spines of those who dare to visit.
Pettistree Headless Horseman
High Street?, Pettistree
Pettistree's sleepy High Street has borne witness to a rather unsettling apparition - a headless horseman trotting down the street in the early hours. This eerie sighting has been reported by at least two different people since the 1990s, leaving onlookers with a lasting sense of unease. The image of a riderless horse, its rider decapitated, is a haunting one, and it's little wonder that this ghostly apparition has become a source of local fascination.
The Man in the Pointed Hat
OAP Home, Wickham Market
Wickham Market's OAP Home has been home to a rather unusual resident - the ghostly figure known as the Man in the Pointed Hat. Staff at the home have reported seeing this apparition moving around the building, giving the impression that he's still very much a part of the community. The fact that he's been spotted by multiple people suggests that this isn't just a one-off sighting, but rather a genuine paranormal phenomenon.
Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Lanes in the area

Seckford Hall Hotel
Woodbridge, Suffolk

The Crown
Framlingham, Suffolk

The Scole Inn
Scole, Norfolk

The Mistley Thorn Hotel
Mistley (near Manningtree), Essex